July 2005

Wednesday, July 20, 2005
By Diana LaMattina
Staff writer
One of the four patients in Onondaga County infected with listeriosis has died due to complications of the food-borne bacterial illness, according to the county Health Department.
The adult patient died Tuesday, according to Dr. Cynthia Morrow, county health commissioner. The patient’s name and age are being withheld to protect the victim’s family, Morrow said.
Lab tests have established that three of the cases, which all surfaced this month, were caused by the same strain of listeria. That indicates the three probably got sick from a single source of contaminated food. The fourth patient surfaced a week later, and investigators are trying to determine whether that case is from the same strain.Continue Reading County blames death on listeriosis

By JANE LERNER
jlerner@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
July 19, 2005
A Spring Valley food company that warned consumers four times in about a month that its products could make them sick has ceased production, state officials said today. Golden Taste Inc., located at 45 S. Central Ave., has stopped manufacturing all food products, said Kate…

7/15/2005
The Associated Press
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (AP) — Golden Taste Inc. is recalling “Nova Lox Salad” packaged in 7.5 ounce, 3.5 ounce and 5 lb. plastic containers due to possible listeria bacteria contamination.
The product, coded 8/18/05, was sold throughout New York State and New Jersey.
Listeria can cause serious infections in elderly people,…

Friday, July 15, 2005
By Tim Knauss
Staff writer
An unidentified elderly person Thursday became the fourth patient found to have listeriosis in Onondaga County, where health officials are still trying to pinpoint the source of the food-borne bacterial illness.
Lab tests have established that three previous cases, which surfaced last week, were caused by the same strain of listeria, indicating they probably came from a single source of contaminated food, said Dr. Cynthia Morrow, health commissioner.
It will take about a week to determine whether the fourth case was caused by the same strain, but for now investigators are looking for a common source, Morrow said.Continue Reading 4th Listeriosis Case Found

The Associated Press
Last Updated: July 13, 2005, 04:20:37 PM PDT
SACRAMENTO (AP) – State officials this week ordered a recall of Lapperts-brand banana caramel chocolate chip ice cream because of a possible listeria bacteria contamination.
The ice cream was distributed to several Whole Foods stores in Northern California.
Food inspectors in Washington state found…

By Jan Suszkiw
July 13, 2005
Identifying harmful yeasts and bacteria is faster, easier and more sensitive than current detection methods, thanks to a new test by Agricultural Research Service scientists in Peoria, Ill.
As a research tool, the new method’s use could shed light on what makes some strains of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes more pathogenic than others. In food-processing applications, the test’s use could help redirect critical-control-point programs to better prevent contamination at manufacturing plants. Listeria’s disease-causing strains are the leading cause of food recalls due to microbial contamination.Continue Reading New Test Leaves Fewer Places for Bad Bugs to Hide

Recalls & Alerts
By FDA
Jul 13, 2005
Contact:
Lappert’s Ice Cream
510-231-2340
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Richmond, CA — July 13, 2005 — Lappert’s Ice Cream of Richmond California is recalling its Banana Caramel Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,
Listeria Monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and other 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.Continue Reading Lappert’s Ice Cream Recalls Banana Ice Cream Because of Possible Health Risk

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has issued an order to Lapperts Ice Cream to withdraw Lapperts Banana Caramel Chocolate Chip Ice Cream distributed in one-pint containers to Whole Foods stores in Sacramento, San Francisco, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, San Mateo, San Rafael, Redwood City and Palo Alto, and to hold remaining…

By Dana Downie
Jul 12, 2005
USDA/ARS scientists in Peoria, IL have devised a new DNA-based test machine for identifying deadly bacteria that is faster, easier to use and more precise than some methods currently used by food and beverage processors, according to an ARS press release.
Scientists say they have developed a “flow cytometer” that can handle up to 100 samples at a time and accurately identify Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans bacteria within a day.
The new machine also targets variations of the bacteria, says Todd Ward, a microbiologist who helped develop the system. Such variations can help distinguish one strain of Listeria from another.Continue Reading New USDA machine can ID bacteria within a day

Start out with produce that’s not damaged; that’s where bacteria can thrive.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
By Amber Smith
Staff writer
If you’re trying to stay safe from listeria, you can avoid unpasteurized dairy products, and you can cook meat to 160 degrees.
But keeping raw fruits and vegetables in your diet and free of the dangerous bacteria responsible for hospitalizing three Central New York women in the last two weeks requires some know-how.
Most of us don’t associate pathogens such as listeria monocytogenes with produce, but the threat is real, says Kathy Dischner, a registered dietitian and nutrition and food safety program leader from Cornell University Cooperative Extension.Continue Reading 12 ways to protect your family from listeria