American health officials are investigating several foodborne illness outbreaks this summer, including a salmonella outbreak that has spread to 27 states and sickened 345 people, with dozens hospitalized, according to the Korean article. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking into a possible link to jalapeño peppers from Mexico, and the restaurant chains Chipotle and Qdoba have already removed the ingredient from their menus.
The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating at least 10 parasite infections reported since July 1. The largest of those outbreaks is cyclosporiasis, which officials have linked to lettuce from Mexico that has already been recalled.
Other reported outbreaks include E. coli, listeria and botulism detected in powdered milk, according to the article. The report did not provide additional details on those cases.
Shruti Gohil, an epidemiology and infection prevention specialist at UCI Health, advised diners to alert restaurant staff immediately if food appears undercooked or not fresh. She also recommended ordering chicken, eggs, hamburger patties and fish fully cooked, asking whether sauces and dressings containing eggs were made with pasteurized eggs, and avoiding buffet food that has been left sitting warm for too long.
