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 […]
NOROVIRUS: Human norovirus is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide (WHO, 2023) and is estimated to cause approximately 685 million cases and 212,000 deaths of acute gastroenteritis per year (Kirk et al., 2015). The symptoms of norovirus infections are nausea, vomiting, non-bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which are all self-limiting (WHO, 2023). HEPATITIS A: […]
Summary Public Health is investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with Mary Pilgrim Inn, an emergency temporary housing shelter in Seattle. Many of the people became sick after eating food served at two Christmas dinners on December 25, 2024, or leftovers from those dinners on December 26, 2024. The food served at these […]
Both the FDA and FSIA are investigation a Listeria outbreak. Perhaps it is too much to assume it is the same outbreak? So says the FDA: So says the USDA/FSIS:
Audience Product The implicated products include shellstock oysters harvested from 12/02/2024 to 12/17/2024 by Ruco’s Shellfish (WA-1995-SS) from a portion of Hammersley Inlet growing area in Washington State. The oysters were distributed in WA and OR and may have been distributed to other states as well. The following photo is included as an example of […]
Braga Fresh is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets with best if used by date Dec 10, 2024. This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later […]
According to the CDC, the annual incidence of laboratory-confirmed listeriosis in the United States is about 0.24 cases per 100,000 population, based on active surveillance in 10 FoodNet sites. The U.S. Healthy People 2020 target for listeriosis is 0.2 cases per 100,000. Approximately 800 laboratory-confirmed cases are reported annually to CDC’s National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. However, many cases are […]
Rest in peace Jimmy Carter – you hit 100.
Animal Health Alert: H5 bird flu confirmed in four domestic cats that consumed recalled raw milk, and in one cat that consumed commercially produced raw pet food. Five indoor-only, domestic cats in one household in Los Angeles (LA) County died after consuming recalled raw milk. Four of these cats were tested and confirmed to be […]
FDA reports: A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1281) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback. 31 have been sickened, and given past Listeria outbreaks it is likely some have died. One can assume since the FDA is announcing it the likely vector is an FDA […]
Yesterday 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 a […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is soliciting nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). NACMCF is the advisory committee charged with providing impartial scientific advice and recommendations to the USDA and other government agencies on microbiological and public health issues relative to the […]
1. Yu Shang Food, Inc. Ready to Eat Meat Listeria Outbreak: As of December 5, 2024, 19 people from eight states have been infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 24, 2021, to October 28, 2024. Of 19 people with information available, 17 (89%) have been hospitalized. Seven illnesses are related to […]
California based S&M Shellfish Co. has issued a product recall for oysters after confirming multiple illnesses due to norovirus contamination. The oysters affected were sold under the names Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay and Royal Miyagi Oysters and were harvested between December 1st and 9th in British Columbia. California restaurants and businesses affected by the recall include San Francisco’s Waterbar, San Francisco’s Mission Street […]
I received an email from a former client that put “Poisoned” on his list to watch over Christmas – well, I suppose it depends on one’s “taste?” And, did I tell you it won the Emmy?