Food Safety
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Illinois has been hard hit by the cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 204 people in 22 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Illinois residents account for about 12 percent of all reported cases nationwide. So far, 24 people from 11 counties in that state have confirmed cases of Salmonella poisoning. And at least eight of them had cases so severe that they needed to be hospitalized.
The tainted cantaloupes were grown on Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. of Owensville, Indiana and were distributed throughout the country. Retailers who reported removing cantaloupes from their shelves include Walmart, Krogers, Schnucks, Meijer and Marsh.
“Illinois consumers should check for and ask about the origin of recently purchased cantaloupe, and discard any cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana,” said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. “Anyone who becomes ill after eating cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana should seek medical attention immediately.”
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps developing 12 to 72 hours after exposure and lasting up to seven days. For some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization is required. Those most at risk include older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems. Infections that travel from the GI tract to the bloodstream can be fatal id they are not treated quickly with antibiotics. In this outbreak 78 people have been hospitalized, and two people from Kentucky have died.
Get Salmonella help here.
Case counts by state are as follows: Alabama (13), Arkansas (5), California (2), Florida (1), Georgia (4), Illinois (24), Indiana (22), Iowa (8), Kentucky (63), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (6), Minnesota (5), Mississippi (5), Missouri (13), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (5), Ohio (5), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (8), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (4).
Not transmissible to people through eating properly cooked pork
Food Safety News
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Friday announced the nation’s first known H3N2v-associated (swine flu) death.
Testing involving a 61-year-old Madison County woman at the Ohio Department of Health Laboratory confirmed that the individual had been infected with the H3N2v influenza virus.
The patient had multiple other underlying medical conditions, but the influenza virus may have contributed to the death.
The deceased woman is known to have had direct contact with swine at the Ross County fair before becoming ill.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main risk factor for infection is direct exposure to swine. CDC points out that the virus does not spread easily from person-to-person, but limited human-to-human infection has occurred.
Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs, according to CDC.
”H3N2v, like many other viruses, has the greatest potential to impact those with weakened immune systems,” said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, Director of ODH. “We have been seeing a mild illness in most individuals infected with the H3N2v virus, so there’s no need for alarm. However, it is important for those at-risk individuals to take extra precautions like avoiding swine exhibits to protect themselves.”
Ohio is currently reporting 102 cases of H3N2v statewide. Those with confirmed cases of H3N2v are between the ages of 6 months and 61 years old. Most ill individuals have recovered on their own or were treated and released after a short stay in the hospital.
At this time, surveillance indicates that the individuals most likely became ill with the flu virus after exposure to swine. At-risk individuals (children younger than 5 years old, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system, and neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders) should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns during this fair season.
Those attending fairs should remember:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water before and after exposure to animals;
- Never eat, drink or put things in your mouth in animal areas, and don’t take food or drink into animal areas;
- Leave baby strollers parked outside of areas with pigs;
- Young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals;
- If you have animals – including swine – watch them for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if you suspect they might be sick;
- Avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill, when possible;
- Avoid contact with swine if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
If you are sick:
- If you are at high risk and you get flu symptoms, call a health care provider. Tell them about your risk factor, other medical conditions and your flu symptoms. If you have recently been exposed to swine, tell them about that too.
- If you are not at high risk and you get flu symptoms after exposure to pigs, seek medical care as you normally would.
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Recalls
Food Poisoning Bulletin
World Foods is recalling products it distributes to retail supermarkets that contain Daniella mangoes recalled by Splendid Products. The mangoes may be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup that are linked to a nationwide outbreak. The products were distributed to stores in central and south Florida.
The recalled products include: Garden Highway Tropical Salsa in 11 ounce packages, with UPC code 8.26766-42210.4 and code dates 8/31/2012 and 9/1/2012. Generic/Winn Dixie Stores brand Fresh Island Medley in 1 pound pack, with UPC number 0.21140-01696.6 and code dates 8/30/2012 and 8/31/2012. Also recalled are Generic/Winn-Dixie Stores brand Fresh Fruit Burst Bowl in 1 pound pack, with UPC number 0.21140-01701.7 and code dates 8/30/2012 and 8/31/2012. And finally, Generic/Winn-Dixie Stores brand Fresh Fruit Burst Bowl in 1.5 pound pack is recalled, with UPC number 0.21140-01707.9 and code dates 8/30/2012 and 8/31/2012.
