On January 10, 2019, a federal bankruptcy court in Illinois finished paying $11.25 million to 27 people who got sick by E. coli in the 2017 I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter outbreak. The court-appointed evaluator accessed the damages of the victims in this case at $69 million. Therefore, the victims got only a portion of their claims. The claims are a result of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in 12 states in the spring of 2016. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicated that I.M. Healthy brand Soy Nut Butter manufactured by Dixie Dew was the likely source of this outbreak. Both I.M. Healthy and Dixie Dew filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Soy nut butter made by Dixie Dew under the I.M. Healthy brand and sold by the SoyNut Butter Co. of Glenview, Illinois. It was recalled on March 4, 2017. The recalls were expanded twice to include more products, like granola. The product remained on some stores shelve many months after the recall. The amount paid is the insurance proceeds into the Bankruptcy Court in Chicago. Food safety attorney Bill Marler, who represents 20 victims in this outbreak, said that retailers like Amazon and Target, as well as suppliers Kehe and World Finer, have been sued. At the time of the recall, FDA did not release the names of the retailers of the recalled soy nut butter and granola products because it was deemed “confidential commercial information” exempt from disclosure. But since then, the FDA has shown more flexibility in disclosing such information. @ https://www.marlerblog.com/legal-cases/bankruptcy-court-expected-to-finalize-payment-of-11250000-to-e-coli-victims/
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In the Spring of 2016, the CDC reported that thirty-two people infected with the outbreak strains of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 12 states – Arizona
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As of January 9, 2019, the CDC reports that the outbreak appears to be over. The outbreak caused 62 illnesses and 25 hospitalizations in 17 states. Contaminated romaine no longer is available on the market. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also coordinated with U.S. agencies as they investigated a similar outbreak in Canada. On December 24, PHAC reported that the outbreak in Canada had ended. As a result of this outbreak romaine lettuce will now be voluntarily labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date or labeled as being hydroponically- or greenhouse-grown. In the case of future product withdrawals or recalls, this will help consumers to determine that romaine they are buying is from an unaffected growing region. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626330.htm?utm_campaign=Outbreak_Romaine_01092019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
The FDA, along with CDC, state and local agencies, is investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses likely linked to romaine lettuce grown in California this fall. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also coordinating with U.S. agencies as they investigate a similar outbreak in Canada.
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The FDA is alerting consumers to possible hepatitis A contamination of Bauer’s Candies Modjeskas, an individually wrapped marshmallow candy dipped in chocolate or caramel. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat and to throw away any Bauer’s Candies Chocolate or Caramel Modjeskas, purchased after November 14, 2018, because a worker in the facility tested positive for hepatitis A. These products are available at retail locations and can also be purchased through QVC and BauersCandy.com. The FDA is working with Bauer’s Candies, located in Kentucky, on a voluntary recall of affected products. Currently, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are not aware of any cases of hepatitis A related to the consumption of these candies. The FDA recommends that consumers who ate candies purchased after November 14, 2018, and have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm627841.htm
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The FDA announced that Grand Strand Sandwich recalled Lunch Box Italian Subs, Lunch Box Ham & Swiss Croissants and Lunch Box Ham & Cheese Frozen Wedges due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. On January 3, 2019, the firm was notified by FDA that the swabs they collected from the meat slicing area on December 11, 2018 test positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date. The products were distributed from December 17, 2018, until January 4, 2019. The products were packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in convenience stores and vending machines located in the States of North Carolina and South Carolina. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629322.htm
– Grand Strand Sandwich is recalling Lunch Box Italian Subs, Lunch Box Ham & Swiss Croissants and Lunch Box Ham & Cheese Frozen Wedges due to a potential contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes.