Multistate Oyster Food Poisoning Outbreak – CDC Food Safety Alert On June 21, 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a multistate outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses linked to eating raw oysters imported from Mexico appears to be over. The CDC reported that a total of 16 persons across five states were sickened in the outbreak. Available illness onset dates ranged from December 16, 2018 through April 17, 2019. Two of the outbreak victims required hospitalization as a result of their illnesses. The oyster food poisoning outbreak investigation, conducted by the CDC, FDA, and state and local public health officials, indicated that raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon in Baja California Sur, Mexico, were the likely source of the gastrointestinal illnesses. Multiple Pathogens Responsible For The Oyster Food Poisoning Outbreak The gastrointestinal illnesses linked to Read More

Kroger Frozen Blackberry Recall Announcement The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public to hepatitis A virus (HAV) contamination of Kroger grocery store “Private Selection” brand frozen blackberries. The FDA discovered frozen blackberry contamination as a part of their ongoing frozen berry sampling assignment. Consumers are advised by the FDA not to eat the contaminated blackberries and to throw away certain frozen blackberry products purchased from Kroger and other stores sold under Kroger’s “Private Selection” label. Kroger Frozen Blackberry Recall Product Information The following products are subject to the Kroger Frozen Blackberry Recall: • PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN TRIPLE BERRY MEDLEY, 48 OZ (BEST BY: 07-07-20; UPC: 0001111079120); • PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN TRIPLE BERRY MEDLEY, 16 OZ (BEST BY: 06-19-20; UPC: 0001111087808); • PRIVATE SELECTION FROZEN BLACKBERRIES, 16 OZ (BEST BY: 06-19-20, 07-02-20; UPC: 0001111087809) The recalled blackberry Read More

FDA Reminds Parents Not to Feed Honey to Children Younger Than 1 Year Honey Pacifiers Suspected in Texas Infant Botulism Cases – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding parents and caregivers not to give honey to infants or children younger than one year of age. This includes pacifiers filled with or dipped in honey. La FDA recuerda a los padres que no deben alimentar a los niños menores de 1 año con miel: se sospecha que chupones con miel sean causa de casos de botulismo infantil en Texas – En Espanol. This warning was prompted following reports that four infants in the state of Texas were hospitalized with botulism. According to the FDA all four infants had used pacifiers containing honey. Although these pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, similar products appear to be available in the U.S. Read More

After 47 people were infected in an outbreak of Salmonella related to Grand Produce papayas, the FDA is warning consumers to avoid all Caribeña brand Maradol papayas. Grande Produce has informed the FDA that the company initiated a limited recall of their Caribeña brand Maradol papayas distributed nationwide from July 7 – July 18, 2017, but did not not issue a press release to inform consumers of their recall and the risk of Salmonella contamination. The FDA also noted in the Warning that “there are illnesses in states where Grande Produce did not distribute papayas and is continuing its investigation.” The Papaya Salmonella Outbreak Forty-seven people among twelve states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Kiambu. Of the 47 people infected, twelve have been hospitalized. One Salmonella-related death has been reported from New York City. Illnesses occurred in Read More

On July 21, 2017, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Announcement informing the public of an ongoing investigation by multiple federal and state health agencies into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu infections. Evidence collected to date indicates that Maradol papayas are a likely source of the outbreak of Salmonella. As of July 21, 2017, forty-seven people among twelve states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Kiambu. Of the 47 people infected, twelve have been hospitalized. One Salmonella-related death has been reported from New York City. At this time, Caribeña brand papayas from Mexico have been identified as a brand linked to these illnesses. Contact the Weinberg Law Firm for a Free Food Poisoning Lawsuit Evaluation If you or a loved one are diagnosed with food poisoning, are awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or Read More

On March 11, 2017, Vulto Creamery, Walton, New York, expanded its recall to include four more potentially Listeria contaminated raw milk cheese types. The expanded recall includes all lots of Andes, Blue Blais, Hamden, and Walton Umber. In total, Vulto Creamery has recalled the following eight types of cheese: Andes, Blue Blais, Hamden, Heinennellie, Miranda, Ouleout, Walton Umber, and Willowemoc for potential Listeria contamination. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems. If a pregnant woman experiences a Listeria infection, bacteria may cross the placenta causing a miscarriage, premature delivery, still birth, or an infection in the new born. Persons not belonging to one of these high risk demographic groups can also experience a severe case of listeriosis. Listeria Contaminated Read More

CDC Announces Vulto Creamery Listeria Outbreak – According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that soft raw milk cheese made by Vulto Creamery of Walton, New York, is the likely source of a deadly Listeria outbreak. Six outbreak cases, including 2 fatalities, have been reported across four states since September 1, 2016. Vulto Creamery recalled all lots of its Ouleout, Miranda, Heinennellie, and Willowemoc soft wash-rind raw milk cheeses on March 7, 2017. Vulto Creamery Listeria Outbreak Information Six people have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria by state as follows: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), New York (3), and Vermont (1). The CDC reports that all six patients, including one infant, required hospitalization. Two of the outbreak victims, 1 in Connecticut and 1 in Vermont, suffered fatal infections. Public Read More