1. Yu Shang Food, Inc. Ready to Eat Meat Listeria Outbreak: As of December 5, 2024, 19 people from eight states have been infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 24, 2021, to October 28, 2024. Of 19 people with information available, 17 (89%) have been… Continue Reading Foodborne Illness Outbreaks, Opinion & Contributed Articles Food Safety News
1. Yu Shang Food, Inc. Ready to Eat Meat Listeria Outbreak: As of December 5, 2024, 19 people from eight states have been infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 24, 2021, to October 28, 2024. Of 19 people with information available, 17 (89%) have been hospitalized. Seven illnesses are related to pregnancy. One person who was pregnant was sick and recovered. Two unrelated infants were also sick and recovered. In California, a mother and her twins were sick, and both infants died. Listeria was found in a sample from the mother and from one of the twin infants, but it could not be found in a sample from the other infant. Because of this, only the mother and one twin are included as confirmed cases in this outbreak. In Tennessee, a mother and her infant were sick and her infant died. On November 9, 2024, Yu Shang Food, Inc recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. On November 21, 2024, Yu Shang Food, Inc expanded their recall. CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled products.
2. SunFed Produce – Agrotato S.A. de C.V. Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak: As of December 17, 2024, a total of 100 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 23 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 12, 2024, to November 23, 2024. Of the 90 people for whom information is available, 25 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Many companies have recalled cucumbers or foods made with them. CDC advises people not to eat and businesses not to sell or serve recalled cucumbers. FDA continues to work with additional importers that received cucumbers grown by Agrotato S.A. de C.V.
3. Grimmway Farms E. coli Carrot Outbreak: A total of 48 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli were reported from 19 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 6, 2024, to November 10, 2024. Of 47 people with information available, 20 were hospitalized and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death was reported from California. On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms initiated a voluntary recall of these carrots and contacted their distributors. On November 21, 2024, the recall expanded to include additional bag sizes for organic whole carrots. Additional recalls were conducted by companies that used or repackaged carrots that may have come from Grimmway Farms.
4. McDonalds – Taylor Farms E. coli Onion Outbreak: A total of 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 14 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 12, 2024, to October 21, 2024. Of 98 people with information available, 34 were hospitalized, and 4 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death was reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person was not one of those who developed HUS. FDA tested recalled onions and one environmental sample from a grower. Both samples tested positive for non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli. The E. coli found was not the outbreak strain and no human illnesses were found related to the strain. Additional samples from this investigation were negative for E. coli.
5. Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak: As of November 19, a total of 61 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria were reported from 19 states. Sick people’s samples were collected from May 29, 2024, to September 13, 2024. Of 61 people with information available, 60 were hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering. Ten deaths were reported, including one in Illinois, one in New Jersey, two in New York, one in Virginia, one in Florida, one in Tennessee, one in New Mexico, and two in South Carolina. In July 2024, Boar’s Head issued a recall of all deli products made at their Jarratt, VA facility, which included prepackaged deli products and ready-to-eat liverwurst products, due to being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These products are past shelf-life.
6. Diamond Shruumz Outbreak: As of October 31, 2024, 180 total illnesses, including 73 hospitalizations, were reported in 34 U.S. states. There were three (3) potentially associated deaths. The cause of the reported illnesses is not known currently. People should not buy or eat any flavors of Diamond Shruumz brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, and should discard products that have been purchased.
7. Milo’s Poultry Farm Egg Salmonella Outbreak: As of October 17, 2024, a total of 93 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 12 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 23, 2024, to September 13, 2024. Of 87 people with information available, 34 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Milo’s Poultry Farm recalled all eggs supplied by their farm. Recalled eggs are past shelf life and should no longer be available for sale.
8. Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak: As of August 22, 2024, a total of 551 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella Africana or Salmonella Braenderup were reported from 34 states and the District of Columbia. Of these illnesses, 269 people were infected with the Salmonella Braenderup strain and 282 people were infected with the Salmonella Africana strain. Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 11, 2024, to July 26, 2024. Of 456 people with information available, 155 were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued a recall of whole cucumbers due to the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella. Bedner Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company in Florida are no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season. There is no product from these farms on the market and no ongoing risk to the public.
10. Gibson Farms, Inc. Walnut E. coli Outbreak: A total of 13 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli were reported from 2 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 1, 2024, to April 4, 2024. Of 13 people with information available, 7 (54%) were hospitalized. Two patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths were reported. Traceback data collected by FDA determined that Gibson Farms, Inc was the supplier of organic walnuts sold in bulk bins at stores where ill people shopped.
11. Infinite Herb Basil Salmonella Outbreak: A total of 36 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 14 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 11, 2024, to May 26, 2024. Of 27 people with information available, 4 people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Recalled basil is no longer available for sale and the use-by dates have passed. On April 18, 2024, Infinite Herbs recalled 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil due to Salmonella contamination. On April 19, Infinite Herbs expanded its recall to include Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2 oz and 4 oz packages.
