Category: Salmonella

Why I STILL Don’t Eat Sushi

Four years ago last month, I wrote an article titled “Why I Don’t Eat Sushi Or Sashimi” after ten patrons of a restaurant in Kisai, Japan were diagnosed with cholera contracted as a result of having eaten contaminated sashimi.

I was taken to task by a reader who pointed out that FDA and the European Union require that fish used for sushi and sashimi be frozen before consumption in order to kill parasites. “So while there might be issues in Japan and other places,” my reader opined, “the EU and USA are relatively safe places to eat sashimi and sushi.”

In response to this comment, I explained that freezing the fish does not provide any protection against food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella, unsanitary handling practices, cross-contamination or poor temperature control.

I suggest that the 258 victims of this year’s Salmonella Bareilly/Salmonella Nchanga outbreak would agree that eating raw sushi may be a risky business – especially when the sushi contains Nakaochi Scrape.

Today’s update from CDC revealed that the Salmonella outbreak now covers 24 states, including California, where the importer of the contaminated tuna is located. Thirty-two out of 258 outbreak victims have been hospitalized.

Sushi Case Count Map As of May 2, 2012 (source CDC)

Victims of this outbreak range in age from 4 to 86 years (median age of 30). More than half (57%) of the confirmed case patients are female. Illness onset dates range between January 28th and April 20th.

The Epi curve (a bar chart showing illness onset dates) clearly indicates that additional cases are likely to be reported. The shaded area in this chart indicates the time frame within which additional cases may have developed, but have not yet been confirmed or reported to CDC.

Confirmed infections by date of illness onset as of May 2, 2012 (source CDC)

While this outbreak plays out, CDC continues to offer the following advice:

CDC’s Advice to Consumers

  • Do not eat the recalled frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, from Moon Marine USA Corporation. This product is tuna backmeat that is scraped from the bones of tuna and may be used to make sushi, particularly “spicy tuna” sushi.
  • If you purchase “spicy tuna” or other sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or similar dishes that might contain Nakaochi Scrape tuna product from a restaurant or grocery store, check with the establishment to make sure that it does not contain raw recalled product from Moon Marine USA Corporation. When in doubt, don’t eat it.
  • Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw Nakaochi Scrape tuna product should consult their healthcare providers.
  • Infants, older adults, pregnant women, and persons with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness and should not eat raw or partially cooked fish or shellfish. If you are unsure of your risk, ask your healthcare provider.

CDC’s Advice to Retailers and Establishments

  • Do not serve raw recalled frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, from Moon Marine USA Corporation. If you do not know the source of your raw scraped yellowfin tuna product, check with your supplier.

CDC and FDA have been close-mouthed, as usual, regarding the retail distribution of the Nakaochi Scrape tuna product that is behind this Salmonella outbreak. California, though, has published a list of restaurants and sushi bars that are known to have been supplied with the implicated tuna.

Recalls and Alerts: May 1, 2012

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

  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert Update: Smiling Hara (Asheville, NC) recalls all Smiling Hara products manufactured between January 11th and April 11th, 2012, including unpasteurized soybean tempeh (Best by 7/11/12 through 10/25/12; Manufactured between January 11th and April 11th, 2012), after samples of the tempeh collected by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during a routine inspection tested positive for Salmonella. The state’s Division of Public Health will be conducting tests to determine whether the Salmonella found in the tempeh matches the outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B that has sickened at least 37 people so far. Outbreak cases appear to have been associated with residence or travel to Buncombe County, NC since February 28th. Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a shared-use food production facility where Smiling Hara manufactured and packaged its tempeh, has temporarily halted its normal production schedule and has initiated extensive environmental testing of its facility.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Diamond Pet Foods expands its earlier recalls once again to include Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bags (Production codes DPP0401B22XJW, DPP0401A21XAW, DPP0101C31XME and DPP0401B21XDJ; Best by dates 6-Apr-2013, 6-Apr-2013, 11-Jan-2013 and 7-Apr-2013, respectively), Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food, 20-lb bags (Production codes DPP0401B22XJW, DPP0101C31XME, and DPP0101C31XRB; Best by dates 6-Apr-2013, 11-Jan-2013, and 11-Jan-2013, respectively), Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food, 8-lb bags (Production code DPP0401B2XALW; Best by date 7-Apr-2013), and Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food, 6-oz samples (Production code DPP0401), because sampling revealed Salmonella in the product. The recalled dry dog food was manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in Gaston, SC and was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The product may have been further distributed to additional states through pet food channels.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. The product was distributed to retailers and distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, and also was exported to countries around the world.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Florida’s Finest Seafood Company (Lauderhill, FL) that a February/March 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Vince & Sons Pasta Company (Bridgeview, IL) that a February/March 2012 inspection of the company’s processing facility found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns SEI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Miami, FL) that a September 2011 inspection of the company’s dietary supplement manufacturing facility revealed significant violations of FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Oriental Packing Co. Inc. (Miami, FL) that a December 2011/January 2012 inspection of the company’s spice processing facility documented serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.

Canada

  • Food Safety Recall: True North Salmon Co. Ltd. recalls True North Salmon Co. Ltd Mussels (50-lb and 10-lb; Lot #12011; Best Before May 3, 2012), due to the presence of marine biotoxin. The recalled mussels were distributed to retailers and institutions in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (Product of USA; please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012 and was exported to Canada.

