150 Cases of Food Poisoning at Mother’s Day Event

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin

Food poisoning traced to New York’s Putnam County Buddhist temple celebrating Mother’s Day struck at least 150 people last Sunday, including 20 visitors from New York’s Chinatown on a trip to Woodbury Common.

Eric Gross, spokesman for the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, said the incident started at a Buddhist Day Garden Party at the Chuang-yen Temple in the town of Kent, where at least 700 people attended. An hour after lunch, 35 people were taken from the temple to hospitals in Carmel, Peekskill, and Poughkeepsie. Meanwhile, buses had already has taken off for Woodbury Common. According to Woodbury EMT, calls about people with flu-like symptoms—vomiting, diarrhea, and fever—began to come in from the shopping outlet after 3pm. 20 people were taken to several hospitals in the region.

Xan Xiang Wu, of Brooklyn, said that her mother and 21-month-old daughter fell ill after eating sticky rice at the monastery. Wu’s family was part of a 600-person, 10-bus tour that left Sunday morning and arrived at the monastery at 10am.

Putnam County Health Director Rebecca Wittenberg said on Monday that all but one person who experienced symptoms had been released from hospitals as of Monday afternoon. Twelve samples of food were taken from the temple and hand-delivered to an Albany region state lab for testing.  State Health Department spokesman Peter Constantakes said they are assisting Putnam County health officials to determine the cause of the food poisoning. Because food was brought in by attendees to be shared and not served by a caterer or by the temple, a fine for Chuang-yen Temple would be unlikely but hasn’t been ruled out.

It is the responsibility of establishments serving food to the public to follow FDA established safety and cleanliness protocols. If you believe that you or a member of your family has been sickened because of a violation, please contact Finkelstein & Partners immediately.

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Are Imported Foods Getting More Dangerous?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by admin

Food Poisoning Statistics

In 2011, the FDA inspected only about 1,000 of more than 250,000 foreign, non-meat food producers. Between 2005 and 1010, 39 food poisoning outbreaks occurred, compared to 19 outbreaks between 1998 and 2004. In short, the FDA is underfunded, it doesn’t inspect enough, and the problem is getting worse, not better.

Food Poisoning from Imported Foods

While the worst offenders were fish and peppers, any food can cause foodborne illnesses. Nearly half of all contaminated imported foods came from Asia, and the most common cause of food poisoning was Salmonella.

Preventing Foodborne Illnesses

With an inadequate budget, and the difficulty of enforcing judgments against foreign companies, the FDA has its work cut out for it. Recent legislation by the Obama administration should prove helpful, but the question remains: will it be enough?

If you or your family has been affected by food poisoning, contact us for a free appraisal.

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Queso Food Recalls: Not So Delicioso

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin

Listeria Contamination Suspected

We’ve written quite a bit about Listeria outbreaks lately, and we’re sorry to report yet another round of food recalls. This time, it’s Mexican queso products coming from El Ranchero Del Sur, LLC. from South River, New Jersey.

The recalled cheeses are El Ranchero Queso Fresco 14 oz. (Fresh Cheese); Los Corrales Queso Fresco en Hoja De Platano 14 oz. (Fresh Cheese In Banana Leaf); and El Ranchero Queso Oaxaca 14 oz. and 10 lb. (String Cheese).

How to Kill Listeria

Some of our previous articles contain in depth information and Listeria facts, but proper cooking is the only one way to ensure Listeria-free food. Most sources say you must heat contaminated food to 158° for at least two minutes. Some sources suggest that’s not even hot enough.

For over a decade now, the CDC has recommended that people over 50 should prepare lunch meat, cold cuts, hot dogs and other deli meats by heating them to 165°, or “steaming hot.” For those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, pregnant women and young children, the added precaution could be a lifesaver.

If you or your family has been affected by food poisoning, contact us for a free appraisal.

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New Food Safety Legislation Being Protested

Posted on March 6, 2012 by admin

Food Industry Protests Food Safety Plan

Obama Signs Sweeping Food Safety Reform Bill.

