Author: Cindy Marves

As of May 5, 2023, the U.S. is witnessing an outbreak of Hepatitis A, traced back to the consumption of frozen organic strawberries. A total of nine cases have been reported from three states: Washington, California, and Oregon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been tracking this outbreak since its inception. The most recent case was reported on April 12, 2023​1​. The Outbreak: A Closer Look at the Numbers The outbreak has resulted in a total of nine illnesses so far, with three of the victims requiring hospitalization.…

Bozeman, Montana – The Gallatin City-County Health Department, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), and federal agencies are continuing their investigation into the foodborne illness outbreak at Dave’s Sushi, which has been linked to two recent deaths in the area. The outbreak appears to be isolated to customers who dined at Dave’s Sushi between March 31 and April 17, 2023. The restaurant remains closed, with no further risk to the public. According to the DPHHS, at least 30 individuals have been identified as being associated with the outbreak, having eaten at the restaurant within the specified time…

Food contamination essentially refers to a foreign thing getting into the food that should not be there, making the food unsafe to consume. Even the most minor form of food contamination can sometimes cause serious food safety concerns as it may cause the consumer to fall sick or, even worse, a foodborne illness outbreak. Food safety is paramount for food businesses and restaurants, as a single case of food poisoning can tarnish their image and invite legal trouble. What are the Types of Food Contamination? Even while adhering to the best food safety standards, sometimes something unwanted gets added to…

Over the years, the United States has seen several foodborne illness outbreaks, some of which have been more lethal than others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that contaminated food causes approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths yearly. The number of cases is usually higher during an outbreak than in a normal year. Foodborne illness outbreaks typically occur when multiple people contract a similar illness after consuming a common food, and analysis of the food implicates it as the source of the disease. In the early 1920s, the Public Health Service was responsible for reporting foodborne illness…

Food safety is very important both at home and in food establishments. If not handled safely, what is supposed to be a mouth-watering and healthy meal can quickly become hazardous. CDC estimates that about one in six people gets sick, and 3,000 people die from foodborne illness yearly in the United States. Besides health risks, poor food safety can also lead to negative inspection ratings, fines, and lawsuits in the restaurant industry. Fortunately, clear and effective guidelines can help handle food correctly and avoid foodborne illnesses. This quick and easy guide will outline all the necessary information for handling Time…

Every year, approximately 600 million people worldwide contract foodborne illnesses. According to the CDC, 48 million people in the United States become ill each year as a result of eating contaminated food. Cross-contamination is one of the many ways that food can become contaminated and cause food poisoning. While most foodborne illness outbreaks are traced back to retail food establishments, they can also occur at home. Fortunately, you can avoid cross-contamination by following the proper food safety precautions. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about preventing cross-contamination. What Is Cross-Contamination? Cross-contamination is the unintentional transfer of pathogens from…

In 2018, a California man made headlines when he pulled out a 1.5-meter tapeworm from his body—which may have been caused by the consumption of raw fish in sushi. In another case, a 32-years man was admitted to a hospital with severe abdominal pain days after eating sushi. The doctors found a tapeworm attached to the mucus of his intestinal walls, and the symptoms resolved immediately after the worm was removed. Were these a one-time occurrence, or what are your odds of getting illnesses from eating sushi? While sushi-related infections are uncommon, eating sushi is not completely without risk—especially if…

The US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week they are investigating a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak. Not much information has been released, but according to the FSIS situation report, the early stages of the investigation have been launched. The FSIS has not released details about how many people are sick or where they live. The most recent update was posted on April 20, 2022 and states that chicken is a possible source of the outbreak and Salmonella Enteritidis is the pathogen involved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not released any information…

CDC reports more than 100 sick in U.S. outbreak traced to oysters from Canada A major norovirus outbreak has been linked to oysters from British Columbia. As of April 6, 2022, at least 103 norovirus illnesses have been reported from 13 states. The CDC, FDA, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, along with state and local partners, are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of norovirus illnesses. The FDA has advised restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell potentially contaminated raw oysters from Canada. This means that you should avoid eating raw oysters served in restaurants or…

The Cyclospora contamination of the lettuce products was discovered during routine surveillance performed by The Minnesota Department of Agriculture laboratory. According to the DATCP, the only products were delivered to retail food establishments in Wisconsin. Where were the Ocean Farms brand romaine hearts sold? The retail stores which received the contaminated romaine hearts are: Dick’s Fresh Market – Amery, Osceola, River Falls, SomersetMarketPlace – St. Croix FallsNilssen’s Foods – Baldwin, Cumberland, Ellsworth, Glenwood CitySuper One Harbor View – SuperiorWayne’s Foods Plus – Danbury, Webster How do I know if my package is being recalled? Ocean Mist Farms brand of romaine…