In the news

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH)reported that Listeria bacteria was found in all milkshake flavors sold at Frugals restaurant at 10727 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma, WA, is associated with an outbreak linked to six hospitalizations and three deaths. Investigators found Listeria in the ice cream machines, which were improperly cleaned. No other Frugals restaurants are believed to be affected. The restaurant stopped using its ice cream machines on Aug. 8, but Listeria can sicken people up to 70 days later.  Genetic fingerprinting of the Listeria in the milkshakes shows it’s the same strain that hospitalized six people were infected between Feb. 27 and July 22 (five people in Pierce County and one in Thurston County). All six people had conditions that made their immune systems less able to fight disease. Three of the six people hospitalized died. Two people who were hospitalized, but did not die, said they ate Frugals’ Tacoma milkshakes before getting sick. @ https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/listeria-bacteria-found-milkshakes-sold-frugals-restaurant-tacoma#:~:text=OLYMPIA%20%E2%80%93%20Listeria%20bacteria%20found%20in,which%20were%20not%20cleaned%20correctly.

In the UK, the FSA reported that St Pierre recalled 6 Pains Au Chocolat because of the possible presence of mold. The recalled product 6 Pains Au Chocolat with a Best Before date of 17/09/2023, 25/09/2023, and 01/10/2023. The company has issued point-of-sale notices to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-28-2023

The Canadian authorities reported that Mindblow Energy drinks were recalled due to non-permitted ingredients, including Munuca Pruriens Extract (98% L-Dopa). L-Dopa, also known as levodopa, is a prescription drug that is combined with other drug ingredients in anti-Parkinson’s medications. It should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Two varieties of energy drinks were sold (i) Mindblow Energy Drink – Original Edition packaged in 473 milliliter cans, and (ii) Mindblow Energy Drink – Pink Lemonade packaged in 473 milliliter cans. These beverages were sold online and in Quebec at the retail level. They may have been sold in other provinces and territories. A complaint triggered this recall.  Mindblow inc distributed the product. There have been no reported reactions associated with the consumption of these products.@ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/mindblow-brand-energy-drinks-recalled-due-non-permitted-ingredients-may-pose-serious?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

Two people in Connecticut became infected with Vibrio vulnificus. They died after swimming in two separate locations on Long Island Sound, according to Christopher Boyle, director of communications for the state’s Department of Public Health. According to the Department of Public Health, a third person was infected in July after eating raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment. The virus was also detected in an individual who died in Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. According to the news release, officials are still investigating the death in Suffolk County to determine whether the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere. According to the CDC, Vibrio vulnificus causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States every year. @ https://abc7chicago.com/vibrio-vulnificus-bacteria-oysters-symptoms-infections/13662071/