Food Borne Infection / Food Safety

The US Food and Drug Administration released an investigation report on the fall 2020 outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 linked to leafy greens grown in California and updated the Leafy Greens Action Plan.

In addition to 7 people in 4 states who have become sick after eating queso fresco from a New Jersey-based company, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an updated warning.

The US Food and Drug Administration has sent the sandwich chain a warning letter over citing involvement in several outbreaks of Salmonella and Escherichia coli over the past 7 years.

The FDA investigation of fruit mix linked to a recent outbreak has discovered 33 laboratory confirmed illnesses of Salmonella thus far.

In this novel type of outbreak, contamination was not isolated to a single food or facility, suggesting industry-wide contamination.

CDC officials have notified the public of an ongoing investigation regarding a multistate outbreak of E coli O157:H7 infections likely linked to romaine lettuce.

While the outbreak appears to be over, health officials are alerting the public and encouraging continued improvement of industry practices.

Comparisons between strains show little crossover between ESBL-E coli in meat and in humans.

Several cases of scombroid poisoning were reported on September 4, 2019, among individuals who consumed tuna steaks purchased from 3 different Kroger retail stores in Ohio.

Bacteriocin operates effectively by damaging the cell walls of the target species, inducing cell perforation and blebbing, thus killing the cells.

Prior to 2017, Salmonella isolates with resistance to azithromycin had occurred in fewer than 0.5% of isolates from ill Americans.

Since 2017 there have been 24 cases of Listeria associated with the outbreak, with no source of infection identified thus far.

As of July 24, 2019, 132 individuals have been diagnosed with Cyclospora infection as part of a multistate outbreak linked to consumption of fresh basil.

Videos of individuals licking ice cream and placing these cartons back on freezer store shelves have gone viral, and this practice can pose public health risks.

Vibrio vulnificus is a serious gram-negative pathogen that can lead to wound and intestinal infections and has high rates of mortality.

Health officials indicate this outbreak is not related to the 2018 Cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte’s vegetable trays, which sickened 250 individuals.

According to the CDC, the outbreak is not connected to with the Salmonella outbreak resolved in February that was linked with tahini and sickened 8 individuals across 4 states.

Consumption of oysters from a Mexican estuary has led to infections caused by multiple pathogens, with some individuals infected by more than 1 bug.

More than 80% of ill individuals reported consuming ground beef prior to falling ill, yet health officials have been unable to pinpoint a common supplier, distributor, or brand responsible for this outbreak.

Health officials hypothesize that deli sliced meats and cheeses are responsible for the infections, yet a common source has not been identified at this time.

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport has been linked to raw tuna products distributed by Jensen Tuna.

On April 12, 2019 a recall was issued by Caito Foods for pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pre-cut fruit medley products.

In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, more than 1000 cases of cholera have been reported in Mozambique.

An investigation into a Nebraska Campylobacter outbreak conjures déjà vu.

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund has been attributed to consumption of ground turkey.

Health officials announced that individuals who consumed raw milk from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm may have been exposed to a drug-resistant strain of brucellosis.

As the government shutdown passes the 1-month mark, Contagion® investigates how it is affecting public health agencies.

Yemen is currently experiencing the largest recorded cholera outbreak in history, and investigators have determined that migration from Eastern Africa brought the outbreak strain into the nation.

Investigators use Salmonella strains to test accuracy and resistance.

The CDC and FDA announced today that a positive sample of the romaine lettuce outbreak strain was found in the sediment of an irrigation system at Adam Bros. Farms in Santa Barbara, California.