FDA Places Daniella Mangos On Import Alert

FDA has placed mangos from Agricola Daniella on Import Alert after finding “strains of Salmonella“ in samples of mangos from this producer. This means that Agricola Daniella mangos will be denied entry into the USA unless the importer can prove that the mangos are not contaminated.

Daniella mangos have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup that – as of September 14th – infected 121 people in 15 US states and 21 Canadians (as of August 29th).

The California Department of Public Health, which took the lead in the US outbreak investigation, traced several of the outbreak illnesses back through the supply chain to Agricola Daniella, according to the FDA report. The implicated mangos were imported into the USA by Splendid Products (Burlingame, CA), which recalled the fruit on August 29th. The Canadian importer, North American Produce Sales (Vancouver, BC) announced a recall of the Daniella mangos on August 24th, and expanded the scope of its recall on August 31st.

Various consignees and retailers of the recalled mangos – and of cut fruit products containing the mangos – have issued their own recalls and/or customer alerts. For a consolidated list of recalls and other information on this outbreak, please select the Salmonella Braenderup – Mango tab at the top of this page.

Today’s FDA Press Announcement does not state whether the “strains of Salmonella” found in the Daniella mangos include the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak strain. In response to my question, FDA spokesperson Patricia Al-Hinnawy replied, “…all our information is in the release.” I would interpret this to mean that detailed serotyping and genetic profiling of the Salmonella strains is still in progress.

CDC Advice to Consumers, Retailers and Others (As of September 14, 2012)

Contaminated mangoes may make people sick.

CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled Daniella brand mangoes distributed by Splendid Products and discard any remaining recalled mangoes. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems.
Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated mangoes should consult their health care providers.

Contaminated mangoes may still be in grocery stores and in consumers’ homes.

Consumers who recently purchased recalled Daniella brand mangoes distributed by Splendid Products are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining recalled mangoes.
Even if some of the mango has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the mango should be disposed of immediately.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Recalled mangoes should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating them.
Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve recalled Daniella brand mangoes.

For general produce safety advice, visit FDA’s Produce Safety webpage.

Chamberlain Farms: Double – or Is It Triple – Outbreak

Cantaloupes from Chamberlain Farm Produce, Inc. are the source of 270 cases of Salmonella infections, according to the latest figures from CDC.

The illnesses were due to Salmonella Typhimurium (240 persons versus the previous tally of 204) and Salmonella Newport (30 persons) in 26 states. Three people are dead, and 101 have been hospitalized in this cantaloupe-linked outbreak.

Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses were reported from the following states: Alabama (16), Arkansas (6), California (2), Florida (1), Georgia (9), Iowa (10), Illinois (26), Indiana (24), Kentucky (70), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (5), Missouri (15), Mississippi (7), Montana (1), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (7), Ohio (6), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (8), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (6).

Salmonella Newport cases were reported in Illinois (8), Indiana (9), Michigan (1), Missouri (6), Ohio (3), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (2).

Salmonella Typhimurium (red) and Salmonella Newport (blue) timeline (from CDC)

Cantaloupe samples analyzed by FDA have yielded both the Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport outbreak strains. In addition, Indiana investigators have found a genetically different Salmonella Newport strain from a sample of watermelon from a field at Chamberlain Farms. Twenty-five illnesses in 8 states are being investigated to determine whether they may be linked to the Chamberlain Farm Produce watermelons.

On August 22nd, Chamberlain Farm Produce announced a recall of its entire 2012 cantaloupe crop. Schnucks Markets reported on September 7th that Chamberlain had expanded its recall to include the farm’s 2012 watermelon crop. So far, this expanded recall announcement has not appeared on the FDA web site. Nor has the public been given any information as to where – other than Schnucks, Logli and Hilander stores – the watermelons were sold.

CDC Advice to Consumers, Retailers, and Others

Contaminated cantaloupe may still be in grocery stores and in consumers’ homes.

