Author: Tony Coveny, Ph.D

Counts increasing in romaine lettuce e. coli outbreaks More states and more illnesses have been added to the count of those affected by the romaine lettuce e. coli outbreak that began in early March 2018. One death has been reported in California, directly related to consuming romaine lettuce that was contaminated with e. coli. According to the CDC and FDA llnesses have now been reported by 149 people in 29 states: Alaska (8), Arizona (8), California (30), Colorado (2), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Idaho (11), Illinois (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (4), Minnesota (10), Mississippi…

Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture warns against tainted raw milk – contaminated with Listeria The Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture is warning consumers to discard tainted raw milk because of a potential listeria contamination. A dairy based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has sold the raw, whole milk that may cause consumers to become ill. Pool Forge Dairy sold the milk from April 25 to May 7. Milk was sold in plastic containers, including quart, half-gallon, and gallon sizes. All the tainted milk was labeled as Pool Forge. The milk may cause illness as it is potentially contaminated by listeria, as discovered…

Romaine lettuce source, number of illnesses may remain uncertain – Romaine Lettuce E. coli Lawyer Illnesses related to romaine lettuce e. coli contamination continue to climb, with North Dakota recently being added to the list of states affected. However, the true number of illnesses, as well as the true source of the contamination, may never be known for certain. Typically, illnesses are reported only when people feel sick enough to seek medical assistance. E. coli can produce severe symptoms in those impacted, but those who experience milder cases of diarrhea or nausea may not be included in the overall count of illnesses.…

Lox recalled for botulism potential Salmon lox that is potentially contaminated with Clostridium botulinum has been voluntarily recalled by Seabear Company, based in Anacortes, Washington. The company is recalling 1225 units of 3-ounce packages of Cold Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Lox as consuming the product may lead to a type of food poisoning called botulism. The lox is sold under the Gerard & Dominique Seafoods brand. Recalled products can be identified by lot # CSCO-17339, Pack Date 17-340, UPC 7 52047 92635 4. Consumers are warned not to eat the lox, even if it does not appear or smell spoiled.…

Death from romaine lettuce e. coli outbreak reported in California One person has died from e. coli infection after eating contaminated romaine lettuce. The death was reported in California and was included in the most recent update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These organizations have also reported increased numbers of illnesses in additional states throughout the country. The count of people who have become ill is now at 121, with 52 hospitalizations and 4 people who have developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. The number…

Oysters probable source of norovirus outbreak The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that raw oysters harvested in Canada are potentially contaminated and may be the source of a norovirus outbreak in many US states. The oysters were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia. They have been distributed to Alaska, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington state. Additional states may also have received the potentially contaminated oysters. At least 100 people have reported oyster-related illnesses in California. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working with…

Whole frozen chickens recalled for possible salmonella Food safety issues have led to a recall of 2,300 whole frozen chickens that are potentially contaminated with salmonella. Texas All Grass-Fed has recalled the chickens because of processing issues that may have allowed salmonella or other bacteria to grow. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that the company, located in Sealy, Texas, did not document that it had followed proper food safety protocol. Whole frozen chickens that have been recalled were packaged in plastic bags and distributed in the Houston, Dallas, and Austin areas. They were also sold at Texas…

FDA identifies farm as one source of romaine lettuce e. coli Reports of illnesses related to romaine lettuce contaminated with e. coli continue to increase. The outbreak has now affected 98 people in 22 states across the US. At the outset, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified the Yuma, Arizona, growing region as the source of the food poisoning but could not pinpoint the exact farm(s) responsible for the contaminated romaine lettuce. The FDA has now identified one farm as the source of whole-head romaine lettuce that caused illnesses in several people in an Alaska correctional facility. Harrison Farms…

Greenbelt Microgreen products recalled in Washington state Microgreens produced in Canada and sold in the state of Washington have been recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with listeria. Greenbelt Greenhouse LTD of British Columbia, Canada, has recalled all of its Greenbelt Microgreen products with the best before dates from 4/24/18 to 4/30/18. The affected Greenbelt Microgreens brand microgreens were distributed to Whole Foods stores in Washington between 04/11/18 and 04/24/2018. The recall was the result of sampling performed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), which revealed that the Broccoli Microgreen contained the bacteria. Due to…

3000 cases of ice pops potentially contaminated with listeria A company based in Wheeling, West Virginia, has recalled approximately 3,000 cases of ice pops as a precaution, as the frozen products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Ziegenfelder Company issued a voluntarily recall of their Budget $aver Cherry Pineapple Monster Pops and Sugar Free Twin Pops on April 23, 2018. The recalled ice pops had been distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The pops were delivered to retail grocers and distributors between…