Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Dried Coconut

The CDC reports that 13 people from 8 different states have become infected from Salmonella from dried coconut.  The company, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Market has recalled dried coconut in retail size (10 oz) and foodservice (25lb bags).

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm602212.htm
FDA Investigates Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Linked to Dried Coconut
March 21, 2018

CDC and FDA Hold Off from Implicating Romaine Lettuce in E. coli Outbreak

FDA and CDC did not pull the trigger on making a public notice to avoid romaine lettuce for involvement in an E. coli outbreak.   The Canadians were first to issue a public notice implicating Romaine lettuce on Dec 14th.  At this point, however, there were no additional cases of E. coli infection reported with the last case on December 12th being reported (and recognizing there is a delay from infection and reporting).

In the end, that call was right.  Even if it is found that romaine lettuce was the source, that contaminated product would had already been through the system (considering the short shelf-life of product).  A public notice would have been missed the target and resulted in needless waste.

However, what we did see was a lot of confusion on the part of various entities issuing reactionary notices.  FDA and CDC would have done better to put their findings out there earlier.  Outbreak investigations are not perfect, and while it would have been easier on their part to trash the leafy green industry, relaying the findings would have gone a long way to quieting the alarmists.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm591989.htm
FDA Information about E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Likely Linked to Leafy Greens
January 10, 2018

E. coli (STEC) Outbreak in US and Canada Under Investigation

CDC, several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 infections where 17 people have become ill in 13 states.   A possible link may exist to an outbreak in Canada.  While the Canadian Public Health Agency has identified romaine lettuce as the source of the outbreak in Canada, no particular product has been identified in the U..

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/s1228-e-coli-outbreak.html
CDC Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections
For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 28, 2017
Contact: Media Relations
 (404) 639-3286

Outbreak of E. coli Affects Hundreds of Marine Recruits

About 300 marine recruits were stricken with E. coli infection this past week, and of that, 85 are still ill.  The outbreak occurred at Marine Corps Depot San Diego along with some personnel at Camp Pendleton,  The investigation continues as to the cause.

Fox 5 News - San Diego
http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/11/02/dozens-of-marine-recruits-remain-sick-from-e-coli/
Dozens of Marine recruits remain sick from E. coli
Posted 8:51 PM, November 2, 2017, by City News Service

NY Creamery Expands Recall, Product Linked to Illnesses. 2 Deaths

A NY creamery expanded its recall, posted on 3/7/16, as the CDC has linked the product to 6 cases of listeriosis.  There have been 2 deaths.

The product had national distribution, and with the window of time until the product was recalled, there may be additional cases that may be reported.

Listeria can be problematic in soft cheeses in that the product will support the growth of Listeria  We have seen a number of cases of listeria related to soft cheeses, so it is incumbent on those packing soft cheeses to have an aggressive Listeria control program. 

Harder cheese have a lower water activity and will not support the growth of Listeria.  While the risk is lower, the food plant-environmental pathogen still needs to be controlled.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm546133.htm
Vulto Creamery Voluntarily Expands Their Recall of All Raw Milk Cheeses Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2017

Court Upholds FDA Not Negligent in Issuing Warning in 2008 Salmonella Outbreak

The US Court of Appeals upheld the ruling that FDA did not negligently issue a warning about tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella as part of the 2008 Salmonella outbreak. In this case where 1442 people reported illness after eating salsa. FDA initially issued a warning that tomatoes were the likely source, but later it was discovered it was the peppers. Of course, this warning resulted in many tomatoes going unsold as people avoided them. "The court determined that the warning properly fell within the discretionary function exception of the Federal Tort Claims Act and that the district court "ruling was essential to protect FDA's vital role in safeguarding the public food supply."

This case points to the pressure on reporting potential sources of contamination versus the economic impact of a misdiagnosis of the real source. In this case, the tomato industry last millions of dollars. The impact of newer technologies, specifically whole genome sequencing, will benefit these types of investigations.

