At least 251 people in 37 states have become ill with one of three strains of Salmonella in connection with live chicks and ducklings sold by Cincinnati-based Mt. Healthy Hatcheries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number is nearly double the 126 cases reported last month. Of the 251 people found sick, at least 32 percent have been hospitalized. Illnesses developed between Feb. 4, 2014 ,and June 4, 2014. Any illnesses that developed after June 4 may not have been counted yet. Those ill range in age from younger than one to 95 years old. Thirty-nine percent of those ill are 10 years old or younger. Young children are especially vulnerable to pathogens regularly found on live poultry. CDC encourages anyone handling poultry to wash their hands with soap and hot water immediately afterward. Adults are advised to supervise children carefully when handling poultry to make sure they follow those recommended procedures. Below is a distribution map of illnesses by state, a timetable for illness onset dates, and a short video produced by Food Safety News on the risks associated with improperly handling live poultry.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
This is part 1 of a 3-part series.
An unlicensed meat producer and poor hygiene at a restaurant played a role in a Salmonella outbreak in an Australian state,
Almost 500 people were sick in a major E. coli outbreak in Germany in 2025, according to recently released figures from a regional State Office for Health and Social Affairs.
The root cause of a large E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2024 remains unknown with authorities warning a re-emergence is possible.
Almost 300 people fell ill
Family Farmstead Dairy of Worcester, NY, is recalling some of its raw milk cheddar cheese because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
The product was distributed
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is scaling up its food safety efforts with the creation of a new position beginning in January 2027.
The Campaign Manager will
A major pork company in China has announced two of its directors have been fined as part of an investigation into breaches of food safety rules.
WH Group, which also
Meat plants have been told not to make any products for export to the United States because of strike action in Ireland.
Industrial action by public sector workers is planned
