Category: Salmonella

Salmonella Bareilly Infects 90 People

At least 90 people in 19 US states and the District of Columbia have been infected with a single outbreak strain of Salmonella Bareilly, according to media reports.

Food Safety News, msnbc.com and other media outlets have reported that FDA and CDC are jointly investigating this new Salmonella outbreak, which may be associated with the consumption of spicy tuna sushi rolls.

The news leaked today via a memo that was inadvertently circulated throughout FDA, spokesperson Curtis Allen told JoNel Aleccia of msnbc.com.

When contacted by eFoodAlert for confirmation, CDC spokesperson Lola Russell replied, “We haven’t confirmed any of the details of this outbreak as of yet – it is still under investigation and a food vehicle has not been identified.”

A survey of state health agencies, combined with the information contained in the original FDA memo, has yielded the following information as of April 3, 2012:

  1. Confirmed cases have been reported by Texas, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Missouri, New York State and Louisiana. The remaining eleven states have not yet been identified.
  2. No confirmed cases have been reported, and no suspect cases are currently under investigation, in Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Utah.
  3. Restaurant-associated illness clusters were identified in Texas, Wisconsin, Maryland and Connecticut. Illness clusters of this nature are often instrumental in determining the source of an outbreak strain.
  4. New York State has confirmed 17 cases of Salmonella Bareilly, excluding cases that may have been detected in New York City, which is served by its own Department of Health. One of the 17 New York State cases was hospitalized; the victim has since been discharged and is recovering. No additional cases are under investigation by the state’s Department of Health.
  5. Louisiana has reported two confirmed cases – one male and one female – both of whom were hospitalized and are described as “doing well.” No additional cases are under investigation in Louisiana at this time.
  6. The first outbreak case-patient became ill on February 3, 2012, according to information provided by Meghan Speakes of Louisiana’s Department of Health. Both Louisiana victims fell ill in mid February. The earliest case reported to New York State (outside of NYC) became ill on March 1st.
  7. New York State spokesman Peter Constantakes declined to comment on the possible association between the outbreak and the consumption of tuna roll sushi, preferring to defer to CDC, which is the lead investigating agency for the outbreak. Louisiana spokesperson Speakes confirmed that one of the two Louisiana victims reported having eaten spicy roll sushi; there was no food history available from the other victim.

While early media reports have pointed an accusing finger at spicy tuna roll sushi, it is too early to conclude that this is the definitive source of the outbreak. Even if the sushi proves to be a common element, FDA will need to carry out a trace-back investigation to determine – if possible – which component of the sushi roll may have been contaminated.

Recalls and Alerts: April 3, 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: Al Baghdadi Food Inc. (Hazel Park, MI) recalls All Baghdadi Food Fully Cooked Potato Chop Middle Eastern Brand Mashed Potato Stuffed with Beef Filling Artificially Colored (pkgs containing 12 pieces; Est 44182; Produced between Aug. 16, 2011 and April 2, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared soy and milk. The recalled products were sold to retail stores, institutions and wholesale establishments in Arizona, Illinois and Michigan.
  • Food Safety Recall: The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and of Health ordered the recall of raw milk sold in plastic bottles and raw milk cheese (Bearing date March 25, 2012) from Jersey Hollow Farm (Kutztown, PA) after an independent lab confirmed the presence of Salmonella in products from the dairy, according to a report on Food Safety News. No illness have been linked to this recall.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Prospect Enterprises, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) that a January/February 2012 inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility, American Fish & Seafood Company (Sacramento, CA) 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 Plenus Group Inc. (Lowell, MA) 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 Meherrin Agricultural & Chemical Co. (Severn, NC) that a November/December 2011 inspection of the company’s peanut butter processing plant (Hampton Farms Industrial Plant, Severn, NC) revealed serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Protica, Inc. (Whitehall, PA) that a September/October 2011 inspection of the company’s facility revealed significant violations from the requirements of the Acidified Foods Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations.
  • FDA Warning Letter: FDA warns Distribucion Y Representaciones Comerciales S.A. (Santiago, Chile) that a November 2011 inspection of the company’s juice processing facility revealed serious violations of the juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 120, and the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.
  • Outbreak Alert: According to Mary Rothschild of Food Safety News, FDA and CDC are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly poisoning that may be associated with the consumption of sushi. Ninety people have been sickened in 19 states and the District of Columbia as of yesterday.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market Canada, Inc. recalls Foodmatch Divina Cornichons (various weights; All sell-by dates up to and including 2012.04.27; UPC begins with 0 235048), due to the presence of undeclared sulphites. The recalled product was distributed in Ontario and British Columbia.
  • Allergy Alert: Les Aliments Johnvince Foods recalls Les Aliments Johnvince Julienne Soup Mix (750g; Lot 1 694 1; UPC 0 55144 43404 4) and Stock & Barrel Julienne Soup Mix (750g; Lot 1 709 1; UPC 0 64777 38133 5), due to the presence of undeclared egg. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario and Quebec.
  • Allergy Alert Update: Bramic Sales updates its earlier recall of Koh-Kae Coated Peanuts (various flavors; CFIA Recall Reference Numbers 7047 and 7051) to include all lot/date codes, because the products may contain undeclared milk.
  • Food Recall: Bramic Sales recalls Koh-Kae Peanuts Coffee Flavour Coated (265g; All lot codes; UPC 8 852023 664255), due to the presence of chemical additives. The recalled product was distributed in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): WP Meat A/S recalls Beef Hamburger, Minced Beef, Minced Pork, and Minced Pork and Veal (various fat content; various sizes; Best before 1/4, 2/4 and 4/4-2012), after a routine sample of the meat tested positive for Salmonella.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

