Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

FDA releases statement on romaine lettuce contamination The e. coli outbreak that caused 210 illnesses, 96 hospitalizations, and 5 deaths among consumers who had eaten romaine lettuce has come to an end. The last illness onset was reported on August 2, 2018. However, now that the growing season is underway again in the Yuma, Arizona, area the potential for future contamination remains an issue for which consumers should stay alert and informed. The commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement on November 1, 2018, about the cause of the e. coli outbreak and the FDA’s plan…

30 sick in New Mexico from ground beef The most recent count of food poisoning cases related to contaminated raw beef produced and distributed by JBS Tolleson, Inc., according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is 120 people across 22 states. The CDC has counted one person in New Mexico that has become ill from eating the raw beef products. However, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has announced that a total of 30 people in that state have developed salmonella symptoms. On October 4, 2018, JBS Tolleson recalled almost 7 million pounds of raw beef…

Fit & Active Sandwiches recalled for possible contamination The listeria and salmonella contamination that has affected products made with McCain Foods produced ingredients has also impacted Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches. Unlike other food products affected by the McCain recall, these sandwiches are not ready-to-eat. They do need to be heated to be eaten; however, if not cooked properly they will cause illnesses related to food poisoning. As a result of the McCain recall and the potential for contamination, J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp. of Holly Ridge, NC is voluntarily recalling two lots of Fit & Active Southwest Veggie…

Raw beef illness count up to 120 in 22 states Recalled raw beef products have now made 120 people ill, across 22 states, from food poisoning related to salmonella contamination. JBS Tolleson, Inc., based in Tolleson, Arizona, recalled close to 7 million pounds of raw beef products on October 4, 2018. The recalled beef products were produced and packaged from July 26, 2018, to September 7, 2018, and were shipped to retailers nationwide under many brand names. As of October 23, 2018, the illness count increased to 120 people with illness start dates ranging from August 5, 2018, to September…

McCain Foods identified as source of listeria and salmonella McCain Foods has been identified as the supplier of a variety of vegetable products used in food products packaged and sold under multiple brand names across the country that have been recalled. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with the US Department of Agriculture to investigate possible listeria and salmonella contamination in these products. Ready-to-eat salads and bowls made with corn ingredients, onions, and other vegetables are on the very long list of recalled food products. Retail stores that carry these recalled products include Harris Teeter, Kroger, Whole Foods,…

HyVee issues another food product recall For the second time in three months, Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, has recalled some of its food products because they may cause food poisoning among consumers. The most recent recall was initiated after McCain Foods informed Hy-Vee that the caramelized mushrooms and fire-roasted tomatoes it supplied the company for six of its meat and potato products may be contaminated with salmonella and with listeria monocytogenes. Hy-Vee has recalled the following products from all 244 Hy-Vee grocery store locations, which are located in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota,…

Corn ingredient responsible for multiple food product recalls A corn supplier has notified multiple food producers that a corn ingredient used in their products is potentially contaminated with listeria and salmonella. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a long list of recalls because of the potential food poisoning related to the corn ingredient. The following food companies have recalled ready-to-eat salads and bowl products that may be contaminated with listeria and salmonella: GHSE, LLC, a Green Cove Springs, Florida establishment, is recalling approximately 738 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with meat products that were shipped…

Chicken resistant to antibiotics infects 92 people in 29 states A strain of food poisoning that is resistant to multiple antibiotics has caused 92 people in 29 states to become ill with salmonella linked to raw chicken products. Twenty-one of those people have been hospitalized. The number of sick and hospitalized is expected to increase as more cases are reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials in several states are investigating the multidrug-resistant salmonella infections. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is monitoring the outbreak. The specific source of…

Pork carnitas bowl products may be contaminated with salmonella and listeria Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC, a company based in Kent, Washington, that produces ready-to-eat food products, has recalled about 276 pounds of ready-to-eat pork carnitas bowl products. The recalled pork carnitas bowl contain tomatillos that may be contaminated with salmonella and listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Taylor Farms was informed by their supplier on October 15, 2018, that the fire-roasted diced tomatillos used in the production of their pork carnitas bowls were being recalled. The ready-to-eat pork carnitas bowls were…

Chicken salad contains recalled corn ingredient Schnucks Markets, based in St. Louis, Missouri, has discovered that chicken salad sold by the store contains a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes and salmonella. The store was notified by the corn supplier and recalled its Santa Fe Chicken Salad on October 16, 2018. Santa Fe Chicken Salad is sold at 32 Schnucks stores in St. Louis and the immediate area, including stores in: Creve Coeur Maryland Heights Ballwin Chesterfield Twin Oaks Ladue Brentwood Kirkwood Des Peres Maplewood Richmond Heights Webster Groves Affton Eureka Arnold High Ridge Festus Charles Peters…