Monthly Archives March 2018

Touchy feely restaurant screens covered with creepy crawlies

Restaurants are increasingly moving from clipboards and pens to digital technology. And they should. These digital tools streamline and simplify multiple processes – from taking customers’ orders to facilitating inspections. But now, patrons and staff are likely to touch – and share – multiple screens. Whether your host is sending a text about an open... Continue Reading Read More

Edmonton eatery linked to E. coli illnesses; food source unclear

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health in Edmonton, Canada, is investigating to determine the source of five confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 and  Mama Nita’s Filipino Cuisine restaurant is the suspected source of the outbreak. While the investigation into the exact cause is ongoing, AHS during the past week has determined that food from Mama... Continue Reading Read More

Vancouver Island officials investigate Vibrio cholera illnesses

The First Nations Health Authority and Island Health are warning the public following confirmed cases of Vibrio cholera infection associated with eating herring eggs. Island Health it is investigating confirmed cases of cholera contracted by people on Vancouver Island after one confirmed case and two suspected cases were linked to herring eggs. No new lab-confirmed... Continue Reading Read More

Poppies recalls Delizza brand frozen mini eclaires for Listeria

Poppies International Inc. is recalling tubs of their “Delizza Belgian Custard Cream Mini Eclairs” after tests showed contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen. The recall covers all “Delizza Belgian Custard Cream Mini Eclairs” made March 5-9. There is concern people may have unused portions of the eclairs because the entire production run has a best-before date that is year... Continue Reading Read More

Yesterday’s uninformed habits are tomorrow’s known threats

From time to time, I am asked why food safety hazards seem more prevalent now than they were two, three or more decades ago. Why are more types of food at risk? Where were Norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, and other foodborne pathogens back then? Why were we able to sample raw cake batter and raw cookie... Continue Reading Read More

Complaints of sick pets prompt Smucker to recall dog treats

The J.M. Smucker Co. is recalling specific lots of two varieties of Milo’s Kitchen dog treats, because the products may contain elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone. The recall was initiated after the Food and Drug Administration informed the company of reports of three pet illnesses. The products affected by the recall are: Milo’s Kitchen... Continue Reading Read More

Poppies International, Inc. Recalls Delizza Belgian Custard Cream Mini Eclairs 30 Count, Due to Potential Health Risks

Poppies International, Inc. of Battleboro, NC is issuing a voluntary recall of selected products that were made during March 5-9, 2018 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious a... Read More

Patients at cancer center hit by Listeria from hospital deli

Three people who ate deli sandwiches from a restaurant in Canada’s largest cancer-care center have been infected with Listeria. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating the cases in people who ate at Druxy’s in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the country’s largest cancer care center. TPH is asking anyone who ate deli meats at the... Continue Reading Read More

Dried coconut identified in outbreak; CDC says don’t eat it

The CDC his urging the public to avoid eating certain brands of dried coconut because they are linked to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella poisoning that has been ongoing since September 2017. This outbreak is unrelated to the Salmonella outbreak linked to frozen shredded coconut announced in January “CDC recommends people not eat recalled International Harvest Inc. brand Go... Continue Reading Read More

WHO urges 16 countries to join in fight against deadly outbreak

The World Health Organization is coordinating efforts among 16 African countries in an attempt to contain the world’s largest ever Listeria outbreak as officials in Namibia try to discern whether a sick person in that country contracted listeriosis from processed meat imported from South Africa. In another development this week, officials in Mozambique reported they... Continue Reading Read More