12. Raw Farm LLC Cheese E. coli Outbreak: A total of 11 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli were reported from 5 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 18, 2023, to February 5, 2024. Of 11 people with information available, 5 were hospitalized and 2 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths were reported. Officials in California, Colorado, and Utah collected various Raw Farm products for testing including raw milk, raw butter, raw cheddar cheese, and raw kefir. No product samples detected E. coli.
13. Rizo-López Foods, Inc Cheese Listeria Outbreak: A total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria were reported from 11 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 15, 2014, to December 10, 2023. Of 26 people with information available, 23 had been hospitalized. Two deaths were reported, one from California and one from Texas. On January 11, 2024, Rizo-López Foods, Inc. recalled the aged cotija cheese product after Hawaii state officials found Listeria in it. On February 6, 2024, Rizo-López Foods, Inc. recalled all cheese and other dairy products made in their facility.
14. Fratelli Beretta Charcuterie Salmonella Outbreak: A total of 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 33 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 20, 2023, to February 10, 2024. Of 92 people with information available, 27 were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected one unopened package of the twin-pack of Busseto brand charcuterie sampler from a sick person’s home. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the Salmonella in the charcuterie sampler was closely related to bacteria from sick people. This suggests that people got sick from eating the charcuterie sampler. USDA-FSIS collected Coppa and Antipasto tray products from Fratelli Beretta which tested positive for Salmonella. Whole genome sequencing showed these were two different strains of Salmonella that were both different from ill people in this outbreak and the Antipasto collected by the Minnesota Department of Health.
15. Wolverine Packing E. coli Outbreak: At least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli O157:H7 tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for E. coli O157. To date, case-patients have been identified in Minnesota with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. The infections occurred in people who had eaten hamburgers at Red Cow restaurants in the Minneapolis and Rochester areas, as well as the Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis.
16. Montana Wagyu Beef E. coli Outbreak: On July 25th, FCCHD and DPHHS received confirmatory testing results of clinical and food samples verifying ground beef as the exposure of concern. Specifically, the source of the outbreak was wagyu beef from one lot number. All cases reported eating undercooked or made-to-order burgers made with wagyu beef at one of multiple restaurants in Flathead County. The last known date of consumption was July 14, 2024. The following restaurants are associated with the 22 cases of reported illness in this outbreak: Gunsight Saloon; Hops Downtown Grill; Tamarack Brewing Company; the Lodge at Whitefish Lake; and Harbor Grille. Furthermore, based on information provided through case investigation, one individual has died after exposure to wagyu beef consumed at Harbor Grille. Patients associated with this outbreak were sickened with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 which can be caused by a person eating raw or undercooked animal products contaminated with this strain of bacteria. Samples of the suspected product were sent to the DPHHS Montana Public Health Laboratory for testing, which allowed for laboratory confirmation of the outbreak source. None of the contaminated beef remains in circulation and all businesses associated with this outbreak have been contacted directly. Lower Valley Processing products are the source of the outbreak and were labeled with “Lower Valley Processing, Co.,” establishment number “EST. 007” inside the Montana mark of inspection on the product labels, and lot numbers 1398, 1399 and 1400. The Flathead City-County Health Department (FCCHD) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) continue to work together to investigate an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak originating in Flathead County.
17. Unnamed Romaine and Iceberg lettuce Blend E. coli Outbreak: Missouri Health officials have reported that 106 people, including students from Rockwood Summit High School and adults from the community, have been confirmed as outbreak patients. The patients attended five separate events catered by Andre’s Banquet Center. Patients attended two school band events, two funerals and a veterans event catered by the business. As of Nov. 21, county hospitals reported that two of the outbreak patients had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. This outbreak is likely linked to an E. coli Outbreak presently being investigated by the FDA tied to a Romaine and Iceberg lettuce blend.
18. Raw Farm, LLC Raw Milk Salmonella Outbreak: On October 18, 2023, an investigation of an outbreak associated with Raw Farm, LLC products was initiated. At least eight Salmonella cases who had reported consuming raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County, California, were discovered and reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Another nine cases from another county were discovered to be infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. Local health departments, CDPH, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) investigated this outbreak. This outbreak was assigned the CDC ID 2310MLJPX-2. As of October 15, 2024, 171 cases (159 confirmed and 12 probable) have been reported from five states: CA (167), NM (1), TX (1), WA (1), and PA (1). In California the following counties reported cases: Los Angeles (27), San Diego (25), Orange (19), Placer (7),Riverside (7), Sacramento (7), Alameda (6), Ventura (6), Contra Costa (5), Kern (5), San Bernardino (5), Santa Clara (5), Solano (5), Santa Barbara (4), Stanislaus (4), Long Beach (4), Fresno (3), Kings (2), Madera (2), Nevada (2), San Joaquin (2), and Yolo (2). Based on epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations conducted by local and state officials that indicated that raw milk consumed by cases was produced at Raw Farm, Raw Farm, LLC recalled their raw milk and raw heavy cream on October 24, 2023, including products with best by dates from October 11, 2023 to November 6, 2023. Products were sold at the following locations: Bristol Farm, Clark’s Nutrition, Elliott’s Natural Foods, Erewhon Market, Frazier Farms Market, Jimbo’s, Lassen’s Natural Foods, Lazy Acres, Lunardi’s, Mother’s Market, Nugget Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
