Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Processing Plant Responsible for 33 Cases of Listeria Resumes Operations in Ohio Dole is restarting operations at its processing facility in Springfield, Ohio. Resuming operations at an industrial facility normally wouldn’t make headlines, but this isn’t any processing plant: this is the facility that produced the Listeria-contaminated produce responsible for 19 cases of Listeria in the US – including one fatality – and 14 additional cases in Canada. Three deaths were reported among the confirmed Canadian cases; however, the Canadian Public Health Agency would not confirm that Listeria was the immediate cause of death in any of the three cases. Resumption of…

At Least 30 Norovirus Cases Linked to Fiesta Mexicana restaurant in Red Wing, MN Earlier this morning, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDOH) confirmed a norovirus outbreak linked to Fiesta Mexicana restaurant in Red Wing, Minnesota. At least 30 confirmed norovirus cases have been linked to the outbreak; however, MDOH has received approximately 50 food poisoning complaints from diners. According to some media accounts, the investigation was launched after those complaints were received. The complaints came from people who ate at the restaurant between April 7th and April 9th. Health Department Discovers Potential Sources of Outbreak; Provides Restaurant with Additional…

Raw Meal Organic Shake and Meal Investigation Over; FDA Role Unclear The FDA circulated an email early Monday morning indicating that the multistate investigation of the outbreak of Salmonella Virchow linked to Raw Meal Organic Shake and Meal Replacement Products has ended. The announcement, now also posted on the Agency website, summarizes the entire episode in one sentence: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local officials investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Virchow. The April 22 update issued by the FDA is ambiguous as to the nature of the FDA’s ongoing…

Dramatic Increase in South Central Idaho Shigella Cases The number of Shigella cases reported in South Central Idaho this year has already surpassed the total number of cases reported in 2015, the South Central Public Health District of Idaho said Thursday. Since January 1, 2016, 14 cases of shigellosis, also known as Shigella, have been reported in just four counties: Twin Falls, Minidoka, Blaine, and Jerome. Contrast that with the 17 total cases reported during the full year of 2015. “We’ve had sporadic cases over the years, a few every year,” said Tanis Maxwell, an epidemiologist with the health district. She continued, saying “we’ve…

CRF Frozen Foods Initiates Massive Recall of Frozen Vegetables; Cites Listeria Contamination Concerns CRF Frozen Foods, a Pasco, Washington company, has announced a voluntary recall of fifteen different frozen vegetable items due to fears of Listeria contamination. Routine testing by Ohio state health officials uncovered the Listeria contamination. Testing of one lot of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) organic white sweet cut corn and IQF organic petite green peas both indicated the presence of the bacteria. The recalled frozen vegetables were widely distributed, both to retailers and distribution centers. The distribution of effected items occurred between September 13, 2015 and March 16, 2016.…

While norovirus outbreak at Oregon State University declared “over,” University of Rochester Outbreak Costs College $30,000 Daily OSU Officials Declare Outbreak “Over” “A norovirus outbreak that sickened dozens of residents in a dorm at Oregon State University has been declared over,” the AP reports. 80 to 100 student fell ill with the virus, and that’s one of the more conservative estimates. The outbreak began in late March, as students were returning from spring break. OSU official report that students reporting new symptoms has slowed to a trickle, “cautiously indicating the end of the outbreak.” Jenny Haubenreiser, OSU Student Health Services Director,…

CVS Recalls Herbal Tea Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination CVS Pharmacy has issued a recall announcement for select cases of Gold Emblem Abound Organic Spiced Herbal Tea. The tea manufacturer notified the company that the product is potentially contaminated with Salmonella, triggering the recall. The manufacturer’s raw material supplier reported that one of its ingredients had tested positive for Salmonella in another company’s product. The recalled tea also contains this ingredient. The recall affects products with the following details: “Gold Emblem Abound Organic Spiced Herbal Tea 1.41 oz” Packaged in 1.4 oz cartons Single best by date of 18 Mar 2018 UPC code 0 50428…

Lorigo’s Meating Place Recalls Ground Beef Patties After Tests Reveal Presence of E. coli O157:H7 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Class I recall of ground beef product by Lorigo’s Meating Place on Thursday evening. According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Buffalo-area establishment is recalling the meat product due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The ground beef patties being recalled were produced on April 15, 2016 and meet the following specifications: Sold as a 5 lb. box of ground beef patties; Box label reads “LORIGO BRAND BEEF PATTIES KEEP FROZEN THE MEATING PLACE…

CDC Concludes Investigation of Garden of Life Raw Meal Products; States More Outbreak Cases Possible The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the conclusion of its investigation into a 23-state outbreak of Salmonella Virchow associated with Raw Meal Organic Shake & Meal Replacement products. The Raw Meal products were manufactured, produced and distributed by Garden of Life LLC, a company based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Despite the conclusion of its investigation, the CDC expressed concern that additional outbreak cases may still occur. According to the CDC, the recalled products “have a long shelf life and may still be in people’s homes.” Because…

Salmonella Detected by FDA in Multiple Pet Food Products The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) issued a warning letter to Lystn, LLC, which is operating under the name Answers Pet Food, after positive tests for Salmonella. The FDA product testing commenced following a 27-day inspection of multiple company facilities, including the facilities of the entity’s contract manufacturer. Investigators focused primarily on the Fleetwood, Pennsylvania facility. The warning letter informed the company of the results of the testing, which took place shortly after the conclusion of the inspections. According to the letter, the FDA tests revealed the presence of Salmonella in multiple…