Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

In Cayuga County of New York, Serenity Meadows Dairy’s unpasteurized “raw” milk has tested positive for traces of Listeria. The traces of Listeria were found by the Department of Agriculture and Markets during regulatory testing. Sales of the raw milk by Serenity Meadows Dairy is temporarily stopped until the raw milk does not test positive for Listeria or other harmful bacteria. As of May 19, 2020, the raw milk is still testing positive for traces of Listeria. No illnesses have been reported as of date due to Serenity Meadows Dairy, and it is unknown how long the raw milk has…

Michael Jordan’s Reveals Legendary ‘Flu-Game’ was actually ‘Food Poisoning Game” ESPN’s 10-hour documentary, The Last Dance, highlights some of the most iconic moments in Michael Jordan’s career. On Sunday, May 17, 2020, in the ninth episode of the series, Michael Jordan reveals to the reporter that perhaps his most famous game, commonly referred to as the ‘Flu-Game’, was actually a ‘Food-Poisoning Game’. In the interview, Michael Jordan explains the details which led his illness during the infamous Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. According to Michael Jordan, Time Grover, his personal…

Ramar Foods, a Filipino food company based in Pittsburg, California, is recalling their Mint Chocolate Chip Hidden Spinach Ice Cream product due to concerns of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The effected Peekabo branded product comes in 14 ounce packages with “Best Before Date” of 10/08/2021 and UPC code 8685400001. The Mint Chocolate Chip Hidden Spinach Ice Cream product is sold in various Target stores and was available for purchase in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. No cases of Listeria due to the recalled product have been reported, though 33 containers were purchased before the contaminated product was pulled from…

USDA FSIS Issue Public Health Alert for Possible E. coli contamination of P&S Raw Beef Ravioli On May 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) declared a public health warning on 70 pounds of P&S Ravioli Company’s raw beef ravioli products for possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. P&S Ravioli is a company based in Philadelphia, PA. The company has not requested a recall due to the fact that the products of concern have already been removed from all retail stores. Nevertheless, the FSIS is concerned that some customers may still be storing the…

Morrisons Recalls 10 Market Street Living Herb Products for Listeria Concern Morrisons, the fourth largest chain supermarket in the United Kingdom, has voluntarily recalled 10 of its products from their Market Street Living Herbs line for fear of their possible adulteration with listeria monocyogenes. The flavorful Morrisons herbs in question include any of the following Market Street Living Herbs brand products purchased between March 3 and March 9, 2020: Living ThymeLiving ParsleyLiving MintLiving Flat ParsleyLiving DillLiving CorianderLarge Living CorianderLiving ChivesLiving BasilLarge Living Basil Morrisons put out a statement saying, “We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and assure customers…

Hepatitis A Exposure at New York’s La Roma Pizzeria In a local pizzeria in Rome, New York, known as La Roma, an employee has recently tested positive for Hepatitis A. La Roma pizzeria is located at 600 Floyd Avenue. After investigation, health officials have concluded that there is not any evidence of improper sanitary procedures which could have caused the exposure of Hepatitis A to the restaurant’s customers. However, the local Health Department concludes that the infected employee had worked at La Roma’s before becoming aware that he had tested positive for Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable virus…

Wild Harvest Recalls Organic Basil Due to Cyclospora Concern A recall has been commenced by the United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) for Wild Harvest Organic Basil due to concerns of Cyclospora cayetanensis contamination. The recalled organic basil was sold in Minnesota stores from 04/18/2020- 05/08/2020, distributed from UNFI’s Hopkins, Minnesota distribution center. The effected product was sold in quantities of .25oz, .75oz, 2oz, and 4oz in plastic clam shell containers with UPC codes 0071153550450, 0071153550322, 0071153550762, and 0071153550323. The recalled product has a black and white label stating “Product of Colombia” and “112.” Consumers are advised not to ingest…

Pure Tassie’s Organic Pure Apple Juice Drinks Recalled Due to Mycotoxin Patulin Juicy Isle Pty Ltd, an Australian juice company, is recalling their product Pure Tassie’s Organic Pure Apple Juice Drinks due to concerns of mycotoxin patulin contamination. The recall includes the following products: Apple and Blackcurrant 1.5L with best before dates up to and including 11/18/20; Apple 1.5L, with best before dates up to and including 01/26/21; Apple and Ginger 1.5L, with best before date of 12/05/20; Apple and Raspberry 1.5L, with best before dates up to and including 10/07/20; Apple 350ml, with best before dates up to…

The Majority of Homes are Undercooking Chicken According to Recent Plos One Publication A recent study conducted in Norway and published by Plos One, a peer reviewed scientific journal, tested whether European households properly cooked chicken and what safety precautions they took to avoid food poisoning. By improperly cooking chicken, consumers are at risk for Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are the largest source for food poisoning cases in both European countries and in the United States. In fact, the CDC recently released research stating that food safety standards in the United States were declining, or at least stagnant, as…

CDC Announces a 15% Increase in Food Poisoning Cases in the U.S.