Tag: FDA

Cross-border outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and various state and provincial agencies are jointly investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in eleven US states and two Canadian provinces.

The genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 recovered from patients appears to be the same as the strain implicated in a 2017 outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to leafy greens in the USA and to romaine lettuce in Canada.

The current outbreak appears to be linked to romaine lettuce, based on epidemiological evidence. FDA is conducting lab tests and traceback investigations to determine the source or sources of the lettuce.

CDC reports 32 cases in 11 states: California (10), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (3), New York (2), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (1). Thirteen people have been hospitalized.

In Canada, confirmed outbreak cases have been reported in Ontario (3) and Quebec (15). Six people have been hospitalized, one of them suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The outbreak began in October in both countries, with the onset of the first case in the US on October 6th; the initial cases in Canada developed the week of October 14th. Additional cases are expected in both countries.

CDC is advising U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until more is learned about the outbreak. The CDC investigation is ongoing and the agency will issue updates as more information is available.

PHAC recommends that consumers in Ontario and Quebec should avoid eating romaine lettuce and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce until more is known about the outbreak and the cause of contamination.

FDA recommends that consumers not eat romaine lettuce or any mixed salads containing romaine, until more information on the source of the contamination and the status of the outbreak can be determined. Consumers are advised to discard any romaine lettuce or mixed salads containing romaine.

 

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.