Penn State Law - The Agricultural Law Brief
https://pennstatelaw.psu.edu/academics/research-centers/center-agricultural-and-shale-law/agricultural-law-brief
JANUARY 2017
Food Safety: Court Rules FDA did not Negligently Issue Salmonella Warning

State Health Department Investigates Own Foodborne Illness Outbreak

An outbreak of foodborne illness affected 70 of the 200 NM State Health Department employees who attended the departmental holiday luncheon.  Epidemiologists from the Department are now investigating their own outbreak.  The luncheon was catered.  No word yet on the cause or the source.

Santa Fe New Mexican
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/staff-members-ill-after-department-of-health-luncheon/article_32e58635-07a0-5aaf-a4df-4ac5b6ea76e9.html
70 staff members ill after Department of Health luncheon

Thanksgiving Charity Event Results in Foodborne Illness Including 3 Deaths

An apparent foodborne illness outbreak related to a Thanksgiving charity event has impacted 17 people and caused 3 deaths and 1 hospitalization.  Many of these people were in the "high risk' category.  While the cause and the source have not yet been identified (although this may be similar), here is what is known:

• Food was prepared at the facility as well as brought from volunteers homes.  Food prepared at the facility included mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, heated up creame corn and green beans.  Items made at volunteer's homes included turkeys, hams, and sweet potatoes.
• Pies purchased from local stores.
• Death ranges: Teens to 70’s
• Says patients came from at least 3 facilities
• Symptoms – nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
• People who became ill got sick within 24-hours of consuming the food
• In California, non-profits can run this type of event for members and guests without a permit. 

In Pennsylvania, a soup kitchen  operation would also be exempt from requiring a license, but the American Legion where the foods was provided would probably have one.  If the food was being sold rather than given away as a charity event, then a license would probably be required.  The additional concern would be the products that were made at home.  A licenced facility would not be allowed to serve these types of foods (TCS) made at home.

Regardless, it is an important to train volunteers on food safety, such as Cooking for Crowds.  Cases like this are reminders of that.


East Bay Times
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/11/29/antioch-elder-victims-of-suspected-food-borne-illness-came-from-separate-care-homes/
News
Antioch food-related deaths: More cases of sickened patrons
By Aaron Davis | aarondavis@bayareanewsgroup.com, Matthias Gafni | mgafni@bayareanewsgroup.com and Sam Richards | srichards@bayareanewsgroup.com
PUBLISHED: November 29, 2016 at 12:42 pm | UPDATED: November 29, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Washington Firm Recalls Whole Roaster Hogs Due to Salmonella

A Washington firm is recalling whole roaster hogs after that firms product was linked to an outbreak of Salmonella.

This same firm had a recall last summer due to the same issue...Salmonella.  The strain in that case was Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i, the same strain that was in this case.  So if one had to guess, this strain could have developed a niche within the process facility and then get onto the hog carcass in higher numbers.  A virulent strain, it then cross contaminates surfaces when handled by those barbequing the hogs, or perhaps the hogs are not getting to the final temperature.

FSIS issued a health alert about the safety procedures needed when cooking whole hogs. "Roasting a pig is a complex undertaking with numerous potential food handling issues. FSIS urges consumers to keep the four food safety steps in mind: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill."
USDA FSIS News Release
Link.
 Kapowsin Meats Inc. Recalls Pork Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
Class I Recall 062-2016
Health Risk: High Jul 21, 2016

A Salmonella Outbreak in MN Linked to Bagged Salad

Bagged salad produced by Taylor Farms are being linked to a Salmonella outbreak in Minnesota where six people have been infected.  The illness occurred in the month of April and product had been pulled from the store where purchased (Sam's Club).   The strain of Salmonella enteritidis was identified by a unique DNA fingerprint.


The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/taylor-farms-linked-salmonella-outbreak
Taylor Farms linked to salmonella outbreak
By Andy Nelson May 19, 2016 | 4:45 pm EDT

A salmonella outbreak has been linked to bagged salads shipped by Taylor Farms.

