Imported Dry Dog Food Recalled for Salmonella After State Lab Finds Salmonella in Sample

Real Pet Food Company is voluntarily recalling its dog food, Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe 4lb bags, after a state testing lab found Salmonella in a sample.  Yes, this product does contain kangaroo.

Salmonella in dry dog food is often an issue of post process contamination.  

Real Pet Foods is headquartered in Singapore and its dry dog food manufacturing is done in Australia.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/real-pet-food-company-phoenix-az-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-billymargot-wild-kangaroo-and
Real Pet Food Company of Phoenix, AZ Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe Dog Food in 4 lb Bags Because of a Possible Salmonella Health Risk (USA)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 22, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  September 22, 2020
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Animal Feed
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Real Pet Food Company
Brand Name:  Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe
Product Description:  Dog food

CA Distributor Recalls Imported Wood Ear Mushrooms After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

CDC and FDA are investing a Salmonella outbreak linked to imported wood ear mushrooms distributed by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.  As of September 24, 2020, a total of 41 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Stanley have been reported from 10 states after eating wood ear mushrooms or ramen noodles containing wood ear mushrooms (aka Black Fungus or Kikurage)

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA recalled Shirakiku brand imported Dried Fungus (also known as Black Fungus or Kikurage).  Product was distributed to a multitude of States across the country and Canada.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/stanley-09-20/index.html
Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley Infections Linked to Wood Ear Mushrooms
Updated September 24, 2020 at 5:10 PM ET
At A Glance
Reported Cases: 41
States: 10
Hospitalizations: 4
Deaths: 0
Recall: Yes

Investigation Continues in This Summer's Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Salad, CDC Declares Outbreak Over

The CDC has declared that the Cyclospora outbreak associated with Fresh Express Salad products is over.  The outbreak occurred over May through July with 701 total cases with 38 being hospitalized.  Fresh Express did conduct a recall of their branded products as well as store branded products sold at 
ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart

FDA has not conclusively found the source of the organism, although canal water is a likely source - "FDA investigated multiple farms identified in the traceback, one of which led to sampling and investigation around a farm in south Florida. FDA continues to work with the state of Florida and the local water district to try to determine the source and impact of Cyclospora that was found in the regional water management canal (C-23), located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Given the emerging nature of genetic typing methodologies for this parasite in foods and in environmental samples, the FDA has been unable to determine if the Cyclospora detected in the canal is a genetic match to the clinical cases, therefore, there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine the source of this outbreak. However, the presence of Cyclospora in a canal that had previously supplied irrigation water in the region, and specifically to a farm identified in the traceback, suggests the need for a collaborative effort..."


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
CDC announces the end of the outbreak; FDA continues its investigation.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 701
Hospitalizations: 38
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 – 7/24/2020
States with Cases: GA (1), IL (211), IA (206), KS (5), MA (1), MI (4), MN (86), MO (57), NE (55), 

ND (6), OH (7), PA (2), SD (13), WI (47)

FDA Issues First Injunction Under Produce Safety Rule Shutting Down an Illinois Food Processor

The FDA issued the first injunction against a firm or grower for violating the Produce Safety Rule enacted under FSMA.  The Illinois processor  of sprouts and soy products has stopped production until it undertakes corrective action and comes in compliance with the regulations.  This comes after FDA had conducted multiple inspections where they documented insanitary conditions showing that sprouts and soy products had been produced in insanitary conditions.

The company had been issued a Warning Letter in July in which identified violations where significant evidence of rodent activity and insanitary conditions and practices throughout the farm mixed-type facility. Based on these findings, FDA determined that the mung bean sprouts, tofu products, and soybean noodle products were adulterated.  They noted employees shoveling product back up off the floor, product getting hung up in equipment, poor water handling systems, an inadequate Listeria control program,  extensive rodent infestation, inadequate handwashing facilities,  inadequate allergen labeling, etc.


FDA News Release
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-first-injunction-under-produce-safety-rule-illinois-based-food-manufacturer-repeated-food
FDA issues first injunction under Produce Safety Rule to Illinois-based food manufacturer for repeated food safety violations

For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2020

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Fortune Food Product, Inc., an Illinois-based processor of sprouts and soy products, has agreed to stop production until it, among other things, undertakes remedial action and complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

USDA Updates Rules for Egg Processing Operations

USDA updated regulatory inspection rules for egg products. Egg products, along with meat and poultry products, fall under the food safety jurisdiction of the USDA. Like meat and poultry product operations, egg processing facilities will move to intermediate inspection rather than continuous inspection and require companies to use HACCP to manage their own food safety systems. Processors of freeze-dried eggs and egg substitutes will also fall under USDA regulatory oversight.

