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The Florida Department of Health, CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several other states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. As a result of this investigation, Big Olaf Creamery in Sarasota, FL, is voluntarily contacting retail locations to recommend against selling their ice cream products. Consumers who have Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream at home should throw away any remaining product.

Public health officials continue to interview people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 17 people interviewed, 14 (82%) reported eating ice cream. Among 13 people who remembered details about the type of ice cream they ate, six reported eating Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream or eating ice cream at locations that might have been supplied by Big Olaf Creamery.

On July 1, 2022, Big Olaf Creamery in Sarasota, FL, voluntarily began contacting retail locations to recommend against selling their ice cream products. Consumers who have Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream at home should throw away any remaining product.

Public health officials continue to interview people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 17 people interviewed, 14 (82%) reported eating ice cream. Among 13 people who remembered details about the type of ice cream they ate, six reported eating Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream or eating ice cream at locations that might have been supplied by Big Olaf Creamery.

As of June 29, 2022, a total of 23 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 10 states. Of the 22 people with information, 20 sick people reported living in or traveling to Florida in the month before they got sick, although the significance of this is still under investigation. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 24, 2021, through June 12, 2022.

Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 92 years, with a median age of 72, and 52% are male. Twenty-two people (96%) have been hospitalized. Five people got sick during their pregnancy, and one illness resulted in a fetal loss. One death has been reported from Illinois.

listeria-dennis-kunkel
Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a foodborne disease-causing bacterium; the disease is called listeriosis. Listeria can invade the body through a normal and intact gastrointestinal tract. Once in the body, Listeria can travel through the blood stream but Listeria bacteria are often found inside cells. Listeria also produces toxins that damage cells. Image (c) Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc.

Two residents in a retirement home in Ottawa, Canada, have died from listeria poisoning. The deaths are part of a month-long outbreak at the resident home.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says officials are investigating the outbreak at City View Retirement Community in Nepean. As of the last update on Tuesday, there were four confirmed cases among residents of the home, including the two people who have died. 

High-risk foods, including deli meats, were removed from the home’s menu as of May 4, according to OPH.

OPH has conducted 10 site visits to the facility over the past month including multiple food safety compliance inspections and follow-up inspections, and at least one hazard analysis critical control point audit. None of the food tested by OPH has come back positive for listeria.

The investigation is supported by Public Health Ontario, as well as its laboratories, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 

OPH has submitted food samples and environmental swab samples to the provincial lab, which needs about one week to provide preliminary results and an additional week to provide final results.

Eight people in Denmark have been infected with Listeria in the space of two weeks and three have died.

The Statens Serum Institut, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and DTU Food Institute are investigating to try and find the source of the outbreak.

Five men and three women became infected with the same type of Listeria between May 13 and 29, this year.

Patients range from 33 to 93 years old and all of them had an underlying disease or other immune system issue prior to infection that made them particularly vulnerable. Two had meningitis, five had sepsis, including a pregnant woman, and one had a cerebral abscess.

All eight have been hospitalized and three people died within 30 days of the sample being taken. Seven of them are from the Hovedstaden region of the country.

Paris Brothers, Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri is recalling several specific cheese products listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which 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.

The following cheeses produced on May 4, 5, and 6, 2022 are the only products in the recall. Shipping cartons with the affected product will bear the lot codes of 05042022, 05052022, or 05062022. Individual retail outlets may have relabeled the individual consumer packages.

• Cottonwood River Cheddar
• D’amir Brie Double Crème French Brie
• Milton Prairie Breeze White Cheddar Style
• Milton Tomato Garlic Cheddar
• Paris Brothers Mild Cheddar
• Paris Brothers Colby Jack
• Paris Brothers Pepper Jack
• Cervasi Pecorino Romano

The products were delivered to wholesalers for distribution in grocery stores in KS, MO, AR, IA, OK, NE, SD, one store in MS, and one store in FL.

