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
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that cases of cyclospora continue to show up around the state, including in Central Texas.
Two new cases were reported this past week in McLennan County and four in Bell County.
Williamson County has had ten but Travis County including the Austin area has reported 44.
The outbreak was first reported in May and has continued through the summer.
Past outbreaks have been associated with imported fresh produce, and disease investigators are busy gathering information about the current illnesses as they attempt to determine whether there is a common source for the current outbreak.
Long-lasting illnesses caused by the parasite, with symptoms like watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and fatigue, have been seen in various parts of the state and have prompted public health experts to advise health care providers and the public to be aware of the symptoms and pursue testing when needed.
People with symptoms that could be related to Cyclospora should contact their health care provider for treatment.
A recent health advisory asks providers to test patients who have diarrhea lasting more than a few days or diarrhea accompanied by severe loss of appetite or fatigue. Health care providers should promptly report cases so that public health can investigate them and attempt to determine the source in order to head off future cases.
DSHS recommends thoroughly washing all fresh produce, but that may not entirely eliminate the risk because Cyclospora can be very difficult to wash off. Cooking will kill the parasite.
Infection is generally not transmitted directly from person-to-person.
There were 319 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas reported last year.
http://s2027422842.t.en25.com/e/es?s=2027422842&e=130767&elqTrackId=B1F0B909CCF90C71B9C490C37BFE6647&elq=9f7795b227b747f1b4dc9bc0dd9db1e7&elqaid=4836&elqat=1
FDA Sampling Assignment Update Identifies Cyclospora in Herbs
August 29, 2018
A risk-based, preventive approach to food safety is at the core of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). For many years, FDA has used product sampling and testing as one tool to better characterize microbial risk. Beginning in 2014, the agency began developing a new, more robust approach to sampling assignments to assess microbial contamination in food commodities. Under this new approach, the FDA collects a statistically-valid number of samples of targeted foods over a shorter period of time (12-18 months) to help identify common factors among positive findings.The sampling design for each food takes into account the volume of the target food that is both imported and produced domestically, and the number of states/countries that produce the target food, to reflect what U.S. consumers are likely to find in the marketplace.
Commodities sampled to date under the new approach have included sprouts, whole fresh avocados, raw milk cheese, cucumbers, and hot peppers. For fiscal year 2018, the FDA has been sampling fresh herbs, specifically basil, parsley, and cilantro, along with processed avocado and guacamole, with samples coming from both domestic and imported sources. Fresh cilantro, parsley and basil are typically eaten without having undergone a ‘kill step’ (such as cooking) to reduce or eliminate pathogens and are grown low to the ground, making them susceptible to contamination. The sampling assignment was developed to allow FDA to obtain baseline estimates of the prevalence of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in these herbs.
The agency added to this sampling assignment its recently developed and validated new analytical method to test for the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Cyclospora has caused outbreaks in the U.S. linked to imported produce, including basil and cilantro. Although it’s unknown exactly how food and water become contaminated with Cyclospora, prior outbreaks have been associated with produce grown under insanitary conditions. This highlights the importance of strong sanitation and worker hygiene practices to prevent contamination, since rinsing or washing food is not likely to remove the parasite.
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. As part of a broader effort under the FDA Produce Safety Partnership with Mexico, the two countries are working closely to investigate the cause of contamination.
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. In response, the FDA worked closely with state officials to voluntarily recall and embargo potentially affected product, and has been working with the farmer on corrective actions geared toward common routes of contamination.
Although this is the first confirmed evidence of the presence of Cyclospora in domestic produce, FDA is currently unaware of illnesses associated with the product, and traceforward efforts do not indicate there are any connections between this domestic finding of contaminated cilantro and multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora illnesses investigated this spring and summer.
The findings of Cyclospora in both domestic and imported produce highlight the importance of FDA’s surveillance activities to better define risks. These findings also highlight the importance of implementing the provisions of FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule at home and abroad to reduce risk and prevent illnesses from occurring. The Produce Safety Rule is designed to put in place science-based measures to prevent microbial contamination from occurring. State and foreign partners have an important role in working with the FDA to implement the rule. These partnerships and others enhance FDA’s ability to act swiftly to detain and remove any contaminated product from commerce, protecting U.S. consumers, as happened after the findings in domestic and imported produce.
FDA will continue to inform consumers as additional information becomes available regarding investigations and other work related to Cyclospora.
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2018/b-071318/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Sold at McDonald’s Restaurants — United States, 2018
Last Updated AUGUST 23, 2018 4:30 PM EDT
At a Glance
•Case Count: 507
•States: 16
•Deaths: 0
•Hospitalizations: 24
•Recall: No
Highlights
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
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that cases of cyclospora continue to show up around the state, including in Central Texas.
Two new cases were reported this past week in McLennan County and four in Bell County.
Williamson County has had ten but Travis County including the Austin area has reported 44.
The outbreak was first reported in May and has continued through the summer.
Past outbreaks have been associated with imported fresh produce, and disease investigators are busy gathering information about the current illnesses as they attempt to determine whether there is a common source for the current outbreak.
Long-lasting illnesses caused by the parasite, with symptoms like watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and fatigue, have been seen in various parts of the state and have prompted public health experts to advise health care providers and the public to be aware of the symptoms and pursue testing when needed.
People with symptoms that could be related to Cyclospora should contact their health care provider for treatment.
A recent health advisory asks providers to test patients who have diarrhea lasting more than a few days or diarrhea accompanied by severe loss of appetite or fatigue. Health care providers should promptly report cases so that public health can investigate them and attempt to determine the source in order to head off future cases.
