Category Archives: Uncategorized

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Goya de Puerto Rico is recalling Adobo with Cumin Seasoning and Adobo with Pepper Seasoning because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the problem.

Six hundred and sixty one cases of these products were distributed in Puerto Rico through retail stores. Goya Adobo with Cumin Seasoning is packaged in 28 ounce plastic jars with a green cap with the mark “Best by Date 10/18/22.” Goya Adobo with Pepper Seasoning is packaged in 28 ounce plastic jars with a red cap with the mark “Best by Date 10/23/22.”

If you purchased these products, do not eat them, even if you intend to cook with them. Heat does kill Listeria bacteria, but cross-contamination can occur. Throw them away in a sealed or double bagged package and place the package in a secure garbage can. You can also take the seasonings back to the store where you bought them for a full refund.

The Star Online

EC Europa

The RASFF was put in place to provide food and feed control authorities with an effective tool to exchange information about measures taken responding to serious risks detected in relation to food or feed. This exchange of information helps Member States to act more rapidly and in a coordinated manner in response to a health threat caused by food or feed. Its effectiveness is ensured by keeping its structure simple: it consists essentially of clearly identified contact points in the Commission, EFSA, EEA and at national level in member countries, exchanging information in a clear and structured way by means of an online system called iRASFF.

Food Poisoning Journal

Since January 1, 2017, Utah public health has identified 84 confirmed cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection; many among persons who are homeless and/or using illicit drugs. Several cases have been linked by investigation and/or viral sequencing to a national outbreak of hepatitis A involving cases in California and Arizona. Hospitalization rates of less than 40% have been described in previous hepatitis A outbreaks; however, other jurisdictions associated with this outbreak are reporting case hospitalization rates approaching 70%. The high rate of hospitalization may be a result of cases having underlying illnesses (e.g., alcoholism), or a higher rate of hepatitis comorbidities (e.g., hepatitis B or C). In response to the outbreak, public health officials have been working to identify cases and contacts, provide education, and ensure opportunities for vaccination of close contacts to cases and vulnerable populations.

Food Safety News

Hundreds of people in Northwest Georgia became sick after eating a catered company Thanksgiving dinner in recent days according to local news reports out of Bartow County.

Local and state public health officials have confirmed that they are investigating an apparent foodborne illness outbreak related to a two-day catered event this past week at the Toyo Tire plant in White, GA.

“While we suspect this is a foodborne-related outbreak, that hasn’t been confirmed. Cause of the outbreak is not yet known,” according to a Monday statement from the Georgia Department of Health. “We know of two hospitalizations in Bartow, but there may have been more. We are working with Toyo (human resources) to determine how many people potentially may have been affected.

Food Safety News

New York health and agriculture officials are warning the public to not buy or consume unpasteurized, raw milk from Udder Milk in New Jersey because of the danger of contracting an antibiotic-resistant form of food poisoning.

Federal law prohibits transporting unpasteurized milk across state lines for sale. New York law prohibits the sale of unpasteurized, raw milk except for “on-farm” direct-to-consumer sales. New Jersey and Rhode Island have already ordered the Udder Milk company to cease and desist its “illegal sales” of unpasteurized milk.

“A New Jersey resident was recently diagnosed with a disease called brucellosis after her reported purchase of raw milk from a home delivery company named Udder Milk in New Jersey,” according to the public health alert from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

HPS Scotland 

Science Daily

New research by a team from London’s Kingston University has shown how the food poisoning bacteria Campylobacter can multiply and spread inside micro-organisms called amoebae- which could lead to a better understanding of how bacteria survive and help efforts to prevent the spread of infection.

Science Daily

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the drugs which are used to treat infections.

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

Researchers at the University of Georgia’s Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center have discovered how ground turkey may become contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. They have found that Salmonella on the bird’s skin may be a “significant contributor to ground turkey contamination.” Turkey skin is often used as a source of fat when manufacturers make ground turkey since the muscles are so lean.