Cyclospora Cases Continue to Increase in Number, FDA Sampling Finds Cyclospora in Imported and Domestic Cilantro

In Texas, there continues to be an increase in the number of Cyclospora infections.  No specific source has been identified.  Last week, CDC issued an update for the number of cases of Cyclospora related to Frehs Express Salads distributed through McDonalds.  That number had risen to 507 cases in 16 states.

FDA released results of its produce sampling that revealed that samples of cilantro were positive for cyclospora.  Two samples of imported cilantro as well as some domestic product.   "The results of this increased surveillance sampling so far this summer have been that two samples of cilantro offered for import from two producers in Mexico were positive for Cyclospora. In response to the finding, FDA refused entry for these shipments, and will take action to prevent contaminated cilantro from those firms from entering the U.S. "  "Domestically, a cilantro sample collected at a distributor in July tested positive for Cyclospora. Following that finding, FDA initiated an investigation and another sample was collected on the farm that also tested positive for Cyclospora."  This positive finding in domestic cilantro was not linked to ongoing cases in the US.

The parasite is a difficult organism for the produce industry to deal with - it is difficult to wash from produce and is more resistant to sanitizers.  Another issue is that when people have the illness, the Cyclospora infects the small intestine and causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes
explosive, stools. This can last from a few days to months.  During this time, they shed the oocyte, which can make its way to source water where it takes time for it to transition to its infectious state. So this is why we may see this organism becoming a bigger and bigger problem over time.

https://www.centexproud.com/news/local/cyclospora-continues-to-show-up/1404470770
Cyclospora continues to show up
By: Roland Richter 
Posted: Aug 29, 2018 11:50 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 29, 2018 09:52 PM CDT

Finding the Truth in the Consumer Reports / USDA Controversy on Drug Residues in Meat

USDA issued a response to the Consumer Reports article,  "Are Banned Drugs in Your Meat?" (links to both below).   The short of it is that Consumer Reports wrote a report on results that USDA prematurely/accidently released.  USDA said that the results were "unconfirmed, preliminary test results for samples taken from poultry."

In a statement issued by the USDA Undersecreatary,

"You may have seen a Consumer Reports story claiming that the poultry and meat you purchase in the grocery store and feed your families could contain harmful drug residues. That is not true. This story is sensational and fear-based infotainment aimed at confusing shoppers with pseudoscience and scare tactics.  Consumer Reports admits in their closing paragraph that the real agenda behind this piece is to convince Americans to eat less meat. 

"On March 3, 2017, in our haste to be transparent and responsive, we mistakenly released in response to a FOIA request, unconfirmed, preliminary test results for samples taken from poultry. We corrected our mistake with the requestor. However, the unconfirmed sampling results continue to be passed around as accurate, truthful information – they are not."

In these times where it is hard to determine what is truth, shame on both groups.  How does a Federal Agency release data that is unconfirmed?   Is Consumer Reports as biased in their reports on other items (vacuum cleaners, etc) as they appear here?

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-and-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2018/nr-082918-01
Food Safety Professionals Ensure that “What’s in Your Meat” is Safe and Wholesome 
By Carmen Rottenberg, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Kosher Chicken Responsible for 17 Cases Including 1 Death

Further information was provided by CDC for the Health Alert that was posted last week regarding Salmonella infections linked to kosher raw chicken sold by a PA kosher poultry facility.   CDC reports that there are 17 cases with 8 hospitalizations and 1 death.

