The CDC reports: Shigellosis is a nationally notifiable diarrheal illness caused by gram-negative bacteria. Shigella infection is spread through fecal-oral transmission and sexual contact. Although most infections are self-limited, antibiotics are indicated for severe illness or to reduce transmission in settings with high risk for spread. Since 2015, a growing proportion of cases has been caused by […]
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (the “final rule”) by 30 months. The FDA intends to extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The FDA remains committed to […]
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1286) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated an inspection. For the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1288) linked to mini pastries, the advisory was updated on March 20, 2025. The outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation is closed. For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes […]
I get a number of calls a week from folks that find something unwanted in their food. Here is a bit from a search of the internet by AI. In 2010, a woman in England found a frozen frog in a bag of green beans purchased from Tesco. “Woman finds frog in Tesco frozen vegetables.” […]
Perhaps CR is going to be the new FSIS? Perhaps the FDA and CDC too? So, where do you get your chicken? Do the stores and restaurants that you frequent get poultry from one of these poultry plants? Might be a good question to ask. Most Contaminated Poultry Plants – Feb 25 299.8 KB Consumer Reports […]
I have said this too many times. In the 1990’s ninety percent of the work I did were E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to hamburger. However, due to the collaboration between regulators (deeming E. coli O157:H7 and adulterant), the beef industry (interventions and implementing “test and hold” and the restaurant industry (following the Food Code […]
As a father of three beautiful and strong young women, I have become nearly immune to constructive criticism. It is in that vein I call out my friends at the FDA and CDC for closing a romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 case without supplying the pubic – who they are supposed to serve – with […]
Thanks to dedicated public servants. What’s New:• A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1286) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated sampling.• For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1292) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated an inspection.• For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1291), the […]
Problem/Condition: Approximately 800 foodborne illness outbreaks occur in the United States each year. These outbreaks include approximately 15,000 illnesses, 800 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths. Although illnesses from outbreaks account for a small portion of all foodborne illnesses, outbreak investigations reveal how these illnesses originate by offering crucial data through epidemiologic, environmental health, and laboratory analyses […]
The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesHubert H. Humphrey Building200 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20201via E-mail Dear Secretary Kennedy: As a coalition of consumer, industry and public health stakeholder groups with a vested interest in the Food and Drug Administration’s work on food safety, nutrition and chronic disease, we urge […]
CDC, FDA and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to supplement shakes. Many people in this outbreak lived in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized before becoming sick. On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC recalled frozen supplement shakes that were distributed to food service operators and long-term care facilities. […]
Termination of key advisory committees signals food safety will not be a priority WASHINGTON DC – Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, issued the following statement today in response to the elimination of the USDA’s National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry […]
A new Listeria outbreak appears to be brewing. The CDC is now tracking Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli outbreaks. Interesting that FSIS was part of the shake Listeria outbreak investigation.
Listeria is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is ubiquitous and can grow under either anaerobic (without oxygen) or aerobic (with oxygen) conditions. A. The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment Listeriosis is one of the most important bacterial infections worldwide that arises mainly from the consumption of contaminated food.[1] The disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, which is considered […]
A nice shout-out when Poisoned won the Emmy. And, here is the trailer:
And, there is a new one brewing that has not yet been identified. As of February 21, 2025, 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 21 states. The 21 States with Cases are: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, […]