I was minding my own business today at the office suing some corporation that killed a child with a bacteria in the food the child consumed, when someone arrived carrying a subpoena from Beef Products Incorporated – BPI.
Terrorism – It will not work in either country.
Je suis Marler
I have thought a lot about free speech over the last few days – true, I do not think you should go out of your way to offend someone, but if the reaction to an offense is to kill a dozen people – to hell with you.
The Outbreak: On December 18, 2014, the Minnesota Department of Health reported four Listeria monocytogenes illnesses. The Minnesota cases purchased caramel apples from Cub Foods, Kwik Trip, and Mike’s Discount Foods, which carried Carnival brand and Kitchen Cravings brand caramel apples. These apples were produced by H. Brooks and supplied indirectly by Bidart Brothers.
On January 10, 2015, the CDC reports, a total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes had been reported from 11 states: Arizona (4), California (2), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), Nevada (1), New Mexico (6), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified 2 cases of listeriosis in Canada with the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns as seen in the U.S. outbreak.
The Lawsuit: On December 22, 2014, we filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Safeway Inc, in the Superior Court of Santa Cruz on behalf of James Raymond Frey, 87, and the estate of his deceased wife, Shirlee Jean Frey, 81, who died tragically on December 2, 2014 after consuming a Listeria-tainted caramel apple purchased at the Safeway in Felton, California. The case number is CISCV180721. The complaint was amended on December 29, 2014 to add in two additional parties – Happy Apple and Bidart Brothers.
The Recalls: On December 24, 2014, Happy Apple Company of Washington, Missouri, voluntarily recalled Happy Apples brand caramel apples with a best use by date between August 25 and November 23, 2014. On December 31, 2014, Happy Apple Company expanded the recall to include Kroger brand caramel apples produced by Happy Apple Company with a best use by date between September 15 and November 18, 2014.
On December 27, 2014, California Snack Foods voluntarily recalled Karm’l Dapple brand caramel apples with a best use by date between August 15 and November 28, 2014.
On December 29, 2014, Merb’s Candies of St. Louis, Missouri issued a voluntary recall of Merb’s Candies Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples that would have been available from September 8 through November 25, 2014.
On January 6, 2015, Bidart Bros. of Bakersfield, California voluntarily recalled Granny Smith and Gala apples because environmental testing revealed contamination with Listeria monocytogenes at the firm’s apple-packing facility. The recall includes all Granny Smith and Gala apples shipped from its Shafter, California packing facility in 2014. CDC recommends that consumers not eat any of the recalled Granny Smith and Gala apples produced by Bidart Bros. and that retailers not sell or serve them.
The Genetic Connection: On January 9, 2015, according to Bidart Bros., the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the results of findings from additional tests performed on samples collected from Bidart Bros. apple processing plant near Bakersfield, California. Test results confirm two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found at the apple processing facility and are believed to be the same strains associated with the outbreak. Those same strains were also found in Bidart Bros. apples collected from a retailer by the FDA.
The Bug: Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Approximately 2,500 cases of listeriosis are estimated to occur in the U.S. each year. About 200 in every 1,000 cases result in death.
According to Bidart Bros., today the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the results of findings from additional tests performed on samples collected from Bidart Bros. apple processing plant near Bakersfield, California. Test results confirm two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found at the apple processing facility and are believed to be the same strains associated with the outbreak. Those same strains were also found in Bidart Bros. apples collected from a retailer by the FDA.
Today, the CDC confirmed that the majority of the persons made ill reported consuming caramel-coated apples. “To date, 23 (88%) of the 26 ill people interviewed reported eating commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples before becoming ill. Caramel apple brands named in interviews have included Happy Apples, Carnival, and Merb’s Candies. However, the investigation is ongoing and other brands may be identified. The three ill people interviewed who did not report eating caramel apples did report eating whole or sliced green apples not covered in caramel. The source of these apples is unknown, and it is unknown whether these apples are linked to the patients’ illnesses.”
Given the findings from the latest test results, and out of an abundance of caution, the company has instituted a voluntary recall of all Bidart Bros. Granny Smith and Gala apples still available in the marketplace. Bidart Bros. is contacting all of their retailers with specific instructions as to how to return those apples to Bidart Bros. Bidart Bros. last shipped Granny Smith apples to customers on December 2, 2014.
Consumers should not eat the Granny Smith and Gala apples being recalled by Bidart Bros. These apples can be sold under the brand names “Big B” and “Granny’s Best,” though, they could also be sold under other brand names or with no brand at all. Consumers who are buying or have recently bought Granny Smith or Gala apples should ask their retailers if the apples were supplied by Bidart Bros.