CDC Investigation Notice
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/chicken-08-18/index.html
Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Chicken
Posted August 29, 2018 at 11:30 AM ET

Florida Retailer Recalls Ground Beef After Linked to E. coli Illnesses

Publix Super Markets Inc., a Florida based retail grocery store chain is recalling an undetermined amount of ground beef products made from chuck (purchased by consumers from June 25, 2018, through July 31, 2018) that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26.   FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses with 18 case-patients predominantly from Florida and having onset dates ranging from July 5 to July 25, 2018.  "Traceback information indicated that case-patients consumed ground chuck products purchased at various Publix Super Markets that was supplied by a yet-to-be determined source."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-072-2018-release
Publix Super Markets Inc. Recalls Ground Chuck Products Due To Possible E. coli O26 Contamination
Class I Recall 

072-2018
Health Risk: High 

Aug 30, 2018

Europe - Nearly Half of Listeria Cases Go Undetected as Part of Outbreak Clusters

According to a recent release by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the current surveillance systems may not be picking up the fact that Listeria cases may be part of larger outbreak clusters.  Because of this, large multi-country outbreaks may not be detected as fast as they should (or possibly at all).

Researchers "analysed 2 726 human Listeria monocytogenes isolates from 27 countries between 2010 and 2015.  It found that slightly under 50% of the cases are isolated whereas the remaining half of cases is clustered together. Around one third of the cases that were identified as part of a cluster affected more than one country, often lasting for several years. However, only two listeriosis outbreaks were reported in the EU in 2016 and five in 2015, which suggests that many of them have gone undetected."

The US continues to develop a strong system to track and identify outbreaks.  Now using whole genome sequencing (WGS) allows distant cases to be clustered, making tracking more efficient.  This is not yet the state of testing in the EU at this time.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/listeria-surveillance-new-eu-wide-study-reveals-most-outbreaks-remain-undetected
Listeria surveillance: new EU-wide study reveals that most outbreaks remain undetected 
20 Aug 2018 

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending August 25, 2018

Wrong Meatloaf - Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC, a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 62 pounds of ready-to-eat meatloaf products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, The problem was discovered on Aug. 20, 2018, when a Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC employee conducted an inventory check and discovered the mislabeling of the Turkey Meatloaf with Kale as Homestyle Meatloaf, which is a beef product.
     
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-068-2018-release
News Release
Taylor Farms Northwest, LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meatloaf Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens 
Class I Recall
068-2018
Health Risk: High
Aug 21, 2018

FSIS Issues a Health Alert Regarding Salmonella Linked to PA Kosher Poultry Establishment

FSIS issued a health alert after a determination was made about a potential link between Empire Kosher brand raw chicken products and Salmonella illness cluster.  The alert is for both raw whole chicken and raw chicken parts.  The illnesses occurred from products that were produced and sold to consumers from September 2017 to June 2018.  While the number of cases were not in the release, it did state that half of affected case-patients have been hospitalized due to illness.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2018/pha-08242018-1
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc. Raw Chicken Products due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Colorado Establishment Recalls Ground Beef for E. coli O157:H7

Cargill Meat Solutions, a Fort Morgan, Colo. establishment, is recalling approximately 25,288 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The problem was discovered on Aug. 22 by the establishment when they reviewed their records and determined that the product may be associated with product that was presumptive positive for E. coli O157:H7.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-069-2018-release
Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination 
Class I Recall 
069-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Aug 23, 2018 

Amazon Discusses Monitoring for Food Safety Issues and Conducting Recalls

An interesting read in Food Engineering Magazine on how Amazon scans consumer complaints for food safety issues and how the company handles recalls.  

With over 300 million customers worldwide, the company moves a lot of product.  And with that, there will be complaints.  But going through "16 million pieces of customer feedback per week, in more than 40 languages" to find issues is not easy.   In addition, there are postings on social media sites and product reviews. The company employs machine learning computer systems that go beyond keyword identification to understand "context, sentiment, and sentence structure."

For recalls, the company uses emails to contact customers  with instructions for return and if relevant, a refund.  The success rate with emails is stated as 68.8 percent of the messages sent were opened.
The company also quarantines inventory preventing the product from being shipped or reordered.  Then the company also removes inventory from the supply chain by returning or destroying products.

