The E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated Nestlé cookie dough continues to grow. CNN reports that those who are falling ill is still increasing, citing federal health officials.

To date, 72 people have been reportedly infected with E. coli strain O157:H7 that also contains a specific DNA fingerprint that has been reported from an astounding 30 states, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported CNN. Of the 72 ill, 51 are confirmed stricken with the outbreak strain. Confirmation is pending on the remaining patients. (more…)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced it found E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough currently under recall by the manufacturer and marketer, Nestlé USA. The contaminated sample was collected at Nestlé’s facility in Danville, Virginia on June 25, 2009.

On June 19, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The warning was based on an epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and several state and local health departments. As of June 25, the CDC reported that 69 peopled from 29 states had been infected with the outbreak strain; 34 people were hospitalized, nine with a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To date, there have been no reports of death associated with the outbreak, the FDA said. (more…)

Chang Farm has issued a voluntary recall of some of its Bean and Soy Sprouts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Chang Farm of River Road, Whatley, Massachusetts, issued the recall, with specific expired date codes, because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes) contamination.

The affected product is packaged in 10-pound bags (bulk) and 12-ounce plastic bags (retail), labeled under the Chang Farm Brand as Soy Sprouts and have a “Sell By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009 and Bean Sprouts with “Use By” date of May 23, 2009 or May 24, 2009. The product has been distributed to retail stores and restaurants throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

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Plainview Milk Products Cooperative, Plainview, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums (thickening agents) that it has manufactured over the past two years, because the products might be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

The company sells these products to other industry customers, including distributors and manufacturers, who may have incorporated them into their own products. None of Plainview’s recalled products were sold directly to the public. Plainview has stopped production of these products and has notified its customers of the recall. Currently, the Plainview recall is limited to industry customers who received suspect product(s). (more…)

The recent June 24th Class I recall of potentially E. Coli-tainted JBS Swift Beef Company beef products has been expanded, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). A Class I recall is a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. The recall has been expanded to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products.

We reported late last week that JBS Swift Beef issued a recall of approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products over E. coli contamination concerns. The original problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling and an investigation into the distribution of other products. (more…)

Officials at a Nestle USA facility in Virginia legally refused on several occasions to give Food & Drug Administration (FDA) officials access to certain records during inspections, The Wall Street Journal reported today. The Nestle facility in Danville, Virginia produced Toll House cookie dough that has been implicated in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

Last Friday, the FDA warned consumers not to eat any varieties of Prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough following reports of people infected with E. coli O157:HY in dozens of states. At the time, the agency said that dozens of E. coli illnesses might be related to consumption of raw cookie dough. That same day, Nestle recalled 300,000 cases of those cookie dough products. (more…)

JBS Swift Beef Company, of Greeley, Colorado, is recalling approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with the E. coli O157:H7 pathogen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. The recall is a Class I, which means this a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The beef products—listed below—were produced on April 21 and 22, 2009, and shipped to distributors and retail establishments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin. The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling and an investigation into the distribution of other products. (more…)

A caterer from North Dakota has been linked to three separate outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning. The Jamestown Sun reported that the North Dakota Department of Health is looking into a third food-borne illness outbreak connected to an unlicensed caterer, citing State Epidemiologist Kirby Kruger.

The third outbreak has been associated with a wedding held Saturday, June 20, 2009, in McClusky, N.D., said the Jamestown Sun, adding that the Department of Health has received 15 reports of people falling ill following a wedding catered by Aggie Jennings. Four people have required medical care; no hospitalizations have been reported, said the Jamestown Sun. (more…)

Yesterday we wrote that Nestle Toll House cookie dough has been associated with 70 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in 30 states. Now, the Associated Press (AP) is reported that a family from Denver has sued Nestle USA in federal court. The family alleges their six-year-old daughter, Madison, contracted the dangerous, sometimes deadly E. coli bacteria from eating raw Nestle Toll House cookie dough.

Cindy Sedbrook said her daughter was near kidney failure in May when doctors concluded that Madison’s symptoms—bloody diarrhea and vomiting—were caused by E. coli bacteria, said the AP. The lawsuit was filed this week, said the AP, and seeks $50,000 to $100,000 in damages for hospital bills. (more…)

Some packages of Kowalke Organics packaged alfalfa spouts could possibly be contaminated with Salmonella, according to California public health officials, reports the SF Gate. Kowalke Family Sprouts of Culver City also does business as Mike’s Produce Inc. and has voluntarily recalled several raw alfalfa sprouts products, including packaged dinner salad and onion mix, said the SF Gate.

The Department of Public Health said the sprout packages indicate sell-by dates from June 18 to June 30 and were generally distributed at Gelson’s and Whole Foods stores in Southern California, said the SF Gate. According to Kowalke owner, Mike Matthews, just one package—purchased in a “secret shopping” probe conducted by state agents—tested positive for the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen, reported the SF Gate. The contaminated package bore a June 21 sell-by date, said Matthews, who explained that the alfalfa products bearing that date have been pulled from store shelves, said the SF Gate. (more…)