A recent cruise ship Norovirus infection has caught a great deal of media attention. According to a recent USAToday.com article by Gene Sloan entitled “Celebrity Postpones Cruise out of Charleston after Major Outbreak of Illness,” the departure of the Celebrity Mercury ship has been postponed. The ship docked in South Carolina with over 400 people suffering from Norovirus.

Norovirus can be found in many different places. An ABC Florida news station, WCJB posted an online news article describing how two Florida retirement communities are battling norovirus.  According to the author Nadeen Yanes, in an article entitled “Norovirus Spreads Through Two Retirement Communities,” the Alachua County Health Department was investigating the spread of Norovirus through both The Atrium and The Oak Hammock retirement communities.

Based on a Norivirus Q&A webpage from the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Norovirus is highly contagious. In order to clean surfaces contaminated by the virus, one must disinfect with bleach. The virus is carried in both vomit and diarrhea, therefore any items with which these two substances have come in contact must be cleaned with bleach. Clothes must be cleaned in hot water with detergent. Retirement communities, daycares, and assisted living facilities can be sources of great concern with respect to Norovirus. First, young children and the elderly may have a more difficult time recuperating from this normally mild form of stomach illness, especially if they are ill or have weak immune systems. In addition to diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration can be a concern. Secondly, since the infection is also spread through contact with vomit or diarrhea, workers in assisted living facilities who clean patients and aid them when they are sick must take great care. Contaminated foods and beverages can also lead to infection. Therefore, proper sanitary precautions when feeding individuals and fixing their meals are needed. Daycare workers who change the diapers of young children and assist them while they eat must also take precautions to prevent the spread of Norovirus. Areas should be cleaned regularly with bleach. Sheets and other clothing should also be washed as soon as they are soiled. In addition, hand washing is a must. Remember, norovirus is particularly tricky because an individual can remain contagious for up to two weeks after recovery in some cases.

An article by Heywood Hoffman posted on ChicagoBreakingNews.com discussed possible Shigella contamination at a Subway restaurant in Lombard, Illinois.  Although results are still pending, the preliminary examination leads investigators to believe that this could  be Shigellosis food poisoning. The restaurant is currently closed. Four individuals, out of eight who became sick, have been hospitalized.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Shigella bacterial contamination leads to a food borne illness known as Shigellosis. Within 48 hours of eating food contaminated with Shigella, an individual will have fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Some cases are mild, others can be more severe. Children are particularly susceptible. Antibiotics are frequently given to people with Shigellosis in order to kill the bacteria. In rare occasions, an individual who had shigellosis can later develop Reiter’s Syndrome. Reiter’s Syndrome is commonly referred to as active arthritis and can lead to joint pain and pain when urinating. Reiter’s Syndrome can also occur after Salmonella food poisoning, also known as Salmonellosis.

According to Food Safety Research Institutes’ webpage entitled “Pathogens and Contaminants: Escherichia coli O157:H7,”  five to fifteen percent of children, who contract Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome after a bout with E. coli, die. In the United States, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is the most common cause of child-related renal failure. Additionally, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome results in less than ten percent of E. coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 can be found in food, water, manure, on produce, and in unpasteurized milk. E. coli O157:H7 can also lead to Hemorrhagic colitis. Hemorrhagic colitis, commonly abbreviated as HC, is a form of bloody diarrhea, which may precede the onset of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This information was published at fsrio.nal.usda.gov and compiled by Vaishali Dharmarha from various articles related to E. coli O157:H7.

Mincing Overseas Spice Company of Dayton, New Jersey announced that it is recalling black pepper Lots 3258 and 3309 because of possible contamination with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Black pepper was not distributed at retail level and was shipped to FL, IA, IL, IN, MA, OK, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TX and WI.

The black pepper was sold in 50 lb, 25 lb, and 20 lb cartons with Mincing Overseas Spice Company’s name.

Mincing has decided to initiate this voluntary recall as a commitment to the safety and health of the public.

Customers that purchased black pepper from any parts of Lots 3258 and 3309 should place these lots or any spice blends made from these lots under their control on hold and contact Mincing Overseas Spice Company at 732-355-9944. With regard to any spice blends or other foods made from these lots, companies should contact their local FDA Recall Coordinator to determine the appropriate action and if a sub recall is needed.

Recently, a series of articles hit the internet regarding antibiotic treatment of livestock and the creation of antibiotic resistant bacteria known as superbugs.  On February 9, 2010, a CBS News Investigative report by Katie Couric detailed utilization of antibiotics by commercial livestock producers. According to the report, antibiotics are sometimes used as a precauationary measure, even before an animal gets sick.  The report detailed how such utilization of antibiotics may be leading to the creation of new superbugs such as methicillin resistant staph infections. These infections do not respond well to antibiotic treatment making them hard to treat.

