In my opinion: Tularemia and pet food

There are many problems within the pet food industry: Salmonella, pentobarbital, substandard ingredients, unsanitary production environments, to name a few.

Pet food blogger Susan Thixton would like you to believe that tularemia should be added to the list.

In her post titled The Deadly Pet Food Bacteria Cover-up dated September 6, 2019, Thixton alleges that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are covering up a deadly outbreak of tularemia linked to a defunct Mars PetCare production facility in Joplin, Missouri.

According to Thixton, the most recent diagnosis was in August 2019.

The facility was closed down in 2013.

The article alleges that “multiple individuals have been diagnosed (confirmed through blood testing) with tularemia that either worked for, delivered to, or is a family member (of someone who worked for or delivered to) the closed Mars Petcare pet food plant located in Joplin, MO.” (emphasis hers)

According to Thixton, “the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Kansas Health Department confirmed to multiple individuals they were exposed to the deadly bacteria at the pet food plant” (emphasis hers)

She has published these allegations without providing any data or other substantiating information to support her claims.

Thixton claims that the exposure to Francisella tularensis, the bacterium that causes tularemia, was through “…exposure to rendered pet food ingredients”. She also states that the microbe “…can survive for decades in soil and water.”

Let me shine the light of science on these allegations.

A few facts about tularemia and Francisella tularensis

The incubation period (the time between exposure and onset of illness) for this disease is typically 3-5 days in most cases, although infections can take up to 14 days to develop.
Francisella tularensis is endemic in the rabbit and small rodent population in parts of the United States and elsewhere around the world. The most common source of transmission is via bites from ticks and deer flies.
Francisella tularensis also can be transmitted in food and water, by contact with infected sick or dead animals, and by exposure to aerosols (notably during grass cutting and haying operations)
Francisella tularensis can survive for weeks (not decades) in water and soil.

How common is tularemia in the United States?

There were 198 diagnosed cases of tularemia in the United States in 2018. There have been 144 cases so far this year.
The incidence of tularemia in the US has been dropping since 1950 (the first year for which data are readily available), during which 927 cases were reported to CDC.
The five states with the highest incidence of tularemia (reported as cases per 100,000 population) during the period 2000-2017 are: South Dakota (1.49), Oklahoma (1.04), Arkansas (1.03), Kansas (1.00), and Montana (0.57).

Is tularemia likely to be transmitted by rendered pet ingredients?

Francisella tularensis can be killed by heating to 50ºC (122ºF) for 15 minutes.
Temperatures used in the rendering process typically reach 115-145ºC (245-290ºF) for 40-90 minutes.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Francisella tularensis does not survive rendering.
Francisella tularensis survives weeks – not decades – in soil and water.
Francisella tularensis has an incubation period of 1-14 days.
Francisella tularensis is a rare disease that has been relatively stable in its incidence for several decades.

Thixton’s allegations do not hold water on several fronts.

She claims the problem to be ongoing, yet states that the exposure was at the Mars PetCare plant that closed down in 2013. Anyone exposed to Francisella tularensis in 2013 would have developed symptoms within two weeks of exposure – not six years later.
She claims – without supporting data – that the source of the exposure was rendered pet food ingredients. Yet, Francisella tularensis cannot survive temperatures far milder than those used in rendering.
She claims the bacteria survive in soil and water for decades, whereas the scientific literature reports survival in terms of weeks.

Don’t take my word for this. Go to the sources

I have spent four decades working in and writing about food safety, including pet food safety.

I am always prepared to call out misbehavior on the part of companies large and small. I did so in the pentobarbital scandals.

I am not prepared to stand by while the credibility of food safety advocates such as myself is damaged by the publication of allegations not supported by documentation or scientific research.

Recalls and Alerts: September 5 – 7, 2019

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.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

Public Health Alert: FDA advises consumers to avoid yellowfin tuna from Kroger stores in AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NE, OH, SC, TN, VA and WV (Sell by dates August 29, 2019 to September 14, 2019) due to reports of scromboid poisoning.

Food Safety Recall: House of Spices (India) recalls MDH SAMBAR MASALA (3.5 oz/100g; Lots 47, 48 & 107; Expiration dates Dec 2021, Dec 2021, Nov 2021 respectively; UPC 6291103750327) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: BCI Foods, Inc. recalls approximately 3,304 pounds of meat and poultry soup products that were not presented for import re-inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Conagra Brands recalls Udi’s Classic Hamburger Buns (8-pack/10.4ozBag closure code 191971U; Item UPC 00-6-98997-80913-5) due to potential foreign matter (small pieces of white plastic) contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: 9355936 Canada Inc. recalls The Good Diet (TGD) brand Protein Meal Excellent Sloppy Joe (5-count; All date codes; UPC 0657258 923812) and The Good Diet (TGD) brand Protein Meal Delicious Chili (5-count; All date codes; UPC 657258 92429) due to undeclared soy.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Maître Saladier Inc. recalls St-Hubert brand Chicken Breast Nuggets (680g; All lot codes beginning with B19084, B29084, & B39084: UPC 0 66701 00504 1) due to foreign matter (bone fragments) contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Saucisses et Salami Mondial recalls JAMBON PARISIEN / Parisian ham and JAMBON PARISIEN au dijon / with dijon mustard (150g, sliced; All units with Best before dates up to and including 20 September 2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Europe

OUTBREAK ALERT (NORWAY): The Public Health Institute, Food Safety Authority and other federal and municipal agencies are investigating three cases of a single variant of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli to determine whether there is a common source for the infections.