Europe

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (Product of USA; please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. The product was exported to the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Russia, and Sweden.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (Product of USA; please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. The product was exported to Abu Dhabi, Brunei, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, and Thailand.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Recall (Australia): Hans Continental Smallgoods recalls Hans Cocktail Franks, unpackaged (use by 26 May 2012), due to the presence of blue plastic in the products. The recalled franks were sold from Woolworths delicatessens between 18 and 30 April, inclusive.
  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (Product of USA; please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. The product was exported to Australia and New Zealand.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Pet Food Safety Recall: Kaytee Pet Products recalls Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster feed (Product of USA; please see recall notice for product details) after a random sample test conducted by FDA had a positive Salmonella result. The recalled batch was originally manufactured on January 5 and 6, 2012. The product was exported to Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Trinidad.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.

Recalls and Alerts: April 30, 2012

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

  • Allergy Alert: Isernio’s Sausage Co. withdraws 150 lbs of  Isernio’s Fresh Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage, because the labeling of the product failed to note that the product contains milk, a known allergen. Customers with questions or concerns about the voluntary product withdrawal should contact Michael Durand at 206-762-6207.
  • Food Safety Recall: Henry’s Farm Inc. (Woodford, VA) recalls Soybean Sprouts (approx 10-lb bulk bags; no lot number or date code) and Grown in Natural Spring Water Soybean Sprouts (approx 1.5-lb clear plastic packages; No lot or date code) , because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled sprouts were distributed to retail stores in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
  • Outbreak Alert Update: The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B infections reported by the Buncombe (North Carolina) County Department of Health has grown to 34 cases as of today (April 30th). Cases still appear to have been associated with residence or travel to Buncombe County since February 28, 2012. Health labs do not yet have final lab results that would enable identification of a specific source of the infections. Final lab characterization of the outbreak strain is expected near the end of the week.
  • Outbreak Alert: At least 30 residents, staff and visitors at the Blue Water Lodge senior living center in Fort Gratiot, Michigan have been stricken with norovirus, according to the St. Clair County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: Twenty-seven participants at a luncheon event for the Pueblo Community Health Center developed gastroenteritis, according to the Pueblo City-County Health Department.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed cases of E. coli O157 infection in three children who attend the same Cocke County day care facility. All three children were hospitalized; the investigation is ongoing.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Little B’s Bakery recalls Little B’s Bakery Chocolate Coconut Haystacks (380g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012) and Little B’s Bakery Coconut Haystacks (320g; Best before dates up to and including May 18, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.
  • Allergy Alert: New World Imports Ltd., Far East North America Food Ltd., Sea Links Foods Trading (Canada) and Choy Foong International Trading Co. Ltd. recall Koh-Kae Peanuts Coconut Cream Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664248) and/or Koh-Kae Peanuts Coffee Flavour Coated (255g; All codes; UPC 8 852023 664255), due to the presence of undeclared egg and additives. The recalled products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
  • Outbreak Alert (Prince Edward Island): The PEI Department of Health and Wellness is investigating a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among several people who at food distributed as part of a community meal from the Princetown United Church in Malpeque. The victims report having experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls Pierre Chanau chez Auchan Côtes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2010 (Lot L 12054; Bar code 3254569571946), due to the presence of glass fragments in certain bottles of the incriminated lot.
  • Outbreak Alert/Investigation (Russia): Consumption of Familiar Recipes brand Potato Cutlets, sold by the Vester supermarket (Soviet Prospect, 159, Kaliningrad) has been linked to nine cases of enterocolitis, including four Salmonella enteritidis infections, according to a report from IA Regnum. The investigation is ongoing.
  • Outbreak Alert Update (Wales): Public Health Wales reports four additional cases of cryptosporidiosis associated with Cwmbran farm, bringing the total number of diagnosed cases to eight. All patients are either members of staff or volunteers who bottle fed unwell animals, which have since been removed from the farm.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Chinese Medicine Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Hip Wo Medicine Company Limited recalls Radix Aconiti Lateralis (all batches), because it has been found contaminated by another Chinese herbal medicine, processed Radix Aconiti, both of which contains aconitum alkaloids.
  • Outbreak Alert (China): A total of 129 students in a kindergarten today ill after eating school breakfast in the province of Yunnan, southwest China. Initial investigations implicate improperly cooked soy milk as the source of the illnesses.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): An outbreak of typhoid has sickened approximately 100 people in Maydolong (Eastern Samar). Contaminated water is suspected.
  • Outbreak Alert (Philippines): The Department of Health-Cordillera reports an increase in cases of acute bloody diarrhea in the region this calendar year. Health officials have recorded 479 cases during the first 16 weeks of 2012, up from 388 cases during the same period last year.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Eighty-four children and three adults were treated in hospitals in Acapulco for suspected poisoning after celebrating Children’s Day by sharing a meal of beef barbecue, spaghetti and cake at Juan R. Escudero grade school.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): At least 20 children and 3 teachers were treated for food poisoning after eating chicken salad, served during Children’s Day celebrations at the Day Care Centre located in subdivision DIF Prairie River in Ciudad Valles.
  • Outbreak Alert (Mexico): Health officials are investigating an outbreak of food poisoning among children at the Gilberto Owen Kindergarten located in the cidy of Los Mochis. Thirty six youngsters developed stomach pain, nausea and vomiting within minutes of eating chicken provided to them at the kindergarten. Four adults also complained of symptoms.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.
**Includes Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs and Pak N’ Save.