Foodborne Illness Outbreaks, Recalls and Investigations

FSM 400: Safe Produce Practices During Cyclospora Outbreaks

Transcript [Music] I’m Susie Craig, this is Food Safety in a Minute.Human illness from the parasite, cyclospora results from eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces. Most often, fresh produce becomes contaminated after coming into contact with irrigation or washing water of produce where the parasite is present.What can you do to stay […]

FSM 399: Tracing the Cyclospora Outbreak – Not as Easy as You Think

Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute.Federal investigators identified a Taylor Farms location in Mexico as the single supplier connected through traceback to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell. They voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico initiating recalls for food-service products and Marketside lettuce sold at […]

FSM 398: Cyclospora Outbreak Not Finished – Traceback Difficulties

Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension.Identifying the source of a Cyclospora outbreak is difficult. Symptoms begin a week after exposure and may take up to two weeks, so patients must remember specific foods eaten days earlier. Fresh produce is mixed, shredded, repackaged, and distributed widely making traceback […]

FSM 397: Cyclospora Cases Rise Nationwide; Washington State Not Linked to Outbreak

Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute.Since May 1st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed thousands of domestic cases of Cyclosporiasis most likely linked with iceberg lettuce grown in Mexico. Caused by the parasite Cyclospora, most illnesses have been reported in Michigan, New York, North […]

FSM 396: The Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak is Solved

Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. There’s a multi-state outbreak of an illness caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically develop about a week later. Symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, […]

FSM 361: Why Does Chocolate Candy Get Recalled?

Transcript [music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute Halloween’s near, and candies’ everywhere but did you know chocolate is sometimes recalled? Here are four common hazards, leading to recalls:• Allergens that aren’t labeled such as milk, nuts, sesame.• Bacterial contamination. 4 million pounds of chocolate wafers were recalled because […]

FSM 306: Foodborne Illness Identified with Wastewater Monitoring

Episode transcript [music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Did you know wastewater may provide early warning signs of foodborne disease? The National Wastewater Surveillance System was established in 2020 to monitor Covid. In a recently reported study led by Ed Dudley at Pennsylvania State University, disease-causing Salmonella was […]

FSM 298: Foodborne Illness Notification System Enhances Public Health

Episode Transcript [music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. There’s a new system for reporting foodborne illnesses and food safety concerns in Washington State. Called the Foodborne Illness Notification System or FINS for short, consumers and professionals are encouraged to report food safety concerns online. The new system allows […]

FSM 291: Food Safety and Bird Flu (H5N1): Safety of Milk and Milk Products

Episode Transcription I’m Susie Craig. Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. If dairy cattle are infected with bird flu, H5N1, are you at risk of illness from drinking milk or eating cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and yogurt? The USDA and FDA are assessing our commercial pasteurized milk supply and milk products. Collecting 297 […]

FSM 290: Food Safety and Bird Flu (H5N1): Anatomy of an Outbreak

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Recently, you may have heard or read about bird flu, H5N1. Geese and other waterfowl carry it around the globe. A virus can quickly circle the globe. This isn’t new. What is new? The infection of beef and dairy cattle with […]