Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Cyclospora Outbreak Continues to Ravage Midwest Causing 509 Reported Illnesses             Eight states are facing 509 reported illnesses caused by a Cyclospora contamination of producer Fresh Express of Streamwood, Illinois, bagged salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage. After previously recalling bagged salad products from brands Fresh Express, Hy-Vee, Little Salad Bar, Signature Farms, and Marketplace, Fresh Express issued an all encompassing recall out of an abundance of caution on 91 different products containing or possibly contaminated with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots, the ingredients thought to be causing the Cyclospora outbreak. Cases of cyclosporiasis were first…

Beware: Rising Trend of Hand Sanitizers Containing Poisonous Methanol 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. Because of the companies switching production, contamination of newly produced products is on the rise, such as hand sanitizer containing methanol, a wood alcohol that can be poisonous. The most recent recall was made on July 6, 2020, of ITECH 361 All Clean Hand Sanitizer, Moisturizer and Disinfectant sold in one liter bottles. 18,940 bottles of…

Cyclospora The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that the investigation of the Fresh Express Bagged Salad Mix Cyclospora Outbreak continues as health officials determine whether other retail stores have been impacted. The Cyclospora outbreak has caused illness in “at least” 206 people (that number is only the “confirmed” cases up to June 28th), many having to seek medical attention because of the severity and persistence of their symptoms – it has forced 23 people to be hospitalized. But what exactly is Cyclospora, how it is transmitted, and what can be done to treat and prevent it? Cyclospora Cyclospora…

Ron Simon and Associates Represent Woman from Iowa in Lawsuit Against Fresh Express and Hy-Vee for Cyclospora Outbreak Just this week, Ron Simon and Associates, one of the leading food safety law firms in the nation, filed a lawsuit against Fresh Express and Hy-Vee, on behalf of a woman from Iowa affected by an ongoing Cyclospora Outbreak. The Cyclospora Outbreak was first detected around mid-June, 2020, when Cyclospora infections began spreading in numerous people across various Midwestern States. Health officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with other state and…

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” says food safety attorney Ron Simon. Today the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates, along with local counsel the Hammer Law Firm, P.L.C.,filed a sixth cyclospora lawsuit as the number of bagged salad outbreak victims continues to climb in Iowa and seven other states. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), by the close of June, there are 206 laboratory-confirmed cyclospora cases linked to consumption of Fresh Express bagged salads in Illinois (57), Iowa (74), Kansas (1), Minnesota (25), Missouri (10), North Dakota (6), Nebraska (20),…

On June, 30, 2020, Garland Ventures Ltd., a company based in Garland, Texas, voluntarily recalled nearly 1100 cases of their “Five Cheese Stuffed Shells”, due to the concern for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes are a type of bacteria which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness known as Listeriosis. The illness is typically propagated by the consumption of food or drink which is contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms, such as headache, fever, and nausea, usually present themselves within 1-4 weeks within exposure, however, some people have reported that symptoms have taken as short as 1 day and others, as…

Garland Ventures LTD of Garland, TX, has issued a voluntary recall of their Five Cheese Stuffed Shells due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. 1095 cases of the effected Five Cheese Stuffed Shells trays were distributed nationwide in various supermarkets and are marked lot #F080SS/F090SS. The Five Cheese Stuffed Shells product were sold in 10.76 oz quantities in an aluminum foil container with a clear lid, containing shells with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parsley. Traces of Listeria monocytogenes were found during routing food safety testing, causing Garland Ventures LTD to issue a voluntary recall. Customers who have purchased the effected…

Norpac Fisheries Export of Hawaii has recalled their “Fresh Shrimp Poke” product due to concerns of Listeria contamination. The Listeria contamination was found during routine food safety testing and results confirmed a Listeria contamination on June 25, 2020. The Fresh Shrimp Poke was sold in plastic deli cups at a serving counter, being sold in various increments. The contaminated Fresh Shrimp Poke product was sold from May 11, 2020, to June 25, 2020, throughout the Hawaiian islands: The Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai in Safeway Stores and other retail markets. No illnesses from the contaminated product have been…

Shrimp Poke From Norpac Fisheries Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination Norpac Fisheries Export of Hawaii has recalled their “Fresh Shrimp Poke” product due to concerns of Listeria contamination. The Listeria contamination was found during routine food safety testing and results confirmed a Listeria contamination on June 25, 2020. The Fresh Shrimp Poke was sold in plastic deli cups at a serving counter, being sold in various increments. The contaminated Fresh Shrimp Poke product was sold from May 11, 2020, to June 25, 2020, throughout the Hawaiian islands: The Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai in Safeway Stores and…

Update: New Bagged Salad Products Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak Recalls of bagged salad product contaminated with Cyclospora continue to roll in as the CDC and FDA work to trace all products from producer Fresh Express. As of June 27, 2020, Fresh Express released a preventative recall on all their bagged salad products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and/or carrots that was produced at the Fresh Express factory in Streamwood, Illinois. All of these recalled products will display “Product Code” Z178 or a lower number. While previously only effecting the Midwest with recalls, the recalls now reach across the country…