In early May, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture alerted the Food and Drug Administration about salmonella infections it had linked with Organic Kale Medley Power Greens bags shipped by Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms and sold at Sam’s Club stores in Minnesota, according to an FDA spokesperson.

Justice Department Investigates Salad Plant After Listeria Outbreak

 The US Justice Department is investigating the Dole with regard to the Salad / Listeria outbreak.  The question being raised is 'what did they know'?  This comes after an FDA inspection of the facility found Listeria monocytogenes.

The outcome of this investigation is important for processors who manufacturer products that can be affected by Listeria, especially those that had been regarded as lower risk (do not support appreciable growth).  Why?  Many manufacturers have Listeria Control Programs that have verification monitoring that focuses on Listeria species testing before production, or pre-operational, on non-food-contact environmental surfaces.  If found, then corrective action focuses on cleaning that area.

The concern is that this may not be aggressive enough.  We have now seen that Listeria can be an issue in product that supports minimal to no growth.  For one, we do not know how the consumer is going to handle products - perhaps using them as an ingredient in foods that better support growth, and in light of the Blue Bell outbreak, what minimal levels can cause illness in those at highest risk.  A more aggressive sampling would look at sampling during production and looking more at food contact surfaces.

Can you fault the plant?  Not based upon the current FDA Listeria Control Guidance.  What will it look like going further?

Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dole-food-under-investigation-over-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-salads-1461966955#:tqCQf4DgV4N9hA
Business
U.S. Probes Dole Food Over Listeria Outbreak Linked to Salads
Samples suggest Dole had evidence of bacteria at Ohio plant a year earlier

Massive Recall of Frozen Vegetables Follows Linkage to Listeria Outbreak

A Washington state frozen food manufacturer is recalling frozen vegetable products affecting approximately 2 years of production, 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands

This was an expansion of a recall that was issued on April 23rd after the Ohio state health officials reported the finding.  Since that time, it had been linked to 8 cases.  (2 deaths are listed on the CDC website, but they state it was not due to Listeria.  Complications from Listeria?).  CRF had suspended operations after the first recall in April and had not resumed production.  FDA did isolate Listeria monocytogenes from the facility and "...... were found to be closely related genetically to seven of the isolates of ill people associated with this outbreak."

In the CDC report [below], a linkage was made after the Ohio state isolated the organism from frozen product.  It does not appear this product was sampled because of linkage to the outbreak in that the report states there were no reported illnesses.   It is also important to not that while 2 cases were from 2016, the other cases were said to have been done in a 'retrospective analysis' where the DNA from the isolated organism was matched against past outbreak cases.


According to the CDC Report, "Whole genome sequencing showed that the Listeria isolate from the frozen corn was closely related genetically to seven bacterial isolates from ill people, and the Listeria isolate from the frozen peas was closely related genetically to one isolate from an ill person.  The way his case has unfolded looks very similar to the Blue Bell outbreak/recall.

The products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, corn, edamame, green beans, Italian beans, kale, leeks, lima beans, onions, peas, pepper strips, potatoes, potato medley, root medley, spinach, sweet potatoes, various vegetable medleys, blends, and stir fry packages, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries.  Brands include Trader Joes, Kirkland, and Great Value as well as others.

There are some things that would be good to know.
1)  The products in question required cooking....were they cooked by the consumers who became ill?
2)  The report states that he Listeria isolated from product and in the outbreak cases were closely related.  How close is close?
3) What type of Listeria Control Program did the facility have?



FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm499157.htm
FDA Investigates Listeria Outbreak Linked to Frozen Vegetables

May 4, 2016

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The FDA, CDC and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis identified in March 2016.

Impact of Food Safety Issues on Chipotle Bigger than Expected

The impact of food safety issues on Chipotle have been much more than expected.  They estimate that 7% of customers may never return.  Then there are the "costs to address food safety, increased staffing needed to serve free food and the volume of fresh produce wasted due to lower traffic and testing were all higher than expected."  Chipotle shares are still off 28% from last year.

Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2016/03/17/chipotle-food-safety-problems-may-cost-it-up-to-7-of-customers-cfo/
Chipotle Food-Safety Problems May Cost It Up To 7% of Customers: CFO
1:13 pm ET
Mar 17, 2016 
By Maxwell Murphy    

Update on Listeria Outbreak Associated with Salad

CDC provided an update on the number of listeriosis cases linked to Dole's packaged salads.  There are now 15 cases and 1 death.  Dole has shut down its Ohio processing facility and does not plan to restart until at least February.   With regard to impacted product, Dole initially called its action a voluntary withdrawal.  It changed that status to a voluntary recall on January 27th.

Dole Withdrawals Salad Items Linked to Listeria Outbreak

Dole is conducting a voluntary withdrawal of salad products made in their Springfield, OH facility after being linked to a Listeria outbreak.  In this outbreak, 12 people have been infected with one death.  

According to the CDC, the evidence indicates that packaged salads produced at the Dole processing facility in Springfield, Ohio  are the likely source.   From the CDC report:

• Five (100%) of the five ill people who were asked about packaged salad reported eating packaged salad in the month before becoming ill. Two (100%) of two ill people who specified a brand of packaged salad reported eating various varieties of Dole brand packaged salads. 
• The Ohio Department of Agriculture collected a Dole brand Field Greens packaged salad from a retail location and isolated Listeria. Laboratory tests showed that the Listeria isolate from the packaged salad was highly related genetically to isolates from ill people. This packaged salad was produced at the Springfield, Ohio Dole processing facility.

 CDC began investigating this in September of 2015, but as can be seen, there has been only a few cases coming in at a time, making the investigation process more difficult with providing a specific source.

At this point, it is difficult to comment too much without knowing more information.  Did the plant have an active Listeria control program?  Was it comprehensive in terms of evaluating washing systems and food contact surfaces including buildup/biofilms in those washing systems.  In many facilities, there is a focus on noncontact surfaces (zones 2 and 3) and conducting of preoperational samples rather than operational, but if there was indeed an issue in the process, would it have been identified if the facility was not looking deeper?  Did they know that they had an issue?

 

CDC Outbreak Notice

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/bagged-salads-01-16/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Packaged Salads Produced at Springfield, Ohio Dole Processing Facility 

Posted January 25, 2016 4:15 PM ET 

   

At a Glance:

• Case Count: 12
• States: 6
• Deaths: 1
• Hospitalizations: 12
• Recall: No

Highlights

Justice Department Investigations of Companies Involved in Food Outbreaks

 In a Wall Street Journal Risk Blog, there is discussion on the US Justice Department becoming more interested / involved in the investigation of companies involved in food illness outbreaks.  In the WSJ article, it states, "The [Justice] department has said it will focus more efforts on individual law-breakers after a recent memo that requires turning over information about responsible individuals to the government for a company to receive cooperation credit."  After success with the PCA investigation, the Justice Department has opened investigations into Chipotle and Blue Bell.

Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2016/01/08/the-morning-risk-report-justice-department-sending-message-on-food-safety/

The Morning Risk Report: Justice Department Sending Message on Food Safety

Two newly opened investigations and a banner conviction mean the U.S. Justice Department is sending a message to the food industry to take product safety more seriously, an expert said.

Justice Department Investigating Blue Bell Regarding Listeria Outbreak

Blue Bell is back in the news as CBS News is reporting that the US Justice Department has started an investigation into the conditions that led to the 2015 Listeria outbreak and what company executives knew and when they knew it.

Similar to what was seen with PCA Salmonella outbreak, there may be concern that the company knew of substandard conditions and Listeria contamination within the processing environment, and did not take sufficient action.

CBS News
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dept-of-justice-investigating-blue-bell-for-deadly-listeria-outbreak/
Dept. of Justice investigating Blue Bell for deadly Listeria outbreak
By Jim Axelrod CBS News

December 29, 2015, 7:43 PM

The Department of Justice has started an investigation into Blue Bell after their ice cream was linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak earlier this year that killed three people.