This recall is the result of routine sampling by the FDA, which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

A total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states – Idaho 1, Iowa 2, Maryland 1, Michigan 1, Minnesota 2, Nevada 1, North Carolina 1, Ohio 3, Oregon 1, Pennsylvania 1, Texas 2, Utah 1, and Wisconsin 1. The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.

Sick people ranged in age from 50 to 94 years, with a median age of 76, and 83% were female. Of 16 people with information available, all were hospitalized. Three deaths were reported, one each from Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

In October 2021, before the most recent CDC investigation began, the Georgia Department of Agriculture identified Listeria in a Dole brand garden salad as part of a routine sampling program of food at grocery stores. WGS later showed that the Listeria in the garden salad was the outbreak strain. The garden salad was produced at Dole’s Bessemer City, North Carolina, facility.

After CDC reopened this outbreak investigation, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected samples of packaged salads from retail stores for testing and identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a Marketside brand package of shredded iceberg lettuce. The shredded iceberg lettuce was produced at Dole’s Yuma, Arizona, facility.

Dole conducted a root cause analysis and collected samples from their facilities and equipment for testing. Dole found Listeria on equipment used to harvest iceberg lettuce. FDA conducted WGS and found that the Listeria on the equipment was the outbreak strain.

Dole’s continued investigation found the outbreak strain on a piece of equipment in their Yuma facility and in packaged salads on hold that were included in the initial recall.

On December 22, 2021, Dole recalled all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at their Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona, facilities.

On January 7, 2022, Dole recalled additional products containing iceberg lettuce harvested by the contaminated harvesting equipment.

WiseTrade Corporation of Irvine, California is recalling all its cases of its 200g/7.05oz packages of ENOKI MUSHROOM (Product of Korea) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which 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.

The recalled Enoki Mushroom product was distributed in CA to produce distributors or wholesalers for further distribution to retail stores.

The Enoki Mushroom comes in a 200g/7.05oz clear plastic package with the following description “Global Fresh Marketing Enoki Mushrooms” in the front and back Wisetrade Coporation Irvine, CA 92618.

The UPC is 809728-95012 on the back side of the package.

There is no lot code or dates on a package.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The distribution of the product has been suspended.

The potential for contamination was discovered after a retail sample collected and analyzed by California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 7.05 oz. package of Enoki mushroom.

As of February 1, 2022, 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 16, 2014, to December 30, 2021.

Sick people range in age from 50 to 94 years, with a median age of 75, and 82% are female. Of 15 people with information available, 13 have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported from Michigan and Wisconsin.

Dole collected samples from their facilities and equipment for testing and found Listeria on equipment used to harvest iceberg lettuce. FDA conducted whole genome sequencing and found that the Listeria on the equipment was the outbreak strain.

Packaged salads produced by Dole

  • Sold under multiple brands:
    • Ahold
    • Dole
    • HEB
    • Kroger
    • Lidl
    • Little Salad Bar
    • Marketside
    • Naturally Better
    • Nature’s Promise
    • President’s Choice
    • Simply Nature
  • Products include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clamshells
  • “Best if used by” dates from 11/30/21 through 01/09/22
  • Product lot code begins with the letter “B,” “N,” “W,” or “Y” in the upper right-hand corner of the package
  • See Dole’s recall notices (12/22/2021 and 01/07/2022) for the full list of recalled salads

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) late Friday issued  a public health alert due to concerns that ready-to-eat (R-T-E) chicken salad products produced by Simply Fresh Market, a Marietta, Ga. establishment, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.The FSIS pubic health alert said a recall was not requested because the known affected product is no longer available in commerce for consumers to purchase. FSIS’s  concern is that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.The R-T-E chicken salad with apples and walnuts items were produced on Jan. 17, 2022. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view label]:

  • 8-oz and 16-oz. deli hinged containers of “simply fresh MARKET CHICKEN SALAD Apples & Walnuts” with a sell by date of “1/25” printed on the label.

