Tempeh linked to 83 with Salmonella Paratyphi B in North Carolina and other States

Salmonella Paratyphi B Outbreak

Paratyphi B is a rare type of salmonella in part because it has a 30-day incubation period as opposed to one to 10 days found in more common types. The disease causes diarrhea that may be bloody, high fever, headache and abdominal pain. It is rarely fatal but can be dangerous to the young, elderly or people with weak immune systems.

Casey Blake of the Asheville Citizen Times reported today that the number of reported cases in a three-month Buncombe-based – Tempeh caused – Salmonella Paratyphi B outbreak is still climbing. The total number of reported cases linked to the outbreak was 83 as of Friday afternoon, 62 of which involved residents of Buncombe County. The total count includes cases of people who visited or otherwise had connections to Buncombe County and were believed to have been exposed to the bacteria here.

Agriculture officials have isolated the strain of salmonella that struck in late February — called paratyphi B — to one ingredient: A starter culture distributed by Tempeh Online of Rockville, Maryland to local company Smiling Hara Tempeh.

Related Posts

Organic Pastures Raw Cream, Butter and Cow Manure Positive for Campylobacter - 10 Sickened

cdfa_logoraw.jpgRaw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County have been released from a statewide quarantine that began May 10. CDFA imposed the quarantine in response to the detection of campylobacter bacteria, and notification from the California Department of Public Health of reported campylobacter food-borne illnesses in persons consuming Organic Pastures raw milk. CDPH also isolated Campylobacter jejuni from six samples of the dairy’s raw cream, one sample of raw butter and four samples of cow manure from the milking herd.

From January through April 30, 2012, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that at least 10 people with campylobacter infection were identified throughout California and reported consuming Organic Pastures raw milk prior to illness onset. Their median age is 11.5 years, with six under 18. The age range is nine months to 38 years. They are residents of Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties. None of the patients have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths.

It is becoming a harder for Organic Pastures to defend raw milk so vehemently after the dairy has now been linked to 4 outbreaks and 6 recalls.

In 2006, three strains of E. coli O157:H7 were cultured from Organic Pastures' heifers' feces.  That same year, the dairy was quarantined after six children became ill with E. coli infections - two with hemolytic uremic syndrome - linked to its raw milk.

In 2007, fifty strains of Campylobacter jejuni plus Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter hyointetinalis, and Campylobacter lari were cultured from OPDC dairy cow feces after eight people were sickened.  See the state report here

In 2007, Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from Organic Pastures Grade A raw cream.

In 2008, Campylobacter was cultured from Organic Pastures Grade A raw cream.

In November 2011, a cluster of five young children with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 infection with matching pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns was identified. All five children reported drinking commercially available raw (unpasteurized) milk from a single dairy (Organic Pastures) and had no other common exposures. The epidemiological findings led to a quarantine and recall of all Organic Pastures products except cheese aged more than 60 days. Environmental samples collected at Organic Pastures yielded E. coli O157:H7 isolates that had PFGE patterns indistinguishable from the patient isolates.  

Related Posts

Salmonella - Tainted Papaya Recalled - Again

papaya-label-274.jpgCaribe Produce LTD Co. of McAllen, TX, is recalling 286 cases of Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand papayas because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in the papayas, according to the recall notice.  The company says no illnesses have been reported.

The recalled Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand cases were distributed in the Bronx, New York in wholesale stores and through retail stores from May 14 to May 17, 2012. The papayas were packed in 35 lb. cartons marked with the brand " Caribeña " and " Product of Mexico" stamped on the side. The papayas are sold individually, and each one bears a label that states "3112 CARIBEÑA Papaya MARADOL PRODUCT OF MEXICO www.grandeproduce.com" 

In 2001 Agromod Produce recalled papayas purchased prior to July 23, 2011 after an outbreak of Salmonella Agona that sickened 106 in California, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas had been linked to the papayas. The outbreak related illnesses began after January 16 and continued to occur over several months. On August 25, the Food and Drug Administration banned imports of papayas grown in Mexico because of widespread and ongoing salmonella contamination. More than 15 percent of fresh papayas entering the U.S. from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella.