A February 23, 2010, Sacramento Bee news article on the link between Urinary Tract Infections and E. coli, also described how grain fed livestock can produce stomach acid resistant E. coli which can then be transferred to meat products. The E. coli is also resistant to human stomach acid and reaches the intestines causing diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms such as nausea. E. coli is also dangerous because young children who contract E. coli are at risk of a potentially fatal renal complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The Sacramento Bee describes how between 50 and 70 percent of the nation’s antibiotics are utilized by the livestock industry, indicating that preventative antibiotic use maybe a common practice in the commercial livestock system. Europe has banned this antibiotic use in livestock as a growth stimulant in order to aid in preventing growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Clostridium botulinum spores when ingested, lead to botulism food poisoning. According to Colorado State University’s Extension Service Botulism Fact Sheet written by Professor P. Kendall, there are four types of botulism: foodborne, infant, wound, and undetermined. Foodborne botulism results when eating food that has not been properly refrigerated or preserved. Botulism spores, which are not killed when cooked, thrive in these environments where acid and air are low in quantity. Infant botulism is normally associated with honey. Wound botulism occurs when the bacteria enter a sore or other open area susceptible to infection. Finally, undetermined botulism results when an individual, who is not an infant, contracts botulism, but the source cannot be traced. Botulism can be fatal. While older individuals normally experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, infants can experience difficulty eating, difficulty moving their head, constipation, and a soft cry. Canned goods, which are contaminated with the bacteria, are normally swollen and when opened give off a foul odor.

Listeria is a bacterial infection, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children. A news article on MyFox8.com describes how a North Carolina pregnant woman, who battled this disease and almost lost both her life and that of her baby, is now lobbying for stronger governmental food safety regulations. The mother contracted Listeria from cheese and delivered her daughter 7 weeks early as a result of the food poisoning.  More than a decade later, both daughter and mother are taking an active role in seeking governmental improvements to food safety legislation in Washington, D.C.

 Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria, which causes foodborne illness. Symptoms include fever, pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Listeria bacteria can move into the nervous system. Once this happens, Listeria food poisoning causes problems with the neurological system. These symptoms can include convulsions, headache and stiff neck.  Interestingly, pregnant women like the North Carolina mother, may only appear to have the flu. Listeria is very dangerous for expecting women due to its linkage to stillbirths. In some cases, the infection can be transmitted to the unborn child. Listeria food poisoning is 20 times more prevalent in expecting mothers than in the general population.  Soft cheeses, pates and luncheon meats are common carriers of Listeria bacteria, which occurs naturally in the ground. Smoked seafood is also a common source of Listeria. (CDC Listeriosis). The American Pregnancy Association cites CDC statistics holding that, out of 2500 annual Listeria cases in the United States, expecting mothers account for 27%. Treatment with antibiotics can prevent transmission to the unborn child and can help the mother recover from the Listeria food poisoning, known as Listeriosis. When properly treated soon after it’s contracted, treatment can be successful.

ABC News recently published an article discussing raw eggs. According to the article, the Associated Press circulated a recipe calling for the use of barely cooked eggs and the email backlash was overwhelming. ABC News decided to try to understand why consumers are so concerned about raw eggs and what foodborne illness problems are associated with their consumption. The article cites Salmonella as the main food poisoning concern surrounding raw eggs. If a laying hen has Salmonella in her system, then the eggshell as well as the yolk can be contaminated with Salmonella. A safe practice is for producers to remove Salmonella contaminated hens from the production line. Additionally, utilization of probiotics in chicken feed helps chickens combat the Salmonella bacteria. The report indicates that 1 in 20,000 eggs are contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonellosis is a form of food poisoning contracted after eating foods contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. In rare cases, if the Salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream it can be life-threatening.  Prompt medical treatment can help avoid this possibly fatal condition.

The fallout continues as additional companies are recalling their products for possible Salmonella contamination due to the recall of one ingredient used to make their products.  The tainted ingredient is Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Below are three more company releases:

Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, OR has been notified by a supplier that certain seasoning ingredients it supplied to Reser’s contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody) and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause more severe complications including endocarditis, arthritis and arterial infections such as infected aneurysms. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov1. As a precautionary measure, Reser’s is voluntarily recalling a limited number of products.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products.