All affected products have a plant code P-009 on the label next to the UPC bar code. No other World Foods LLC products or code dates are affected by this recall. If you have purchased these products, discard them. For questions, call the company at 1-407-851-4504 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Hannaford Bros. Co. is recalling several products made with recalled Daniella mangoes. The fruit may be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup and may be linked to a nationwide outbreak that has sickened 105 people in 16 states.
Hannaford Mango Spears in 16 ounce packages with Sell by date of August 28, 2012 are recalled. In addition, Hannaford Fruit Burst in 10 ounce, 20 ounce, and 4-pound packages, with Sell by date of August 28, 2012 is recalled. And finally, Hannaford Tropical Medley in 16 ounce packages, with Sell by date of August 28, 2012 is recalled.
The store has also removed Daniella brand mangoes with PLU #4051 from its stores as part of a larger recall by Splendid Products. Do not eat these products if you have purchased them. Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Or dispose of the product in a sealed container and bring the receipt or sticker back to the store for a refund.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Brand new Energy re-sale distributor is recalling all lot codes of EphBurn 25. The FDA has notified them that one lot of EphBurn 25 was sampled and found to contain ephedrine alkaloids, making it an unapproved drug.
Ephedrine is a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, and decongestant. Adverse effects of this drug include elevated blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, nerve damage, muscle injury, psychosis, and memory loss. More serious side effects include heart attack, stroke, seizure, and death. But there have been no reports of adverse events associated with the consumption of this product.
The recall affects all lot codes and use-by dates of EphBurn 25. The product is a 90-count bottle with red capsules. It displays the product name “ephBURN 25″ in white letters on a red label. There is no UPC code. EphBurn 25 was discontinued on or about May 2012.
If you have purchased this product, immediately discontinue use. Contact your healthcare provider if you have experienced any problems. Report adverse side effects at Medwatch. For questions, call 1-888-234-2595 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm PT.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Klement Sausage Company of Wisconsin is recalling about 2,920 pounds of frozen bratwurst patties because they may contain pieces of ap lstic pen. The product is 10-pound cases containing 4-ounce patties of Klement Sausage Co. Bratwurst Patty.
The products were produced on July 6, 2012. The packages have the establishment number “EST. 2426B” in the USDA mark of inspection. Each case label has the batch number “21097″. The products were distributed for foodservice use in Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The problem was discovered when food preparation personnel discovered the foreign matter while cooking the product. There have been no reports of injury or illness associated with the consumption of this product. If you have questions, call Jeff Klement, the company’s vice president of special products, at 414-744-2330 extenion 244.
Food Poisoning Bulletin
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is recalling Daniella mangoes it received from Splendid Products for possible Salmonella Braenderup contamination. The mangoes were purchased between July 12, 2012 and August 24, 2012. The mangoes have PLU #4959.
Stop & Shop says it is aware of illnesses reported in Canada and associated with this recall. If you have purchased this product, discard it and bring the receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund. You can call Stop & Shop Customer Service at 800-767-7772 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for more information. Stop & Shop stores are located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey.
These mangoes may be linked to a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup that has sickened 105 people in 16 states. The FDA and CDC are still investigating this outbreak and they may announce other products linked to the outbreak.
BI-LO is recalling whole Daniella brand mangoes for possible Salmonella Braenderup contamination. The mangoes, imported from Mexico, were sold in stores between July 12, 2012 and August 27, 2012. The fruit was sold as individual fruit and can be identified by the Daniella brand sticker and UPC number 0-00000-04051.
The recall is for fruit sold in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company has received no reports of illness associated with this product, but the mangoes are linked to a nationwide outbreak that has sickened 105 people in 16 states. Do not eat the mangoes; discard them, or return to BI-LO for a refund. You must have proof of purchase to receive a refund.
