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Eggs Sold at Costo Recalled Due to Salmonella Concerns

More than 10,000 cartons of organic eggs sold at Costco stores are being recalled due to concerns about potential salmonella contamination.

Handsome Brook Farms, a New York-based organic egg supplier, said the organic, pasture-raised, 24-count eggs were sold under the Kirkland Signature brand. The eggs were distributed to 25 Costco locations across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee starting November 22, the company said.

Recalled units include the numbers 327 and P1363 and a use by date of January 5, 2025.

Recalled Kirkland Signature eggs include the numbers 327 and P1363 on the carton and a use by date of January 5, 2025.

The company said the eggs were not meant for retailers but were mistakenly packaged and distributed. Additional controls and retraining were implemented to prevent this from happening again, the company said.

There have been no reported illnesses linked to the recall so far, according to Handsome Brook Farms. Salmonella can cause severe infections, especially in children, older people and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

People who purchased the recalled eggs should throw them out or stop using them and return them to Costco for a full refund.

This egg recall is separate from another recent outbreak of salmonella in eggs that led to a reported 93 illnesses and 34 hospitalizations in 12 states. Those eggs, from Milo’s Poultry Farms, are no longer on store shelves.

Contributor: Jamie Gumbrecht—CNN Health

FDA Moves to Pull Popular Decongestant from Shelves Amid Effectiveness Concerns

The US Food and Drug Administration announced a proposal to remove oral phenylephrine – a common ingredient in many popular over-the-counter decongestants – from the market, citing evidence that it doesn’t work.

Phenylephrine, found in products like Sudafed PE, Vicks DayQuil and Mucinex Sinus-Max, has been widely used as a nasal decongestant for decades. The FDA’s proposal isn’t an immediate order; it launches a six-month public comment period, after which the agency will make a final decision on whether to pull it from shelves.

Cold and flu medicine sits on a store shelf on September 12, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel announced that an ingredient in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications called phenylephrine doesn’t work to get rid of nasal congestion and that the decongestant was no more effective than a placebo.

In a preemptive move, CVS stopped selling products with phenylephrine last year after an FDA advisory committee declared that it was ineffective. Other major pharmacies, including Walgreens and Rite Aid, still stock products containing the drug for now.

Although phenylephrine received FDA approval for over-the-counter use in the 1970s, its popularity surged in 2005 after legislation moved products that use a similar decongestant, pseudoephedrine – which, in large quantities, can also be used to make methamphetamine – behind pharmacy counters.

The safety of phenylephrine isn’t a concern, but its effectiveness has been debated for years. In 2007, an FDA advisory panel that reviewed available studies deemed that phenylephrine “may be effective” as a decongestant, although it recommended further research.

Since then, several large clinical trials have shown that the drug is ineffective when taken orally. In September 2023, an FDA advisory committee concluded that the evidence was clear that phenylephrine is ineffective at its typical oral dosage.

If the FDA ultimately decides to ban the ingredient, it will allow manufacturers time to “either reformulate or remove drug products containing oral phenylephrine from the market,” Dr. Theresa Michele, director of the FDA’s Office of Nonprescription Drugs, said Thursday. Phenylephrine is also used in nasal sprays for congestion relief, but Michele noted that the FDA’s proposal targets only oral forms of the drug.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents manufacturers of over-the-counter medicines, said it was disappointed by the FDA’s move.

“CHPA maintains its position that no changes to the GRASE [generally recognized as safe and effective] status of oral PE for nasal decongestion are warranted based on data made available since the previous review in 2007. … PE is the only oral OTC decongestant available without purchase restrictions and is included in numerous OTC cough and cold medicines labeled with a decongestant claim,” the association said in a statement.

“Consumers need options for self-care, and freedom of choice for self-care is a core attribute of our nation’s healthcare system. PE should remain an available option for consumers, because Americans deserve the option to choose the safe and effective OTC medicines they prefer and rely on.”

Contributor: Jeffrey Kopp, CNN Health

From Frozen Waffles to Costco Salmon: What to Know About Food Recalls

From frozen waffles and quarter pounders to Costco salmon and freeze-dried meat, there have been a number of food recalls in recent weeks due to contamination concerns.

