The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, a bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning. As of September 18, 2023, CDPH has identified 30 individuals with Salmonella infections who ate prepared food from a taqueria in Carniceria Guanajuato located at 3140 N California in Chicago. Of these, 10 people have been hospitalized. Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed the taqueria on September 8, 2023 and is cooperating with CDPH to determine a source of the infections. If you have purchased prepared food from the taqueria or the prepared food section of the grocery store since August 29, 2023, discard it and do not eat it. If you ate food purchased from the prepared food section (taqueria or prepared foods in the grocery section) since August 29, 2023, you may have been exposed to Salmonella.

CDPH performed an environmental assessment of the grocery store and provided guidance on safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent further spread of disease. CDPH has also issued an alert to area physicians about the outbreak, providing medical guidance.

Salmonella symptoms usually last four to seven days and most individuals recover without any treatment. Although most infections resolve without antibiotics, older individuals or those with weakened immune systems may need medical evaluation and treatment. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea, symptoms of dehydration, or high fever, seek medical attention. Most people who are infected develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 6 hours and 6 days after eating contaminated food. For more information on Salmonella, visit www.cdc.gov/salmonella.

CDPH is monitoring closely for additional reports of illness. If you experienced diarrheal illness after consuming foods from this establishment, contact CDPH at outbreak@cityofchicago.org to file a suspected food poisoning complaint.

Salmonella: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonellaand other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $850 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants. The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart. 

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.

As of August 23, 2023, a total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 4 states (Connecticut 1, Massachusetts 1, New Jersey 11, New York 5). Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 27, 2023, through July 6, 2023. 

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 16 people interviewed, 10 (63%) reported eating ground beef. Nine sick people reported purchasing the ground beef from ShopRite locations in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Seven of these people specifically reported purchasing 80% lean ground beef products. Two people reported purchasing ground beef products from ShopRite but could not remember the type of ground beef. Epidemiologic showed that ground beef was the likely source of the outbreak. 

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. This suggested that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from the same food.

The outbreak strain was identified in a routine ground beef surveillance sample collected by USDA-FSIS in March 2023.

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salmonella
Summary

Public Health is investigating an outbreak of six people infected with Salmonella Berta, a specific type of Salmonella. All six cases are linked through genetic fingerprinting (whole genome sequencing) which indicates they likely have a common source of infection. These cases were reported from April 14, 2023, to June 12, 2023. Most people who were interviewed reported eating pork (e.g., a variety of pork cuts cooked at home) and different types of seafood (e.g., fish and crab) but no source has been identified. The investigation is ongoing.

Illnesses

Since April 14, 2023, six people from six separate households reported becoming sick. The people who became sick ranged in age from 2 to 65 years old. All the people developed one or more symptoms consistent with salmonellosis, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloody stool, fever, and chills. Their illnesses onset between April 12, 2023, and June 5, 2023.

Public Health actions

Public Health conducted interviews with the people sick with salmonellosis to identify potential common exposures and identified that some common exposures were pork and seafood. Environmental Health Investigators began traceback of meat products on June 21, 2023. They collected invoices from different places where some people got food and conducted inspections. A common location or source has not been identified. 

Laboratory testing

All six cases had confirmatory testing for Salmonella and had the same strain of Salmonella Berta based on genetic fingerprinting (whole genome sequencing or WGS) at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.

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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with local health departments, the CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to ground beef. 

A source of the ground beef has not yet been identified, but public health officials urge Illinois residents to follow safe food handling steps when preparing and eating ground beef. Ground beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F before eating and the temperature should be checked with a food thermometer.

Illinois public health officials have identified 26 confirmed cases in Illinois. Cases are reported in Chicago as well as Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. The illness onset dates of the cases ranged from April 25 to May 18. A small number of cases in other states are also under investigation by the CDC and state health departments.

IDPH is working with local health departments, the CDC and the USDA-FSIS to identify additional cases, to perform lab testing and to identify the source of the contaminated ground beef.

Some of the ill people reported eating undercooked ground beef. This outbreak, as well as the annual observance of World Food Safety Day today, highlight the importance of food safety. World Food Safety Day is an annual, worldwide event promoted in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration dedicated to reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 13
Hospitalizations: 3
Last Illness Onset: March 1, 2023
States with Cases: California (1), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1)
Product Distribution: Nationwide

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections linked to Gold Medal brand flour produced by General Mills of Minneapolis, MN.

Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, five of nine cases report exposure to raw Gold Medal brand flour and seven of eight cases report consuming raw dough or batter. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single production facility of the flour consumed by patients. FDA initiated an inspection at the General Mills Kansas City, MO facility and collected retain product samples. One sample was found to be positive for Salmonella, and subsequent analysis by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) found that the Salmonella in the positive sample matched the strain of Salmonella making people sick in this outbreak.

On April 28, 2023, General Mills announced a voluntary nationwide recall of two-, five- and 10-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with a “better if used by” date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. This recall affects two date codes of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour in the five- and ten-pound bags and two date codes of Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose Flour in the two- and five-pound bags.

No other types of Gold Medal Flour are affected by this recall at this time.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Recalled Products

General Mills issued a voluntary nationwide recall of two-, five- and 10-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with a “Better if Used By” date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. No other types of Gold Medal Flour are affected by this recall at this time.

This voluntary recall includes the following code dates currently in stores or consumers’ pantries, all with “Better if Used by” dates of 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024:

ProductPackage UPC
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour000-16000-19610
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 10LB Flour000-16000-19580
Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 2LB Flour000-16000-10710
Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 5LB Flour000-16000-10610

Product Images 

General Mills is recalling 2-, 5- and 10-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour after sampling found Salmonella contamination. The FDA is currently investigating an outbreak linked to flour, but it has not been announced whether this recall is related to the outbreak.

