RTE Salad and Sandwich Wrap Products Recalled Due to Potenial Link with an E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak

UPDATE 11/13/13 - From CDC (below), as of 11/10/13, there are a total of 26 cases of people infected with E. coli O157:H7 with 2 cases of HUS.  Traceback analysis conducted by government agencies indicates that Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Chicken and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken produced by Glass Onion and sold by Trader Joe's is the likely source.

Initial Report 11/11/13
USDA and FDA are reporting that a California company is recalling approximately 180,000 lbs of ready-to-eat salad and sandwich wrap products due to being linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak (news releases below). FDA and CA Dept of Health have identified a cluster of 26 cases of E.coli infection where patients had consumed pre-packaged items produced by Glass Onion Catering / Atherstone Foods. The recalled product was produced from Sept 29 through Nov 6. This product was shipped to distribution centers in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Texas. This company co-packed product for brands including Trader Joe's and Super Fresh which are included in the recall.  Retailers included Walgreen and Whole Foods.

 

A few interesting items to note:

•  The company produces salad items with and without chicken. E. coli O157:H7 has not been an issue with chicken. Produce items have been linked to E. coli outbreaks in the past (including the 2007 spinach outbreak). The question regarding the chicken is whether they were they cooking their own chicken or was the chicken purchase precooked from another company that could have handled other meat products. Also, the recall was issued based upon an epidemiological field investigation that showed a high correlation to consumption of this company’s product, but at this point, there has not been test positive product samples with the pathogen.
• Glass Onion Catering is a growing business, recently expanding operations, purchasing and retrofitting a 42,500 sq ft facility in 2011, so have only been producing from that facility within the last year or two. The facility was previously owned by a manufacturer of paper rolls (non-food). It will be interesting to see if facility issues had any impact in light of the fact that the operation was retrofitted for food production. Along with moving into a new facility, there is also the rapid expansion in the operation to meet a growing market. When small companies rapidly increase production volume, such as when they pick-up national accounts (in this case, Trader Joe's), an important question is whether they have the necessary systems in place to control quality and ensure safety?
• As for Trader Joe's, here again we have another small co-packing facility (Glass Onion) whose food safety issues have impacted the Trader Joe's brand. Two previous issues where co-packers have negatively impacted the Trader Joe’s brand were peanut butter with Salmonella and frozen chicken dinners with Listeria. While many retailers, including Trader Joe’s, have a model for finding those unique products made by small companies and then bringing those products to a larger market, there can be increased risk to their brand if these smaller companies have a food safety issue.

CDC News Release
Posted November 12, 2013 7:00 PM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2013/O157H7-11-13/index.html

Highlights

 

Read the Advice to Consumers and Retailers »

• As of November 10, 2013, a total of 26 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7 have been reported from three states.
• The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), California (22), and Washington (3).
• 28% of ill persons have been hospitalized. Two ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths have been reported.
• The STEC O157:H7 PFGE pattern in this outbreak is new to the PulseNet database.
• Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted by local, state, and federal officials indicate that consumption of two ready-to-eat salads, Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken, produced by Glass Onion Catering and sold at Trader Joe’s grocery store locations, are one likely source of this outbreak of STEC O157:H7 infections.
• On November 10, 2013, Glass Onion Catering voluntarily recalled numerous ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wrap products that may be contaminated with STEC O157:H7.
• Read the list of recalled products regulated by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
• Read the list of recalled products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Consumers should check their homes and refrigerators for recalled ready-to-eat salad products and wraps.
• Do not eat the recalled products and dispose of any remaining product.
• People who have eaten a recalled product should look for signs of STEC infection.

 

 

    

USDA News Release

 California Firm Recalls Grilled Chicken Salad Products Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

  

Class I Recall 065-2013

 

Health Risk: High Nov 10, 2013

  

Congressional and Public Affairs

Richard J. McIntire

(202) 720-9113

  

WASHINGTON, November 10, 2013 – Glass Onion Catering, a Richmond, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 181,620 pounds of ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wrap products with fully-cooked chicken and ham that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FDA Issues Risk Analysis of Spices and the Related News Stories from the Mass Media

With the release of FDA’s Risk Analysis of Imported Spices document, the vast majority of news outlets released similar eye catching headlines stating ‘12% of Imported Spice Contaminated’.

