Tag: Salmonella

Jif Salmonella outbreak much larger than reported by CDC

In the weeks and months following the May 20, 2022, recall of Jif peanut butter products, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than 200 reports from consumers complaining of illness after consuming the recalled products.

This information was supplied to eFoodAlert by the FDA in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

In comparison, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported just twenty-one confirmed cases of Salmonella Senftenberg linked to consumption of Jif peanut butter.

It is usual for an outbreak of foodborne illness to be significantly larger than indicated by CDC statistics. Indeed, the CDC reminded the public of this in its investigation report, saying, “The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.”

By the numbers

The CDC tally

The CDC received lab-confirmed reports of outbreak cases in 21 individuals from 17 different states. Four people were hospitalized.

  • The first victim (“Patient Zero”) became ill on February 19, 2022.
  • The 21st victim became ill on May 23, 2022.
  • The youngest victim was less than one year old.
  • The oldest victim was 85 years old.
  • The median age of the victims was 59 years.
  • 75% of the victims were female.
  • 100% of the victims interviewed reported having consumed Jif peanut butter in the days before becoming ill.

The FDA tally

From January 1, 2022, through October 11, 2022, the FDA fielded a total of 320 queries and complaints relating to Jif peanut butter. Of these, 319 were specifically related to products manufactured at the Lexington, Kentucky, manufacturing plant linked to the outbreak.

  • 235 of the complainants reported having suffered an illness after consuming Jif peanut butter
  • 204 of the complainants reported specific symptoms; the remaining 31 reports mentioned “illness” or “adverse events”
  • Most of the individuals who reported symptoms suffered from multiple ill effects, including:
    • diarrhea: 166
    • cramps or abdominal pain: 124
    • vomiting: 80
    • nausea: 67
    • fever or chills: 63
    • Weakness, lethargy or fatigue: 33
    • headache: 31
    • Fainting, disorientation, dizziness, brain fog: 10
  • 8 reported bloody diarrhea
  • 4 reported a confirmed Salmonella diagnosis
  • 2 suffered from colitis
  • 2 suffered sepsis (a potentially serious, more generalized infection)
  • 1 individual reported a perforated bowel and peritonitis
  • 1 reported kidney failure

The recall

On May 20, 2022, The J.M. Smucker Co. announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter manufactured at its Lexington, Kentucky, production facility during a period of several months, up to and including the recall date.

The recall notice listed a variety of products and packaging formats from individual serving size packets weighing less than one ounce to 96-ounce twin packs, including:

As of October 21, 2022, the recall has not been completed.

The takeaways

CDC versus FDA reporting

The differences between the data reported by the FDA and the CDC are a function of how the two agency systems operate.

The CDC relies on reports of lab-confirmed cases of foodborne illness, and reports only on those cases, whereas the FDA receives and tabulates complaints from consumers, regardless of whether or not there was lab confirmation of an infection.

Both systems provide useful and complementary information that enables epidemiologists to determine the scope of an outbreak and–with a bit of luck thrown in to season the pot–trace it to its source.

In fact, it is likely that the number of people affected by the contaminated peanut butter was far larger even than the 200+ individuals reported by the FDA. There is no way of knowing how many people suffered mild symptoms and either didn’t realize they were linked to a Jif product or didn’t bother making a report.

The consequences for the company

In 2006, Peter Pan peanut butter manufactured by ConAgra was responsible for an outbreak of 425 Salmonella infections. An FDA inspection revealed that the company had been aware of a Salmonella contamination problem in their production plant, but did not reveal this information to the FDA investigation team. The government laid charges against ConAgra and entered into a plea agreement with the company in 2015. ConAgra pled guilty to a criminal misdemeanor, was fined $8 million, and had to forfeit an additional $3.2 million in assets.

In 2009, Peanut Corporation of America was responsible for a deadly outbreak of Salmonella infections that sickened 714 people and killed nine of them. Company management had knowingly shipped contaminated peanut butter to its customers. Once again, the government brought criminal charges. This time, the owners received prison sentences.