Recalls of multiple food products in recent weeks have alarmed consumers and health officials.
This is due to the risk of food-borne bacteria like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella in the broader U.S. food supply chain.
Deli meat, frozen waffles, McDonald’s hamburgers, and ready-to-eat poultry meals sold at stores have all been recalled after routine testing showed traces of bacteria.
Experts say the global food chain makes a number of products more vulnerable to such contamination, but the fact that we know about all the recent recalls means the safety protocols in place are working.

Recalls of multiple food products in recent weeks have alarmed consumers and health officials, as the risk of food-borne bacteria like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella in the broader U.S. food supply chain has increased.

Deli meat, frozen waffles, McDonald’s hamburgers, and ready-to-eat poultry meals sold at stores like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Costco have all been recalled after routine testing showed traces of bacteria.

The popular Boar’s Head company had to pull 7.1 million pounds of deli meat after E. coli was detected at a facility in Virginia responsible for producing ready-to-eat liverwurst; 59 infections were reported in 19 states and at least 10 people died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At least 75 people in 10 states were sickened by E. coli that has been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. The company’s subsequent testing of the beef involved showed no E. coli, but federal investigators suspect that the bacteria was present in the raw slivered onions that were on the burgers.
Frozen waffles and pancake products sold at stores like Target, Dollar General, and Publix were recalled by the company that produces them after listeria was found through routine testing at a manufacturing factory in Canada. No infections were reported.
Green onions, eggs, and ready-to-eat poultry meals have all been recalled this fall due to concerns about potential salmonella outbreaks.

Why food recalls are increasing, and how they’re identified

With so many highly processed foods in the supply chain, there are more chances for contamination and infection and, in the case of the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak, sometimes poor oversight at the source of production.

However, there are also more backstops in place than there used to be and coordination between federal, state, and local public health officials.

Richard Martinello, MD, Yale Medicine infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, told Healthline that the CDC’s ability to identify and coordinate has made it possible for us to know about multistate outbreaks like the ones recently identified. In this way, the fact that so many have been publicized is a sign of success, he says.

“We have an increasingly industrialized food industry producing products at a large scale for lower cost. When potential contamination is not prevented, identified, and controlled, it can lead to large-scale, multistate outbreaks of disease,” Martinello said.

He further explained that foodborne diseases such as Listeria and E.coli 0157: H7 are notifiable to public health authorities, and this timely reporting allows a rapid response.

“Local and state public health authorities work closely with the CDC to both identify and respond when these events occur. As many foodborne outbreaks involve multiple states, CDC’s efforts are critical to identify and respond to these matters in a timely manner,” Martinello said.

He explained that the CDC has a deep bench of experts in a wide array of communicable diseases, allowing it to supplement state and local public health expertise. The CDC is also a lead agency for FoodNet.

“This collaborative federal effort helps to ensure timely identification of foodborne illnesses and an effective response. Both the Boar’s Head and McDonald’s issues are great examples of success. The outbreaks and their cause were quickly identified, communicated to the public, and measures taken to prevent further disease,” Martinello said.

Melanie Murphy Richter, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and the director of communications for the nutrition company Prolon, told Healthline that the vast network of supply and shipping involved in many products in stores can make them that much more susceptible to such contaminations, but the bad headlines in the news mean that the system’s safeguards are working.

“Our food now often has a global journey — from different farms, facilities, and countries — which opens up more chances for contamination. One event, like a salmonella issue in a farm’s onion supply, for instance, can impact salsa across multiple brands. This interconnected supply chain means a problem at any one point can trigger a far-reaching recall,” Richter said.

“With advanced DNA testing and data-sharing between agencies, we’re catching contamination faster and more precisely than ever. This technology means recalls happen sooner and are often larger because we’re better at detecting patterns across states and tracing them back to their source. This is definitely a good thing, and also, we hear about these outbreaks more, too,” Richter added.

How consumers can protect themselves from food-borne bacteria

Many experts have suggested that eating highly processed foods — which includes processed meats, ready-to-eat meals, and deli meat — should be avoided in general. But with the higher costs of groceries across the country, not everyone has the option of avoiding products that could carry these risks.

Richter suggested staying informed, reading labels carefully, and thoroughly washing fresh produce or purchasing frozen or canned produce along with shelf-stable proteins like beans, chickpeas, and canned fish.

