Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Salad Kit Recall Due to E. Coli Contamination: 8 Cases, 3 Hospitalized The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a recall on Fresh Express salad kits for e. coli contamination. There have been eight confirmed cases of e. coli illness and of those, three have been hospitalized with one patient contracting hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is a type of kidney failure. This recall initially focused on the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin but now includes Canada as well. The CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are all working together…

Expanding FDA Inspections: New Legislation Promises Expanded Food Safety Inspection Nationwide US Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, is introducing new legislation that will enhance food safety investigations throughout the nation. The Expanded Food Safety Inspection Act, focuses on expanding The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority to allow the organization to better investigate all plausible connections to a food borne outbreak. As of now, the FDA is completely limited to only investigating the farm or factory where an outbreak is reported and does not allow for further investigating of a possible contamination from an outside source. An example of this could be:…

Tailor Cut Fruit Salmonella Outbreak in Pennsylvania: 33 Salmonella Javiana Cases Confirmed FDA Announces Outbreak of Salmonella in Pennsylvania likely linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix December 9, 2019, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publicly announced an ongoing investigation of a Salmonella Javiana outbreak that is currently taking place in Pennsylvania. Epidemiological and traceback studies have led the FDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to believe the outbreak was caused by a Tailor Cut Produce fruit mix from New Brunswick , New Jersey. The fruit mix is called Fruit Luau and includes of cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and…

Tailor Cut Produce Salmonella Outbreak in Pennsylvania: Related to Pre-Cut Fresh Fruit: 31 Cases in 4 Different States The Pennsylvania Health Department is investigating a salmonella outbreak in southeast Pennsylvania. The health department believes the source of the salmonella outbreak is from pre-cut fresh fruit such as cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple and grapes from the food delivery company “Tailor Cut Produce.” Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, cautions businesses that receive produced from Tailor Cut Produce to not sell or distribute any of the pre-cut fresh fruit. Tailor Cut Produce is located in North Brunswick, NJ, and is a produce corporation…

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Hepatitis A Found in Blackberries: 16 Confirmed Cases in 6 Different States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continuing their ongoing investigation of a multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A.  It is believed the Hepatitis A might be presenting itself in fresh blackberries that were purchased between September 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019 from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market which is a Midwest grocery chain with stores in eleven states. At this point the CDC is concerned that customers may still have the contaminated blackberries in their freezers with plans for later consumption. It…

Listeria Recall at Trader Joe’s: Ready-to-Eat Sushi, Bowls and Spring Rolls All Recalled Trader Joe’s issued a voluntary recall on their ready-to-eat sushi, bowls and spring rolls for possible Listeria monocytogenes. Trader Joe’s removed the recalled foods from their shelves after their supplier, Fuji Foods Products, issued the listeria recall on November 27, 2019, “out of an abundance of caution.” The recall is specific to the supply warehouse located in Massachusetts which distributes to the Trader Joe’s on the East coast and Midwest. The products affected in the listeria recall are Trader Joe’s ready to eat sushi, poke bowls, noodle…

World Aids Day: The FDA Creates a Guide to Food Safety for HIV/AIDS Victims December 1st was World AIDS Day which is a day dedicated to AIDS, “worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.” The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) thoughtfully compiled a guided booklet about healthy food safety for those living with HIV or AIDS which compromises the immune system. Safe food practices are important for all to stay healthy but can be critical to the well-being for people…

Shigellosis in Fort Stockton and Pesos County Texas: 27 Confirmed Cases In a news release on December 2, 2019, the Texas Department of State Health Services is requesting that the public heed caution after a confirmed 27 cases of shigellosis in Fort Stockton and Pecos County. Shigellosis is an illness cause by the Shigella bacteria and is spread through the stool of sick people or animals or by ingesting contaminated food or water. This particular outbreak began in October, with the first confirmed patients and since then there have been three people hospitalized due to complications with this bacterial virus.…

Trader Joe’s Voluntarily Recalls Items: Potential Sushi Listeria Contamination Trader Joe’s voluntary recall on several of its products was issued last week after their supplier, Fuji Foods announced its own recall on several ready-to-eat sushi, salads, and spring rolls. After a routine inspection of the Fuji Food facility in Brockton, Massachusetts, the Food and Drug Association (FDA) announced that a listeria contamination had been detected. This is the first recall that Fuji Foods has ever had to issue. There have been no reported illnesses linked to this contamination so far. The CEO of Fuji Food Products, Farrell Hirch addressed the…

Food Poisoning at Doug Sauls’ BBQ and Seafood: Salmonella Outbreak in Nash County, North Carolina The Nash County Health Department in Nashville, North Carolina has temporarily closed a local restaurant after inspectors found salmonella throughout the establishment. Officials released a statement that Doug Sauls’ BBQ and Seafood restaurant, which is located at 813 Western Avenue, will be closed temporarily due to salmonella findings on November 22, 2019. Positive testing for salmonella was found in multiple locations on equipment and around the kitchen as well as in the food. According to local reports, there are confirmed reports of at least ten…