Author: Phyllis Entis

Cross-border outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and various state and provincial agencies are jointly investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in eleven US states and two Canadian provinces.

The genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 recovered from patients appears to be the same as the strain implicated in a 2017 outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to leafy greens in the USA and to romaine lettuce in Canada.

The current outbreak appears to be linked to romaine lettuce, based on epidemiological evidence. FDA is conducting lab tests and traceback investigations to determine the source or sources of the lettuce.

CDC reports 32 cases in 11 states: California (10), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (3), New York (2), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (1). Thirteen people have been hospitalized.

In Canada, confirmed outbreak cases have been reported in Ontario (3) and Quebec (15). Six people have been hospitalized, one of them suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The outbreak began in October in both countries, with the onset of the first case in the US on October 6th; the initial cases in Canada developed the week of October 14th. Additional cases are expected in both countries.

CDC is advising U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until more is learned about the outbreak. The CDC investigation is ongoing and the agency will issue updates as more information is available.

PHAC recommends that consumers in Ontario and Quebec should avoid eating romaine lettuce and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce until more is known about the outbreak and the cause of contamination.

FDA recommends that consumers not eat romaine lettuce or any mixed salads containing romaine, until more information on the source of the contamination and the status of the outbreak can be determined. Consumers are advised to discard any romaine lettuce or mixed salads containing romaine.

 

Recalls and Alerts: November 15 – 18, 2018

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

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United States

OUTBREAK ALERT: FDA reminds parents not to feed honey to children younger than one year old. Honey Pacificers purchased in Mexico suspected in four cases of infant botulism in Texas.

OUTBREAK ALERT/Food Safety Recall: Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC recalls 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products due to possible contamination with Salmonella Reading. The contaminated turkey meat may be linked to a 35-state outbreak of Salmonella Reading illnesses, including one death, 164 illnesses and 63 hospitalizations.

OUTBREAK ALERT (UPDATE): CDC reports outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to ground beef recalled by JBS Tolleson, Inc. has grown to 246 confirmed cases (59 hospitalized) in 25 states.

Allergy Alert: Chukar Cherries recalls Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries (7.5 oz; Best By date of 09/2019; UPC 0 11261 22307 7) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC recalls Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade, manufactured by Purveyors Kitchen (7.75oz glass jars with a black metal lid; Lot codes PKPP17179A, PKPP17179B, PKPP17179C and PKPP17230B; Best before June 2019 and August 2019 (Lot code PKPP17230B)) due to undeclared walnuts.

Food Safety Recall: The Quaker Oats Company recalls 21 boxes of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch cereal (17.1 oz; Best Before JUL 30 19 or JUL 31 19; UPC 0 30000 6211 1) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was supplied to five Target stores. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of the affected locations.

Food Safety Recall: Majestic Meat Company recalls approximately 532 pounds of bulk ground beef, ground beef patties, and meatballs due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to restaurants in the state of Utah.

Food Safety Recall: Green Cedar Dairy recalls Green Cedar Ackawi cheese (Sell by March 26, 2019 or later) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was distributed at retail locations East Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Michigan.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Paradise Kosher recalls various baked goods due to undeclared wheat, gluten, eggs, sesame seeds, mustard and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls Ottogi brand Jin Ramen Spicy (600g; BEST BEFORE AUG.20.2019) and Ottogi brand Jin Ramen Mild (600g; BEST BEFORE AUG.19.2019) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: L’Intermarché Lagoria recalls sardines due to elevated levels of histamine. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Chez Hector Prêt à manger recalls JAMBON À LA BIÈRE ET SIROP D’ÉRABLE  (500 mL; All product sold up to and including 16 November 2018) because the product may be unsafe for consumption.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Everyday mélange à la noix muscade (100g; Lot #P101372; Best before 08/2022) due to undeclared milk and mustard.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Allergy Alert (UK): Nisa recalls Heritage Dark Chocolate (90g; Best before 5 December 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Clive’s recalls Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts (190g; all Best before dates; All batch codes) due to undeclared mustard and sesame.

Allergy Alert (UK): Nisa recalls Heritage Dark Chocolate (90g; Best before 5 December 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Clive’s recalls Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts, chilled (190g; all dates up to and including 24 November 2018) and Clive’s Bombay Vegetables with Daal Tarts, frozen (190g; all dates up to and including 24 May 2019) due to undeclared mustard and sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Salling Group recalls Bakersfield Skagenslapper frozen rolls (10 pieces/750g; Best before 01/10/2019, 02/10/2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Dagrofa ApS recalls Gestus Pasta with hot-smoked salmon (360g; All dates from 15.11.2018 to 28.11.2018) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bergams recalls Bergams brand Purée de carotte, boeuf, épices cajun, patate douce (Best before 13/10 to 06/11, inclusive) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Bergams recalls Bergams brand Wrap chaud, bœuf, légumes à l’orientale (Best before 12/10 to 05/11, inclusive) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché recalls Maredoc brand clams (1kg and 3kg; Sold November 6 – 12, 2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Ferme Chapuis recalls Perle de Compostelle raw milk cheese (Best before 16.11.2018; Product of France) due to verotoxin-producing E. coli.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Caffreys recalls Confectionery Halloween Bloodie Mallows (All batches; Best before 30 January 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Aldi recalls The Deli Green Pesto (140g; Use by 23.11.2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Goldsmith Goats recalls Goldsmith Goats Raw Goats Milk (All batch codes; All use-by dates) due to contamination with Escherichia coli O157 vt1.

Food Safety Recall (UK-England): Booths recalls Booths mince pies (4-pack; Batch code P/463246; Best before 12 January 2019) due to foreign matter (pieces of white plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK-Northern Ireland): Caffreys recalls Confectionery Halloween Bloodie Mallows (All batches; Best before 30 January 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (UK-England): The Raw Factory Ltd recalls various raw pet food products containing tripe and/or pork due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Angliss Hong Kong Food Service Ltd recalls Casa Modena brand Mortadella Bologna IGP con pistacchio (Use by November 28, 2018; Product of Italy) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): My Queen Pty Ltd recalls Mini Cici Jelly and Mini Cici Jelly with dairy (360g; All Best before dates; Product of China) due to a choking hazard.

Jennie-O ground turkey linked to deadly Salmonella outbreak

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC (Jennie-O) is recalling more than 45 tons (approximately 91,388 pounds) of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Reading strain.

The Salmonella was recovered from an unopened package of Jennie-O raw ground turkey obtained from the home of an outbreak victim. The strain was a genetic match to the Salmonella Reading strain that has killed one person and sickened at least 164 people in 35 states.

The following recalled products were produced on September 11, 2018 and shipped to retail locations nationwide:

  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 93% LEAN | 7% FAT” with “Use by” dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O TACO SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 85% LEAN | 15% FAT” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
  • 1-lb. packages of “Jennie-O ITALIAN SEASONED GROUND TURKEY” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.

All of the recalled packages bear the establishment number P-190 inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

According to CDC, outbreak victims have reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Three ill people lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) cautions that additional product from other companies may also be recalled.

CDC offers the following advice to consumers and retailers

Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey products can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and can make you sick.

CDC is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.

CDC advises consumers to follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:

  • Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.
  • Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.
  • Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.
  • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter.
  • CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.