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Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Health inspections at Palm Beach County restaurants through Sept. 20

Health inspections at Palm Beach County restaurants through Sept. 20

Going out to eat? See which Palm Beach County restaurants were rated best by inspectors, and which failed the test.
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FDA Reports Florida Recall of Mon Sire Brie Cheese Due to Listeria Contamination

FDA Reports Florida Recall of Mon Sire Brie Cheese Due to Listeria Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported a recall of Mon Sire Brie, a soft-ripened French cheese, in Florida due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Optimus Inc., operating as Markys Caviar, initiated the recall, which covers two lots of 1-kilogram cheeses distributed within Florida. The affected lots are 00000ZRAA1, expiring August 15, 2026, and 00000ZUAD2, expiring August 18, 2026. This U.S. action follows earlier recalls of the same brand in Australia and New Zealand in early September, although those international recalls involved different dates and have not been publicly linked to a single confirmed source. While the expiration dates for the recalled Florida products have passed, there is still a concern for cheese remaining in home refrigerators or freezers. The FDA has not yet classified the hazard level for this specific recall, and no illnesses linked to the Florida product have been reported.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Rodent droppings temporarily close popular downtown Sarasota restaurant

Rodent droppings temporarily close popular downtown Sarasota restaurant

Rodent droppings temporarily close a popular downtown Sarasota restaurant open since 2010.
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Florida Reports First Dengue Fever Death Amid Rising Cases

Florida Reports First Dengue Fever Death Amid Rising Cases

Florida has confirmed its first dengue fever-related death this year, an 80-year-old Tampa woman who died on September 4. This comes as the state experiences a significant increase in locally acquired dengue cases, reaching 152 for the week ending September 12. This figure surpasses the total number of cases reported in 2023, which was 189 for the entire year. Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, has reported the highest number of cases with 134. Other counties with confirmed cases include Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, and Pinellas. Dengue viruses are transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes, which are also known to spread Zika and chikungunya viruses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about one in four people infected with dengue develop symptoms, which typically last two to seven days and are usually mild, including fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. However, about one in 20 infected individuals can develop severe de...
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Gias Foods Recalls Frozen Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine Nationwide Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Gias Foods Recalls Frozen Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine Nationwide Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Gias Foods of New York has issued a nationwide recall for two specific lots of its bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine. This frozen pasta dish, sold at Walmart stores across the U.S., was recalled after routine sampling by state laboratories in Washington and Florida detected the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products are 22-ounce frozen entrees in yellow plastic packaging, identifiable by UPC 194346442706. The specific lots recalled are L6079C with an expiration date of September 19, 2027, and L6080C with an expiration date of September 20, 2027. These codes are stamped on the back of the package. As of the September 15 recall notice, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product. Consumers are advised to return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund and to thoroughly clean any surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with the product.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida 2nd in US in lethal brain eating amoeba cases. How to avoid it

Florida 2nd in US in lethal brain eating amoeba cases. How to avoid it

Two U.S. brain-eating amoeba cases were reported this summer as officials warn about a rare but deadly infection.
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FDA Announces Recall of Bettergoods Frozen Pasta at Walmart Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

FDA Announces Recall of Bettergoods Frozen Pasta at Walmart Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of two lots of Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, sold nationwide at Walmart stores. The recall, initiated by Gias Foods of New York, NY, on September 15, is due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services identified the possible presence of the bacteria in the product. The affected frozen fettuccine is sold in 22 oz yellow plastic packages with UPC 194346442706 and lot numbers L6079C or L6080C, and expiration dates of 09/19/2027 or 09/20/2027. While Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations, no illnesses linked to this specific recall have been reported to date. Gias Foods has ceased distribution of the product and is collaborating with the FDA on an ongoing investigation into the source of the contamination.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Palm Beach County deli ranks on Tripadvisor's top 10 hidden gems in US

Palm Beach County deli ranks on Tripadvisor's top 10 hidden gems in US

Ranked No. 8 on Tripadvisor's 2026 list of top U.S. hidden gems, this Palm Beach County restaurant has been around for four decades.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida reports 1st dengue death, more cases. Check your county's risk

Florida reports 1st dengue death, more cases. Check your county's risk

Florida health officials urge precautions after the state's first dengue fever death of the year.
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Ocala City Council Debates Code Enforcement Culture Amid Business Owner Concerns

Ocala City Council Debates Code Enforcement Culture Amid Business Owner Concerns

The Ocala City Council is addressing concerns regarding the city's code enforcement division, following businessman Clay Albright's assertion that an 'embedded cancerous culture' has instilled fear among local business owners. Albright stated that some business owners are apprehensive about potential retribution if they voice their complaints. During a recent council meeting, Councilman Jim Hilty voted against the contract of the current code enforcement director, Lee. Other council members acknowledged the need for improvements within the division but expressed support for Lee to remain in his position. The discussion highlights a significant divide within the council and the business community regarding the effectiveness and approach of Ocala's code enforcement practices. The core issue revolves around the perception of fairness and the potential for punitive actions against businesses, which could impact the local economic environment and the relationship between city governance and its commercial secto...
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New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

A recent study published in iScience indicates that mosquitoes are selectively attracted to humans based on individual skin scent and microbiomes. Lead researcher Matthew DeGennaro found that while there isn't a universal 'mosquito magnet,' specific mosquito species show preferences. For instance, Aedes aegypti, a vector for Zika and dengue, favored male participants and individuals with higher levels of Staphylococcus bacteria but lower levels of cyclic alcohols. Aedes albopictus was drawn to abundant bacteria, odors, and ketones, while Culex quinquefasciatus avoided odors but liked chemicals found in essential oils. The study, conducted in Florida, tested the attraction of these three species to 119 human participants. Participants wore nylon sleeves to capture skin odor and microbes after not washing for 12 to 16 hours, and their arms were then exposed to mosquitoes in a uniport olfactometer to measure attraction levels. These findings suggest that the unique composition of an individual's skin scent an...
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Orange County Mosquito Control Implements PCR Technology for Rapid Disease Detection Amidst Dengue Cases

Orange County Mosquito Control Implements PCR Technology for Rapid Disease Detection Amidst Dengue Cases

Orange County Mosquito Control in Florida has adopted new PCR technology to rapidly detect mosquito-borne illnesses, following the confirmation of two additional locally acquired dengue cases in Apopka. This technology allows the agency to test mosquito samples in its own lab for viruses such as West Nile, Zika, and dengue, significantly reducing the time it takes to get results. Previously, suspected virus samples had to be sent to external labs, often taking days to a week for results. With the new in-house PCR testing, results can now be obtained within a day, sometimes even by the afternoon of the same day mosquitoes are collected and processed. This expedited testing process enables Orange County Mosquito Control to respond more quickly and efficiently to potential outbreaks, enhancing their ability to identify and mitigate illnesses in the local mosquito population. The Florida Department of Health has reported over 40 locally acquired dengue cases in Florida this month, with three in Orange County.