December 2016
Raw Camel Milk Can Not Be Sold Across State lines
Food Safety News reports that a Missouri dairy owner is on notice from the FDA for selling unpasteurized, raw camel milk in interstate commerce, with the agency discounting the dairyman’s contention that camel milk is not covered by federal law.
The Food and Drug Administration’s Kansas City district office sent a warning letter to Samuel…
Spring Salmonella Cucumber Outbreak Linked to Persian Cucumbers
A total of 14 patients in eight states were identified, with illness onsets occurring during March 21–April 9, 2016. Three patients were hospitalized; no deaths were reported.
Epidemiologic evidence indicates Persian cucumbers as the source of Salmonella Oslo infections in this outbreak sold at an unnamed grocery chain. This is the fourth Salmonella outbreak since…
“Cannibal” or “Tiger Meat” Sandwich Warning
If you are among the Wisconsin residents who consider raw ground beef sandwiches (known as “Cannibal” or “Tiger Meat” sandwiches) a holiday tradition, the Department of Health Services (DHS) wants to remind you that consuming raw or undercooked meat can be dangerous to your health.
Cannibal or Tiger Meat Sandwiches typically consist of raw…
Who not to Poison – State Department of Health
Andrew Oxford of the Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Epidemiologists at the state Department of Health are investigating their agency’s own annual holiday luncheon after dozens of employees reported falling ill after the party last week.
About 70 staff members claim to have experienced gastrointestinal issues following the catered event at the Harold Runnels…
Chicago Department of Public Health Rolls Out Carbon E. coli Final Outbreak Report
Cilantro Likely Cause of Outbreak – Sixty-nine confirmed and 37 probable cases
Introduction. On June 28, 2016, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) received five reports of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia Coli (STEC)1 through routine surveillance. By June 29, routine interviews conducted by the CDPH Communicable Disease (CD) Program revealed that three of the five…
Botulism Risk – Don’t Eat Lizard Fish
Arcadia Trading Inc. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling 34 cartons of Lizard Fish because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to consume the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Botulism, a potentially fatal form…
Hepatitis A in Shellfish – A Bit(e) of History
One of the great things about being a lawyer is that you can, if you want, continue to learn every day, even if you have been doing the same or similar thing for over 20 years. I also get to reach out to the best experts in the world to ask for help in educating…
Public Health Doing Its Job is Legal
Today the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the December 15, 2015, District Court dismissal of a lawsuit brought by tomato grower, Seaside Farm, Inc. Seaside alleged that the Food and Drug Administration negligently issued a contamination warning in response to an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul that devalued Seaside’s tomato crop by $15,036,293.95.
According to…
Study: Restaurants Not Good At Explaining Risks of Undercooked Meat to Customers
Front-line staff, such as servers in restaurants, are often trusted with providing customers with food safety information regarding their meals. A challenge to the food-service industry is that these positions…