According to Bloomberg News, an Obama administration plan to prevent food contamination is being opposed by a coalition of 33 food industry groups representing frozen foods, meat, dairy, fresh produce and others. In a letter sent by the alliance of food producers, they warn that the $220 million plan would result in higher food prices for consumers. FDA spokesperson Doug Karas fired back in an email, “The fees are minimal compared with the cost of foodborne illnesses, which the act seeks to reduce. Such illnesses cost $77.7 billion a year, according to a 2012 study.”

Stricter Regulations to Reduce Foodborne Illness
Under this new legislation, importers will be held accountable for the safety of their foods, and theFDA will gain the power to demand, rather than recommend food recalls of contaminated food. A new tracking system will make it easier to pinpoint the source of outbreaks. Most experts in food safety agree that the plan will improve food safety, though the price of food will likely be affected.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has been sickened by tainted food contact us for a free case appraisal.

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Imported Herring Tests Positive for Listeria

Posted on February 14, 2012 by admin

Zip International Group Recalls Herring from Ukraine

Listeria is in the news once again, this time in sliced herring fillets packaged in plastic. The products, sold in New York State, tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during routine checks by New York State food inspectors.

For full details, click here.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm291347.htm?source=govdelivery

Listeria Treatment

Listeria has not evolved much at all since it was discovered in 1936. This is good news, since it means that the pathogen hasn’t developed antibiotic resistance, and the antibiotics used to treat Listeria are still very effective. There is ongoing research into a Listeria vaccine, but there is no accepted vaccine for it today.

Is Listeria dangerous?

Not for most people. The real danger lies with those of us whose immune systems are compromised in some way: pregnant women, babies, the elderly, people with AIDS and those who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Listeria Safety

For those at risk for Listeria poisoning, the safest course of action is to heat food to 158°F for two minutes, immediately before serving. Hand washing, food washing, and washing kitchen surfaces are also a good idea, as well as keeping raw meat separate from produce and ready-to-eat foods.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

Listeriosis symptoms resemble those of most foodborne illnesses. They may include flu-like symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but they also can change depending on the part of the body that is affected. Listeriosis in the brain can mimic the signs of a stroke. Loss of balance, confusion, headache, and stiff neck can also be signs of Listeriosis.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have been sickened by tainted food contact us for a free case appraisal.

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Upscale Brands Recall Foods Containing Hard Boiled Eggs

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

According to the FDA, Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens and Wegmans Supermarkets are among the latest U.S. brands to recall potentially contaminated foods.

For a full list of Allison’s Gourmet Kitchen recalled products, and the states affected, click here.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm290198.htm?source=govdelivery

For a full list of Wegmans recalled products, and the stores affected, click here.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm290212.htm?source=govdelivery

How to Avoid Listeria Poisoning
Awareness is still the best way to prevent food poisoning, so here’s a quick guide to Listeria facts.

What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most virulent pathogens in our food supply today, and the leading cause of death among foodborne contaminants. Listeria is found in a surprising variety of foods, from raw fruits and vegetables, to cooked meat and pasteurized dairy. While pasteurization and sufficient cooking kill Listeria, contamination can still occur before packaging.

Is Listeria dangerous?
The disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, Listeriosis, is rare but serious. Affecting primarily pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, in its overt form, the disease’s mortality rate is greater than 20%. To put it in perspective, Salmonella has a mortality rate of less than 1%. See a doctor right away if you think you may have been exposed to Listeria.

What are the symptoms of Listeria poisoning?
Listeria poisoning can cause sepsis and meningitis, and miscarriages or stillbirths among pregnant women. High fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea are all symptoms of Listeria infection.

Pregnancy and Listeria
To be on the safe side, expectant mothers are urged to avoid foods that can carry an elevated risk of Listeria contamination.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy include soft cheeses like Feta, Brie andCamembert, raw milk cheeses, sushi, hot dogs, and deli meat.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have been sickened by tainted food contact us for a free case appraisal.

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Salmonella Contaminated Dog and Cat Food Poses Human Risks

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened a nationwide investigation into the growing number of salmonella outbreaks in pet food. The pets were not infected with salmonella, but their owners were after feeding the pets contaminated food. FDA investigators started taking samples of dry pet food, pet treats and diet supplements from distributors, wholesalers and retailers in October.  Retailers such as PetSmart, PetCo, WalMart, Costco, Sam’s Club and Target have all had samples taken from their shelves.

