CDC warns of salmonella outbreak
A multistate salmonella outbreak has caused dozens of illnesses across 22 states, including Illinois.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert for certain diced onion products from Gills Onions that have been linked to the outbreak. Four people in Illinois have been sickened.
Senate passes school lunch bill
The Illinois Senate has passed a bill involving religious school lunches.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed a prior bill that would have required the state’s public schools and hospitals to offer kosher and other religious-based dietary options.
Pritzker said local school districts, rather than the state board of education, have the understanding of local needs required to enter into food-service contracts. The new legislation addresses the governor’s concerns.
IDNR warns hunters of avian flu
With the regular waterfowl seasons about to open this fall, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to be aware that they could encounter highly pathogenic avian influenza again this year.
The agency plans to monitor for any bird flu outbreaks during the fall bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report large concentrations of 20 or more deceased birds found in one location. IDNR reminds waterfowl hunters to take precautions by thoroughly cooking game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
