Tag: CDC

Duncan Hines cake mixes recalled; may be linked to outbreak investigation

Recalled Duncan Hines cake mixes

Conagra Brands is recalling four Duncan Hines brand cake mixes after Salmonella Agbeni was found in a retail sample of Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix.

According to the recall notice, the isolate may be linked to a cluster of five Salmonella illnesses currently under investigation by FDA and CDC. No information has been released as yet regarding the geographic distribution of the illnesses.

The FDA is conducting an inspection at the Conagra Brands-owned manufacturing facility that produced the cake mixes. The FDA is also collecting environmental and product samples.

Several of the individuals reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed these products raw and not baked.

The list of recalled products includes:

  • Duncan Hines Classic White Cake (15.25oz; UPC 644209307500; Best if used by MAR 7 2019, MAR 8 2019, MAR 9 2019, MAR 10 2019, MAR 12 2019, MAR 13 2019)
  • Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake (15.25oz; UPC 644209307494; Best if used by MAR 9 2019, MAR 10 2019, MAR 12 2019, MAR 13 2019)
  • Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake (15.25oz; UPC 644209307593; Best if used by MAR 7 2019, MAR 8 2019, MAR 9 2019)
  • Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake (15.25oz; UPC 644209414550; Best if used by MAR 12 2019, MAR 13 2019)

The products listed above were distributed for retail sale in the U.S. and limited international exports.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

What should retailers and restaurants do?

Retailers should not sell and should discard all recalled products.

Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

  • Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
  • Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
  • Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

What should consumers do?

The FDA is advising consumers not to bake with or eat any recalled cake mix. If already purchased, consumers should throw it away or return to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

FDA offers these tips for safe food handling to keep you and your family healthy:

  • Do not eat any raw cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
  • Wash hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour and raw batter or dough products.
  • Keep raw foods separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any contamination that may be present from spreading. Be aware that flour or cake mix may spread easily due to its powdery nature.

Consumers with questions should call the Duncan Hines Consumer Care team at 1-888-299-7646, open 9 am through 5 pm EST, Monday through Friday or visit www.duncanhines.com.

Human Salmonella illness linked to raw pet food

This story by Phyllis Entis was first published in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

A confirmed case of Salmonella Infantis illness has been linked to a raw pet food manufactured by Arrow Reliance, Inc., dba Darwin’s Natural Pet Products (Darwin’s), according to updated information released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The infected individual is one of 92 people infected with a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis outbreak since the beginning of 2018 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The individual reported having become ill after household pets ate raw ground chicken pet food manufactured by Darwin’s. According to a spokesperson for CDC, this individual did not report any pet illnesses.

The Salmonella Infantis outbreak has spread over 29 states and hospitalized 21 individuals.

Outbreak victims reported eating various brands and types of chicken products. A single, common supplier of either raw chicken products or live chickens has not been identified, according to CDC.

The outbreak strain has been recovered from samples of raw chicken products, from live chickens, and from raw chicken pet food.

According to a spokesperson for FDA, the outbreak strain is likely related to the Salmonella strain recovered from an adult dog that had recurring diarrhea as a result of consuming contaminated raw chicken dog food manufactured by Darwin’s.

The raw pet food fed to the infected dog also tested positive for Salmonella.

Darwin’s initiated a total of five voluntary recalls between October 17, 2016, and March 26, 2018, after being informed that Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O128 were found in some of the company’s raw pet food products.

CDC is reminding pet owners that Salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria in raw pet food can make pets sick. Household members also can become infected by handling the raw food or when caring for an infected pet.

FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

FDA, CDC investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to shell eggs

Raw shell eggs from Gravel Ridge Farms (Cullman County, Alabama) are being blamed for 14 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses in Tennessee and Alabama according to reports from FDA and CDC.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 10, 2018 to August 7, 2018; two victims were hospitalized.

Thirteen of the 14 outbreak patients reported eating restaurant dishes made with eggs. FDA and state partners traced the source of the shell eggs supplied to these restaurants to Gravel Ridge Farms.

On September 8th, Gravel Ridge Farms recalled Gravel Ridge Farms Large Cage Free Eggs (Single Dozen and 2.5 Dozen Flats; Use by 7/25/18 through 10/3/18; UPC 7-06970-38444-6), and has ceased the production and distribution of the product while FDA and the company investigate the source of the contamination.

Recalled product was distributed between 6/25/2018 and 9/6/2018. These products were packaged in a cardboard container and sold primarily in restaurants and retail stores in AL, GA, and TN.

The following retail stores carried the recalled eggs:

Atlanta
Candler Park Market
Grant Park Market
Westview Corner Market
Sevananda Natural Foods
The Merchantile

Birmingham
Piggly Wiggly Clairemont
Piggly Wiggly River Run
Piggly Wiggly Crestline
Piggly Wiggly Bluff Park
Piggly Wiggly Dunnavent Valley
Piggly Wiggly Warrior
Piggly Wiggly Homewood
Western Market Mt. Brook
Western Market Rocky Ridge
Foodland Eva
Warehouse Discount Grocery Hanceville
Warehouse Discount Grocery Cullman 2 locations
Foodland Priceville
Star Market Huntsville
Manna Grocery Tuscaloosa

Consumers who have purchased these products should return them to the store for refund or discard the product immediately. If any consumers have Gravel Ridge Farms eggs in their refrigerator, they should be discarded, regardless of the date stamped on the package. Consumers with questions may call Dustin Smith at 205-363-1105 M-F Between 8AM and 4PM Central Time.