Do you feel a sharp pain in your lower abdomen and stomach and have the urge to use the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day? You might have Shigellosis, a severe intestinal infection caused by a bacterium called Shigella. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 450,000 people are diagnosed with Shigellosis every year. Causing bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, cramps, and abdominal pain, this foodborne illness can infect anyone with poor sanitation habits. While there is no proper treatment for Shigellosis, researchers are still working on vaccines to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Keep reading to learn more about Shigella.

A Nebraska company is recalling alfalfa sprouts after 15 people experienced salmonella poisoning and two others were hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are more than one million cases of salmonella poisoning in the United States every year with 83 percent attributed to food. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we believe that no one's health or well-being should be put at risk by negligent safety practices.

SunSprouts Distribution

SunSprouts Enterprises recalled some 1,406 pounds of raw alfalfa sprouts that were sold at restaurants and grocery stores in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas between November 2022 and late December 2022, with expiration dates through January 7, 2023.

The CDC is urging people not to eat the recalled alfalfa sprouts and to throw them away. They were sold in four-ounce clamshell packaging and larger packages of 2.5 pounds. If you come into contact with these sprouts, you should clean surfaces with soap and water.

Food allergies are a growing health concern in the United States and often food labels are people’s only line of defense. But when food is not labeled properly it can have some serious health consequences. Each year some 90,000 people end up in the emergency room after having a severe food allergy. The most recent recall is for Crispy Chicken with Almonds sold exclusively at Walmart because it may contain shrimp.

Widespread Distribution

Mountain View Packaging issued the recall for the frozen entrée due to the potential risk for consumers that may have shellfish allergies. Those with a high sensitivity to shellfish can experience a life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The frozen dishes were labeled as InnovAsian Crispy Chicken with Almonds. They were distributed to retailers in 29 states, including Illinois. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the company took the frozen dish from shelves but it is concerned that people may still have the product in their freezers. 

Under Federal Law Shellfish is a Food Allergen

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act passed by Congress, eight food allergens are directly linked to 90 percent of food allergies and severe allergic reactions in the country. The immune system mistakenly responds to certain foods as if they were harmful. Shellfish is one of those known food allergens. If you are allergic to shellfish, you may develop hives or wheeze, or have more serious symptoms.  As a result, federal law requires that all packaging be clearly labeled and that the presence of any of the following allergens in food products be declared. Additional food allergens include the following: 

More than 200 people in the United States have contracted norovirus after eating contaminated raw oysters. Some 20 million people get sick as a result of norovirus each year. Thousands end up hospitalized and more than 900 die. If you have suffered food poisoning due to contaminated oysters, you need an experienced food poisoning attorney with a proven track record with these types of cases.

CDC Warning

The CDC warns that oysters from Galveston, Texas are contaminated. They were sold to restaurants and stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Additional states may be involved.

If you ate these raw oysters, they may contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness or death. Children under five years old, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of severe infections.

A couple of weeks ago, we talked a little bit about how a clean grill is very important in preventing food poisoning at your summer cookouts. With Memorial Day fast approaching—the holiday that many observe as the semi-official start of summer—more and more people will be hosting barbecues and cooking out on the grill again. While a clean grill is a great start, there are other steps that you should be taking to ensure that your food is safe to eat.

Guidelines for Safe Grilling

Whether you are having dozens of people over for a party or simply preparing dinner for your family, it is critical to handle meat, chicken, and seafood properly, or you run the risk of making people very sick. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the safe handling of grilled proteins.

Separate raw proteins – Food safety begins at the grocery store. When you are shopping, be sure to grab meat or seafood last so that products can stay refrigerated longer. Then, separate them from the other items in your cart and bags. It is also a good idea to put raw meat or poultry in individual bags to prevent cross-contamination.