And on turkey day, skip the ground version
On the eve of the day when Americans traditionally stuff themselves as well as the turkey, public health officials are urging them to spare their stomachs by not consuming some favorites for fear of potential Salmonella or e-coli infections. In fact, if you're harboring romaine lettuce in the frig for your holiday salad, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration bluntly advise, throw that stuff out.
"Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. This advice includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad. Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine was stored."
A CDC-FDA press release: "As of Nov. 20, 2018, 32 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 8, 2018 to Oct. 31, 2018. Thirteen individuals were hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses that occurred after October 30, 2018, might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill with E. coli O157:H7 infection and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to three weeks."
Similar problems have been reported in Canada.
And then there's the matter of whether there's Salmonella in your makings for cake. Product from Duncan Hines is well distributed on Guam.
Five cases so far have been reported and it's not a pleasant infection. "Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis."
"The Guam Division of Environmental Health of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would like to inform the public of a voluntary nationwide recall involving certain Duncan Hines Classic White Cake (15.25 oz.), Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake (15.25 oz.), Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake (15.25 oz.), and Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake (15.25 oz.)."
Speaking of turkeys--the ground version--and salmonella, beware product from Jennie-O. The Division of Environmental Health is currently conducting a recall effectiveness check with local retail stores and wholesalers to determine if the affected product, believed to be Salmonella contaminated, is being sold or distributed on Guam. Currently, there has been no determination that the affected products were available on island. The department has not received any local report of injuries or illnesses associated with the consumption of these recalled commodities. Consumers who have purchased such items are urged to return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions may contact Jennie-O Consumer Engagement Team at 1-800-621-3505, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Central Time, Mon.– Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central Time Sat. and Sun.
Have a great Thanksgiving!