In 2012, Sunland Inc., the largest producer of organic peanut butter in the USA, was the source of a Salmonella outbreak that sickened 42 people. Again, the coupany was found to have knowingly shipped contaminated product. The FDA suspended Sunland’s food facility registration, effectively shutting down the company’s operations, but no charges were laid.

Earlier today, the FDA declined eFoodAlert’s request for a copy of the Jif Establishment Inspection Report on the basis that, “…disclosure could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.”

The FDA has a range of possible enforcement proceedings at its disposal, ranging from a simple Warning Letter all the way up to referring the case to the Department of Justice for the laying of criminal charges.

Watch this space…

Read more about Salmonella in peanut butter in TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures, now available in digital, print and audiobook editions.

TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Recalls and Alerts: October 29-31, 2022

TAINTED formats 3

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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

TAINTED is now available FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Food Safety Recall: Foster Farms recalls approximately 148,000 pounds of fully cooked frozen chicken breast patty products due to possible foreign matter contamination (hard, clear pieces of plastic). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Denmark): Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut reports an outbreak of five cases of Listeria monocytogenes since August 18, 2022. The Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Norwegian Food Institute DTU are investigating the outbreak

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Dibro recalls Dibro brand Préparation pour pain BLANC (sans gluten) / Gluten-free mix for white bread (2 kg; Batch 202290876; Best before 24/09/2023) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): ZOETE POTJES recalls ZOETE POTJES brand Confiture Abricot-Amaretto / Apricot-Amaretto jam (225g; Lots 211231B, 220406A, 220614A) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (Spain): EL CORTE INGLES recalls EL CORTE INGLES brand LASAGNA BOLOGNESE, frozen (2 x 300g; Batch 22179; Best before 03/28/2024) due to undeclared crustaceans.

Food Safety Recall (France): ETABLISSEMENTS CLERMONT Viandes CLERMONT recalls CLERMONT brand Demi jambonneau cuit supérieur avec couenne pané / Superior cooked half ham with breaded rind (Lot 2660124855; Use by 17/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Dai Phat recalls Nam Meo brand Black Fungus (100g; Best before 10.10.2023; Product of Vietnam) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Bartoloni Carni di Bartoloni Elisabetta & C. snc recalls Bartolini Carni brand salsiccia stagionata / Seasoned sausage (Production lot 13/09/2022; Expiry date 23/05/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Ichiban Pacific (H.K.) Ltd recalls Frozen tuna fillet (Lot VN 166 VI 157; Expiry July 5, 2024; Product of Vietnam) due to presence of histamine. This product has been the source of restaurant-associated food poisoning.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (New Zealand): The outbreak of hepatitis A infections linked to frozen berries has increased to 21 cases. Nine people have been hospitalized.

Recalls and Alerts: October 27-28, 2022

TAINTED formats 3

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.

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

TAINTED is now available FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

United States

Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market recalls Dipping Caramel by the Pound (Sell by 10/25/22 – 11/15/22; Product code 34888) due to undeclared wheat. The recalled product was sold in five stores in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Allergy Alert: Daiso California LLC recalls Tiramisu Twist Cookies (3.4oz(96g) packages; SKU #4562138450820) due to undeclared almonds and hazelnuts. The recalled product was sold in Daiso stores in California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, New York, and New Jersey.

Allergy Alert: Zingerman’s Creamery recalls various Paw Paw Gelato and Harvest Pumpkin Gelato products due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for details of the affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Lone Star Bakery, Inc. recalls BOOMERANG’S BEEF SHEPHERD’S PIE (8 oz carton pkgs; Use by Sept. 23, 2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (copper wire pieces).

Food Safety Recall: JYC Enterprise, Inc. recalls approximately 33,280 pounds of frozen chicken and pork potsticker products that were repackaged, relabeled, and distributed without the benefit of federal inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Sweden): Swedish public health authorities continue to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses that has now affected 95 people since September 17, 2022. The source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.

