Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Lethal Hand Sanitizers Continue to be Recalled Since June 19, 2020, the FDA has been issuing recalls and warnings for contaminated and lethal hand sanitizers that have contained methanol, 1-propanol, and other impurities. If consumed, these additional chemicals can be extremely harmful and even deadly. As Coronavirus continues to be a looming threat, companies that do not typically make hand sanitizer have been producing hand sanitizer and other products to assist the United States facing shortages of essential items. On top of that, companies that traditionally make hand sanitizer have been trying to overcome the shortages for months, while…

September: National Food Safety Education Month The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 6 Americans (over 48 million people) fall victim to foodborne illness each year, leading to the hospitalization of 128,000 people, and the death of 3,000. Because of the continued prevalence of foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning) in America each year, the month of September has been dedicated to the education of its prevention. Though scientists have discovered over 250 foodborne illnesses, the top five most common and dangerous in the U.S. are norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter and Staphylococcus aureus,…

Brazil Nuts Cause Salmonella Outbreak in UK; America Could be Next While the United States is already facing several Salmonella outbreaks, including the Peach Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, as well as the Newport Red Onion Salmonella outbreak, Americans could be facing a new Salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated Brazil nuts from Bolivia. Several companies recalled various products containing Brazil nuts contaminated with Salmonella for products distributed in Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland,…

European scientists have recently created a new method to detect the presence of Campylobacter bacteria in chickens. Currently, Campylobacter is tested for by testing chicken fecal droppings; however, this method of testing can take more than four days for test results. During this waiting period, chickens are often slaughtered and infected groups can infect other flocks through cross contamination. The new method will utilize air sampling detection by using a mini vacuum cleaner to collect samples and test them for traces of Campylobacter bacteria with test results available the same day. With results available the same day as testing, all…

111 Illnesses as Peach Salmonella Outbreak Grows: Additional Recalls and Increased Illnesses of Salmonella Enteritidis Identified in the U.S. and Canada The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak due to contaminated peaches has caused 78 reported illnesses, requiring 23 hospitalizations, in 12 states (CT, IA, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WI). The outbreak has also hit Canada, causing 33 confirmed illnesses and three hospitalizations in two provinces: Ontario (22) and Quebec (11). The products were distributed nationwide in the United States from June 1, 2020, to approximately August 19, 2020, though additional recalls are still being ordered.…

Sunshine Mills, Inc. Announces Recall on Dog Food for Salmonella Contamination Did you know you can catch Salmonellosis from your pet? Well you can. Read below to understand just how this happens and how to prevent it, in light of the recent recall issued by Sunshine Mills, Inc. on its Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food blended with Real Chicken and Quail for possible contamination with Salmonella. As far as food poisoning is concerned, your pet’s safety is not the only issue when a contamination of their food, such as this, occurs. Although Salmonellosis is generally spread to humans through…

Nature’s Menu Dog Food Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken and Quail, a product of Sunshine Mills, Inc., has been recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall was issued after the Georgia Department of Agriculture found traces of Salmonella bacteria while testing a single 3-pound bag of the product. Distributed in retail stores nationally with UPC codes 7015514363 and 7015514365, the recalled products have the following lot codes for three pound bags: TE1 20/April /2020, TE1 21/April/2020, TE1 22/April/2020, TE2 20/April /2020, TE2 21/April/2020, TE2 22/April/2020,…

Canada Also Hit by Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Caused by Peaches The United States Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak caused by contaminated Prima Wawona peaches has spread to Canada, causing 33 confirmed illnesses and three hospitalizations in two provinces: Ontario (22) and Quebec (11). These illnesses occurred between June and August 2020. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is confident that the outbreak has not been caused by peaches grown in Canada; rather that this outbreak has been caused by contaminated peaches shipped from the United States. Epidemiological evidence procured by the CDC has indicated that the most probable source of the August 2020 Salmonella…

With 68 Reported Cases of Salmonellosis, Additional Peaches Recalled Due to Salmonella Outbreak             Epidemiological evidence procured by the CDC has indicated that the most probable source of the August 2020 Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak is peaches, specifically peaches supplied by Prima Wawona and Wawona Packing Company. Originally only recalling bagged peaches sold at ALDI, Prima Wawona has expanded their recall to include bulk or loose peaches, sold from June 1, 2020 to August 3, 2020, as well as bagged Wawona and Organic Wawona peaches sold from June 1, 2020 to August 19, 2020, for potential Salmonella contamination. The contaminated peaches…

An Outbreak of 68 Salmonella Enteritidis Cases in Nine States has been Traced to Wawona Peaches The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced yet another Salmonella outbreak. The FDA has declared an ongoing investigation in regards to the numerous confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis found across multiple states. The initial cases were traced back through epidemiological methods. Health officials discovered a likely connection between the Salmonella Enteritis cases and bagged peaches sold by ALDI’s. The peaches of concern were sold by ALDI’s between June 1, 2020 and August 19, 2020, when ALDI issued a voluntary recall on their…