Author: Phyllis Entis

Consumers urged to check for chicken linked to deadly Salmonella outbreak

The following story by Coral Beach first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

One person is dead and at least 16 others have been infected by a strain of Salmonella found during routine federal testing at two raw chicken processing plants.

The implicated raw chicken was packaged under the Empire Kosher brand. It was produced from September 2017 through June this year, according to a public health alert posted by the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).

No other brands have been named by federal officials. They also have not named the specific processing plants where contaminated chicken was found or who owns them. The FSIS did not include any information in its alert regarding when its routine testing detected the Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- in raw chicken samples.

Yesterday public health officials urged consumers to check their freezers for Empire Kosher brand chicken. Anyone who has it on hand should “properly handle, prepare, and cook these raw chicken products” to avoid cross-contamination and kill bacteria. Some consumers may prefer to discard the chicken to avoid the chance of infection. The chicken could have been packaged and sold to consumers as raw whole birds or raw chicken parts, FSIS reported.

Outbreak investigators have interviewed 14 of the 17 known victims. All 14 reported eating chicken in the days before becoming sick. Of nine victims with information available, seven reported eating Empire Kosher brand chicken before becoming ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The CDC did not reveal how long it and state health departments have been investigating the outbreak. In its Aug. 29 investigation notice, the CDC reported it had matched Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- from patients’ lab work to the Salmonella found by the FSIS in the samples of raw chicken. 

Victims range from less than a year old to 76 years old, according to the CDC. Half of them have had symptoms so severe that they had to be admitted to hospitals. New York has been hardest hit, with 11 illnesses and one death. Pennsylvania has four confirmed cases. Maryland and Virginia have one each.  

The FSIS public health alert says the USDA’s sub-agency was notified June 18 about Salmonella illnesses in four states. The CDC’s notice said known illness onset dates range from Sept. 25, 2017, through June 4 this year.

In an undated statement on the corporation’s website, Empire Chicken officials said they have “no data that connects this tragic event to our products…” The statement emphasized that no recalls have been initiated in connection with the outbreak.

“CDC is not advising that people avoid eating kosher chicken or Empire Kosher brand chicken and no products are being recalled,” according to the company’s statement. “Empire Kosher, along with the USDA and CDC, want to remind consumers of safe handling practices for raw chicken. When handled and cooked properly to 165 degrees F, consumers can continue to have full confidence in chicken products, including the Empire Kosher brand.”

FDA Public Health Alert: Avoid using King Bio drugs and homeopathic products

Drugs and homeopathic products manufactured by King Bio Inc. (Asheville, NC) may contain high levels of microbial contamination and pose a risk to humans and pets.

In an alert posted today, FDA recommended that consumers stop using these products, and dispose of them immediately.

The FDA announcement coincided with a voluntary nationwide recall initiated by the manufacturer of all aqueous-based products for human and animal use. A complete list of recalled products has been posted on the company’s website.

This is the third product recall announced by King Bio since July 20, 2018.

Among the products included in the most recent recall are: Dr. King’s Children’s Cough Relief, Dr. King’s Chicken Pox Symptom Relief, Dr. King’s Children’s Ear Relief Formula, Dr. King’s Children’s Appetite Enhancer, Dr. King’s Attention and Learning Enhancement For Kids, Dr. King’s Cold Sore treatment, Dr. King’s Wart Freeze, and pet products for urinary incontinence and digestion relief.

The recall announcement and the associated consumer alert follow an inspection of the company’s manufacturing facility by FDA – an inspection that uncovered substandard conditions, including recurring microbial contamination associated with the water system used to manufacture the drug products.

FDA found several microbial contaminants during the course of its investigation, including Burkholderia Multivorans, a strain of bacteria that can cause illness in people with compromised immune systems.

What should consumers do?
The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of King Bio’s products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

For reporting adverse drug events in animals, please see How to Report Animal Drug Side Effects and Product Problems.

Recalls and Alerts: August 25 – 27, 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

Allergy Alert: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets advises consumers that Lily Bulb (10-oz plastic bag; Product of China; UPC 6-43719-11002-0) contains undeclared sulfites. Consumers who are sensitive to sulfites and have purchased “Lily Bulb” should discard the product.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Greenbelt Greenhouse Ltd. recalls Greenbelt Greenhouse Broccoli Microgreens (75g; Best before 08/26/18; UPC 8 90082 00016 2) and Greenbelt Greenhouse Spicy Microgreen Mix (75g; Best before 08/28/18; UPC 8 90082 00000 1) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products were supplied to consumers in Ontario.

Food Safety Recall: Randsland Farms Inc. recalls Randsland Super Salad Kit (454g; Product code 083118; UPC 0 57225 00005 6) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was supplied to consumers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Rolf Ken Ltd recalls Laziz Foods brand frozen precooked sausages (1kg; Various flavors; All batches and dates) due to undeclared sulfites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.