Food Engineering Magazine
https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/97693-how-amazon-handles-food-safety-recalls
How Amazon handles food safety, recalls
Amazon VP Careltt Ooton explains how the company uses Natural Language Processing to scan customer feedback and constantly monitor for food safety issues
August 17, 2018
Crystal Lindell

Sandwich Purveyor Issues Another Recall After FDA Finds Listeria

Lipari Foods is recalling packaged premade sandwiches (turkey and cheese wedge) produced and packaged by the sister company JLM due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.  "This was brought to our attention by JLM after additional environmental testing initiated by the Food and Drug Administration following a previous recall returned positive test results for potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes."  This previous recall occurred in July. 

FDA was probably keeping an eye on this operation after the last outbreak. 

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm617762.htm
Lipari Foods Issues Voluntary Recall of Premo Brand Turkey & Cheese Wedge Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
August 21, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending August 18, 2018

Cookies Recalled After Undeclared Peanuts Found -  Marsee Baking is voluntarily recalling chocolate chip, ginger spice, and oatmeal raisin cookies sold at Café Yumm! restaurants because the cookies may contain undeclared peanuts.  The voluntary recall was initiated after discovering peanuts in a chocolate chip cookie before it was served. The voluntary recall includes all cookies in the event other batches and flavors may contain peanuts.

Ice Cream Recalled After Chocolate Ingredient Recalled for Peanuts - Salt & Straw Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling a limited number of its Chocolate Gooey Brownie pints because it may contain undeclared peanuts. The recall was initiated after receiving notification from the chocolate supplier, Pitch Dark Chocolate, that the chocolate chips used in the Chocolate Gooey Brownie may have had possible cross-contact with a peanut allergen.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm617097.htm
Marsee Baking Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Peanuts In Cookies Sold At Café Yumm! Restaurants
For Immediate Release
August 15, 2018

Establishment Selling Smoothies (and "Home" Made Cooked Pork) Responsible for Salmonella Outbreak

Seven people in Washington state were infected with Salmonella after eating at Burien Fresh Smoothies.

A source of the Salmonella has not yet been identified, however, one major violation was observed - "Investigators found that the restaurant was serving cooked pork prepared at the restaurant owner's home, which is not an approved food safety practice. The restaurant was directed to immediately stop serving pork-based food items and to remove them from their menu."

This practice could be responsible if Salmonella was in the pork or on the packaging.  Could be that the smoothies used fresh produce that was not properly washed.  If he brought the pork from home, perhaps he bought the strawberries from Uncle Jimmy, who grew them in his garden fertilized with fresh manure.

King County (WA) Public Health Notice
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/outbreak/burien-fresh-smoothies-2018-Aug.aspx
Salmonella outbreak associated with Burien Fresh Smoothies in Burien

Contamination Found in Cheese, Don't Worry, the Cheese is 15,000 Years Old

Researchers found remnants of cheese in an Egyptian tomb, dating about 13th century BC.  Along with the cheese, they found "peptides in the food sample suggest it was contaminated with Brucella melitensis, a bacterium that causes brucellosis. This potentially deadly disease spreads from animals to people, typically from eating unpasteurized dairy products. If the team’s preliminary analysis is confirmed, the sample would represent the earliest reported biomolecular evidence of the disease."

It is rumored that foodborne illness lawyers have been canvasing locals to see if they had very distant ancestors who may have fallen mysteriously ill as well as rooting through tombs to see if any mummies have the same pathogen markers.

ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: Wed Aug 15 12:58:45 EDT 2018
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2018/acs-presspac-august-15-2018/worlds-oldest-cheese-found-in-egyptian-tomb.html

World’s oldest cheese found in Egyptian tomb

Cause Of Chipotle Outbreak is C. perfringens - Indicating Improper Food Handling Practices

A few weeks back, a Chipotle restaurant in Ohio was the site of a foodborne illness outbreak where 647 people were reported as being affected.  The cause of the outbreak was found to be Clostridium perfringens contamination, based on testing of those who became ill.  Investigators were not however, able to find the exact food source.

