Author: McKenna Madison Coveny
State and national food safety agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the McHenry County Department of Health are furiously trying to get ahead of an outbreak of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC), a serious and potentially deadly bacteria that causes severe food poisoning including bloody stools. Huntley Community School District 158 released a statement indicating that seven students had tested positive, beginning as early as September 17, 2023. The investigation has included taking samples, even of the drinking water and ice on campus. An d while some violations in the health…
Two hours is the “general rule” for the maximum amount of time food should be left out of the refrigerator before requiring quick cooling to less-than 40 degrees. All foods that are perishable should never be left in the danger zone (41-139 degrees – often known as the 40-140 rule) for long. The maximum time for foods left in 90 + degrees is even shorter, at one hour. No food left out for more than 4 hours should be consumed. This applies to rice and pasta especially, which often have the bacteria bacillus cereus, also known as B.Cereus. The spores…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted an advisory telling retailers to get rid of oysters procured from Future Seafoods Inc. of Bedeque, P.E.I., if they were harvested from area PE9B and shipped on Oct. 10. Why? Due to the finding by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of both Salmonella and E. coli in samples tested on a routine basis. While this is a limited alert, the problem is part of a growing trend, in which more and more outbreaks of potentially deadly bacteria (and viruses) have been reported in recent years. Some experts point the finger at global…
River Hefflin, a 15-month old boy, is just one of eight hospitalized children facing an uphill climb against e. coli, a potentially deadly bacteria that is all too commonly linked to fair grounds and petting zoos. Young River remains hospitalized at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. These preventable illnesses, says Ron Simon, who along with John Gomez were the lead attorneys in the San Diego County E. coli outbreak that turned deadly, need to end so our kids can have the same experiences we had growing up, but do so in a safe environment.” According to Deidre Hefflin, right…
San Diego County has reported at least 9 cases of salmonellosis after consumers partook of Raw Farm LLC milk products that were not pasteurized. According to San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, the victims all reported consuming products from this one retailer, and are urging consumers with these products on had to discard them immediately. According to national salmonella lawyer Ron Simon, “drinking unpasteurized dairy products is always unsafe. It can be deadly to the young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems, but can also make people n good health very ill. It can also have significant side-effects…
The Phu Huong Food Company, out of Rosemead, California, has recalled hundreds of pounds of frozen, precooked meatballs because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The 11 ounce packages are found in the frozen section of California vendors, and contain beef and chicken. The adulterated product was produced on two days in October, including the 2nd and 3rd, and is not believed to implicate other production dates at this time. The recalled product label states: “BÒ VIÊN PHÙ-HƯƠNG GÂN BEEF MEATBALLS (WITH BEEF TENDONS) (Chicken added / Cô Gá)” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service…
The United States Food and Drug Administration, and many food safety experts, often repeat these words – clean, separate, cook, and chill. Many restaurants use them in catchy posters and as a way to remind food handlers that they play an important role in food safety. CLEAN Clean means just that. Clean surfaces do not transmit viruses and bacteria, and taking the time to thoroughly wash hands between jobs can be the most effective tool in preventing food borne illness in the kitchen. As such, restaurants are required to have reserved hand washing sinks, dedicated only to hand washing with…
On September 2, 2022, Anthony Sanchez and Emily Banda were wedded at Lost Mission in Comal County, Texas. Lost Mission provided the food for the reception which consisted of (among other things) chicken piccata, angel hair pasta, Caesar salad, green beans almondine, and cake. At least 300 guests are believed to have attended the wedding, and at least 60 reported becoming ill. Within hours, many of the guests were suffering form nausea, diarrhea, some experienced vomiting, abdominal cramping, and headaches. While many of the guests simply pushed through and moved on, a number were forced to seek medical attention, including…
On Monday the 16th of October, the world celebrated World Food Day. It came and went, however, with little more than a nodding glance as the world’s news passed it by. But food remains the universal common need for every human, whether it is an issue of getting enough of it or making sure it is safe. Here are nine food reminders for consumers to keep in mind: Recent, Ongoing Recalls or Alerts:
Its what scares every parent – 52 hospitalized and another 50 confirmed cases of e. coli, bringing the total number of victims to over 100. And for what? For consuming a burger and fries. The litigation into the outbreak began in the aftermath of an onset of e. coli illnesses, beginning with patient “zero” on July 26, 2022, and continuing through at least August 17th of 2022. The victims were identified in six states. The CDC has identified at least 109 cases, though experts believe the actual number to be quite a bit higher. And while the outbreak has been…