On Dec. 1, 2017, PulseNet, CDC’s molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, identified a cluster of three Listeria monocytogenes clinical isolates with indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern combinations. These isolates were closely related
Continue Reading Report says listeriosis cases linked to caramel apples show need for controls
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Halloween toil and trouble
Halloween celebrations can be a trick or a treat when it comes to food safety. Proper preparation by parents can go a long way for children of all ages who indulge in holiday activities and …
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Listeria outbreak set apple industry on a targeted course
SEATTLE — Sometimes when something that “just can’t happen” does happen, valuable lessons are learned. That was the case when some batches of commercially produced, packaged, whole caramel apples turned out to be the cause…
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A Bad Knee-Jerk Reaction to Good Research
Research studies are generally good. They can add to our knowledge and understanding of our world. However, making decisions based on any one study — especially before we understand it fully — is not good.
Citing Food Safety Risk, Retailer Removes Unrefrigerated Caramel Apples From Stores
The Kroger Co. of Cincinnati, OH, announced Thursday, Oct. 15, that its retail grocery stores would withdraw from sale unrefrigerated caramel apples that have been pierced with dipping sticks due to new scientific evidence that…
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U.S. Apple Industry Gears Up to Comply With FDA’s FSMA Rules
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is more than a well-known saying — it’s also what many people believe to be time-tested truth. And the tradition of giving an apple to a teacher …
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IAFP 2015: Experts May Have Determined How Caramel Apples Caused That Listeria Outbreak
In November 2014, health officials began investigating two concerning clusters of Listeria infections that seemed to be related. The two strains of bacteria had already killed at least five people and hospitalized a few dozen…
Continue Reading IAFP 2015: Experts May Have Determined How Caramel Apples Caused That Listeria Outbreak
Inspectors Find Listeria at Bidart Bros. Cooling and Packing House
Inspector observations from the investigation into the role of Bidart Bros. in last year’s 12-state outbreak of Listeriosis involving commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples found that the problem could well have originated in the California…
Continue Reading Inspectors Find Listeria at Bidart Bros. Cooling and Packing House
Listeria Outbreak was a ‘Wake-Up Call’ for the U.S. Apple Industry
Following the recent outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to caramel apples which killed seven people and hospitalized 34, the president of the U.S. Apple Association has called food safety the apple industry’s “top issue,” according…
Continue Reading Listeria Outbreak was a ‘Wake-Up Call’ for the U.S. Apple Industry
Listeria Victims Address FDA, Food Industry Officials in D.C.
A year ago, Brad Frey never would have imagined he’d be standing in front of officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and urging them to do more to prevent outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes.…
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