Related Posts

River Ranch Fresh Foods Recalls Bagged Salad Due to Listeria

Screen Shot 2012-05-18 at 5.38.17 PM.pngDr. Ron Chapman, state public health officer and director of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned people not to eat certain bagged salads manufactured by River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. To date, no illnesses have been reported.

River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC, of Salinas, California, initiated the voluntary recall of bagged salads after routine sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in two packages of shredded iceberg lettuce purchased from retail locations in California and Colorado. The recalled salad products were distributed nationwide to retail and foodservice outlets under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, The Farmer’s Market, Cross Valley, Fresh n Easy, Promark, and Sysco.

While the bagged salads identified above are no longer being sold, CDPH is concerned that consumers may still have some of the recalled products in their homes. Consumers in possession of this recalled lettuce should discard it or return it to the store of purchase for a refund.

Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn baby.

Related Posts

7,000 Pound E. coli Hamburger Recall in South Carolina

Lancaster Frozen Foods and G&W Incorporated recall beef products in South Carolina

Perhaps it has nothing to do with the E. coli cases annoounced in Spartanburg earlier this week, but the timing is interesting.

Foods and G&W Incorporated are voluntarily recalling about 6,908 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli according to the S.C. meat and poultry inspection department.

The products in the recall were produced between March 2 and May 11 at Lancaster Frozen Foods and between March 2 and April 12 at G&W. Products were delivered to wholesale and retail establishments in South Carolina. One direct delivery went to General IGA in Walterboro, S.C.

The following products are in the recall:

5 pound bulk packages “Lancaster Frozen Foods Fresh Ground Beef” with Est. # 20 inside the SC mark of inspection.

10 pound boxes of beef patties “Lancaster Frozen Foods Ground Beef Patties” with Est. # 20 inside the SC mark of inspection.

Various size tray packs of ground beef “Lancaster Frozen Foods Fresh Ground Beef”

5-lb. bulk packages “G&W Brand Hamburger” with Est. # 30 inside the SC mark of inspection.

10-lb. boxes of hamburger patties “G&W Brand Hamburger Patties” with Est. # 30 inside the SC mark of inspection.

Various size packages of hamburger “G&W Brand Hamburger”

Lab testing by the meat and poultry inspection department confirmed a positive result for E. coli in a ground product at Lancaster Frozen Foods. That lot was held by the company, but additional ungroud product from the same lot had been used in other production lots resulting in the recall.

No illnesses have been reported, but individuals concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Related Posts

El Mexicano Takes Hit for DHEC E. coli Misstep

elmexicano.jpgLast week the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) did what public health departments should do – announce to the public that an outbreak – especially an E. coli O157:H7 - is happening. However, the DHEC for whatever reason chose to announce the outbreak and then only name the type of restaurant, and hope the public was too stupid or bored to notice that there were close to a dozen Mexican restaurants in the Spartanburg area.

According to a press release today from the DHEC released (apparently worked on by the restaurant under investigation) the DHEC announced that it “finds no ongoing transmission of disease or current public health threat related to a Spartanburg-area Mexican restaurant.”

The DHEC further announced:

"While it is our policy not to release information during a pending investigation unless it affects the health of the citizens of South Carolina, the El Mexicano on East Main Street in Spartanburg has voluntarily agreed to release its name to the public." DHEC Director Catherine Templeton said. "We’ve found no conclusive link between the restaurant and those who have gotten sick during this outbreak."

Translation: Thank you El Mexicano for jumping in front of the bus. And, although the restaurant is the common denominator to the nearly dozen illnesses – including two children who have developed life threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome – no environmental or food samples tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. However, “[t]he most recent case began experiencing symptoms on May 3 and the restaurant was investigated “on May 11 where the facility scored an “A” rating.” Hmmm, I wonder if the same food was in the restaurant in April that was in the restaurant on May 11, or I wonder if the victims ate the evidence?

