The Jensen brothers, owners of the farm that grew and packed the Listeria tainted cantaloupes which were responsible for killing 33, have been arrested and now face jail time for the incident. This is in addition to having their farm go bankrupt, one owned by the family for generations.
This case is a huge deal for all food operations in that owners/managers are facing prison for a foodborne outbreak. While all basically agree that there was no intent by the Jensen brothers, it is the fact that the shipped contaminated product from an operation with food safety lapses that have led to the misdemeanor charges, where intent is not a factor. The food safety lapses can be summed up”
1) They installed a potato washer to wash cantaloupes. It did not wash cantaloupes well, it did not cool them, and the equipment was not easy to clean. Because it was not easy to clean, it actually served as a source of contamination. By not cooling, the warmer temperatures provided better growing conditions for Listeria on the outside of the cantaloupe.
2) The chlorine sanitizer spray system was not operational.
The later point is worth noting. In certain applications, it is easy to overlook these microbial reduction interventions. Who knows, perhaps the location of the spray nozzles were located at a point where the chlorine would be quickly inactivated because of the solids on the cantaloupes, so they decided not to hook them up.
It can be easy to look at a number of bacterial reduction interventions and wonder if there is a significant impact versus the cost of operating that intervention, or operating it at the level it should be operated. Or even maintaining the appropriate verification steps (checking concentration, conducing bacterial counts before and after) to ensure that the intervention is operating at that level it is supposed to be operating.
So when the unfortunate event occurs, in this case one of the most deadly foodborne outbreaks in US history, investigators are going to look at everything - Is the process right for the products it is processing? Are the appropriate antimicrobial systems in place that are standard in the industry? Are the antimicrobials systems that are in place working, and are they operating at the right parameters?
Companies need to use this case as a reason to review all processes, with specific attention to these antimicrobial interventions. If a system is in place, make sure it is working as it designed. If these systems are not operating, then either fix it. If they have been abandoned, then move it, replace it or remove it.
Note that these brothers are just farmers, one 37 years old, and the other 33. While the thought of jail time probably pales in comparison to the responsibility for 33 deaths, they probably wonder how some poor decisions led to where they are now.
United States Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado
New Release
http://www.justice.gov/usao/co/index.html
Eric and Ryan Jensen charged with introducing tainted cantaloupe into interstate commerceFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2013
DENVER – Eric Jensen, age 37, and Ryan Jensen, age 33, brothers who owned and operated Jensen Farms, located in Granada, Colorado, presented themselves to U.S. Marshals in Denver today, where taken into custody on federal charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigation, United States Attorney John Walsh and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Patrick Holland announced. The Information charges the brothers with introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. The defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearance this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty. At that hearing they will be advised of their rights as well as the charges pending against them.
According to the six-count Information filed under restriction on September 24, 2013, as well as other court records, Eric and Ryan Jensen allegedly introduced adulterated cantaloupe into interstate commerce. Specifically, the cantaloupe bore a poisonous bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. The Information further states that the cantaloupe was prepared, packed and held under conditions which rendered it injurious to health.
Showing posts with label outbreak.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outbreak.. Show all posts
Friday, September 27, 2013
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunland Recall Expands Again, Now Includes In-shell Peanuts
The Sunland Food Recall was once again expanded to include in-shell peanut products produced at their Peanut Processing Facility. This expansion was done as part of the on-going investigation. According to the CDC, there have been 35 illnesses linked to the Trader Joe brand of peanut butter.(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html). No other products have been found to have caused illness, so the expansion of the recall is due to what investigators are discovering in the two plants.
Other companies also continue to recall products with products supplied by Sunland. (below)
Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Extension of Ongoing Recall To Include Raw and Roasted Shelled and In-Shell Peanuts Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323824.htm?source=govdelivery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced that it is extending its ongoing voluntary recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts processed in its Peanut Processing Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being extended to include raw and roasted peanuts, both in-shell and shelled, which were processed in its Peanut Processing Plant located in Portales, New Mexico, and which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The original recall initiated by the Company on September 24, 2012, included peanut butter and other nut butter products produced in a separate building from where raw and roasted peanuts are processed. The reason for the initial voluntary recall was the potential for the recalled products to be contaminated with Salmonella. At that time, twenty-nine (29) people had reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately eighteen (18) states, and of those who had been interviewed at that time, twelve of fourteen reported having eaten the same single product made by the Company. Since the recall was announced, additional confirmed illnesses have been reported. As of October 5, 2012, the total number of confirmed illnesses reported was thirty-five (35). The most current information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding confirmed illnesses is available at their website: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html1
The extension being announced today is the result of the continued joint investigation by the Company and FDA. The Company has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its Peanut Butter Plant and its Peanut Processing Plant while FDA and the Company continue their investigation.
The raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers were distributed primarily under the Company’s own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet. The roasted and roasted/salted peanuts being recalled were distributed during the six month period prior to the recall date (April 12, 2012 – October 12, 2012), and will have best by/expiration dates on the packaging from October 12, 2012 through April 12, 2013. The raw peanuts being recalled (shelled and in-shell), were distributed during the twelve months prior to the recall date (October 12, 2011 – October 12, 2012), and will have either best by dates from October 12, 2012 through October 12, 2013 on the packaging, or a “Crop Year” marking on the package of 2011 or 2012, up to and including October 12, 2012.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The “Best-If-Used-By” date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging. The UPC used to identify the recalled products is located below the bar code on all products. In-shell peanuts that were sold in 2, 5 and 10 pound mesh bags (raw, roasted and salted/roasted), do not include an expiration date on the mesh bags. All such products should not be eaten and should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or disposed of immediately. All expired products should be discarded. Customers who purchased products directly from the Company’s website should discard the products and contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018.
Consumers can contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018 for information on the recall. This toll-free number is operational 24 hours a day.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most current information available from FDA is posted at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm2
The specifics of the affected products are set forth below. Products being added to the list for the first time appear in the first table. All previously identified products follow in the second table.
Creative Energy Foods, Inc. Recalls Ridgebar Brand Nutrition Bars Due to Possible Health Risk Associated With Sunland Inc. Peanut Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323818.htm?source=govdelivery
Due to Sunland Peanut Butter Recall, AdvancePierre Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Select Frozen Peanut Butter Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323800.htm?source=govdelivery
Lin-Mar Partners Recalls Roasted Peanut With Chocolate and Peanut Butter Trail Longhorn Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323803.htm?source=govdelivery
Purefit Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Purefit Peanut Butter Crunch Bars Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323825.htm?source=govdelivery
General Mills Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Cascadian Farm Snack Bars Containing Peanuts
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323308.htm?source=govdelivery
Other companies also continue to recall products with products supplied by Sunland. (below)
Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntary Extension of Ongoing Recall To Include Raw and Roasted Shelled and In-Shell Peanuts Due to Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323824.htm?source=govdelivery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced that it is extending its ongoing voluntary recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts processed in its Peanut Processing Plant because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specifically, the recall is being extended to include raw and roasted peanuts, both in-shell and shelled, which were processed in its Peanut Processing Plant located in Portales, New Mexico, and which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The original recall initiated by the Company on September 24, 2012, included peanut butter and other nut butter products produced in a separate building from where raw and roasted peanuts are processed. The reason for the initial voluntary recall was the potential for the recalled products to be contaminated with Salmonella. At that time, twenty-nine (29) people had reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately eighteen (18) states, and of those who had been interviewed at that time, twelve of fourteen reported having eaten the same single product made by the Company. Since the recall was announced, additional confirmed illnesses have been reported. As of October 5, 2012, the total number of confirmed illnesses reported was thirty-five (35). The most current information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding confirmed illnesses is available at their website: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/bredeney-09-12/index.html1
The extension being announced today is the result of the continued joint investigation by the Company and FDA. The Company has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its Peanut Butter Plant and its Peanut Processing Plant while FDA and the Company continue their investigation.
The raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers were distributed primarily under the Company’s own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains. The products also were available for purchase on the internet. The roasted and roasted/salted peanuts being recalled were distributed during the six month period prior to the recall date (April 12, 2012 – October 12, 2012), and will have best by/expiration dates on the packaging from October 12, 2012 through April 12, 2013. The raw peanuts being recalled (shelled and in-shell), were distributed during the twelve months prior to the recall date (October 12, 2011 – October 12, 2012), and will have either best by dates from October 12, 2012 through October 12, 2013 on the packaging, or a “Crop Year” marking on the package of 2011 or 2012, up to and including October 12, 2012.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The “Best-If-Used-By” date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging. The UPC used to identify the recalled products is located below the bar code on all products. In-shell peanuts that were sold in 2, 5 and 10 pound mesh bags (raw, roasted and salted/roasted), do not include an expiration date on the mesh bags. All such products should not be eaten and should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or disposed of immediately. All expired products should be discarded. Customers who purchased products directly from the Company’s website should discard the products and contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018.
Consumers can contact the Company at 1-866-837-1018 for information on the recall. This toll-free number is operational 24 hours a day.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most current information available from FDA is posted at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm2
The specifics of the affected products are set forth below. Products being added to the list for the first time appear in the first table. All previously identified products follow in the second table.
Creative Energy Foods, Inc. Recalls Ridgebar Brand Nutrition Bars Due to Possible Health Risk Associated With Sunland Inc. Peanut Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323818.htm?source=govdelivery
Due to Sunland Peanut Butter Recall, AdvancePierre Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Select Frozen Peanut Butter Products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323800.htm?source=govdelivery
Lin-Mar Partners Recalls Roasted Peanut With Chocolate and Peanut Butter Trail Longhorn Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323803.htm?source=govdelivery
Purefit Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of Purefit Peanut Butter Crunch Bars Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323825.htm?source=govdelivery
General Mills Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Cascadian Farm Snack Bars Containing Peanuts
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323308.htm?source=govdelivery
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