Dry goods, in particular, are also a good meal option, she said.

“Foods like rice, pasta, quinoa, and whole grains are processed with minimal handling, making them generally low risk for contamination. They also store well and can form a safe, healthy base for many meals,” Richter said. “Pairing these with canned or frozen veggies, beans, or lentils can help create balanced, filling meals that don’t compromise on safety.” However, it’s important to read food labels as some canned foods can be packed with high amounts of sodium and additives, which can also negatively impact your health.

As far as deli meats go, Richter suggested the following three specific ways to consume them safely if you’re concerned about potential contamination:

Eat prepackaged over “house-cured” meats

“Prepackaged deli meats generally have fewer handling points, so they tend to be a safer bet than those sliced in-store. Standardized processing and controlled packaging help reduce the likelihood of contamination,” Richter said.

Keep cold and eat fresh

“Listeria thrives even in cool temperatures, so store deli meats in the coldest part of the fridge and try to consume them within a few days of purchase,” Richter said.

Choose low sodium and nitrate-free options

“While often a healthier choice, these options tend to come from brands with more transparent processing and safety standards, which can add an extra layer of quality control,” Richter said.

Takeaway

Recalls of multiple food products in recent weeks have alarmed consumers and health officials, as the risk of food-borne bacteria like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella in the broader U.S. food supply chain have increased.

Deli meat, frozen waffles, McDonald’s hamburgers, and ready-to-eat poultry meals sold at stores like Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Costco have all been recalled after routine testing showed traces of bacteria.

Experts say the global food chain makes a number of products more vulnerable to such contamination, but the fact that we know about all the recent recalls means the safety protocols in place are working.

Contributor: Finn Cohen – Healthline.com

E. coli Cases Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Rises to 75, Federal Agencies Say

The E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has led to 75 illness across 13 states, including 22 hospitalizations and one death, according to new data posted Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Two of the hospitalized patients had hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can develop from an E. coli infection. The older adult who died had underlying conditions but did not develop this syndrome.

The CDC opened the investigation on Tuesday, initially reporting 49 cases in 10 states – including 10 hospitalizations and one death. It can take weeks to determine whether an illness is part of an outbreak and these numbers were expected to grow.

Most of the illnesses related to the outbreak continue to be in Colorado, according to the CDC. Michigan, New Mexico and Washington have also been added to the list of states with reported illnesses, along with Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. But the agency notes that the outbreak may go beyond those states.

Federal authorities say that they are still working to confirm the specific source of the bacteria, but the US Food and Drug Administration says that the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder sandwiches are the likely source of contamination.

Among those who have been interviewed, all reported eating at McDonald’s and the vast majority had eaten a beef hamburger, according to the FDA.

“The FDA is using all available tools to confirm if onions are the source of this outbreak,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement. “This includes working with federal and state partners and the companies involved to collect and evaluate records and distribution information as part of our traceback investigation. FDA and state partners are also collecting onion samples for analysis.”

McDonald’s has taken Quarter Pounders off the menu in about a fifth of its stores. The company has stopped using the onions as well as quarter-pound beef patties in several states – Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma – while the investigation continues, the CDC said.

McDonald’s supplier Taylor Farms has removed yellow onions from the market “out of an abundance of caution,” the company said in a statement Wednesday, and distributor US Foods has issued a recall of four onion products due to “potential E. coli contamination.”

In light of these actions, the CDC said Friday that additional risk is “very low.”

But on Friday, McDonald’s announced in a statement that it will indefinitely stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility.

Onions from this facility were distributed to about 900 McDonald’s restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and portions of other states in the area, McDonald’s said. Some of those locations were in transportation hubs, such as airports, which could account for the broader spread of illness.

“At McDonald’s, food safety is something we will never compromise on. Customers can count on McDonald’s to do the right thing, and public health authorities can count on McDonald’s continued close partnership,” the fast food chain said in the statement. All other menu items are “unaffected and available,” they said.

The FDA confirmed that yellow onions from Taylor Farms were sold to additional food service customers. Some other major fast food chains who have received onions from Taylor Farms – including Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC – have removed fresh onions from their menus at some locations.

Contributor: Deidre McPhillips–CNN Health