For questions, call BI-LO customer relations department at 1-800-862-9293. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET. If you have purchased mangoes that do not have a sticker, consult the store to find out where they came from.
Food Safety News
Irwindale, CA-based Ready Pac Foods Inc. Saturday recalled about 30 package fruit products containing mangoes, distributed through Aug. 30, 2012, for potential Salmonella Braenderup contamination.
The package fruit products contain Daniella Brand mangoes previously recalled by Splendid Products, the supplier.
The Ready Pac recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation in the United States and Canada.
There have been several confirmed illnesses associated with the consumption of Daniella brand mangoes contained in the Ready Pac fruit products.
The Ready Pac Foods fruit products were distributed in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Washington D.C., Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Canada.
Consumers who may have purchased the products should
check the Ready Pac website for a complete list of products, use-by dates, and UPC codes.
Ready Pac is asking retailers to check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories.
Customer service representatives are contacting all the retail stores impacted and are in the process of confirming that the recalled products are not in the stream of commerce.
Consumers with questions may contact Ready Pac at 1-800-800-7822 M-F 8am-pm PDT.
Food Safety News
More Mexican grown mangoes have been recalled, this time by New Jersey’s F&S Produce Co. Inc., which distributes in the Northeast U.S.
The company recalled products containing fresh cut mangoes for possible Salmonella Braenderup contamination. Several brand names, some familiar, are involved. F&S said the recalled products have an expiration date of Aug. 28.
The F&S recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation by both the United States and Canada.
There have been more than 100 confirmed illnesses associated with the consumption of Daniella brand mangoes from Mexico. None of the illnesses have yet been connected to F&S products.
Five lots of Daniella brand mangoes have been recalled in the U.S. and Canada while officials in the two counties try to pin point the problem. No deaths have yet been connected to the outbreak.
F&S said its products with mangoes that fall under the various recalls were distributed to grocery and convenience stores in the Northeast and were processed between Aug. 9 and 19. F&S switched to using mangoes from Brazil for packages with use or sell-by dates on or after Aug. 29.
The company has asked retailers to remove the recalled products from store shelves. The F&S recalled products by label, all with an expiration date of Aug. 28, unless otherwise noted include:
-Delish!: Mango Spears 5 ounce Cantaloupe; Mango, Pineapple Spears 5 ounce; Fruit Burst 10 ounce; Tropical Medley 10 ounce; Mango and Berry Mix 10 ounce; Mango Spears 1 lb.
-Garden Highway: Mango Medley 1 lb.; Tropical Mango Spinach Salad 7 ounce.
-Garden Pure: Mango Chunks 5 lb.; Mango 9 ounce ; Fruit Medley 3 lb.; Seasonal Fruit Bowl 4 lb.
-Signature Café: Fruit Basket Medley 30 ounce.
-Trader Joe’s: Tropical Fruit Medley 1 lb.
-Signature Café: Fruit Basket Medley 30 ounce.
-Generic Label, sold at Wal-Mart (expiration date Aug. 25): Mango Spears 1 lb.
The CFIA and Continental Strictly Kosher Meat, Poultry and Delicatessen Products are recalling ground beef and ground veal products because they may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The following Glatt’s brand products are being recalled: lean ground veal, lean ground beef, medium ground beef, and medium ground beef club pack.
You can see where these products were sold at the CFIA web site. You can also see label photos at that web site. If you have purchased these products, discard them. Please check your home freezers to see if you have the products. And if you’re not sure if you purchased these products or not, check with your retailer.
There have not been any confirmed illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. For more information, call Continental at 514-522-1196, or the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.
Food Safety News
Newark, NJ-based Manna Organics, Inc. on Sunday recalled various soybean sprouts and tofu products listed because they have the potential to be contaminated with potentially deadly Listeria monocytogenes.
No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.
Manna Organics became concerned about possible contamination after random testing by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets discovered Listeria in a 16 oz. package of of SOONYEOWON SOYBEAN SPROUTS.
