Over the course of the last few weeks, Salmonella has been associated with everything from eggs to pistachios, alfalfa sprouts, milk, fruit juice and even mamey frozen pulp. Contaminated food items such as these can teach you a lot about the differences between different kinds of Salmonella bacteria as well as other forms of food poisoning.

The recent egg recall which has been linked to Salmonella enteritidis has many people afraid of eating certain foods. Millions of eggs have been recalled from companys including Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms due to possible contamination with Salmonella enteritidis. In order to help consumers better understand foodborne illness and the resulting medical complications, here is a summary of some foodborne illnesses and medical problems which can be associatd with them.

Foodborne illnesses, also referred to as food poisonings, result when contaminated food items are consumed by an unsuspecting victim.  Salmonella itself is only one of many different foodborne illnesses. Some food poisoning cases have not directly been linked to food but have passed to a victim through other means of transmission including fecal to oral or close contact with an infected person. The method of transmission and how contagious a bacteria is depends upon the nature of the bacterium. In some cases foodborne illness can result from consuming only a few microscopic bacteria.

Foodborne pathogens can include different groups of bacteria including Escherichia coli, sometimes known as E. coli as well as Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella, Clostridium botulinum (botulism), Campylobacter, norovirus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Foodborne sicknesses can also result from viruses including Hepatitis A. Parasites can also cause gastrointestinal food related problems. Parasites which can harm human hosts include Giardia and toxoplasma gondii.

Depending on the type of foodborne illness a victim suffers, symptoms can vary greatly. Some food poisoning cases manifest simply as a little nausea or diarrhea. Shiga toxin producing E. coli; however, can cause bloody diarrhea. Norovirus can cause severe abdominal pain. Other bacteria can be fatal to individuals who have a weak immune system.

Foodborne sickness can also lead to additional medical complications. Shiga toxin E. coli cases have been directly linked to cases of a potentially fatal kidney complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Very young children are at greatest risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome. Although rare, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can also appear following a Shigella or Salmonella illness. Other medical complications which can result from food poisoning include stillbirths in pregnant women (Listeria), Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis) which has been linked to Salmonella, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a nervous system disorder which can result following Campylobacter food poisoning.

The following statement was released by officials of NuCal Foods of Ripon, California regarding the voluntary recall of shell eggs supplied from Hillandale Farms of Iowa.

NuCal Foods is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by Hillandale Farms of Iowa and packaged by NuCal Foods because they have the potential to 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 persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, 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, endocarditis or arthritis. 

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to food wholesalers and retailers in California and Nevada. NuCal Foods received these eggs from Hillandale Farms of Iowa which were then packaged into 5-dozen and 2.5-dozen overwrapped retail units. In addition to those products listed in the original Hillandale Farms of Iowa media statement dated August 20, 2010, the following products are being recalled: 

Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

MyFoxHouston has reported that the Houston Health Department has confirmed thirty-four cases of Salmonella near Houston, Texas. The number of Salmonella illness is broken down by county. The Houston Health Department reported ten Salmonella cases inside Houston itself while twenty-four Salmonella victims have been found to be located in Texas counties within close proximity to Houston.

The investigation into these Texas Salmonella cases is ongoing. Initial reports indicate that 50 percent of the Salmonella victims consumed eggs. No direct linkage between these Salmonella illnesses and recalled eggs from companies such as Wright County Egg or Hillandale Farms has been found at this point in the investigation.

Salmonella is often associated with eggs. Victims of this Salmonella bacteria often experience nausea, diarrhea, and possibly fever. This foodborne illness is sometimes referred to as Salmonellosis. In rare cases, Salmonella victims can develop further medical complications including reactive arthritis or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Both of these medical complications can lead to lifelong health problems for victims.

Azteca Linda Corp. is recalling Queso Fresco (fresh white cheese) and Queso Hebra (fresh white string cheese) with an expiration date of September 11, 2010. The Rhode Island Department of Health Laboratory confirmed earlier this week that the Queso Fresco is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Because the Queso Hebra was made on the same food processing equipment, it is possible that it is contaminated with listeria as well. Listeria is an organism that can cause serious or fatal infections in young children, elderly or anyone with a weak immune system.

The products included in this recall include: Queso Fresco; hard plastic, clam-shell shaped container; UPC 0 23986 92692 8, expiration date of September 11, 2010 Queso Hebra; net weight 14 ounces and net weight 5 pounds; labeled with the brand name Queso El Azteca, no UPC codes; expiration date of September 11, 2010

At this time, no other Azteca Linda Corp. products are included in the recall, and no confirmed cases of listeria have been reported in association with this recall. Anyone who bought an item on the recall list should throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Symptoms of Listeria include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

E. coli and staph have always been considered dreaded infections. E. coli’s bloody diarrhea can leave foodborne illness victims battling hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney disorder. Staph on the other hand, can cause boils, impetigo, and cellulitis.

Now, however, thanks to the wonders of genetic mutation, a new gene has emerged which makes bacteria such as staph and E. coli virtually resistant to antibiotic medications. According to AFP, one death has been linked to this gene. NDM-1 is an acronym for New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1. Controversy surrounds the origin of this gene, but some believe it originated in India. The Examiner cited the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report as describing:

Three different strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae) were implicated. The report also talks of tests that can be used by laboratories to reliably test for NDM-1 production in bacteria.

