In the news

An E. coli outbreak in Lehi, Utah, has sickened at least eight people. Five of those people have been hospitalized. In two of the cases, E. coli O57:H7 infections were confirmed. All patients are residents of Lehi City. Test results indicate that using pressurized irrigation water for drinking and play may be the source of E. coli. Samples from pressurized irrigation waters in Lehi, including a reservoir and 9 exposure sites, found E. coli O57:H7 in the sediment. Lehi City officials noted that pressurized irrigation water is unrelated to the city’s culinary drinking water system. Still, they encouraged residents to exercise caution when consuming uncooked produce from personal gardens watered using irrigation water. Currently, the Utah County Health Department has reported a total of 12 cases of E. coli. @ https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2023/e-coli-outbreak-in-utah-county-utah-sickens-8-5-hospitalized/

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