Not known is whether New York’s testing was done under USDA’s 11-year old Microbiological Data Program (MDP), which the Obama Administration is ending at the end of this growing season at the behest of the produce industry, or whether it was done on the state’s own nickel.
The company has suspended production while it investigates the problem with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Consumers who have purchased any of the items listed are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-862-267-3400. Hours of operation are 9 AM to 5 PM EST, Monday through Friday.
The recalled products were distributed to various restaurants, retailers, and distributors in NY, NJ, PA, MA, VA, MD, CT, GA, IL, and TX on or after July 17, 2012.
The Jinga Firm and Soft, SooNyeoWon Firm and Soft Tofu are packaged in a square 16-ounce white plastic container with the label sealed on top with UPC Codes: 0 28346 09112 4, 0 28346 09111 7, 0 28346 07812 5 and 0 28346 07814 9. Expiration date of September 9, 2012 or later is printed in black on top of the label.
The 5 pieces and 10 pieces tofu are packaged in a white plastic bucket. The 5 pieces and 10 pieces are lidded and labeled in Korean “Healthy Tofu” with UPC Codes 0 28346 09125 4 and 0 28346 09129 2. Affected products have an expiration date of July 25, 2012 or later.
The Soy Milk is packaged in a 1.3 gallon white plastic pail.
The Large Tofu Bucket(30 pieces), Soon tofu, and Small Tofu are packaged in a large, white plastic pail enclosed in a plastic bag labeled TOFU with the company name, address, and nutritional information listed directly below. Affected products have an expiration date of July 25, 2012 or later.
SooNyeoWon Silken Tofu is packaged in a small 14-ounce square plastic container with the label sealed on top. It has a UPC Code of 0 28346 09113 1. There is an expiration date printed in black on top of the label. Affected products have an expiration date of September 9, 2012 or later.
The Soybean Sprouts 16-ounce products come in a clear plastic sealed bag colored in red or green with the labels SOONYEOWON SOYBEAN SPROUTS or SOONYEOWON HEALTHY SOYBEAN SPROUTS with UPC Codes 0 28346 07121 8 and 0 28346 07140 9. The Soybean Sprouts 10lbs. and 5 lbs. bags come in a clear hand tied plastic poly bag labeled SPROUTS with the company info directly beneath it.
Food SafetyNews
The San Francisco-based Somersault Snack Co., LLC has recalled some of its Somersaults Pacific Sea Salt (6 oz.) for a packaging mistake.
“Limited quantities of Somersaults Santa Fe Salsa flavored product were inadvertently commingled with Somersaults Pacific Sea Salt flavored product in packages labeled as Somersaults Pacific Sea Salt,” the snack firm said.
“The inadvertent commingling of these two products introduced another allergen (milk) to the Somersaults Pacific Sea Salt (6oz). packages, and that allergen (milk) is not listed on the packaging as either an ingredient or an allergen.
The sell-by date and UPC number on the product is: MAR1113 G6 / UPC Product Code: 8-98403-00201-7. The Sell By Date is located on the back of the package, in the middle, above the sunflower graphics,
and the UPC Product Code is located below the UPC bar code.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of an allergic reaction if they consume the affected product. The product was distributed to retail stores nationwide. No allergic reactions have been reported.
Somersault Snack Co. has taken the precautionary measure of notifying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is voluntarily recalling approximately 418 cases of the product shown.
Somersault Snack Co. will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are removed from store shelves.
In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Consumers or customers with questions may call 415-275-1247 for more information.
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Articles of Interest
Food Poisoning Bulletin
Two consumer groups have sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the delay in implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Four critical regulations have been delayed at OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for more than eight months, making the Act “unlawfully delayed for more than a year and a half,” according to the complaint.
FSMA was signed into law in January 2011, but the FDA has failed to put seven food safety regulations into effect. The lawsuit was filed in Federal Court on Thursday, August 30, 2012 by the Center for Environmental Health and the Center for Food Safety. Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, said in a statement, “if the Obama administration has lost the political will to make FSMA a reality, we’re here to help them find it. It’s a disgrace that a crucial, lifesaving law sits idle while the bureaucracies of FDA and OMB grind along without a hint of results.”