The products bear establishment number “EST. P47170” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to three local markets in Atlanta,

The contamination  was discovered when the company notified FSIS that product sampling reported positive Listeria monocytogenes results.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Fresh Express Lettuce – 10 sick with 1 death in 8 states – 2021

Illnesses: As of December 21, 2021, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from eight states: Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 26, 2016 through October 19, 2021. Sick people range in age from 44 to 95 years, with a median age of 80, and 60% are female. All 10 people have been hospitalized. One death has been reported from Pennsylvania. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same food.

Traceback and Recall: On December 16, 2021, the Michigan Department of Agriculture identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a bag of Fresh Express Sweet Hearts packaged salad. On December 20, 2021, Fresh Express recalled several brands of packaged salad products. The recall includes all Use-By Dates with product codes Z324 through Z350.

Dole Lettuce – 16 sick with 2 deaths in 13 states – 2021

Illnesses: As of December 17, 2021, 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states: Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 16, 2014, to October 17, 2021. Sick people range in age from 50 to 94 years, with a median age of 76, and 81% are female. Of 14 people with information available, 12 have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported from Michigan and Wisconsin. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

Traceback and Recall: In October 2021, the Georgia Department of Agriculture identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a Dole brand garden salad as part of a routine sampling program of food at grocery stores. As a result, Dole recalled some of their garden salad products that are now past their “best if used by” dates. This sampling was not part of this outbreak investigation, but WGS later showed that the Listeria bacteria in the garden salad were closely related to the outbreak strain. After CDC reopened this outbreak investigation, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected samples of packaged salads from retail stores for testing and identified the outbreak strain of Listeria in a Marketside brand package of shredded iceberg that was produced by Dole. On December 22, 2021, Dole recalled all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at the two facilities that produced the contaminated packaged salads.

Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a foodborne disease-causing bacterium; the disease is called listeriosis. Listeria can invade the body through a normal and intact gastrointestinal tract. Once in the body, Listeria can travel through the blood stream but Listeria bacteria are often found inside cells. Listeria also produces toxins that damage cells. Image (c) Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc.

NOTE: earliest illness from JULY 26, 2016.

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our state and local partners, is working to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections associated with the consumption of packaged salad.
  • To date, this outbreak has been associated with 10 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations and one death spanning the following states: IL, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA and VA. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 26, 2016, to Oct. 19, 2021.
  • Consumers who have symptoms of listeriosis infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with listeriosis include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. For the very young, the elderly and the immune-compromised, listeriosis can result in death.
  • Fresh Express voluntarily ceased production at their Streamwood, Illinois, facility and initiated a recall of certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois, facility. The recall includes all Use-By Dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350.
  • Consumers, restaurants and retailers, should not eat, sell or serve recalled packaged salads. A full list of recalled products is available on the FDA’s website.
  • The FDA recommends that anyone who received recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
  • This is an ongoing investigation, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Oregon Lox Company of Eugene, Oregon is issuing a voluntary recall of various brands of Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon Lox, specific lot number 22821, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria rnonocytogenes, an organism which 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.

The affected Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon product was distributed in Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington through dis tributors. Product was shipped frozen on common carriers.

The affected Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon is packaged in plastic vacuum sealed packages and sold in various brands, sizes, and weights (see attached labels) . The recalled products brands and lot number are indicated in the table below:

Batch Lot
(indicated on label back of product)		 Product Description
(indicated on label)
22821 Aqua Nova Sliced Nova Lox 3oz package
22821 Aqua Nova Sliced Nova Lox 1lb pack
22821 Aqua Nova Premium Oregon Nova Lox (Sliced)
22821 North Coast Traditional Nova Lox
22821 North Coast Smoked Salmon Trim 3lb
22821 Aqua Nova Premium Oregon Nova Lox (UnSliced)
22821 Tony’s Smoked Salmon Lox 8oz pack

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.