The presence of Salmonella Infantis was discovered during sampling of the five-pound bag product.

The recalled flour has “better if used by” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. 

This recall affects two date codes of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour in the 5- and 10-pound bags and two date codes of Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose Flour in the 2- and 5-pound bags.

Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that consumers should refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour. Salmonella Infantis is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.

The recalled products were distributed nationally. 

This voluntary recall includes the following code dates currently in stores or consumers’ pantries:

  • Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
    Package UPC  000-16000-19610
    Recalled Better if Used by Date 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024
  • Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 10LB Flour
    Package UPC 000-16000-19580
    Recalled Better if Used by Date 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024
  • Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 2LB Flour
    Package UPC  000-16000-10710
    Recalled Better if Used by Date 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024
  • Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
    Package UPC  000-16000-10610
    Recalled Better if Used by Date  27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024

Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product affected by this recall. 

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the state health departments of Georgia and Alabama have detected a Salmonella outbreak associated with the consumption of raw oysters harvested from shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida. To date, there have been 8 cases linked to this outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closed shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 for the harvest of wild oysters and initiated a recall of these wild oysters harvested from December 16, 2022, to February 24, 2023.

Do not eat oysters included in this recall.

Individuals should be aware of the current elevated risk of illness associated with raw oyster consumption. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated product. Most people recover without treatment.

In rare circumstances, infection can produce more severe illness and require hospitalization. Older adults, infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of developing a severe illness and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts grown by CW Sprouts Inc., doing business as (DBA) SunSprout Enterprises of Fremont, NE as a likely source of illnesses in this outbreak.

Based on the epidemiologic information provided by the CDC along with interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, the individuals identified in this outbreak reported consuming alfalfa sprouts prior to their illness onset, either at local restaurants or in their homes after purchasing from local grocery stores. Preliminary traceback evidence indicates that the restaurants and grocery stores identified in this outbreak received alfalfa sprouts from SunSprout Enterprises. Additionally, two of the individuals identified in this outbreak confirmed they had purchased Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts from their local grocery store. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) conducted on clinical samples collected from ill individuals identified 15 isolates that matched the outbreak strain: OK (1), NE (8), and SD (6). WGS for additional clinical isolates are still pending sequencing.

On December 29, 2022, SunSprout Enterprises initiated a voluntary recall of two lots (# 4211 and 5211) of raw alfalfa sprouts due to potential contamination with Salmonella. On the same day, SunSprout Enterprises expanded their voluntary recall to include two additional lots (# 3212, and 4212) of raw alfalfa sprouts. The raw alfalfa sprouts for all recalled lots (#4211, 5211, 3212, and 4212) are packaged in 4-ounce clamshells and 2.5 lb packages with best sold by dates between 12/10/2022 and 1/7/2023.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

Advice for consumers, restaurants, and retailers: Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their refrigerators for recalled Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts with best by dates between 12/10/2022 and 1/7/2023. If you purchased or used recalled alfalfa sprouts, you should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with these products, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

If you or someone in your household ate Sun Sprouts alfalfa sprouts and have symptoms of salmonellosis, please contact your healthcare provider.

Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not use, ship or sell recalled alfalfa sprouts grown by SunSprout Enterprises. If there has been potential cross-contamination or mixing of recalled alfalfa sprouts with products from other sources, suppliers and distributors should not use any comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product and should use extra vigilance in cleaning any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with recalled alfalfa sprouts.

As of October 19, 2022, a total of 33 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Litchfield have been reported from 3 states . Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 14, 2022, to September 18, 2022.

Sick people range in age from 1 to 67 years, with a median age of 32, and 59% are female. Of 26 people with information available, 13 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 16 people interviewed, 12 (75%) reported eating raw fish, sushi, or poke. This percentage was significantly higher than the 7.9% of respondents who reported eating raw fish in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating raw fish. Of 11 people who remembered details of their meal, 9 (82%) reported raw salmon.  Several sick people in the outbreak were identified as a part of three illness clusters at restaurants. An illness cluster is defined as two or more people who do not live in the same household who report eating food from the same retail location before getting sick. If several unrelated sick people ate food from the same retail location, it suggests that the contaminated food item was served or sold there. FDA’s investigation traced the source of fresh, raw salmon eaten by sick people in these illness clusters back to Mariscos Bahia, Inc.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

FDA collected an environmental sample that included multiple swabs at Mariscos Bahia, Inc., in Pico Rivera, California. Salmonella was identified from multiple environmental swabs collected at the facility and WGS analysis is ongoing. WGS completed to date indicates that Salmonella detected in at least one of the swabs from the facility is the outbreak strain.

CDC is advising restaurants not to sell or serve salmon, tuna, Chilean sea bass, swordfish, or halibut received on or after June 14, 2022, from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. The fish was distributed to restaurants fresh, not frozen. Fish distributed from Mariscos Bahia’s locations in Pico Rivera, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, are included.

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Tai Phat Wholesalers, LLC of Capitol Heights, MD is recalling 4 types of packages of its “Three Coins Dried Mushrooms” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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, infection with Salmonellacan result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled Dried Mushrooms were distributed in specialty retail stores in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.

The product comes in four different types & sizes and are in a sealed clear plastic package with a label. The different types are as follows:

1)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Slices – Item #: 01051- Nam Meo Soi -S- 2.5 oz
2)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Slices – Item #: 01276- Nam Meo Soi -L- 10.5 oz
3)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Whole – Item #: 01052- Nam Meo Nguyen -S- 2.5 oz
4)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Whole – Item #: 01277- Nam Meo Nguyen -L- 10.5 oz

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by Maryland Department of Health of items bought at a retail store which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some packages of “Three Coins Dried Mushrooms”.