The fact it was a Clostridium perfringens outbreak is an indicator of a bad food handling practice.  C. perfringens becomes an issue when cooked food is held at an improper temperature (probably in the  80F and 110 range) for a long time.  For example...beef used in a burrito.  The meat is cooked, but spores of C. perfringnes survive.   Not a problem if meat is cooled rapidly and refrigerated or kept hot (>135F).  But if that meat is left out on the counter over night and then warmed for serving....boom.  The organism grows to high numbers (infectious dose >10E6, infects the person in high numbers, produces toxin in the gut, and then in about 16 hours..it is watery diarrhea and cramps for 12 to 24 hrs.   At that point, you are thinking #@$%! burritos.

When news was released, many thought it was Norovirus, which even a good facility can have an issue when a worker is a carrier but doesnt know..  But C. perfringens...that is just bad food handling practices.  A sign that a restaurant is not keeping an eye on the ball.  And with that many people ill, that means that there was a lot of product that was temperature abused.

The company announced that food workers will be required to do quarterly online training and assessment.  "The test is an "e-learning type module that all employees will be required to complete on a quarterly basis in addition to their daily food safety routines and annual food safety training," Chipotle spokeswoman Laurie Schalow told Business Insider on Thursday. The company also said Thursday it will retrain all employees on top food-safety priorities. The training will begin next week during employees' shifts at restaurants across the United States."

Meatingplace.com
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/81187
Health officials identify pathogen in Ohio Chipotle outbreak
By Susan Kelly on 8/17/2018

Canada - Packaged RTE Baby Spinach Recalled After CFIA Detects Listeria

In Canada, Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. is recalling of Dole brand Baby Spinach with Tender Reds from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination  This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2018-08-08/eng/1533739123858/1533739125149
Food Safety Warning - Dole brand Baby Spinach with Tender Reds recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending August 11. 2018

"Country Favor Inc. of Maspeth, New York is recalling its 7 ounce packages of “Best Taste Brand Snack Ginger Sliced” food treats because they contained undeclared sulfites. The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 7 ounce package of “Best Taste Brand Snack Ginger Sliced” which were not declared on the label...... The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. Analysis of the “Best Taste Brand Snack Ginger Sliced” revealed they contained 94.8 milligrams per serving."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm616303.htm
"Country Favor Inc Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in “Best Taste Brand Snack Ginger Sliced”
For Immediate Release
August 6, 2018

Who Knew? Think Twice Before Drinking from the Garden Hose

A news report from Hawaii where rat lungworm, a parasitic infection, can be spread when an infected snail, one of the parasite hosts, climbs into the garden hose and then one drink water from the hose.  Okay, this parasite is not common in the continental US, but is common in Hawaii and has been found in Louisiana and Florida.  That is not to say it can't make its way to other states, because while the one definitive host is the snail, the other definitive host is the rat.

Still, something to consider before taking that gulp of water from a hose that has been laying on the ground for weeks.....you never know what could have crawled in there.

From the CDC:

• "Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a parasitic nematode (worm) that resides in rodents and uses mollusks, such as slugs, as an intermediate host. Rats, such as the cotton rat, transmit the larvae through their feces. Slugs then ingest the larvae. Humans are accidental hosts of the parasite. The parasite is not able to complete its life cycle in humans and eventually dies in the abdomen.  "
•  "In humans, juvenile worms [can] migrate to the brain, or rarely in the lungs, where the worms ultimately die." 
• "Most cases of infection are diagnosed in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin, but the parasite has also been found in Australia, some areas of Africa, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Louisiana."  [It has also been found in Florida]. 
• "Very few cases have been reported in the continental United States. In 1993, a boy in New Orleans got infected by swallowing a raw snail “on a dare. ” The type of snail he swallowed isn’t known. He became ill a few weeks later, with muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, a slight fever, and vomiting. His symptoms went away in about 2 weeks, without treatment of the infection."