Should consumers worry when they are putting pepper on their hamburger, pizza, or as for me, everything – NO, there is essentially no risk when purchasing branded spices from the grocery store.

From a consumer standpoint, are these news articles misleading? – while it is correct in that imported spices sampled by FDA do have contaminates, it is misleading in that FDA was evaluating spices at the point of entry and not at spices at the supermarket. The branded spices that the consumer purchases has been treated and then tested for safety by processors such as McCormick. 

The FDA data was based on bulk imported product at the point of entry. Companies purchasing these products for sale will treat before packaging. As posted on McCormick’s website as well as detailed in the NPR piece below, McCormick who has been importing spices for more than a century, has had little to no issues. This is spice companies, including McCormick, clean and treat their spices to eliminate pathogens such as Salmonella. Then those spices are extensively tested to verify safety.

But the report poses an important risk to consider for food companies who are directly importing spices, especially for use in applications where these spices are applied to RTE product without any further processing. In these cases, spices treated oversees may not have the level of safety needed for application, especially in to RTE applications – whether the foreign supplier does not adequately treat/clean the spice, or the spice is contaminated after treatment. Foodborne disease outbreaks have occurred in a few instances when food companies have used contaminated imported spices on RTE spices. They failed to verify safety of those spices before using. Examples – salami with Salmonella contaminated pepper and snack chips with a contaminated seasoning.


Washington Post
Filth taints 12 percent of imported food spices, FDA reports
By Anna Edney and Bloomberg News, Published: November 4
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/filth-taints-12-percent-of-imported-food-spices-fda-reports/2013/11/04/7e6dd8f6-430d-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html

Insect fragments and animal hairs taint 12 percent of imported spices, the Food and Drug Administration said last week.

The FDA said it looked at the safety of spices after outbreaks of illness involving the seasonings. The agency also found pathogens in the spices, including salmonella, and suggested that the spice industry look at training that stresses preventive controls.

Reser's Expands Salad Recall Again

Reser’s is again expanding its recall of refrigerated salad items due to the potential for Listeria contamination to include products made up include product made between Oct 10 and Oct 25,. The initial recall on October 23rd/26th, included product made between Sept 5 and Oct. 9.

Both FDA and USDA issued recalls in the the responsible plant in Kansas is a dual jurisdiction facility (having both FDA and USDA related products). Affected brands include Safeway, Sysco, US Food Service, and Walmart, and encompass both retail and foodservice sizes. 

Like other recalls, there seems to be this ever on-going reissuance of the recall to include additional product. In defining the time limits of what production dates should be included in this recall, initially there must have been sufficient evidence to say after October 9th, conditions were different that would have prevented contamination on product made on October 10th and after. Was something found that refuted that and thus additional product also posed a risk…or was the decision based upon other factors? Regardless, continual reissuance of the recall had kept the company’s negative issue in the news.


USDA Recall Notice
Kansas Firm Recalls Chicken, Ham and Beef Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/recall-059-2013-expansion-2

Class I Recall 059-2013
Health Risk: High Nov 4, 2013
Distribution List PDF

WASHINGTON, Nov. 04, 2013 – Reser’s Fine Foods, a Topeka, Kan. establishment, is expanding its recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between Oct. 10 and Oct. 25, 2013. The company previously expanded its recall on Oct. 26, 2013, to include product produced between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9, 2013. This is in addition to the 22,800 pounds of product recalled on Oct. 22, 2013. The products are being recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The company announced that these products are being recalled in conjunction with other foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A full list of products being recalled in this expansion can be found on FDA’s website here. Products regulated by FSIS bear the establishment number “EST. 13520” or “P-13520” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Only products made at the Topeka, Kansas salad facility, also designated by the plant code #20 after the code date “Use By Nov 03 13 #20” are affected by this recall. No other Reser’s facilities are involved in this action.

USDA Product Recall List This release is being reissued to reflect additional products produced on dates not included in the Oct. 22, 2013, or Oct. 26, 2013, releases.
FDA Product List

The products were distributed to retailers and distributors nationwide.