FSMA was established to update the food safety laws in the United States. The FDA was given the power to require preventive controls in the food supply, to inspect food producers, and ensure imported foods meet U.S. safety standards. Meanwhile, two major outbreaks linked to imported foods have occurred this year. The Salmonella Bareilly outbreak in tuna imported from India, and the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak in Mexican mangoes, have sickened hundreds of Americans.
This is not the first time groups have pressured the White House to release the delayed rules. In April 2012, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the White House to implement the regulations. And in March 2012, the Consumer Federation of America urged the Obama administration to release the proposals.
The lawsuit seeks a court order to impose a deadline to require the FDA to enact FSMA regulations and prevents the OMB from delaying the FDA’s compliance. Charles Margulis, Food Program Director at Center for Environmental Health said, “this unreasonable and dangerous political food-dragging on FSMA has to stop now. While illness outbreaks continue and Americans question the health and safety of their food supply, FDA issues excuses instead of new regulations.”
Food safety was never at risk at Central Valley Meat, which was shut down for a week for inhumane treatment of animals.
But USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has concluded that no downer cows entered the food supply, meaning incidents of inhumane treatment did not result in any food safety violations.
The Hanford, CA slaughterhouse was subjected to an undercover video sting by an animal rights group that produced disturbing footage of inhumane treatment of animals at the plant.
It brought potentially devastating losses to Central Valley Meat, with customers including USDA, Costco, McDonald’s and In-N-Out Burger.
But the concern about downer cattle entering the food supply is apparently unfounded.
“The USDA team conducting the Central Valley Meat investigation has concluded there is no evidence to support the allegation that a downer cow was slaughtered and entered the food supply, and that no food safety violation occurred as a result,” FSIS Administrator Al Almanza told Meatingplace, the industry news service.
Central Valley Meat said it is ready to resume full operations. It reopened with more video surveillance cameras installed, more training for those employees stunning animals and tighter rules for handling animals that become non-ambulatory while in transit from farm to plant.
FSIS took what it said was “aggressive action” to investigate the incident involving “evidence of inhumane treatment of cattle.” The agency received a copy of the undercover video from the animal right groups that took it.
With no downer cows entering the food supply, USDA did not demand the recall of any meat. By comparison, the 2008 animal cruelty investigation at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. in Chino, CA brought the one of the largest recalls in history — 143 million pounds of beef — because downer cows has entered the food supply.
Valley Meat Packing Co. did, at least temporarily, lose the business of Costco, In-N-Out Burgers, McDonald’s and USDA. In reopening the company said it was going to improve monitoring and deploy more third-party audits of its operations.
Food Safety News
A federal grand jury in Nebraska has indicted Paul Rosberg, 61, and Kelly Rosberg, 44, on six counts stemming from the sale of misbranded and/or non-inspected meat and meat products to Omaha Public Schools. Both men are from Wausa, NE.
If convicted, each man could be sentenced to 3 to 5 years in federal prison, and fined from $10,000 to $250,000 on each of the six counts along with requirements that any release be supervised and fees paid.
Count one charges the pair with conspiracy with the intent to defraud. The second count charges Kelly Rosberg with selling 2,600 pounds of ground beef that was labeled as inspected by the USDA when it was not.
Count three charges both men with selling on or about Sept. 19, 2011 ground beef that was not inspected by USDA. In other words, the indictment is for both the mislabeling ground beef as inspected when it was not and for actually selling beef outside the required USDA inspection.
The fourth count against both men is for representing the 2,600 pounds of beet was USDA inspected, Counts five and six are against Paul Rosberg for making a false statements on or about Nov. 3, 2011 to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Deborah Gilg, U.S. District Attorney for Nebraska, announced the indictments.
The pair were caught by a joint investigation of USDA’s Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER) and the Inspector General (IG).
Information development by investigators led to the issuance of a search warrant for Nebraska’s Finest Meats, which led to the confiscation of records, labels, equipment and other evidence in the case.
Nebraska’s Finest Meats has suspended operations.
Omaha Public Schools, with about 50,000 K-12 students, are Nebraska’s largest.
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