Local News
Health officials warn parents: Don't let your kids drink from the garden hose
By:
Terri Inefuku
Posted: May 12, 2017 03:44 PM HST
Updated: May 12, 2017 03:44 PM HST

Research - Norovirus Transmitted via Membrane-bound Clusters

NIH research found that the highly virulent stomach viruses such as Norovirus may be spread in membrane-bound clusters....think multipack.   We have normally thought the virus was spread as individual particles, but this research shows that the virus when excreted is like a horde of viruses traveling to the next gig in a party bus...via the fecal-oral route.  This protective membrane allows the virus to evade internal host systems and deliver a mob of viruses to the invasion site.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-researchers-discover-highly-infectious-vehicle-transmission-viruses-among-humans

NIH researchers discover highly infectious vehicle for transmission of viruses among humans

FDA Investigation into E.coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce Finds Cattle Feeding Operation as Potential Source

The FDA continues their investigation into the E. coli outbreak, but are looking at a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation as a potential source.  This CAFO is stated as being able to hold up to 100,000 head of cattle.

E. coli and 100,000 pooping cattle....that may be a good place to be concerned about especially if there is access from that operation to the canal system.  But the release was short on information specifically the distances from the CAFO to the canal system, and then down to the farming area?  Can cattle ever get to the water?  Can rain water runoff make its way into the CAO? 

Had anyone raised a concern about the locale of the CAFO to the canal system?  Has anyone tested the water if there were a concern?  As a main component of produce safety, water quality and the potential for contamination should have been evaluated.  And as part of that, the potential contamination by farm animals should also have been evaluated.  While testing can be unreliable, a risk analysis of a nearby CAFO should have been undertaken.    But at this point, it is hard to glean this information that FDA has released.

In this outbreak, 210 were infected across 36 states with 96 hospitalizations and five deaths.  In a June 28th news release, FDA and CDC reported that the E. coli strain was found in the irrigation canal.

https://www.fda.gov/food/recallsoutbreaksemergencies/outbreaks/ucm604254.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce from Yuma Growing Region
August 6, 2018

FDA Provides Update of Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with McDonald's Salads

As of August 2, 2018, there have been a total of 395 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection reported in people who consumed salads from McDonald’s restaurants; the cases were reported by 15 states.   McDonald's immediately discontinued sales of the salads upon notification.

FDA found cyclospora in product packed by Fresh Express, but by the time the analysis was complete, the product had date-expired.  

Fresh Express recalled product that went to Caito Foods and thus the recall by that company.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm613513.htm

FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Served at McDonald’s

Pork Egg Rolls Recalled After Consumer Complaints of Foreign Material - Plastic

A Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 10,385 pounds of heat treated but not fully cooked and not shelf stable pork egg rolls that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm received two consumer complaints stating that a thin thread of plastic was found in the egg rolls product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-065-2018-release
Van Oriental Foods Inc. Recalls Pork Egg Rolls Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 

065-2018
Health Risk: Low 

 Aug 3, 2018

Ground Cricket Flour Good for Health?

Is ground cricket flour a food in your future?   There seems to be growing interest in cricket flour as a protein source and as a sustainable food.  And now there is some research to show it is good for health.  In a limited study, researchers compared a control group to a group fed cricket meal.  They saw "an increase in a metabolic enzyme associated with gut health, and a decrease in an inflammatory protein in the blood called TNF-alpha, which has been linked to other measures of well-being, like depression and cancer."

From the cricket flour web page, it takes about 5000 crickets to make a pound of cricket flour.  "Dried and roasted crickets contain an average of 55-70% protein by weight", and "includes all of the essential amino acids, B12, iron, calcium, Omega-3s and Omega-6s".  You can make cricket sausage,  cricket burgers, and cricket soup.

