Category: food safety

BREAKING NEWS: Cases of Salmonella linked to recalled Malichita cantaloupes

Eight confirmed Canadian cases of a rare serotype of Salmonella (known as Salmonella Soahanina or Salmonella Sundsvall) have been linked to Malichita brand cantaloupes, according to the British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC).

These cantaloupes, which were imported from Mexico, have been the subject of recalls in recent days in both the United States and Canada.

The eight cases were reported in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health regions of Canada’s westernmost province. Outbreak victims range from less than one year to 68 years of age.

Genetic sequencing of the Salmonella bacteria shows a link between some of the BC cases and the strain of Salmonella found in the recalled cantaloupes.

The BCCDC is collaborating with BC’s regional health authorities, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to continue to investigate the outbreak.

On November 14, 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency updated an earlier recall notice to include all Malichita brand cantaloupes sold between October 11, 2023 and November 14, 2023, inclusive.

On November 9, 2023, SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC (dba Trufresh) of Nogales, Arizona, announced a recall of all sizes of fresh cantaloupes packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, sold under the following sales order numbers between October 16, 2023 and October 23, 2023.

What consumers in Canada and the United States should know

Consumers are advised to discard and not consume Malichita cantaloupes that have been recalled. If you have whole or pre-cut cantaloupes in your home and are unsure of their origin, discard them as a precaution.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

If you feel unwell, and especially if you have symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, do not cook or prepare food for other people.

If you suspect you are suffering from a Salmonella infection, consult your healthcare provider.

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Raw pet food implicated in Canadian Salmonella outbreak

Forty individuals—seventeen of them children under five years of age—have been infected with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Salmonella, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Thirteen people have been hospitalized.

Outbreak illnesses have been reported by six provinces: Manitoba (1), Ontario (14), Quebec (21), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (2), and Prince Edward Island (1).

The earliest cases date back to 2020, with most of the 40 cases reported in 2022 and 2023.

Exposure to raw pet food—or to dogs fed with raw pet food—has been identified as a likely source for at least some of the illnesses. Contact with cattle has also been identified as a likely source.

The outbreak strain was recovered from a sample of raw pet food obtained at the home of one of the outbreak victims. However, no single common supplier of raw pet food has been identified.

The Salmonella strain recovered from patients and from the pet food sample is resistant to all commonly recommended antibiotics, as well as older antibiotic drugs, making the infections difficult to treat.

The outbreak is ongoing, and the PHAC expects the number of cases to grow.

What consumers and pet owners should know

PHAC does not recommend feeding raw pet food to pets, especially in households with young children or individuals who have a compromised immune system, as they are at greater risk for more serious illness.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and abdominal cramps. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms from a Salmonella infection, contact your health care provider.

If you choose to feed raw pet food, please take the following precautions:

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after feeding, playing, handling or cleaning up after pets.
  • Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw pet food before using them again. This includes food and water bowls, countertops, microwaves and refrigerators.
  • Use dedicated dishes and utensils to serve your pet and wash them separately from other dishes and utensils.
  • Store all pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children. Pick up treats and food bowls when your pet is done with them.
  • Raw pet food may need to be stored frozen or refrigerated. If thawing raw food:
    • Keep your pet’s food away from human food
    • Place it in a sealed, clean container that will hold any juices that may leak out
    • Thaw only as much as needed
    • Thaw on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator
    • Do not re-freeze food after thawing
  • Don’t allow your dog to lick your face, mouth, or open wounds.

If you come into contact with cattle, please take the following precautions:

  • Always wash your hands before and after you touch cattle, or anything in the areas where they live, roam or eat. Wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
  • If visiting a farm or petting zoo, wash your hands when you leave animal areas, even if you did not touch the animals directly.
  • Do not eat or drink around cattle. Keep food and drinks away from animal areas.
  • Always supervise children around animals, such as cattle. Do not let children put their fingers or objects (like pacifiers) in their mouths when they are around animals or in an animal area.


“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

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FDA issues new compliance measures for infant formula testing and reporting

This report by Coral Beach first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

In response to the infant formula supply crisis in 2022 and the deadly infections that led to it, the FDA has updated its infant formula compliance program.

An outbreak of Cronobacter infections in five infants, two of whom died, started in the fall of 2021 and stretched into early 2022. Abbott Nutrition initiated a recall of Similac infant formula powder and other brands in February 2022. The recall led to a nationwide shortage and left parents driving for hours in search of formula for their babies.

During its investigation, the Food and Drug Administration found Cronobacter contamination in Abbott’s production plant in Sturgis, MI. The agency also discovered that the company had tested product and received positive outcomes for Cronobacter, which Abbott had not reported to the FDA.

In May 2022, after grueling congressional hearings, FDA officials launched an internal investigation that included review of issues raised by a whistleblower complaint. The new compliance program is in response to that investigation. The program covers FDA investigators, laboratory analysts, and compliance officers. 

“The infant formula compliance program is designed to comprehensively outline the agency’s approach for inspections, sample collection, sample analysis, and compliance activities to help ensure that infant formula products in the U.S. food supply are safe and nutritious,” according to a statement from FDA.

“The FDA has now published its updated compliance program, which builds on lessons learned over the last several years to elaborate on our approaches for inspections, sampling, laboratory analysis, and imported infant formula products.”

Going forward, to be in compliance entities must follow updated instructions for annual environmental sampling at powdered infant formula production facilities. Those sampling tests must include Cronobacter and Salmonella. If testing shows either of the pathogens the FDA must be notified. The agency also must be notified if testing shows nutrients that are above or below required levels per the FDA’s infant formula regulation.

The compliance program also includes instructions for how product or environmental positives identified during records reviews should be immediately escalated to the appropriate subject matter expert within the Human Foods Program at the Food and Drug Administration.

Additional background on the risks associated with Salmonella and Cronobacter in infant formula products, and the conditions that could lead to environmental contamination within the manufacturing facilities, is included in the updated compliance program. 

In addition, it further elaborates on new infant formula related requirements that were included in the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act of 2022.

All updates related to the FDA’s oversight of infant formula can be found on the FDA’s Infant Formula webpage.

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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.

Amazon
Apple
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Chapters/Indigo