The FDA is working to track down the source of a Salmonella Entertidis outbreak linked to cookie dough from Papa Murphy’s pizza restaurants. It is not reported whether the cookie dough is made at individual restaurants or purchased from a third-party supplier.
The announcement of the outbreak on May 23 revealed that at least 18 people in six states have been infected. The Food and Drug Administration is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local health departments, to investigate the outbreak.
The collection and analysis of samples has been initiated by the FDA, but the agency has not reported what the Papa Murphy’s locations are. The national chain sells raw pizza and cookie dough for baking at home.
The CDC reports that sick people live in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Missouri and Utah. Two people were hospitalized, but no deaths were reported.
In other explosion news, The FDA continues to investigate an outbreak of 19 illnesses caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. A specific food source has not yet been identified. The first outbreak notice from the FDA was posted on May 24.
The FDA has begun tracing to find the source of the parasite, but has not reported what foods or foods are being traced. Also, the agency has not provided any information about where the patients live.
On May 18, the Georgia health department announced it was investigating an outbreak of Cyclospora infections, but the agency did not report how many patients were involved.
According to Georgia officials, cyclosporiasis is often linked to eating fresh produce that was grown outside the United States. However, in recent years there have been confirmed cases in people who ate leafy greens or cilantro grown in the United States.
In another explosion investigation, the FDA and the CDC are assisting public health officials in Montana after 50 people became ill after eating at Dave’s Sushi restaurant. Two people have died. Imported morel mushrooms served at the restaurant are the suspected source of the illness. The restaurant was closed for a while but has since reopened.
State and federal officials continue to warn about the dangers of morels and other wild-harvested mushrooms.
“Consumers should eat morels and other wild-type mushrooms at their own risk. Proper cooking of morel mushrooms can reduce the risk of illness, however there is no guarantee of safety even if cooking steps are taken before consumption,” according to the FDA.
Other ongoing investigations into the explosion
The number of patients in a hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries continues to rise.
There are now nine confirmed patients in the outbreak, which has been ongoing since at least Nov. 24, 2022, with the most recent patient confirmed on April 12, according to the CDC. It can take up to 50 days after exposure for symptoms to develop.
There is concern that consumers may still have strawberries in their home freezers because of their long shelf life.
Three of the patients required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. All patients reported eating frozen organic strawberries before becoming ill.
Two companies have issued recalls related to the outbreak, California Splendor and Scenic Fruit. The recalled brands include:
- Simply Nature Organic Strawberries Best By 06/14/2024
- Vital Choice, Organic Strawberries, BEST BY 20.05.2024
- Kirkland Firm, Organic Strawberries, best if used by 08/10/2024
- Made with organic strawberries, best before 11/20/2024
- PCC Community Markets, Organic Strawberries, Best By 10/29/2024
- Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend with the following Best By Dates: 04/25/24; 05/12/24; 23.05.24; 30.05.24; 06/07/24
In other explosion newsThe FDA continues its investigation into an outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella Infantis that has been linked to the flour.
General Mills has recalled bleached and unbleached Gold Medal flour sold in 2-, 5- and 10-pound bags with “Best If Used By” dates of March 27, 2024 and March 28, 2024. The recalled product codes can be found at company press release
As of the latest update on March 30 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has sickened at least 13 people in 12 states. Three of the patients required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
Illnesses began on dates ranging from December 6, 2022 to February 13, 2023, but there are likely more sick people who have not yet been confirmed because of the time it takes for testing and reporting and because of the long lifespan. of flour.
The sufferers live from coast to coast in Oregon, California, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and New York. Whole-genome sequencing of laboratory samples from patients shows a common cause for their infections.
The CDC continues to remind people to be careful when cooking with flour. Raw dough and dough should not be eaten and children should not be allowed to play with raw flour. Utensils used when cooking with raw flour and surfaces that come into contact with it must be cleaned and disinfected well. Flour is a raw agricultural product and can easily become contaminated when the grain is processed.
An outbreak of Listeria infections spanning 15 states remain under investigation with no source yet identified. The CDC reports that all patients have been confirmed to be ill with the outbreak strain of the pathogen. Seventeen of 18 patients required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
The FDA reports that it has begun tracing efforts, as well as on-site inspection and sample collection, but has not reported which sites are being inspected or which foods are being sampled.
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