Is cricket flour supported by those who are against eating meat?  Interestingly, NO.  Crickets are freeze-dried to death...and then ground. (Everything but the chirp).

Are you ready to give it a try....well, you may take this advice as per a quote from a cricket - "When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong.  Give a little whistle! And always let your conscience be your guide."

Technology Networks
Eating Crickets could be Good for your Gut
News  Aug 06, 2018 | Original Story by Kelly April Tyrrell for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

The Botulism Outbreak(s) That Provided Impetus For Standardized Canning Procedures

An article in the Smithsonian magazine discusses the impact of a botulism outbreak in 1919 / 1920 that lead to the development of standardized procedures for canning.  These standardized procedures for processing and inspection were not initially federal regulation, but were a state regulation in California and an industry standard used by the National Canners Association.  Must of this was the basis for the federal regulation that came in the 1970's - the Low Acid Canned Food Regulation, which were also enacted after a series of issues related to canned salmon.

The 1919 / 1920 outbreak were there were close to 20 deaths had been associated with canned olives.  But there had been other cases throughout the first half of the twentieth century.  This link to the Califormia Dept of Health website on the the topic.

"From 1899 to 1949, there were 483 outbreaks of botulism reported in North America (the United States and Canada) involving 1,319 case patients and 851 deaths. Of these outbreaks, cases and deaths, 184 outbreaks, 416 cases, and 252 deaths were in California. Additionally, 40 deaths occurred in other states from products prepared in California. In 1919 alone, olives commercially canned in California caused 17 deaths (7 in Ohio, 5 in Montana and 7 in Michigan)."

"All of this was aggravated by sensational newspaper publicity. As a result, botulism became a reportable disease in November 1920. Also, on August 7, 1920, the State of California Board of Health (Board) adopted the first regulation of olive production requiring sanitation throughout the canning facility and a mandated thermal process (specified time and temperature in heating canned foods to render then commercially sterile). In 1920-21 some 20 deaths occurred from botulism linked to canned spinach produced in California. As a result, in April 1921, the Board adopted a resolution covering canning and sterilization of spinach specifying definite fill-in weights, cut-out weights, initial temperatures, and sterilization processes."

This is a good reminder for the restrictions on canning of low acid foods for commercial sale.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/botulism-outbreak-gave-rise-americas-food-safety-system-180969868/
The Botulism Outbreak That Gave Rise to America’s Food Safety System

In late 1919 and early 1920, scientists and canners worked with the government to protect the public from the deadly toxin

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending August 3, 2018

Label Design Issue on Sausage - Star Natural Meats, LLC, an Astoria, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,000 pounds of raw, non-intact pork sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens - the  products contain milk and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. In addition, the products contain restricted ingredients, specifically sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, which are not declared on the finished product label.  The problem was discovered on Aug. 3, 2018 by FSIS Inspection Program Personnel while conducting routine label verification tasks.

Label Missing Egg - Hostess Brands is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Cookies 'n Crème Brownies after the company became aware that the "Contains" statement on Hostess® Cookies 'n Crème Brownies does not list "egg" as an allergen. Although the ingredient list on the packaging identifies "egg" as an ingredient, the "Contains" statement, which is designed to further alert consumers of allergens in the products, does not include "egg".

Cross Contact of Milk Into Almond Milk??? HP Hood LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of half-gallon (1.89 L) cartons of refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk because the product may contain milk, an allergen not listed on the label.  There has been one report of an allergic reaction. Medical treatment or hospitalization was not required.