Update on Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Cucumbers

CDC updated the information regarding the outbreak of Salmonella related to contaminated cucumbers that began in July.    There have been 838 cases of Salmonella reported in 38 states with 165 hospitalizations and 4 deaths.

  

  

 

CDC Recall Update

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Poona Infections Linked to Imported Cucumbers 

Posted November 19, 2015 11:45 AM ET

 

 At A Glance

Case Count: 838 (http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/epi.html)

States: 38(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/map.html)

Deaths: 4

Hospitalizations: 165

Recall: Yes

What's New?

• Since the last update on October 14, 2015, 71 more ill people have been reported from 23 states.
• Connecticut and New Hampshire were added to the list of states with ill people, bringing the total number of states to 38.
• The number of reported illnesses has declined substantially since the peak of illnesses in August and September; however, it has not returned to the number of reported illnesses that we would expect to see (about 5 every month). The investigation into the source of these illnesses is ongoing.

CDC - Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks — United States, 2010–2014

In MMWR, the CDC published an analysis of data in the Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System from 2010 - 2014. The document can be found here.

What were the important results:

• During this 5-year period, 120 multistate foodborne disease outbreaks (with identified pathogen and food or common setting) were reported to CDC.
• These multistate outbreaks accounted for 3% (120 of 4,163) of all reported foodborne outbreaks, but were responsible for 11% (7,929 of 71,747) of illnesses, 34% (1,460 of 4,247) of hospitalizations, and 56% (66 of 118) of deaths associated with foodborne outbreaks. [Listeria accounted for the largest percentage of deaths - 86%]
• Salmonella (63 outbreaks), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (34), and Listeria monocytogenes (12) were the leading pathogens.
• Fruits (17), vegetable row crops (15), beef (13), sprouts (10), and seeded vegetables (nine) were the most commonly implicated foods.
• Imported foods were linked to 18 multistate outbreaks.

It is interesting to read the headlines that follow this release.
Big and deadly: Major foodborne outbreaks spike sharply (Washington Post) goes on to say that major foodborne outbreaks in the United States have more than tripled in the last 20 years.
Well, our improvement in being able to see outbreaks has improved in the last twenty years.  With Pulsenet, CDC can work with states to find outbreaks.  This system came online 20 years ago and has continued to improve, especially with the development of whole genome sequencing.  So of course we see more outbreaks than we saw 20 years ago, but that does not mean they didn't exist.  And if you had to guess, you would say that there were more 20 years ago then there are today.

Number of Cucumber Related Salmonellosis Cases Rises

There have been an addition 61 cucumber linked cases of salmonellosis since the September 29 CDC outbreak update. This brings the total to 732 people.  With a relatively short shelf-life of 14 days, CDC anticipates that there should not be too many more, if any, additional cases.

 

It is surprising the lack of outrage in the media.  732 cases.  4 deaths.  Let's compare that to the Salmonella outbreak associated with Foster Farms raw chicken, a product that is supposed to be cooked.  In that outbreak , CDC reported that "a total of 634 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported from 29 states and Puerto Rico from March 1, 2013 to July 11, 2014.  38% of ill persons were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported."   Have we become desensitized?  Or are there less deep pockets to access?

 

Certainly the scope is huge.  35 states.  This demonstrates the impact of one initial supply hub in moving product across the county. 

 

It also shows the inability to track an outbreak related to produce.  3 months is a long time for such a short shelf-life product.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

CDC Outbreak

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/poona-09-15/index.html

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Poona Infections Linked to Imported Cucumbers

Posted October 6, 2015 4:00 PM ET

 

What's New?

• Since the last update on September 29, 2015, 61 more ill people have been reported from 24 states. Given the 14-day shelf life of cucumbers and the gap between when someone gets sick and when that illness is reported to public health, it is not unexpected to continue to see illnesses reported after the recalls.
• A death has been reported from Oklahoma, bringing the total number of deaths to four.
• Maryland was added to the list of states with ill people, bringing the total number of states to 35.