The CDC reports as of December 30, 2014, a total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states: Arizona (4), California (2), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), Nevada (1), New Mexico (6), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3).
Schreiner’s Sausage Company is voluntarily recalling 28 ready-to-eat meat products from wholesalers, the Arizona Department of Agriculture announced Friday.
Concerns over the potential spread of Listeria, found during an inspection, led to the recall.
The products were sold before December 1, 2014.
If someone has the product in their refrigerator or freezer, the Arizona Department of Agriculture says that the meats should be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase. Listeria is a bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections, especially for people 65 years or older, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
The following products were distributed in the metro Phoenix area and bear the establishment number “EST 24” inside the mark of inspection produced prior to Dec. 1, 2014 and are subject to recall.
Santa Barbara Smokehouse in Santa Barbara, CA, has initiated a voluntary recall of two batches of cold-smoked salmon manufactured in August and September 2014, and all cold-smoked salmon packed between Dec. 17 and 24, 2014, after learning about Listeria monocytogenes contamination in product-surveillance samples and environmental samples collected at the processing facility.
No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products at this time. However, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman warned consumers on Friday not to eat certain Santa Barbara Smokehouse cold-smoked salmon products due to possible Listeria contamination.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating Santa Barbara Smokehouse because of the bacteriologic contamination found in the processing facility.
Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s recalled cold-smoked salmon was packed under the Cambridge House, Channel Island Smokehouse, Coastal Harbor, Santa Barbara Smokehouse and Harbor Point brand names and has pack dates of 8-22-14, 9-17-14 through 9-19-14, and 12-17-14 through 12-24-14. The recalled products were vacuum-packed and distributed as both fresh and frozen products.
See the CDPH website for a list of the specific product names and codes affected by this recall, along with product photos.
With a mouse as a mascot, does a viral outbreak seem that odd?
MPR and AP report that Minnesota health officials are trying to track down people who may have been exposed to norovirus at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Woodbury last weekend.
“As of (Wednesday), we know there had been 60 calls made and about 50 percent of those were reporting symptoms,” said Jean Streetar, Washington County’s public health program manager.
Those symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials are urging people to take extra measures to wash their hands and isolate people who may be ill. The virus is considered very contagious, although no hospitalizations have been reported so far.
As many as 1,000 people a day may go through the restaurant.
Noroviruses are common causes of food poisoning and spread through contaminated surfaces, food and beverages. Besides vomiting and diarrhea, the illness can cause abdominal pain, headaches, body aches.
The Minnesota Department of Health has reported 43 outbreaks of norovirus since the beginning of November.
According to the Packer and AP, Bidart Bros. has expanded an apple recall to include all granny smith and galas shipped from its Shafter, California facility in 2014 — not just ones sent to caramel apple marketers implicated in a listeria recall.
“Several” samples collected at the Bidart Bros. apple packing facility tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, but additional tests are ongoing to determine if it is the same strain of the pathogen that has killed six and sickened at least 34 people in the U.S. and Canada. The Food and Drug Administration released the test results January 8 after having notified Bidart Bros. three days earlier.
The FDA reported the company recalled granny smith apples December 22, but the recall was limited to customers Bidart officials knew produced caramel apples.
The listeria outbreak, which began in October and is ongoing, was initially linked to caramel apples only. However, after the positive results for the pathogen at Bidart’s Shafter packing facility, nationwide recalls are in effect in the U.S. and Canada on all of the gala and granny smith apples packed there in 2014.
Leonard Bidart, president of the family-owned company, issued a written statement January 8.
Late last night the Canadian Food Safety Authority issued an update to the food recall warning issued on December 24, 2014 to include the recall of both Granny Smith apples and Gala apples exported by Bidart Bros. in the United States (US) from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Identified importers of the recalled products include Beauvais Ltee. and Courchesne Larose. Recalled products were imported by and sold at Coosemans Montreal Inc., located at 1605 rue de Beauharnois Ouest, Montréal, QC.
*Only apples exported by Bidart Bros. are affected by this recall. Recalled products may have been sold under other brand names besides the one identified or without a brand name at all, such as in bulk. If you are unsure as to whether products are included in this recall, contact the location where they were purchased.
Oddly, in the U.S. all that we have received from the FDA is:
Although I must admit, I have not see a recall from Bidart Bros., or any announcement from them whatsoever.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
I must admit, and certainly have been told, that I am only marginally a journalist. But, waking up to the horror of a dozen killed compelled me to do something small in support of freedom of speech.
