Recalls in the news
Fresh Cut vegetables recalled due to potential Listeriacontamination
FDA announces the recall of 30,000 cases of various fresh-cut vegetable products in nine states from Country Fresh from Conroe, Texas. 30,000 cases of various fresh-cut vegetable products are recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. About 45 varieties of fresh pre-cut vegetables were recalled by Country Fresh on Friday, Aug. 26. The products under recall are either packed in Styrofoam trays with plastic wrap or clear plastic containers and were shipped to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia under the Country Fresh and store brand labels (Bi-Lo, Fresh point, Wal-Mart, fresh Point, Publix, Quick Trip, Harris Teeter, Spinx, and Winn-Dixie stores). To date, there are no illnesses confirmed by public health authorities due to this product. The potential for contamination was uncovered as the result of a routine sample taken at a retail store by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which indicated that the finished product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company has ceased distribution of the affected product and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Country Fresh continue their investigation into the cause of the problem.
Hepatitis A outbreak linked to smoothies
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a cluster of hepatitis A cases. It has identified a potential association with smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia. Genetic testing shows the illnesses were caused by a strain of hepatitis A that has been associated with past outbreaks due to frozen strawberries from Egypt. At least 51 people got sick, over 50% of the infected people have been hospitalized. According to Fox News there are more than 500 of the smoothie franchises across the country, and Virginia is not the only state affected. All the potentially contaminated Egyptian-sourced berries were pulled from the 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia no later than Aug. 8 or Aug. 9.
Diamond macadamia nuts recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination
Diamond macadamia nuts distributed to retail stores nationwide are under recall, because a laboratory contracted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected salmonella in a package of the 4-ounce chopped nuts during testing. There have been no reported illnesses so far. Snyder’s-Lance Inc. distributed the “Diamond of California” macadamia nuts and is working with the Food and Drug Administration to find the cause of the contamination.
Nine Salmonella illnesses linked to raw milk from Utah dairy
Utah Health department is investigating a cluster of illnesses associated with the consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk. Nine cases of Salmonella Saintpaul infection have been reported in people who reported raw milk consumption before their illness began. Onset dates range from March 20, 2016 to August 14, 2016. The cases range in age from 15 to 78 years and two of the cases were hospitalized, but have recovered. All the people that got ill purchased raw milk at Heber Valley Milk in Wasatch County.