Source | Associated Press

The state Health Department is investigating an E. coli outbreak that has sickened five people in four Pennsylvania counties, officials said Friday.

Health officials believe all the cases are linked to people who ate rare or medium-rare steak at different Hoss’s Steak and Sea House restaurants in Centre, Dauphin, Venango and York counties from March 24 to March 29.

Four of the five people had been hospitalized but none developed kidney failure, the health department said.

The restaurant exposures are the only common link among the people who were sickened, the department said. All five people ate different cuts of steak but all requested they be cooked rare or medium-rare, health officials said.

Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson said Pennsylvania health officials were working with the state and federal agriculture departments to identify the source of the E. coli cases.

“We will continue to work with our partners to identify cases in Pennsylvania and, we hope, prevent any additional illnesses,” Johnson said in a statement.

Hoss’s Steak and Sea House is a privately owned company that operates 41 restaurants in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, according to the company’s Web site.

HFX Corp., Hoss’s affiliated meat processing facility based in Claysburg, said it was voluntarily recalling 259,230 pounds of beef as a precaution. Besides supplying meat for its Hoss’s restaurants, HFX also processes beef for other restaurants and wholesalers.

About 4,900 pounds of the beef being recalled was distributed to retail stores in Pennsylvania; the rest went to restaurants in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

“As soon as we learned of the positive test, we immediately began recalling the affected products and are well on our way to seeing that all of it is removed from the consumer pipeline,” HFX president John H. Brown said in a statement. “For example, all beef being recalled has already been removed from our Hoss’s Steak and Sea House restaurants.”

HFX said it is reviewing its food safety programs and has stopped three specific meat tenderizing techniques, because though they “are widely used in the meat processing industry, we felt that they contain some level of risk,” Brown said.

E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a common and ordinarily harmless bacteria, but certain strains can cause abdominal cramps, fever, bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, blindness, paralysis and sometimes death.

E. coli is found in the feces of humans and livestock. Most, but not all, E. coli infections are associated with undercooked meat; an outbreak linked to fresh spinach last fall killed three people and sickened more than 200 others.

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A Merced company has recalled year-old hamburger meat distributed in California and elsewhere after at least three Napa County children became ill with a virulent strain of E. coli, health officials said Friday.

The meat was produced by Richwood Meat Co. on April 28, 2006, dated either “4-28-06″ or “118-6,” for the 118th day of the year, said Mike Wood, the company’s president. Although the product was manufactured a year ago, the patties still may be present in freezers at home or in stores, officials said.

The products were distributed to institutional food services, food distributors, discount grocers and retail outlets such as WinCo and Vons, officials said. The recalled meat also was shipped to Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

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More than 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties processed by a Merced, Calif., company were recalled after three Little League teammates fell ill with E. coli from tainted hamburgers, officials said Friday.Richwood Meat Co. issued a voluntary recall of the year-old frozen beef, which was produced in late April and early May 2006. The Merced plant distributes meat in California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

“If you went to the grocery store and bought hamburger meat and threw it in your freezer, it could still be in there. That is the purpose of getting this information out there. As we have seen, people have eaten this meat in the last month,” said Michael Bowman, spokesman for the state Department of Health Services.

The frozen patties were sent to food distributors, discount grocers, institutional food services and some retail grocery stores, including WinCo and Vons.

Steve Wood, vice president of Richwood Meat, said that he doubts much of the beef in question is still around.

“The product is over a year old and 99 percent of the product has been consumed with no complaints,” Wood said. “We voluntarily recalled the product just to be safe. We don’t want anybody becoming ill or having issues.”

An investigation was launched after three children became sick in Napa County, Calif., on April 3, said Theresa Richmond, spokeswoman for the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency.

The children, members of the same Little League team, ate hamburgers from a snack vendor at a baseball game, Richmond said.

A doctor found E. coli in the stool sample of one of the children, a 9-year-old boy, after he became sick with cramps and diarrhea.

“At that point, we did an investigation and found out that other children became ill as well,” Richmond said.

The meat was confiscated from the baseball snack vendor and traced back to Salami Lady Cash & Carry specialty market in Napa County, Richmond said.

The investigation was handed over to the state Department of Health Services, which linked the tainted beef to Richwood Meat in Merced.

The children have recovered, Richmond said. Two other probable cases of E. coli with connections to the same baseball game vendor have been identified, she said.

E. coli infection often causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which is sometimes bloody. Sufferers usually don’t run a fever, and the illness typically abates in five to 10 days. Infection can lead to kidney failure.

Richmond said people should check meat in their freezer to make sure it is not on the recall list.

“If anybody has it, they absolutely cannot eat it, no matter how it was cooked,” Richmond said. “The presence of that bacteria has been tested and confirmed. It could be harmful, especially to children, elderly or people with immune deficiencies.”

Richwood Meat is not a slaughterhouse; it processes meat that comes from several suppliers, Wood said.

The meat that arrives at the facility must have a certificate of analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he said.

Richwood grinds the meat into hamburger, and it is sold fresh or frozen in patties, Wood said.

The meat goes to several distributors, but Wood couldn’t say where the beef had gone after it reached distributors. Some is delivered to grocery stores or restaurants, he said, adding that the company has a USDA inspector at the plant full time.

“If people have concerns, they are welcome to call us,” Wood said.

The state identified WinCo and Vons as two of the stores known to carry the frozen patties. WinCo has 22 stores in California, including Modesto and Stockton.

A supervisor reached at WinCo in Modesto on Friday said he could not comment on the recall, or say if the store carries the products.

While there are no Vons grocery stores in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the chain is owned by Safeway Inc.

A head clerk at Safeway in Modesto said the company has a system, including e-mails and phone call alerts, if there are products that need to be recalled. The Modesto Safeway store has not received a notification, he said.

