Imported Meat from Canada Recalled Due to Potential Pathogenic E. coli Contamination

The USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for raw non-intact beef products derived from imported beef from Ontario, Canada that has been recalled by Ryding-Regency Meat Packers, Ltd. because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting a food safety investigation and determined that certain products produced by the company may be contaminated. While Canada is the recalling authority, FSIS is amplifying the recall through this public health alert."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2019/pha-101619-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef Products due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Canada - Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Cooked Diced Chicken, Seven Cases of Illness

Canadian authorities are investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes - higher risk populations).

"As of August 18, 2019, there have been 7 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness in three provinces: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1) and Ontario (5). Individuals became sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six individuals have been hospitalized. Individuals who became ill are between 51 and 97 years of age. The majority of cases (86%) are female."

In November of 2017, there were 2 cases, and then starting in April of 2019 through June, there were 5 more cases.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-health-notice-outbreak-of-listeria-infections-linked-to-rosemount-brand-cooked-diced-chicken-835486323.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken Français
News provided by
Public Health Agency of Canada
Aug 19, 2019, 12:27 ET

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

Complying With Licensing Requirement and SFCR for Shipping Food To Canada

Food companies shipping food products into Canada are going to be required to obtain a license from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, CFIA.  It can be obtained by using the online portal.   Who needs a license:

"Generally speaking if you are doing any of these activities, you would need a licence: importing, manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, grading, packaging, or labelling a food that will be exported or moved between provinces and slaughtering a food animal."

There are some exemptions - alcoholic beverages, food additives, among others (see 48)

Like the recently enacted FSMA regulations in the US, Canada has updated their food regulations - Safe Food for Canadians Regulations or SFCR.  CFIA has a webpage, Understanding the Proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations: A Handbook for Food Businesses, that provides more information on the regulation.

There are many similarities between FSMA and SFCR including the use of Preventive Controls in food manufacturing operations. This document states (19c):

Preventive control Measures: This Part would set key food safety controls that must be met by all food businesses. It would also outline the requirements for developing, implementing, and maintaining a written preventive control plan that documents how you meet food safety and marketplace fairness requirements (e.g. for labelling, packaging, standards of identity, grades, humane treatment and net quantity).

 While there are some differences the SFCR preventive controls from FSMA , especially in terms of market fairness requirements such as humane treatment, standards of identity, and net quantity (In the US, these are handled by regulations outside of FSMA), the two systems will be viewed as compatible.

Canada - Mechanically Tenderized Beef Recalled Due to E. coli STEC Contamination

A Canadian firm is recalling mechanically tenderized beef due to E. coli O157:H7.  The contamination was found by the company.

It is interesting to note that the safe cooking instructions posted on the Canadian product only requests that the consumer cook the product to 145F (CFIA).   In the United States, USDA requires safe handling instructions for mechanically tenderized beef that state the product be cooked to 145F with a 3 minute rest (USDA) while the US Food Code requires 155F for 15 seconds for food service.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2017-10-17/eng/1508283692898/1508283695906
Food Recall Warning - Mechanically Tenderized Steak recalled due to E. coli O157:H7
 Recall date:October 17, 2017 
Reason for recall:Microbiological - E. coli O157:H7 
Hazard classification:Class 1 
Company / Firm:Vantage Foods (ON) Inc. 
 Distribution:Ontario
Extent of the distribution:Retail   

Canadian Firm Recalls Fully Cooked Chicken Skewers for Listeria Contamination

A Canadian firm is recalling fully cooked chicken skewers for Listeria.  The Listeria was discovered during FSIS import inspection.  Product had been shipped to retail locations in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and Texas.


USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-095-2017-release
Expresco Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Skewer Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 095-2017
Health Risk: High Aug 23, 2017
En Español
Congressional and Public Affairs Mitch Adams (202) 720-9113 

Press@fsis.usda.gov

Canada - Norovirus in Raspberry Mousse Cake

In Canada,  a norovirus outbreak associated with Raspberry Mousse cakes has been reported.  The suspect product had been shipped throughout Canada.  There is not much more information available including how the product came to be contaminated.