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: March 31, 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: The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC and Giant Food, LLC recall Simply Enjoy Frozen Vanilla Cream Puffs (19.4-oz pkg; UPC 8826712409), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold in Giant Food supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, and in Stop & Shop supermarkets in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.
  • Allergy Alert: Taylor Farms New Jersey, Inc. (Swedesboro, NJ) recalls GOOD & deLISH ISLAND SEASONED CHICKEN (10-oz plastic trays and 12.5-lb cases; Est. No. P-3453; Case codes 089512 or 119312; Use by dates from March 30 to April 4, 2012), due to the presence of undeclared wheat and milk resulting from a labeling error. The recalled products were shipped to a distribution center and retail locations in the New York City area.
  • Outbreak Alert: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting three overlapping multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to exposure to small turtles or their environments. Sixty-six people in 16 states have been infected with one of the outbreak strains – Salmonella Sandiego, Salmonella Pomona and Salmonella Poona – since September 2011. Eleven people were hospitalized; 55% of the confirmed victims are children 10 years of age or younger.
  • Outbreak Alert (New York): The New York City Department of Health is investigating two cases (one confirmed) of botulism that may be associated with unrefrigerated fresh bulk tofu, according to WABC New York. Both patients are Chinese-speaking residents of Queens, and purchased the tofu from the same store in Flushing, NY.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Natural & Specialty Brands (Gormley, ON) recalls Sunstart Brand Chocolate & Orange Cookies (198g pkgs; UPC 8 77099 00005 5; Lot code L11139; Best if used by 2013 APR 26), due to the presence of undeclared milk. The product was distributed nationally.
  • Food Safety Recall: Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds Ltd. (Parkside, SK) recalls Mumm’s brand Sprouting Seeds – Sunflower (75g; UPC 7 73295 07582 3; Lot #SF2020), because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product is known to have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, and may have been distributed nationally.
  • Food Recall: Ontario Natural Food Co-op recalls Ontario Natural Food Co-op brand Organic Thyme, Organic Basil, Organic Italian Seasoning, Organic Savoury Seasoning, Organic Oregano and Organic Rosemary (21g pkgs; Best by May 2012), due to the presence of “non-harmful” extraneous material. The recalled products were sold in Ontario.

Europe

  • Food Safety Recall/Alert (Multiple Countries): Health authorities in the United Kingdom, France and Italy NOT TO USE food-grade chemicals purchased from Mistral Laboratory Chemicals (Antrim, Northern Ireland) or bearing the Mistral brand name. This warning follows the death of a woman at a private medical clinic in Italy, and the serious illness of two other people in Italy who were reported to have consumed “Sorbitol Food Grade” from this company. Lab analysis has determined that the product actually consisted of sodium nitrite, a food additive that can cause cardiovascular problems if consumed in large doses. The company has ceased all food product sales and is cooperating with the UK Food Standards Agency investigation.
  • Food Safety Recall (Greece): Unison Hellas recalls Yummy Gummy brand Meyveler, Hot Dog, Alligator, and Tarantula candies. Please refer to the recall notice for details.

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.