Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Stolen tilapia potentially contaminated with salmonella Golden International Corporation is warning consumers, restaurants, and distributors, in a food safety notice, not to buy or eat tilapia that has been stolen from their container yard in Renton, Washington. The stolen fish may be contaminated with salmonella. 405 cartons of frozen tilapia that was being shipped to Taiwan was stolen from the Golden International Corporations container yard in Renton on April 29. The container was recovered in Everett, Washington, on May 9. Frozen round and whole tilapia may have been sold in the surrounding areas during that time period. The container of…

Caterer identified as source of Georgia salmonella outbreak Event attendees became ill on two separate occasions after eating catered food in Newton County, Georgia. Health officials have identified the source of the contaminated food as Plain Nuts Catering & Deli, located in Covington, Georgia. Plain Nuts catered a closed, invitation only event held in Newton County on April 28th and a function held on May 9th in Social Circle, Georgia. Shortly after each event, attendees became ill with what appeared to be food poisoning. Reports of gastrointestinal illnesses were received by the Newton County Health Department shortly after each event.…

Hickory Harvest Island Fruit Mix and Organic Nut Mix Products A snack food company based in Akron, Ohio, has recalled certain lots of its fruit and nut mixes because they were potentially exposed to Listeria monocytogenes and may cause food poisoning. Hickory Harvest Foods of Akron, Ohio is voluntarily recalling specific lots due to their possible health risk to consumers. The recalled items include: 9 oz. Island Fruit Mix in a plastic resealable bag 9 oz. Organic Nut Mix in our plastic deli tubs 3 oz. Raw Almonds in plastic tube nut bag 6 oz. Almond Raisin Mix in plastic…

Ziyad brand tahini potentially contaminated with salmonella A jar of tahini sesame paste produced by Ziyad Brothers tested positive for salmonella contamination in a random sampling tested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. As a result, the company is recalling certain lot codes of its tahini out of precaution, because those also may be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled tahini product was distributed by the company, based in Cicero, Illinois, across the US, to retail stores including Walmart. It was sold in 8-ounce, 16-ounce, 32-ounce, and half gallon jars. These jars can be identified by the label…

Consumers suing restaurants and suppliers in romaine lettuce e. coli cases – Romaine Lettuce E. coli Lawyer The source of e. coli contaminated romaine lettuce has not yet been determined by health investigators. However, consumers who have become ill from eating the lettuce are now turning to the restaurants and suppliers involved in serving the romaine lettuce for legal recourse. The latest count of reported illnesses directly related to the e. coli contamination is 172 people across 32 states. At least 75 of those have been hospitalized and one person has died. Consumers, are now beginning to file lawsuits against restaurants that…

Georgia salmonella outbreak sickens 70 people – Salmonella Lawyer suggests Social Events at the center of the Outbreak A salmonella outbreak first reported in early May has affected as many as 70 people in Newton County, Georgia. The source of the outbreak and the resulting illnesses has yet to be determined. The Gwinnett-Newton-Rockdale Health Department reports that the investigation is ongoing. At least four of those suffering from salmonella symptoms have been hospitalized. Other victims of the outbreak have sought treatment at urgent care centers or their primary care physicians’ offices. Although there is a possibility that those who became…

Romaine lettuce e. coli outbreak illnesses reach 172 in 32 states – Romaine Lettuce E. coli Lawyer Iowa, Nebraska, and Oregon have been added to the growing list of states impacted by the romaine lettuce e. coli outbreak. Even though the lettuce is no longer being harvested or distributed, illnesses continue to be reported due to the time lag between a person becoming ill, seeking medical assistance, and the illness being reported by the medical professional to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reporting that there are now 172 cases…

Romaine lettuce no longer produced but illness reports continue A specific source of contamination has yet to be identified in the case of romaine lettuce e. coli contamination that began in March 2017, even though one area of the country has been pinpointed as responsible for the lettuce production. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now stating that romaine lettuce is no longer being produced in or distributed from that growing region, located in the Yuma, Arizona, area. The FDA has also stated that romaine lettuce has a typical shelf life of 21 days and since the last date…

Salmonella in turkey identified as source of food poisoning at Toyo Tire A holiday meal prepared by a caterer sickened hundreds of employees at the Toyo Tire plant in White, Georgia, causing some to go to the hospital for their illness. Angelo’s of Cartersville served the Thanksgiving meal to 1682 employees on November 14 and 15, 2017. Employees began experiencing gastrointestinal issues shortly after eating the meal, issues that were later confirmed as salmonella symptoms. A total of 557 Toyo Tire employees became ill from the catered holiday meal, some with severe symptoms. Five people became so ill from the…

Contaminated eggs continue to cause illnesses Illnesses are still being reported by people who have consumed eggs contaminated with salmonella. Over 200,000 eggs were recalled in April 2018 by Rose Acres Farms and, subsequently, by Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. The recall was voluntary and was issued after illnesses were reported on the east coast of the US, leading to interviews and an inspection of the Rose Acres Farms’ Hyde County, North Carolina, facility. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators inspected the farm and collected samples for testing. FDA analysis of the samples revealed that the same strain of Salmonella Braenderup that caused the illnesses…