The report says all three isolates were found in patients who received recent medical care in India.

These “superbugs” as they have been dubbed in the press are immune from the most powerful antibiotics the medical industry possesses. According to researchers, bacteria which carry the NDM-1 gene are resistant to carbapenem, an antibiotic doctors always fell back on when nothing else worked.

These powerful bacteria has appeared in individuals who had surgeries performed in India. Later, these individuals have traveled to other nations and brought this resistant bacteria with them. Thirty-seven people in the U.K. have been diagnosed with bacteria containing this gene. Additionally, cases have appeared in Australia, Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

A worker at a Quiznos restaurant in Salt Lake City tested positive for Hepatitis A. As a result, the department of public health has issued a warning regarding the 30 East Broadway (300 South) restaurant. The department will also voluntarily issue Hepatitis A shots to affected patrons.

Because of the volume of clientele that the restaurant receives, hundreds of people may have been exposed to Hepatitis A. The Quiznos sees between 100 and 500 patrons per day but averages between 150 and 200 clients daily. Since the Hepatitis A positive employee served patrons on August 6^th and 7^th, affected individuals should seek shots soon. The Hepatitis A shot will only provide protection for an individual for up to 14 days after initial exposure. Only this Quiznos store was affected.

Hepatitis A symptoms include jaundice, fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, and pain in the lower right abdominal region. Symptoms do not appear immediately after consuming  Hepatitis A tainted food. Instead, Hepatitis A symptoms will normally appear within two to seven weeks of exposure. Reoccurrence of Hepatitis A symptoms occurs in some individuals up to nine months following the initial exposure.

Moark, LLC, is voluntarily recalling specific lots of shell eggs produced by Hillandale Farms of Iowa and packaged by Moark, LLC, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Potentially affected eggs that were received by Moark total approximately 24,300 dozen. Moark repackaged the eggs for retail customers (under the brand names Albertsons, Yucaipa Valley, Farmer’s Gems and Mountain Dairy), as well as providing unbranded eggs to foodservice customers. The eggs were sold by Moark to retail and wholesale customers in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The products being recalled have the following information stamped on the egg packaging:

Julian Dates and Plant Numbers (which begin with the letter P) can be found printed on the egg packaging. For example 187 P-1156.

“Moark has been carefully monitoring the situation with Hillandale Farms of Iowa, and once we were notified that Moark had received eggs from this producer, we immediately notified customers to ensure that any eggs included in the recall were withdrawn from the marketplace. We also immediately informed the Food and Drug Administration,” said Craig Willardson, President and CEO of Moark, LLC. “None of the eggs were produced at Moark facilities or operations,” he added.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased potentially affected shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Hillandale Farms of Iowa’s recall press release indicates that there have been laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Enteriditis illnesses with the shell eggs from Hillandale Farms of Iowa, and the investigation is ongoing. Salmonella is an organism that 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, 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, endocarditis or arthritis.

Moark is a leading marketer of shell eggs in the United States through a quality supply/distribution network of branded, specialty, and private label eggs in key locations.

Zemco Industries, a Buffalo, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 380,000 pounds of deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. These products were distributed to delicatessens where they were further processed into sandwiches.

The products subject to recall include:

25.5-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color” with the number 17800 1300.

28.49-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS” with the number 17803 1300.

32.67-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS” with the number 17804 1300.

25.5-pound cases of “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST BEEF Coated with Caramel Color” with the number 17805 1300.

The packages also bear vendor number “398412808″ and the USDA mark of inspection. The meat products were produced on various dates from June 18 to July 2, 2010, and have various “Use By” dates ranging from August 20 to September 10, 2010. The products were distributed nationwide to a single retail chain.

The problem was discovered as a result of a retail sample collected by the State of Georgia that confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

NY Fish Inc, 738 Chester St, Brooklyn, NY, 11236 is recalling NY Fish Brand (cold) Smoked Herring, with a code of 141, discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors during a routine inspection. The product was found to be uneviscerated prior to processing.

This product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Symptoms of botulism include blurred vision, general weakness and poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis.

The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.

The recalled NY Fish Brand Smoked Herring comes in a coded, plastic vacuum bag with code number 141. This product was sold in New York State.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have NY Fish Brand Smoked Herring with this lot marking are advised not to eat it, but should return it to the place of purchase.

A Jackson, Mississippi company, CalMaine Foods Inc. has recalled 800,000 dozen eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination. CalMaine is the “nation’s largest egg seller and distributor” according to the Associated Press.

The news release held:

Cal-Maine said it was notified by an Iowa egg producer that between April 9 and Aug. 19, the producer sold 32 truckloads of eggs, or about 800,000 dozen eggs, to the company. The affected products were added Friday to the expanded nationwide recall related to almost 2,000 illnesses from the strain of salmonella reported between May and July, almost 1,300 more than usual.

The CalMaine recall will likely not be the last egg recall posted. As companies examine their stocks and distribution records, it is likely that additional recalls will emerge. Salmonella is a dangerous food poisoning which can cause fever, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Victims can, in rare cases, suffer from reactive arthritis and even hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal kidney complication. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our site accordingly. Check back frequently for additional information.