The government is also racing to determine how much salmonella is contaminating pet food, and is urging pet owners to wash their hands after handling food.  It’s also advised against putting pet feeders on kitchen counters or sinks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), the outbreak included a strain of the bacteria known as Schwarzengrund.

The strain is considered resistant to some anibiotics used to treat infection.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have been sickened by tainted food  contact us for a free case appraisal.

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Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Announces Recall of Bulk Turkish Pine Nuts Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Posted on October 28, 2011 by admin

On October 26, 2011, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc ordered a recall of approximately 5,000 lbs. of Turkish Pine Nuts due to a possible Salmonella contamination.  The Turkish Pine Nuts were sold in the Bulk Foods Department of most of Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland between the dates of July 1, 2011 and October 18, 2011.
The Turkish Pine Nuts have been linked to an outbreak of illness specifically known as Salmonella Enteritidis, which is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The most susceptible to the outbreak are young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Illness onset is typically 12 to 72 hours after consumption.
The recall only applies to Turkish Pine Nuts sold in bulk at Wegmans Food Markets. Other pine nuts sold at Wegmans are not affected by this recall.  Turkish Pine Nuts sold at the Northborough, Massachusetts Wegmans store, which opened on October 16, are not infected.
The specific Pine Nuts in question were imported from Turkey by Sunrise Commodities of Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov/salmonella) initiated the recall because of a multi-state outbreak investigation. Wegmans is working closely with the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local public health and agriculture officials on this matter.
Customers who purchased Turkish Pine Nuts using their Shoppers Club Card will be alerted with an automated phone call on behalf of Wegmans.  They may also contact Wegmans using the toll free number, 1(800) WEGMANS (934-6267) Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.  Customers are also encouraged to discard any remains of the Pine Nuts in their homes and asked to visit the service desk at Wegmans for a full refund.

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 79-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have been sickened by tainted food contact us for a free case appraisal.

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Inconsistent Reporting Leaves Country Vulnerable to Foodborne Illnesses

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

The Washington Post (10/9, Levy, Yerardi, Volz) reported that “inconsistent reporting of foodborne illnesses such as listeria, salmonella and E. coli leaves large portions of the country vulnerable to the spread of potentially deadly outbreaks before health officials can identify their causes and recall contaminated foods.” The Post explained that “the breakdown between stringent and lax reporting requirements among states holds true for most illnesses, provided that requirements exist at all. The CDC recommends reporting for 20 foodborne illnesses, but fewer than half of the states require reporting for all of them.” The Post added that one of the reasons for this is a lack of funding which leaves some states with “fewer resources to test samples, conduct interviews and undertake investigations.”

Listeria outbreak has sickened 109, killed 21. The AP(10/8) reported, “Federal health authorities say a nationwide outbreak of listeria in Colorado cantaloupes is now responsible for 21 deaths and the number may continue to grow. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported new deaths in Indiana and New York,” and “confirmed a death in Wyoming that state officials reported last week.” It also reported that “109 people have been sickened in the outbreak.” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said that “the agency is still investigating the cause of the outbreak.”

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Salted Fish Products Found to be Dangerous by The FDA

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

On September 30, 2011, Grand BK Corp., a seafood processing and importer establishment, located in Maspeth, New York was issued with a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration.  The company is accused of serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123 (21 CFR Part 123), and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110 (21 CFR Part 110).

The Food and Drug Administration stated that “In accordance with 21 CFR 123.6(g), failure of a processor of fish or fishery products to have and implement a HACCP plan that complies with this section or otherwise operate in accordance with the requirements of Part 123, renders the fish or fishery products adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4).” The seafood processor and importer was told the company must use procedures to prevent further violations of the Act and all applicable regulations for fish or fishery products, including those that are imported into the United States.

Accordingly, consumers should immediately discard Grand BK Corp’s salted fish products, including but not limited to, pacific saury, croaker, butterfish, Spanish mackerel, beltfish, atka mackerel, and golden pompano in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.

You may find the Act, the seafood HACCP regulation and the Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards & Controls Guidance through links in FDA’s home page at www.fda.gov

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