Consumers who recently purchased Chamberlain Farms cantaloupes are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining cantaloupe.
- Based on the available information, consumers can continue to purchase and eat cantaloupes that did not originate from Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc.
- Many cantaloupes have the growing area identified with a sticker on the fruit. If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Consumers who are buying or have recently bought cantaloupe should ask their retailer if the cantaloupe originated from Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc.
Cantaloupes should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating them.
Dispose of any cantaloupes that you think may be contaminated. Washing them will not completely eliminate the contamination. Cutting, slicing and dicing may also transfer harmful bacteria from the fruit’s surface to the fruit’s flesh.
Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve Chamberlain Farms cantaloupe.
Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated cantaloupes should consult their health care providers.

I would add watermelon to that advisory statement.

3 Dead, 14 Hospitalized In Latest Listeria Outbreak

CDC is reporting that 14 persons have been infected with a single strain of Listeria monocytogenes after consuming Ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy. Three people are dead, and all 14 of the outbreak victims identified so far were hospitalized.

Listeriosis contributed to at least one of the deaths.

Outbreak victims were reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1). Four of the victims were related to pregnancy; two of those four were newborns. The three deaths occurred in Nebraska, Minnesota and New York; the Minnesota death was not attributed to the victim’s Listeria infection.

Except for the four pregnancy-related illnesses, outbreak patients range in age from 56 to 87 years, with a median age of 79 years. Illnesses were diagnosed as early as March 28, 2012 and as recently as August 30, 2012.

CDC Epi Curve for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to imported Italian cheese

Twelve of the 14 persons interviewed reported having consumed a soft cheese. No one cheese was identified by the majority of ill persons, and six of the interviewees reported having eaten cheese that was cut and repackaged at a retail location. Epidemiological and traceback actions led investigators to Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese distributed in the USA by Forever Cheese, Inc. FDA has identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the uncut cheese.

Yesterday, Forever Cheese recalled all Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese bearing Lot #T9425 and/or production code 441202. The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington between June 20 and August 9, 2012. The product was supplied to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors. Some of the cheese was sold in QFC stores in Oregon and Washington State.

The recalled cheese was “matured and packed by” Fattorie Chiarappa srl, Via Dell’Ulivo, 5 Conversano, Italy, and was manufactured from pasteurized sheep’s milk, whey and salt.

Based on the results of patient interviews, CDC and FDA are considering the possibility that cross-contamination of other cheeses may have occurred through cutting boards and utensils. This is exactly what happened in Canada’s province of Quebec in 2008, resulting in 22 cases of listeriosis, three of them in newborn infants.

CDC offers the following Advice to Consumers:

Contaminated ricotta salata cheese has made people sick.

CDC recommends that consumers not eat imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.

Even if some of the cheese has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the cheese should be disposed of immediately.

When in doubt, throw it out. (See disposal recommendations below)

How do I recognize the contaminated cheese?

The recalled cheese is labeled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. It is a product of Italy. Consumers should consult with their retailer if they have questions about the origin of cheese.

Be aware that the recalled cheese has a 4 month shelf life, so contaminated cheese may still be in consumer’s refrigerators and may still be for sale in stores.

Ricotta salata cheese is often served crumbled or grated as an ingredient in some dishes.

Ricotta salata is a salty white cheese made from pasteurized sheep’s milk. Note: It is not the same as ricotta cheese, which is a very soft cheese often sold in plastic tubs.

Contaminated cheese may still be in consumers’ homes.

Listeria can grow in cut cheese at room and refrigerator temperatures. Listeria can also spread to other cheeses cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area.

Follow these simple steps if recalled cheese is or was in your home:

Dispose of cheese in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people and animals from eating it.

Wash the cheese drawer and other areas where the cheese was stored in the refrigerator with hot water and soap. Sanitize the area with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water.

Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to cut, serve, or store cheese. If possible, use a dishwasher; otherwise, use hot water and soap, followed by sanitizing with a dilute bleach solution described above.

Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Who is most at risk?

Listeriosis primarily affects pregnant women and their newborn infants, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.

Persons who think they might have become ill from eating contaminated cheese should consult their doctor immediately. People can sometimes develop listeriosis even up to two months after eating contaminated food.