My strong suspicion is that DHEC Director Catherine Templeton knows nothing about public health and the good work of epidemiology. My bet is that she also cares a whit about the public’s right to know.

Related Posts

Spartanburg Mexican Restaurant Related to E. coli Outbreak

Update: El Mexicano Restaurant

Screen Shot 2012-05-11 at 9.52.24 PM.pngThe South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is requesting heightened surveillance for persons presenting with symptoms consistent with Shiga toxin producing E. coli (i.e., enterohemorrhagic E. coli), including diarrhea that is often bloody, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children or thrombocytopenia purpura in adults.

DHEC is investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) related to dining at a Spartanburg-area Mexican restaurant during the last week of April, 2012. Preliminary lab results indicate the E. coli serotype being O157:H7. Of the 3 cases interviewed thus far, two reported the infection has progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition associated with STEC infection that can lead to kidney failure. Interviews with an additional 8 cases are in progress.

A quick internet search found these restaurants in Spartanburg meeting the description:

1. Bronco Mexican Restaurant

2. Corona Mexican Restaurant

3. El Mexicano Restaurant

4. Mexico Lindo East

5. Moe's Southwest Grill

6. Monterrey Mexican Restaurant 

7. Taco Bell

8. Tijuana Restaurant

9. Mexico Lindo

10. Taco Dog

11. Chipotle Mexican Grill

Seriously, how pissed would you be if you owned ten of the restaurants above?  DEHC, if you have enough evidence to announce an outbreak, tell the public where it happened.

Update:  According to comments in Spartanburg Press, it is El Mexicano Restaurant.

Related Posts

16 Sick by Diamond Dog Food in 9 States and Canada

A total of 15 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis have been reported from 9 states. Additionally, one ill person has been reported from Canada.

Screen Shot 2012-05-11 at 3.23.06 PM.pngThe number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). One new ill person was reported from Pennsylvania.  Additionally, one ill person has been reported from Canada.

Among the 10 patients with available information, 5 (50%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Multiple brands of dry dog food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections.

Related Posts

A Mother's Angst over feeding Raw Milk to her Child

“There’s just an inherent risk in feeding your children raw milk that you can’t ― you can’t ― ignore."

12raw600.1.jpgThat’s what one mother told Oregon Public Broadcasting this week.

Jill, who asked not to be identified on-air, described the ordeal that her two-year-old daughter has had to endure since becoming sick from raw milk. 

"She had strokes early on and pressure in the brain, and most recently had emergency surgery to remove some dead bowel and colon. And now has an ostomy, that will get reversed in six to eight weeks," Jill told OPB News.

 Click here to download and listen to the full show.

Jill's child's illness is part of an outbreak at an Oregon farm whose raw milk is the suspected source of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 19 has now been associated with two more foodborne illness victims.  Health officials also repoted that two adults who had consumed raw milk from Foundation Farm had contracted infections from two different pathogens - Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium.

Related Posts

North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and New York part of Salmonella Tempeh Outbreak

DSC04268.JPGThe Buncombe County North Carolina Department of Health received final test results from the North Carolina Department of Public Health laboratory confirming that the unopened bag of culture that was added to the tempeh tested positive for the matching strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B linked to the current disease outbreak. Rockville Maryland Tempeh Online sold the starter culture to Smiling Hara Tempeh, which made the meat substitute in Candler, North Carolina.

The US Food and Drug Administration is already involved in tracing the origin of the ingredient to identify source of contamination as well as the potential for other Salmonella outbreaks in the US.

As of May 10 the County Department of Health reported 58 cases associated with salmonella outbreak. North Carolina Department of Public Health reports 63 cases, which includes cases in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and New York.

Related Posts

Watch How Safe is your Burger?: KCTS 9 Connects on PBS. See more from KCTS 9 Lead Story.

Request Free Information

Bill Marler Twitter Feed

    See More