This makes sense to have companies manage their own safety through HACCP systems without the need for continuous government inspection. This also brings these facilities in line with meat and poultry product regulatory rules.

USDA New Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2020/nr-09092020-01
USDA Modernizes Egg Products Inspection

OSHA Fines CO Meat Processor for Coronavirus Protection Failures

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued $15,615 in penalties to JBS's Colorado meat processing facility for failing to protect employees from COVID-19 virus exposure.
"OSHA guidance details proactive measures employers can take to protect workers from the coronavirus, such as social distancing measures and the use of physical barriers, face shields and face coverings when employees are unable to physically distance at least 6 feet from each other. Employers are also required to maintain injury and illness logs."

The company has 15 days to respond.

U.S. Department of Labor OSHA News Release
https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region8/09112020
September 11, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor Cites JBS Foods Inc. for Failing To Protect Employees from Exposure to the Coronavirus

ICMSF Opines that the COVID-19 Virus Not a Food Safety Risk

 The ICMSF (International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food) issued a position paper (ICMSF opinion on SARS-CoV-2 and its relationship to food safety)  indicating that SARS-CoV-2 or the COVID-19 virus, is not transmissible through food.  "The ICMSF believes that it is highly unlikely that the ingestion of the SARS-CoV-2 will result in illness; there is no documented evidence that food is a significant source and/or vehicle for transmission of SARS-CoV-2.  They also state that "It is vital that one differentiates a hazard from a risk, i.e., the mere presence of an infectious agent on food does not necessarily mean that an infection will occur"

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending September 12, 2020

Mislabeling Peanut Sauce By Applying Wrong Label - Pretty Thai of Austin, Texas, is recalling Pretty Thai Peanut Sauce that may have been mislabeled as Pretty Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. There is a risk that a person with an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the manufacturer's production and packaging processes.

Sourcing Error Results in Undeclared Anchovies (Fish) -  Fresco Foods Inc. of Tampa, FL is voluntarily recalling ALL units of ANCIENT GRAIN JACKFRUIT BOWL because it may contain an undeclared allergen, Fish (anchovies). The allergy alert was initiated after it was discovered that the Ancient Grain Jackfruit Bowl containing Fish (anchovies) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Fish (anchovies). Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by sourcing the wrong sub-ingredient.

Cheese, Not On Label, Identified at Store Level - Cher-Make Sausage Company, a Wisconsin establishment, is recalling approximately 429-lbs of fully-cooked meat sausage products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen -the product contains milk (cheese), which is not declared on the packaging label. The problem was discovered after the firm received a complaint from a store employee who observed cheese in the product.

Allergen Reaction to Wheat by Customer Trigger Recall of Product Produced by Co-Packer - Goodie Girl Tribeca LLC announced today it is voluntarily recalling 389 cases of a single date code of 7 oz. Goodie Girl Magical Animal Crackers, with a “best by” date of Jan 11, 21A3, after learning that the product may contain undeclared wheat ingredients.  There has been an individual with a wheat allergy that was treated for a wheat allergen reaction.  There has been an individual with a wheat allergy that was treated for a wheat allergen reaction.  This recall was initiated in cooperation with the FDA and the third-party co-packer that produced the product.

COVID-19 Prevention - The Importance of Controlling Aerosols with Proper Masks and Ventilation

Aerosols are considered one of the primary means for spread of the COVID-19 virus, thus the control of aerosols are critical for reducing risk. Two articles on the topic cover important aspects of control.

First is an article, Face Shields, Masks with Valves Ineffective Against COVID-19 Spread, that looks at a recently published study evaluating face shields and masks with valves. While these face shields are easier for some to use, they are not effective in controlling aerosols. The same goes with the masks that have vents. These are not effective at controlling aerosols from the person wearing them. One could probably figure that these would not be able to control aerosols, but here is research that proves that they are not effective controls for minimizing the risk of spreading virus.

The second was an article in the Wall Street Journal that looks at the need for good airflow in classrooms and other settings where there are a group of people. The article, Key to Preventing Covid-19 Indoors: Ventilation, discusses the importance of air movement with the need for moving air in the room - bringing in fresh air and expelling air from the room without it blowing from one person to another.

The article discusses a few cases where improper ventilation was a problem

"Five people sitting at tables adjacent to an infected but presymptomatic diner inside a Guangzhou, China, restaurant in January later tested positive for Covid-19, despite video that indicates the separate parties didn’t have close contact, according to an April study published on a preprint server. Some patrons who contracted the virus, the authors said, were seated as far as 15 feet away from the infected diner."