Reser’s is recalling the following items sold to retailers and distributors nationwide:

UPC Description Size / Packaging Use By Date
54627.20327 Ranch House Dressing 8 lb. Carton 1/23/10 – 4/27/10
71117.00171 Creamy Ranch Dip 8oz. Plastic Cup 5/12/10 – 6/9/10
71117.00240 Clam Dip 8oz. Plastic Cup 3/22/10 – 6/5/10
71117.00243 French Onion Dip 8oz. Plastic Cup 3/1/10 – 6/5/10
71117.00249 Cheese and Bacon Dip 8oz. Plastic Cup 4/2/10 – 5/27/10
71117.16981 Creamy Ranch Dip 8 lb. Carton 5/2/10 – 6/4/10
71117.17050 Creamy Ranch Dip 4oz. Plastic Cup 4/29/10 – 6/5/10
21130.06741 Redskin Potato Safeway 16oz. Plastic Container 3/14/10 – 4/10/10
81131.91681 Potato RedSkin Walmart 16oz. Plastic Container 12/27/09 – 4/6/10
81131.91687 Potato RedSkin Walmart 32oz. Plastic Container 12/27/09 – 4/6/10
71117.06031 Redskin Potato 5 lb. Plastic Tub 2/24/10 – 4/5/10
71117.14751 Ranch Dip 8 lb. Carton 4/25/10 – 6/5/10

These products should not be eaten. Customers may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

No other Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. products are affected.

Homemade Gourmet of Canton, Texas is voluntarily recalling approximately 320 packages of 1.96 oz Tortilla Soup Mix, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is distributed nationwide via mail order delivery and through independent consultant sales. The recalled lots are S1004812411 and S1004912111, which were sold 2/17/2010 through 3/1/2010. All known purchasers of the 320 packages have been contacted and told to destroy them. A full refund has been offered to every customer and consultant.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is packaged in clear plastic packages with red and beige labeling. The product was sold individually in a 1.96 oz (55.6 g) pouch, and as part of two kits including the “Let’s Make Dinner Collection (stock #40.1032) or the “$800 pre-select” order for consultants (stock #37.0320).

To date, no known illnesses have been associated with this product.

The “Tortilla Soup Mix” was made using Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVP had tested positive for Salmonella at its original manufacturing plant Basic Food Flavors, Inc.

This product should be destroyed immediately.

Earth Island is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of the following Follow Your Heart brand products as a precautionary measure due to possible Salmonella contamination of a natural flavor from one of our suppliers.

The recalled products contain natural flavor supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada. Follow Your Heart deli products are sold at grocery and health food stores and served in commissaries in the Southern California region. Follow Your Heart dressings are sold in grocery and health food stores nationwide.

Products included in the recall are:

PRODUCT	USE BY DATES	BARCODE
Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-01001-4
Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 8 lb	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-07025-4
Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 8 oz	11/10/09 through 03/06/10	0-49568-01006-9
Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/06/10	0-49568-04006-6
Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-01010-6
Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu with Rice – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-04011-0
Follow Your Heart Heartsmart Burger – 7 oz	11/10/09 through 03/19/10	0-49568-01098-4
Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01023-6
Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu with Rice – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04003-5
Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/10/10	0-49568-01038-0
Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/10/10	0-49568-04014-1
Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 8 oz	11/10/09 through 03/14/10	0-49568-01076-2
Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/14/10	0-49568-04076-9
Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01430-2
Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04430-9
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01028-1
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/11/10	0-49568-01034-2
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Braised Tofu – 8 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04407-1
Follow Your Heart Texas Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/12/10	0-49568-01037-3
Follow Your Heart Veggie Burrito with Cheese – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/05/10	0-49568-01070-0
Follow Your Heart Low Fat Veggie Burrito – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/05/10	0-49568-01069-4
Follow Your Heart Beef Al Jus – 224 oz	11/10/09 through 03/19/10	N/A
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 12oz	JUN 14 10, JUN 21 10	0-49568-66012-7
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 32oz	JUN 14 10, JUN 21 10	0-49568-66032-5
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 128oz	JUN 14 10	0-49568-66128-5
Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip – 12oz	JUN 13 10	0069-6890

(Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip—affected code is limited to product sold at Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico and Southern California stores.)

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. For more information on Salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov¹. For a list of various company recalls and for more information on the FDA’s ongoing investigation, please visit the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov².

No illnesses to date have been reported.  No other Follow Your Heart products are included in the recall. 

The National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearinghouse provides information related to various illnesses including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Their link gives an informative picture of HUS as the treatable yet sometimes fatal complication of E. coli food poisoning. E. coli foodborne illness leads to HUS when the E. coli bacteria enter the bloodstream and begin damaging red blood cells. Bruises, bleeding, and swelling are all signs that an E. coli infection has elevated to the level of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The swelling results because the infected individual is no longer able to properly remove fluid and waste from the body. Doctors test for HUS by looking at the red blood cells to determine if they have been damaged. According to the website, hemolytic uremic syndrome “is the most common cause of sudden, short-term—acute—kidney failure in children.” Red blood cell transfusions and dialysis are possible treatments for HUS.