DSHS recommends thoroughly washing all fresh produce, but that may not entirely eliminate the risk because Cyclospora can be very difficult to wash off. Cooking will kill the parasite.
Infection is generally not transmitted directly from person-to-person.
There were 319 cases of cyclosporiasis in Texas reported last year.
http://s2027422842.t.en25.com/e/es?s=2027422842&e=130767&elqTrackId=B1F0B909CCF90C71B9C490C37BFE6647&elq=9f7795b227b747f1b4dc9bc0dd9db1e7&elqaid=4836&elqat=1
FDA Sampling Assignment Update Identifies Cyclospora in Herbs
August 29, 2018
A risk-based, preventive approach to food safety is at the core of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). For many years, FDA has used product sampling and testing as one tool to better characterize microbial risk. Beginning in 2014, the agency began developing a new, more robust approach to sampling assignments to assess microbial contamination in food commodities. Under this new approach, the FDA collects a statistically-valid number of samples of targeted foods over a shorter period of time (12-18 months) to help identify common factors among positive findings.The sampling design for each food takes into account the volume of the target food that is both imported and produced domestically, and the number of states/countries that produce the target food, to reflect what U.S. consumers are likely to find in the marketplace.
Commodities sampled to date under the new approach have included sprouts, whole fresh avocados, raw milk cheese, cucumbers, and hot peppers. For fiscal year 2018, the FDA has been sampling fresh herbs, specifically basil, parsley, and cilantro, along with processed avocado and guacamole, with samples coming from both domestic and imported sources. Fresh cilantro, parsley and basil are typically eaten without having undergone a ‘kill step’ (such as cooking) to reduce or eliminate pathogens and are grown low to the ground, making them susceptible to contamination. The sampling assignment was developed to allow FDA to obtain baseline estimates of the prevalence of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in these herbs.
The agency added to this sampling assignment its recently developed and validated new analytical method to test for the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Cyclospora has caused outbreaks in the U.S. linked to imported produce, including basil and cilantro. Although it’s unknown exactly how food and water become contaminated with Cyclospora, prior outbreaks have been associated with produce grown under insanitary conditions. This highlights the importance of strong sanitation and worker hygiene practices to prevent contamination, since rinsing or washing food is not likely to remove the parasite.
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. As part of a broader effort under the FDA Produce Safety Partnership with Mexico, the two countries are working closely to investigate the cause of contamination.
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. In response, the FDA worked closely with state officials to voluntarily recall and embargo potentially affected product, and has been working with the farmer on corrective actions geared toward common routes of contamination.
Although this is the first confirmed evidence of the presence of Cyclospora in domestic produce, FDA is currently unaware of illnesses associated with the product, and traceforward efforts do not indicate there are any connections between this domestic finding of contaminated cilantro and multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora illnesses investigated this spring and summer.
The findings of Cyclospora in both domestic and imported produce highlight the importance of FDA’s surveillance activities to better define risks. These findings also highlight the importance of implementing the provisions of FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule at home and abroad to reduce risk and prevent illnesses from occurring. The Produce Safety Rule is designed to put in place science-based measures to prevent microbial contamination from occurring. State and foreign partners have an important role in working with the FDA to implement the rule. These partnerships and others enhance FDA’s ability to act swiftly to detain and remove any contaminated product from commerce, protecting U.S. consumers, as happened after the findings in domestic and imported produce.
FDA will continue to inform consumers as additional information becomes available regarding investigations and other work related to Cyclospora.
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2018/b-071318/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Sold at McDonald’s Restaurants — United States, 2018
Last Updated AUGUST 23, 2018 4:30 PM EDT
At a Glance
•Case Count: 507
•States: 16
•Deaths: 0
•Hospitalizations: 24
•Recall: No
Highlights
- On July 26, 2018, FDA completed analysis of an unused package of romaine lettuce and carrot mix distributed to McDonald’s by the Fresh Express processor in Streamwood, IL. The analysis confirmed the presence of Cyclospora in that mix. On July 27, 2018, FDA informed Fresh Express of these results.
- Fresh Express reported to FDA that the carrots in the mix went to McDonald’s restaurant locations only, and that the romaine lettuce was the only ingredient in the mix that was distributed to other locations. Romaine lettuce from the same lot that was positive for Cyclospora was distributed in pre-made salads and wraps distributed by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis, IN. Fresh Express also reported that no romaine lettuce from the lot that was positive for Cyclospora was packaged for direct retail sale to consumers.
- On July 30, 2018, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert about pre-made salads and wraps containing romaine lettuce that were distributed by Caito Foods LLC of Indianapolis, IN.
- The pre-made salads and wraps were shipped to distribution centers nationwide.
- The pre-made salads and wraps were produced July 15 to July 18, 2018 and have a “Best By,” “Enjoy by,” “Best if Sold By,” or “Sell By” date ranging from July 18 through July 23, 2018. See the product labels here.
- The pre-made salads and wraps have establishment number “EST. 39985” or “P-39985” inside or next to the USDA mark of inspection. See the full list of products, product labels, UPC code numbers, and other identifying information here.
- Important advice for consumers:
- If you purchased one of these pre-made salads or wraps, and have not yet eaten it, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
- If you have eaten one of these pre-made salads or wraps and you developed diarrhea, see a healthcare provider to be tested for Cyclospora infection and to be treated if you are sick.
- This investigation is ongoing. CDC will provide updates when more information is available.
- General advice for consumers about prevention of cyclosporiasis can be found here.
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