It is not the first time that beef from the Richwood plant has come into question. In 2004, Richwood recalled 90,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties that may have been contaminated with E. coli.

The meat was distributed to U.S. military installations overseas and in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The recall was prompted after a laboratory in Japan found traces of E. coli, after reports of several illnesses in Japan.

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Source | FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers to possible serious health risks from eating olives that may be contaminated with a deadly bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness. The olives are made by Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, of Bari, Italy and are being recalled by the manufacturer. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

The olives should not be eaten alone or in other foods, even if they do not appear to be spoiled. Consumers should discard these products or return them to the point of purchase. If in doubt, consumers should contact the retailer and inquire whether its olives are part of the recall.

The olives are sold under the following brands: Borrelli, Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado’s, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia, and have codes that start with the letter “G” and are followed by 3 or 4 digits. All sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives are affected.

Symptoms of Botulism

Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Consumers may also report illnesses associated with consumption of these olives to the nearest FDA district offices.

Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, initiated a recall of these olives on March 27, 2007. The recalled olives had been distributed to wholesalers, who have marketed them nationally to restaurants and retail stores. FDA concluded that additional warnings are needed because, to date, the company has not contacted importers with specific instructions on the recall.

In addition to re-emphasizing its warning to consumers, FDA is making the following requests:

Importers of these olives should discontinue distribution, isolate held stocks and notify customers to take similar actions to prevent the products from reaching consumers. Importers should contact their local FDA office for assistance in implementing the recall.

Food manufacturers who have repacked the olives for sale under different names or who have used them in the production of other food should contact their local FDA office.

Restaurants, delicatessens, and other food service providers should discontinue using the olives, dispose of their opened containers and contact their suppliers for instructions on what to do with unopened containers.

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Source | American Gastroenterological Association  

IBS has not been shown to lead to any serious organic diseases. No link has been established between IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IBS does not lead to cancer. Some patients have a more severe form of IBS, and the fear of pain and diarrhea may cause them to withdraw from normal activities. In such cases, doctors may recommend mental health counseling.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall

Source | American Gastroenterological Association 

There is no standard way of treating IBS. Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter fiber supplements or occasional laxatives if you are constipated, or may prescribe over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine if you are suffering from diarrhea. Your doctor may also prescribe other treatment programs to help relieve your symptoms and reduce the effects of IBS on your lifestyle.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall

Source | American Gastroenterological Association 

For many people, eating a proper diet lessens IBS symptoms. Before changing your diet, it is a good idea to keep a journal noting which foods seem to cause distress. Discuss your findings with your doctor. You also may want to consult a registered dietitian, who can help you make changes in your diet. For instance, if dairy products cause your symptoms to flare up, you can try eating less of those foods. Yogurt might be tolerated better because it contains organisms that supply lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk products. Because dairy products are an important source of calcium and other nutrients that your body needs, be sure to get adequate nutrients in the foods that you substitute.

Dietary fiber may lessen IBS symptoms in many cases. Whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Consult your doctor before using an over-the-counter fiber supplement. High-fiber diets keep the colon mildly distended, which may help to prevent spasms from developing. Some forms of fiber also keep water in the stools, thereby preventing hard stools that are difficult to pass. Doctors usually recommend that you eat just enough fibers so that you have soft, easily passed, painless bowel movements. High-fiber diets may cause gas and bloating, but within a few weeks, these symptoms often go away as your body adjusts to the diet.

Large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea in people with IBS. Symptoms may be eased if you eat smaller meals more often or just eat smaller portions. This should help, especially if your meals are low in fat and high in carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall

Source | American Gastroenterological Association 

Many people report that their symptoms occur following a meal or when they are under stress. No one is sure why this happens, but scientists have some clues.

Eating causes contractions of the colon. Normally, this response may cause an urge to have a bowel movement within 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. In people with IBS, the urge may come sooner and may be associated with pain, cramps and diarrhea.

The strength of the response is often related to the number of calories in a meal, and especially the amount of fat in a meal. Fat in any form (animal or vegetable) is a b stimulus of colonic contractions. Many foods contain fat, especially meats of all kinds, poultry skin, whole milk, cream cheese, butter, vegetable oil, margarine, shortening, avocados, and whipped toppings.

Stress also stimulates colonic spasms in people with IBS. This process is not completely understood, but scientists point out that the colon is controlled partly by the nervous system. Mental health counseling and stress reduction (relaxation training) can help relieve the symptoms of IBS. However, doctors are quick to note that this does not mean IBS is the result of a personality disorder. IBS is at least partly a disorder of colon motility and sensation.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall

Source | American Gastroenterological Association 

IBS usually is diagnosed after doctors exclude more serious organic diseases. The doctor will take a complete medical history that includes a careful description of symptoms. A physical examination and laboratory test will be done. A stool sample will be tested for evidence of bleeding. The doctor also may do diagnostic procedures such as x-rays or lower GI endoscopy (viewing the colon through a flexible tube) to find out if there is organic disease.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall

Source | American Gastroenterological Association 

It is important to realize that normal bowel function varies from person to person. Normal bowel movements range from as many as three stools a day to as few as three a week. A normal movement is one that is formed but not hard, contains no blood, and is passed without cramps or pain.

People with IBS usually have crampy abdominal pain with painful constipation or diarrhea. In some people, constipation and diarrhea alternate. Sometimes people with IBS pass mucus with their bowel movements. Bleeding, fever, weight loss, and persistent severe pain are not symptoms of IBS, and may indicate other problems.

Zelnorm Recall

Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate), a prescription medication used to treat “constipation predominant” Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been removed/recalled from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Learn More: Zelnorm Recall