Author: Kit Redwine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reaffirmed its position on raw milk consumption, emphasizing the health risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products. Pasteurization, introduced decades ago as a crucial public health measure, remains the FDA’s recommended method for ensuring milk safety. Despite a small but growing interest in raw milk, with less than 1% of Americans opting for unpasteurized products, the FDA maintains that the perceived benefits of raw milk are not scientifically substantiated. In contrast, the health risks are well-documented. Since 1987, 143 reported outbreaks of illness have been linked to raw milk consumption, including severe cases…

Seven women have fallen ill after receiving counterfeit botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections, commonly known as Botox. The incidents, which occurred in February and March 2024, have prompted a multistate investigation involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and health departments in New York City and Tennessee. The affected women, aged 26 to 55, experienced a range of symptoms including drooping eyelids, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, and weakness. These symptoms appeared within days of receiving the injections, which were administered in non-medical settings by unlicensed individuals. Four of the seven patients required hospitalization, with two needing intensive…

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based AB World Foods US, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of Al’Fez Natural Tahini due to potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The presence of Salmonella was discovered by the company during testing. While AB World Foods US, Inc. continues their investigation, the company says that it has halted distribution of the affected product. The recalled product was distributed nationwide. Product Details Consumer Action Consumers should search their pantries and refrigerators for the recalled…

In a significant development in food safety enforcement, Johannes Vulto, 64, and his company, Vulto Creamery LLC, have been sentenced in federal court in Syracuse for their roles in a 2016-2017 listeriosis outbreak linked to their raw milk cheese products, according to a press release from the United States Department of Justice. Vulto, who founded and owned the now-defunct Vulto Creamery, pleaded “guilty to one misdemeanor count of causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce.” The court sentenced him to three years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 240 hours of community service. Vulto Creamery LLC, which has…

Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern in the United States, with an estimated 48 million cases occurring annually, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, restaurants are the primary source of these outbreaks, accounting for 64% of cases in the CDC’s latest surveillance report from 2017. The primary culprits behind these illnesses are pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, norovirus, and hepatitis A. While symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions, most of these illnesses are preventable. The CDC reports that 90% of foodborne…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert concerning ready-to-eat meat and poultry products illegally imported from the Philippines. Background The Philippines is not authorized to export meat and poultry products to the United States, making the presence of these items in the U.S. market illegal. The FSIS is currently investigating how the products entered the country. This alert comes after the discovery of these products during routine surveillance at a retailer. The affected products were distributed to restaurants and retail outlets across nine states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New…

A significant salmonella outbreak tied to raw milk from a California farm has affected far more people than initially reported, according to recently released state records. At least 165 individuals have fallen ill with salmonella infections linked to products from Raw Farm in Fresno, California, as of February this year. This outbreak is now considered the largest reported salmonella incident associated with raw milk in the United States over the past decade, according to abcnews.com. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six…

As previously reported by Food Poisoning News last month, The Download Festival, a popular music event held in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, UK, was marred by reports of a widespread food poisoning outbreak affecting hundreds of attendees. However, many festival goers have reported ongoing health issues weeks after the event, according to the Mirror. Daniel Fitzsimmons, a 27-year-old music fan from Attleborough, Norfolk, shared his harrowing experience. After consuming a pulled pork Yorkshire pudding at the festival, he began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea and diarrhea. The illness forced him to leave the three-day event early, missing performances by…

A recent report on foodborne illness surveillance in the United States has revealed that the country is falling short of its disease-reduction goals. However, this apparent setback may be partly attributed to the increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs), which have enhanced the ability to detect infections that might have gone unreported in the past, according to the University of Minnesota’s CIDRAP. The 2023 Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network report, summarized in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, aims to compare the incidence of foodborne illnesses in 2023 with a baseline established from 2016 to 2018. This comparison is…

Nearly 100 Sickened by Food Poisoning at Malaysian School A food poisoning outbreak at a school in Johor, Malaysia, has affected 90 students and 9 staff members. Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon reported that the affected individuals experienced symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting after eating fried chicken from the school cafeteria on June 27. Eleven of the students required medical attention, but all cases were mild with no hospitalizations required. The Batu Pahat health department has collected food samples and inspected the cafeteria. Laboratory results identifying the cause of the food poisoning are expected within three…