Allergy Alert (France): MEZZE EXPRESS recalls chtoura garden brand foul medammas / canned broad beans (24x475g; Lot 5831; Use by 01/01/2025) due to undeclared sulphites.

Allergy Alert (UK): Hammonds of Knutsford recalls BuzzBallz Choc Tease Cocktail (200ml can and 3x 200ml multipack; All batch codes) due to undeclared milk and sulphites.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): CARREFOUR recalls Carrefour brand Maquereau Fumé / Smoked mackerel (300g; Use by 7/11/2022; All lots containing “1310”) and Carrefour brand Cœur de maquereau fumé / Smoked mackerel fillet (150g; Use by 5/11/2022; All lots containing “1310”) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CHEVENET SARL recalls CHEVENET brand FROMAGE de CHEVRE FRAIS / Fresh goat cheese (Multiple lot codes and Best before dates) due to shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR recalls Reflets de France brand Pâté au piment d’Espelette Recette Basque bocal / Basque recipe pâté with Espelette peppers (180g; Lot 11/04/26; Use by 11/04/2026) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SUPERMARCHES MATCH recalls PPNP (Préparé Par Nos Pros) brand Vol au vent Jambon, Vol au vent Jambon – Champignons, Vol au vent Quenelles de veau jambon champignons, Vol au vent Chèvre jambon / various varieties of Vol au vent (Packed between 21/10/2022 and 26/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SUPERMARCHES MATCH recalls PPNP (Préparé Par Nos Pros) brand Hawaienne, Pizza Jambon, Pizza Jambon – Champignons / Hawaiian pizza, Ham pizza and Ham & mushroom pizza (Packed between 21/10/2022 and 26/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SUPERMARCHES MATCH recalls PPNP (Préparé Par Nos Pros) brand Crêpes Jambon, Crêpes Jambon champignons / Ham crêpes and Ham & mushroom crêpes ((Packed between 21/10/2022 and 26/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): TY Producteurs recalls ty producteurs brand jambon à l’ancienne vendu tranché en magasin et sur marché / old-style ham, sold by the slice (Lot 22279) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Efefirat Warenvertriebs GmbH recalls Halva mit Pistazien / Pistachio halvah (350g; Lot PND 2206; Use by 22.06.2024) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Glenhaven Deli Style Premium Breaded Chicken Goujons, frozen (1 kg; Batch codes 22273B & 22276B; Best before end Dec 2023 & Jan 2024, respectively; Product of Ireland) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Manufacturer recalls Clearspring Organic Wholegrain Rice Cakes – Lightly Salted (12 x 130g; Batch codes R22176B & R22181B; Best before 26/06/2023 &  01/07/2023, respectively; Product of Belgium) due to aflatoxin contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Casarrigoni SRL recalls TERRE D’ITALIA brand TALEGGIO DOP A LATTE CRUDO / raw milk cheese (200g; Packaging lot 25277; Production lot 04082A; Best before 03/11/22) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Casarrigoni SRL recalls PASCOLI DEL FATTORE brand TALEGGIO DOP A LATTE CRUDO / raw milk cheese (Packaging lots 25272, 25276, 25277; Production lot 04082A; Best before 28/11/22, 02/12/22 & 03/12/22, respectively) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Casarrigoni SRL recalls CASARRIGONI brand TALEGGIO DOP A LATTE CRUDO / raw milk cheese (Packaging lots 25272, 25276, 25279 & 25280; Production lot 04082A; Best before 28/11/22, 02/12/22, 05/12/22 & 06/12/22, respectively) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Spain): Manufacturer recalls multiple varieties of Mi patria Queso Fresco de Vaca LATINO and Queso Fresco LA GRANJA LATINA brands of fresh cheese that were produced in an unauthorized establishment. Please refer to the recall announcement for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Spain): Manufacturer recalls BURGER MEAT HAMBURDEHESA / Hamburger meat from grass-fed cows (2 x 130g & 2 x 200g; Batch code 300995; Expiration date 12/02/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.