OUTBREAK ALERT – DOGS (NORWAY): The Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Veterinary Institute are investigating an outbreak of severe diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Autopsies conducted on three of the dogs have revealed severe bowel disease. Two different pathogenic bacteria – Clostridium perfringens and Providencia – have been recovered from the autopsied dogs. A definite cause of the illnesses has not yet been determined and the source has not been discovered. No human illnesses relating to this outbreak have been reported.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Albert Heijn brand AH Linzenburger / AH Lentil burger (200g; Best before 20-09-2019) due to undeclared oat gluten.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): ALDI Danmark recalls Mama Mancini Lasagne (1kg; Best before 18.09.2019) due to lack of Danish allergen declaration resulting in undeclared milk, wheat flour and eggs.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Cashews (200g; Best before 12-2019) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Salmon Salad (140g; Best before 18-09-2019) due to undeclared fish and celery.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls Albert Heijn brand AH Linzenburger / AH Lentil burger (200g; Best before 20-09-2019) due to undeclared oat gluten.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Albert Heijn brand AH Maaltijdsalade Tonijn / AH Tuna Meal Salad (450g; Best before 07+08+09/09/2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Nordic Food Partners A/S recalls Rema 1000 brand loose rice in cooking bag (Best before 22.04.2021 & 23.05.2021) due to insect infestation.

Food Safety Recall (France): SCHNEIDER FOOD recalls Traiteur Schneider brand Garniture pour Flammekueche (500g, 2.5kg & 5Kg; All batch codes) Garniture pour Flammekueche Extra-Crémeuse (475g; All batch codes) and Flamm’Kit (All batch codes) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché and Coursesu recall COMPTOIRS DES AFFINEUR brand Bethmale au lait cru / raw milk cheese (various lots and Best before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes.

Food Safety Recall (France): Géantcasino and Coursesu recall COMPTOIRS DES AFFINEUR brand Bethmale au lait cru / raw milk cheese (various lots and Best before dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Polo Nord Ice Cubes S.r.l. recalls Ghiaccio alimentare a cubetti / ice cubes (2Kg bag; Lot #9057; Best before 31/08/2020) due to elevated E. coli levels.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jan Linders recalls Half-to-half Spiced Chopped meat (300g; Batch/lot code XX-1935602; Best before 09/09/2019) due to foreign matter (blue plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Spain): SABORES DE PATERNA S.C.A. recalls various Sabores de Paterna brand meat products due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a list of affected products.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Singapore): Angliss Singapore Pte Ltd recalls Funky Fields brand Organic Vegan Spreadable (225g; Best before 21-02-2020 & 06-03-2020; Product of Denmark) due to undeclared milk.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): The Gluten Free Food Co. recalls Gluten Free Vegan Mac N Cheez original cheez and Gluten Free Food Co Vegan Mac n Cheez Cheez n Chive (200g; Batch code 1909401; Best before 17/10/20, 19/12/20, 18/12/20) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Multigoods Ltd recalls Haidilao brand Butter Hot Pot Seasoning (500g; All batches) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Coles Supermarkets recalls Coles Brand Fresh Full Cream Milk (2L; Use by 13 September 2019) due to chemical contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Metcash recalls Community Co Black Peppercorn Grinder (50gm; All stock), Community Co Pink Himalayan Salt Grinder (115gm; All stock) and Community Co Sea Salt Grinder (50gm; All stock) due to foreign matter (plastic fragments) contamination.

FDA finds pathogens in Aunt Jeni’s dog foods. Warns pet owners

FDA is warning consumers to avoid feeding certain lots of two Aunt Jeni’s raw, frozen dog foods to their pets, due to possible contamination with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes.

The warning comes after the agency detected the pathogens in samples of the dog food analyzed as part of a routine inspection of the company’s production facility.

The recalled products

Aunt Jeni’s Home Made, Turkey Dinner Dog Food (5 lb / 2.3kg; lot 175199 JUL2020)
Aunt Jeni’s Home Made, Chicken Dinner Dog Food (5 lb / 2.3kg; lot 1152013 JUL2020)

The Turkey Dinner sample tested positive for Salmonella Infantis. The Chicken Dinner sample tested positive for both Salmonella Infantis and Listeria monocytogenes.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture issued a stop sale for these products on August 20, 2019, preventing their further distribution.

Aunt Jeni’s Home Made products are sold frozen, and are available on-line and through retail locations. The company is based in Temple Mount, Maryland.

The health implications

Salmonella can cause gastrointestinal illness in both people and their pets. In many cases, dogs may become infected and may shed Salmonella in their feces without showing any outward symptoms.

Common symptoms of Salmonella in people include diarrhea, low-grade fever, and abdominal cramps lasting several days. Dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), loss of appetite, and/or decreased activity.

Although many Salmonella infections are relatively mild and self-limiting, children and the elderly are especially susceptible to the effects of dehydration resulting from diarrhea.

Listeria monocytogenes does not often cause illness in dogs, but occasionally can do so. Typical symptoms may include mild to severe diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular and respiratory signs; abortion; depression; shock; and death.

Dogs that are infected but asymptomatic are still able to pass their infection along to human handlers.

Children, the elderly, pregnant woman, and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to severe symptoms as a result of a Listeria monocytogenes infection.

What consumers should do

If you have any of the affected product, stop feeding it to your pets and throw it away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it. If you have had this product in your home, you should clean refrigerators/freezers where the product was stored and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with.
If you think you have symptoms of Salmonella or L. monocytogenes infection, consult your health care provider.
People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.
FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. This information helps FDA further protect human and animal health.