Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure. However, in the past 50 years the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 3-5%. A patient with severe botulism may require a breathing machine as well as intensive medical and nursing care for several months. Patients who survive an episode of botulism poisoning may have fatigue and shortness of breath for years... [more]

Recalled Product Label Associated Grocers of Maine, importing firm, a Gardiner, Maine, establishment, is recalling approximately 312 pounds of ham products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The following products are subject to recall:  16-ounce packages of “SUPER TRIM, Shurfine,... [more]

National Steak and Poultry, an Owasso, Okla., establishment, is recalling approximately 248,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. FSIS became aware of the problem during the course of an investigation of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Working with the Centers... [more]

The holidays are approaching and that means families and feasts. For many large family gatherings, there are too many people to have a typical sit down plated dinner. In these situations the buffet is often the most logical choice. While the buffet is a great way to feed large groups, it is also a method that opens the door to dangerous foodborne illness. Food safety is a big priority and the following... [more]

Recalled Product Label Harrington and Sons, a Williston, Vt., establishment, is recalling approximately 68 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products subject to recall include: 10-pound cryovaced packages of “LaPLATTE RIVER ANGUS FARM, LLC... [more]

As part of its continuing effort to buttress food and medical product safety in this country by working with its regulatory partners overseas, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the opening of its Mexico City post. This is the Agency’s third post in Latin America and its tenth international post in the past 13 months. “The opening of this office represents an important step as... [more]

Every year, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis, an infection od Salmonella, are reported in the United States. Because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be thirty or more times greater. Salmonellosis is more common in the summer than winter. Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis.  The rate of diagnosed infections in children... [more]

Former executives and managers of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a Lynchburg, Va. Based company, are seeking thousands in legal fees from the company’s insurance company. PCA was at the center of a recent deadly Salmonella outbreak and the largest food recall in U.S. history. Citing documents in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg, at least five former employees of PCA are seeking a piece of a... [more]

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness. It is caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus . The most common way for food to be contaminated with Staphylococcus is through contact with food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and cheeses. Staphylococcus is salt tolerant and can grow in salty foods like ham. As the germ... [more]

Willamette Filbert Growers of Newberg, OR is recalling 29,861 lbs of Shelled Hazelnuts and Shelled Organic Hazelnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious foodborne illness and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons with salmonellosis, an infection... [more]