Label Mismatch - Sweet Earth Foods is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited amount of 8-ounce packages of Sweet Earth Aloha BBQ Quesadilla due to mismatched packaging, resulting in undeclared egg and milk allergens.  The product being recalled has Sweet Earth Aloha BBQ Quesadilla exterior packaging but incorrectly contains the Sweet Earth Mile High Quesadilla in an interior clear plastic wrapper that reads “MILE HIGH.” The ingredient statement on the exterior package applies to the Aloha BBQ Quesadilla and does not identify eggs and milk, which are in the Mile High Quesadilla.  Sweet Earth is investigating this incident while working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to implement this voluntary recall. Sweet Earth was first notified of the mismatched packaging through a consumer contact.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-066-2018-release
Star Natural Meats, LLC Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall
066-2018
Health Risk: High
Aug 3, 2018

Chipotle's Rocked by Another Food Safety Incident

Chipotle's food safety issues are back in the news as an outbreak has led the company to shut down its store in Powell Ohio.  While there were initially 2 cases reported, an online food illness reporting website has stated that they received over 100 reports representing 177 ill.  In a report issued later, health district officials are said to have received over 400 complaints.  Symptoms from one person include "diarrhea. severe abdominal pain, nausea, headaches and hot and cold flashes".

With this news, the company's stock price dropped by roughly 8%

CNBC
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/31/chipotles-new-management-still-has-the-old-problem-food-safety.html
Chipotle's new management still has the old problem: Food safety

• Chipotle shares sank more than 7 percent on reports of a foodborne illness outbreak in Ohio.
• While analysts have maintained their confidence in the brand, keeping outperform ratings and even upgrading the stock, it seems that investors remain queasy.
• This is CEO Brian Niccol's first food safety incident with the company since he began his term in March.

Sarah Whitten | @sarahwhit10
Published 1:48 PM ET Tue, 31 July 2018  | Updated 22 Hours Ago

Cereal Facility Issued Warning Letter for Inadequate Salmonella Control

FDA issued Kerry Inc a warning letter for their Illinois cereal facility after FDA testing found Salmonella and an FDA audit found that the facility had found numerous Salmonella positive environmental samples.  The FDA ruled that the product was "was prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health".  This is a very interesting case study for product that was most likely used as an ingredient in further processing.

One of major issues was the Salmonella positive samples. From the report:  " Between September 29, 2016 and May 16, 2018, you repeatedly found Salmonella throughout your facility, including in cereal production rooms. During this time period, you had 81 positive Salmonella environmental samples and 32 positive Salmonella vector samples (samples taken in response to finding a positive on routine testing), including four Salmonella (b)(4) samples in the cereal coating room and one Salmonella (b)(4) sample in the cereal (b)(4) room (Line (b)(4)). Further, you had repeated findings of other Salmonella species in some production lines and rooms used for the manufacture of cereal. These repeated findings of Salmonella in your environment should have resulted in a reanalysis of your food safety plan as required by 21 CFR § 117.170(b)(4) and the identification of contamination of RTE cereal with environmental pathogens as a hazard requiring a preventive control (i.e., sanitation preventive control).

 A summary of the points made in the warning letter:

1. The hazard analysis of RTE cereal process did not list environmental pathogens when the finished product was exposed to the environment prior to packaging. This was especially concerning since the facility did find Salmonella in the environment
2. Environmental controls to prevent Salmonella were not implemented sufficiently to control Salmonella. FDA found Salmonella in the processing environment as well as the facility found Salmonella.
3. Corrective actions were not properly implemented to get rid of Salmonella. There were no steps taken to remove the root cause of the Salmonella from the enviromet. Basically, a root cause analysis was not completed even though Salmonella was constantly being found.
4. Sanitation controls were not verified. The company did not follow its own SOP for environmental monitoring

There was no further information regarding the facility, but as an ingredient manufacturer, it is likely that this cereal product is made for use as an ingredient  in foods that will be further processed.   Perhaps this is why a less-than-sufficient effort.  Regardless, 1) FDA viewed this as an RTE product and that may have been difficult to convince otherwise - including providing notice to customers 2) the company should have included it in the hazard analysis, and 3) a better effort should have been made in controlling it.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm615073.htm
Kerry Inc 7/26/18