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 […]
On July 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) launched an investigation into a multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to retail-sliced deli meats. The investigation was triggered when the Maryland Department of Health detected Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of liverwurst. In response, the Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration […]
In a comment letter filed with the USDA today, Consumer Reports called on the agency to strengthen its proposed regulatory framework that would keep poultry contaminated with Salmonella above a certain level off the market and subject to recall. The framework is urgently needed, given the large number of poultry plants that pose a higher risk of […]
What we do know. Outbreak posting was 12/4/2024 as an E. coli O157:H7 event now tied to Romaine Lettuce.* The FDA says that 88 are sick and that the investigation is still Active and the notes that Traceback , Inspection and Sampling has been Initiated. *Earlier the FDA said: The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with […]
A new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak from an unknown source has been detected by the Food and Drug Administration. At least 34 patients are confirmed in the outbreak, which was first posted by the FDA on Jan. 15. The agency has begun traceback but has not reported what foods are being traced. The FDA has not […]
I keep bumping into defense lawyers that were involved in this 2007 Salmonella Outbreak – Small World. Public health officials in OutbreakNet (the network of epidemiologists and other public health officials, facilitated by CDC, who investigate outbreaks of foodborne, waterborne, and other enteric illnesses nationwide) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Wandsworth infections. Salmonella Wandsworth is a rare […]
And, where is the Inspector General’s Report? And, where are the Congressional Hearings? Here is the final paragraph from the USDA/FISS Food Safety Assessment of the Boar’s Head in 2022 plant that in 2024 would sicken 61 – killing 10 with Listeria-tainted Liverwurst: An analysis of the [below] stated NRs (non-compliances) indicates when not adequately […]
The slivered onions have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that sickened over 100, putting 1 man in an early grave. The FDA inspection report – redacted – makes an interesting read – full report below. OBSERVATION 1You did not implement your sanitation preventive control, monitoring, corrective action and verification OBSERVATION 2You did not […]
FSIS published a report on the why’s of the outbreak and a list of things it intends to do to prevent another “Boar’s Head” FSIS Assessment of Factors Contributing to Outbreak Associated with Boar’s Head Establishment M12612 M12612 is a large establishment in Jarratt, VA, that received its grant of inspection in April 1984. The […]
Perhaps we should become Canada’s 11th Province? The full article is worth a read. Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica infections are a leading cause of enteric disease in Canada, most commonly associated with foodborne exposures. Raw frozen breaded chicken products (FBCP) have been implicated in 16 Salmonella outbreaks between 2017 and 2019. This study quantified the impact of the 1 April […]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted thousands of routine surveillance food safety inspections of domestic and foreign food facilities from fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2023 (see fig.). According to GAO’s analysis of FDA data, FDA conducted an average of 8,353 domestic inspections per year and an average of 917 foreign inspections per […]
According to the CDC, the total of 113 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 23 states: Alaska 2, Arizona 1, California 4, Colorado 8, Iowa 3, Illinois 4, Massachusetts 6, Michigan 3, Montana 18, Nebraska 1, Nevada 1, New Jersey 2, New Mexico 1, New York 1, Ohio 1, Oregon 9, Pennsylvania […]
In early December 2024 the FDA stated: “The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to an iceberg and romaine lettuce blend served at catering events, restaurants, and a school. Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 69 […]
CDC is saddened by Louisiana’s report that a person previously hospitalized with severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness (“H5N1 bird flu”) has passed away. While tragic, a death from H5N1 bird flu in the United States is not unexpected because of the known potential for infection with these viruses to cause severe illness and death. As […]
Perhaps, more information will be forthcoming this week. FDA Traceback Initiated: Used to identify the source and distribution of the implicated food and remove the contaminated product from the marketplace, to distinguish between two or more implicated food products, and to determine potential routes and/or sources of contamination in order to help prevent future illnesses. For […]
Last week the FDA left this cryptic remark on its website: For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1280), the confirmed vehicle was updated from iceberg/romaine lettuce blend to romaine lettuce due to the traceback investigation. The case count has increased from 86 to 88. Previously the FDA had announced that they were investigating illnesses in […]