Blog moved now at www.foodsafetyinfosheets.com

Hi folks, the food safety infosheet blog has moved to www.foodsafetyinfosheets.com or www.foodsafetyinfosheets.wordpress.com. Blogger became a bit obsolete for what we are trying to do.

Since September 2006 over 150 food safety infosheets have been produced and up until now had been held in various spots including a linear, low maintenance blog. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been working on updating that site and adding utility to it including a search function, automatic email alerts and RSS feeds. The new database is also sortable by pathogen, location and risk factor.

Raw and steamed oysters linked to recent norovirus outbreaks

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:

- Since December 2009 three oyster-linked outbreaks resulting in over 300 illnesses have been reported in the U.S.
- Ensure that you buy oysters from licensed, reputable suppliers.
- Ask your suppliers about their food safety practices and harvesting sites.
- Tell patrons that steaming is not always an effective cooking step for oysters; steamed is not a safe alternative to raw.

This week’s food safety infosheet is all about oyster-related risks, you can download it here.

Illinois Subway restaurant linked to Shigella sonnei outbreak

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:

- 7 of 21 linked cases required hospitalization
- Shigella is shed in the poop of infected individuals and for up to two weeks after symptoms have ended. Handwashing is a risk control factor.
- Ron and Sarah Bowers have filed a lawsuit on behalf of their two-year-old son, who began displaying symptoms of shigellosis (nausea, and abdominal cramping) on February 27.

Click here to download.

Ohio-based Seniors’ food program shuts down due to Listeria concerns

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:
-Poor sanitation or cross-contamination may have led to the closure.
-Listeria monocytogenes can be deadly for the elderly.
-In 2008, 43 individuals became ill and 22 died during an outbreak from Listeria-contaminated deli meats in Canada. The average age of victims was 77.

Click here to download this week's food safety infosheet.

U.S. CDC Investigating a multi-state Salmonella Montevideo outbreak; over 180 ill

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:
-Daniele brand pepper-coated Salami recalled after potential link to outbreak.
-184 Illnesses have been reported in 38 states since July 1, 2009. Reports suggest that pepper used in the product might be the source of the illnesses.
-Pepper and other dry spices have been linked to salmonella contamination in the past.
- A list of recalled products and labels are is attached.

Click here to download.

125 illnesses linked to church fundraiser

Food Safety Infosheet Highlights:
-Community dinners can be great fundraisers but because they may be held at temporary sites and staffed by volunteers special precautions are needed.
-BBQ plates prepared by volunteers likely contained Salmonella.
-14 individuals who ate the BBQ plates were hospitalized with symptoms including abdominal cramping, diarrhea and vomiting.

Click here to download this week's food safety infosheet

Avoid foodborne illness during the holidays

Infosheet highlights:

Clean and sanitize utensils and work surfaces after preparing raw turkey for roasting.
Wash your hands after getting the turkey ready.
Cook your turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Click here to download the infosheet.