Children become infected with E. coli at a farms petting zoo

Three children, ages 15 months to 7 years, are ill from E. coli O157:H7 contracted through contact with farm animals at a pumpkin patch in MN. One of the children has been hospitalized with HUS, a very serious condition. Dehns Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch (http://www.dehnspumpkins.com/) is your typical family farm that offers hay rides, a corn maze, wine tasting, and a small petting zoo with farm animals.

As we know, STEC E. coli, as well as other enteric pathogens such as Salmonella, can get onto the hides of farm animals such as cows, sheep, and goats, and these contaminants can be transferred to kids hands. Of course, when kids don’t wash their hands afterwards, those children can become contaminated during eating or just sticking their hands in their mouths.

Farms take on considerable risk when they provide this activity for children. CDC has a webpage and a detailed booklet that provides information on preventing such contamination events. Farms and other organizations should review these before considering whether to hold these animal interactive events such as petting zoos. In this case, the lawsuits are on the way. A hell of a way to lose the farm.

Minnesota Depatment of Health News Release
October 26, 2013http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2013/ecoli102613.html

Health officials investigate E. coli O157 infections at pumpkin patch petting zoo

Three cases confirmed so far

Three Minnesota residents have become ill with confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections after contact with animals at Dehn's Pumpkins in Dayton, MN, the Minnesota Department of Health reported today.

The three cases were all children, ranging in age from 15 months to 7 years and are residents of the Twin Cities metro area. One child is hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection characterized by kidney failure. The others were not hospitalized and are recovering. Routine monitoring by the health department identified the E. coli O157:H7 cases, which all have bacterial isolates with the same DNA fingerprint. These cases visited the farm on October 12 or 13, and became ill on October 16 or 18.

The Minnesota Department of Health is in the process of following up with any groups that visited the farm in order to help determine if more people have become ill. At this time, two additional people have reported symptoms consistent with E. coli O157:H7 infection and are currently being tested. These people visited Dehn's on October 18, raising concern that exposures also could have occurred after the weekend of October 12-13.

All of the cases reported having contact with cattle and/or goats at Dehn's. The farm owners have been cooperating fully with the investigation and public access to the cattle and goat areas is being prohibited. The rest of the farm, including the pumpkin patch, remains open for business.

E. coli O157:H7 is commonly found in ruminant animals such as cattle and goats, and this type of exposure is not unique to Dehn's Pumpkins. Outbreaks associated with contact with farm animals are documented virtually every year in Minnesota. Therefore, people who contact ruminants at any venue, public or private, are at risk for infection with E. coli O157:H7, as well as a variety of other germs. People typically become ill from contact with farm animals or their environment by getting bits of feces on their hands after touching the animals or contaminated surfaces, then swallowing the germs while eating, drinking or during other hand-to-mouth activities. Contamination can be present on the fur or in the saliva of animals, on the ground where the animals are kept, or on surfaces such as fence railings of animal pens.

Another recall of salad products due to the potential for Listeria

A Massachusetts manufacturer is recalling a variety of chicken salads due to the potential to contain Listeria. The contamination was found through testing conducted by New Hampshire and Massachusetts Public Health Departments. No illnesses were reported. The containers were primarily foodservice sized units. Distribution is limited to NH and MA.

This is the second recall announced within the last week for these salad based products, the other being the Reser’s recall. 

In September, Garden Fresh of Wisconsin also issued a recall for similar products (chicken and ham salads) .  On 10/25/13, that recall was expanded to include 103,000 additional pounds.

These items are problematic for two reasons…the amount of processing after the cooking step (chopping / slicing / blending) and the fact the products are stored and shipped refrigerated with presumably a long shelf-life. So if Listeria is there, the potential exists for the organism to grow at refrigeration temperatures during storage.

Many of us love those types of products – especially chicken and potato salad - but with these recalls, I think I will be searching out ‘freshly made’.