While the raw materials may have been contaminated, it seems much more likely that this situation is the result of a norovirus-infected employee handling the finished product.  People who become infected with norovirus illness can develop symptoms as fast as 12 hours after exposure and those symptoms can last 24 hours or longer.  These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. As they shed the virus through either portal, (and even after they are feeling better), the virus can get on hands or other surfaces, where it can makes its way to the food.   On surfaces, it can last for weeks, unless that surface is properly cleaned.  This is why it is critical to have sick employees (especially those who are vomiting, have diarrhea or jaundice), stay away from food.

CFIA Release

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2017-08-16/eng/1502920045247/1502920045783
Updated Food Recall Warning - Raspberry mousse cakes recalled due to norovirus 

Recall date: August 16, 2017 

Reason for recall:  Microbiological - Other Hazard classification:
Class 3 Company / Firm:
Industry Distribution:
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan Extent of the distribution:

CDC Report - 2016-2017 E.coli non-O157 Outbreak in Canada Associated with Flour

CDC issued a field note on the 2016-2017 E. coli non-O157 outbreak in Canada associated with flour.  In all, 29 people were infected in Canada and one in the US.   Robin Hood flour was the identified brand.  According to the report, "Eleven of these sixteen patients reported they ate or probably ate raw dough during their exposure period."  "Eight patients were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Clinical isolates were typed as E. coli O121:H19."

CDC MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6626a6.htm?s_cid=mm6626a6_e
Notes from the Field: An Outbreak of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O121 Infections Associated with Flour — Canada, 2016–2017
Weekly / July 7, 2017

Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Berries - Canada

An outbreak of Hepatitis A in Canada has been linked to bags of mixed frozen berries.  From the label on the package, it appears that the berries are, at least in part, imported berries.

How does this occur?  Most likely an infected worker handling the fruit, probably at the point of harvest or initial processing, would have contaminated the fruit.  Because the fruit is often used without any further processing, there is no point for reduction of the virus. 

How can it be prevented?  This is a RTE product.  So strategic sourcing is critical.  Have the farms implemented GAP procedures, especially those controls for farm employee health and exclusion of ill employees?  This can be a more difficult issue with Hepatitis A where an employee can be contagious and not yet show signs of illness. 

This has not been the first issue associated with frozen fruit products, so this indicates that there is more work to do with sourcing fruit from farms with good practices.

What is the impact?  Hepatitis A is highly infectious.  There is a period of time, about two weeks, from when a person is exposed where a vaccination can be helpful.  The challenge is getting word out to those who purchased product.  Once infected, the symptoms can vary from fever, low appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, to jaundice.  Long term liver damage can be a risk for those high risk individuals.
 
The Star (Canada)
 http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/19/recalled-costco-frozen-berries-linked-to-13-cases-of-hepatitis-a.html
Recalled Costco frozen berries linked to 13 cases of Hepatitis A
Store is offering vaccinations to those who may have eaten its Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend that was recalled Saturday by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

By: The Canadian Press, Published on Tue Apr 19 2016

Canadian Firm Recalled Sliced Apples Due to Listeria

A Canadian firm is recalling sliced apples after someone reported getting ill and CFIA test results.  The apples were distributed in Canada.



Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/20150429b/eng/1430375161334/1430375167258
Food Recall Warning - Sliced apples and products containing sliced apples recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Recall date:April 29, 2015
Reason for recall: Microbiological - Listeria
Hazard classification:Class 1
Company / Firm:Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc.
Distribution:Possibly National
Extent of the distribution: Retail
   
Recall details

Ottawa, April 29, 2015 - Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc. is recalling sliced apples and products containing sliced apples produced in its Brampton, Ontario facility from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described below.