USDA Recall Notice
Massachusetts Firm Recalls USDA-Regulated Ready-To-Eat Products for Possible Listeria Contamination
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/recall-061-2013-release
Class I Recall 061-2013
Health Risk: High Oct 24, 2013

En Español


WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2013 – Boston Salads and Provisions Company, Inc., a Boston, Mass., establishment, is recalling approximately 222,959 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products were produced between Aug. 23, 2013, and Oct. 14, 2013, and shipped to wholesalers for further distribution to retail locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The products subject to recall include: [label]
Complete List of Products

Sunland Foods, producer of contaminated peanut butter, goes out of business

Sunland Foods, the NM producer of organic peanut butter that was responsible for 42 cases of Salmonella in 20 states, closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The financial costs of the peanut butter recall in conjunction with an FDA mandated shutdown (as part of FDA’s new powers granted them by FSMA) . The shutdown came after an FDA investigation that had some very troubling findings.

The recall began in September of 2012 when Trader Joe’s peanut butter was linked to a number of salmonellosis cases. While the company began some operations in January, 2013, it was not allowed to resume production of ready-to-eat items until May of 2013.
The insurance carrier for Sunland, is suing Sunland to get out its obligation for covering lawsuits that resulted from the contamination event.

 

Las Vegas Sun
NM peanut butter plant closes, files for Chapter 7
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/13/us-peanut-butter-plant-bankruptcy/
The Associated Press
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 | 12:05 a.m.

An eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant involved in a nationwide salmonella outbreak last year has closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Update on Cyclospora outbreak in produce

In August, CDC had reported a Cyclospora outbreak in the US that affected over 600 and indicated that it was actually two different cases, one centered in Iowa and Nebraska, and the other centered in Texas. (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2013/08/as-of-august-26th-cdc-is-reporting-that.html). The CDC has updated their information regarding the second case. While the outbreak in Iowa and Nebraska was linked to contaminated bagged lettuce produced by the Mexican subsidiary of Taylor Farms, the second case is being linked to Mexican cilantro, but no company has been identified at this point. In all, there were approximately 643 illnesses in 25 states.

 

CDC Outbreak Update

Investigation of an Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in the United States

Highlights

 

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.

Reser's Recalls Salad Items Due to the Potential for Listeria Contamination

Update 10/26/13
Reser's is expanding the recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between Sept 5 and Oct 9, 2013 in the Topeka KS facility.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/recall-059-2013-release-expansion


Reser’s Fine Foods is recalling over 100,000 cases of refrigerated salads (including potato salad, cole slaw, pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, and ham salad) as well as dips due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no reported illnesses, the contamination was discovered by testing conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and from the USDA news release, it appears that FDA confirmed the presence of the pathogen on food contact surfaces in the manufacturing facility. The facility is located in Topeka, Kansas. Product was distributed in 27 different states.

The products were packaged under a number of brand names, and based on the package size, it appears that most of this product is destined for the food service / institutional channel. So if this is the case, there will be further handling by these foodservice providers and thus the potential for additional cross contamination issues within those operations. This is especially troublesome if these foodservice providers cater to high risk groups (elderly care facilities, etc).


FDA Recall Notice
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. Recalls Refrigerated Ready-to-Eat Products Due to Potential Health Riskhttp://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Recalls/default.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 22, 2013 - Reser’s Fine Foods of Beaverton, Oregon is recalling approximately 109,000 cases of refrigerated ready-to-eat products because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.

Jensen brothers plead guilty, look to sue auditing firm

Two interesting stories in The Packer (below) – the Jensen brothers arrested as part of the outbreak related to Listeria in cantaloupes (http://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2013/09/jenson-brothers-growers-of-tainted.html), plan to plead guilty to the charges. Additionally, they are looking to sue the auditing firm who gave them a 96 out of 100. 

The last point is interesting in that they are basically looking to blame the firm for not giving them a harder audit, and for mot have a complete understanding their entire process. I wonder if the auditing firm was involved when they made the decision to use a potato washer for cleaning and cooling cantaloupes….probably not. As we say, 3rd party audits are snapshots of the operation, but are not designed to do microbiological evaluations of an operation unless there are blatant issues. Processors need to know their processes better than the inspectors, and if they are relying on inspectors to tell them how to process, they need not to be in business.