There is a nice piece in National Law Review on China's recently enacted 2015 Food Law and some of the challenges they face. While the law was made to look like US law, there are many differences in components that are not easily regulated - "....it lacked the right enforcement devices. Part of the food safety regime in Western countries relies on active consumer groups, industry self-enforcement, and media scrutiny. China does not have these mechanisms."
While the 2015 law tries to encourage better 'local regulatory enforcement, food industry associations, and media oversight' there is little detail on how this can be done. Add to this the fact the food industry is very fragmented with many smaller processors, it can be difficult to provide oversight.
Still, China is currently the third largest importer of food into the US. With the soon to be released FDA's Foreign Supplier Verification Rule, additional attention will be required by companies and brokers importing food.
National Law Review
http://www.natlawreview.com/article/food-supply-chain-issues-china-or-china-s-new-food-safety-act-or-running-gauntlet
Food Supply Chain Issues in China (Or, China’s New Food Safety Act) (Or, Running the Gauntlet in China)
posted on: Monday, November 2, 2015
Food trade between the U.S. and China is on the rise. According to the most recent statistics, China is the third largest exporter of food and agricultural products to the U.S., behind only Canada and Mexico. And, the U.S. is China’s biggest source of foreign food and agricultural products. Under the current state of trade, the U.S. sends approximately five times the food products to China that China sends to the U.S. But in any event, with the coming into force of China’s newest Food Safety Law on October 1, 2015, food supply chain relationships between the U.S. and China are taking on additional significance.
See more at: http://www.natlawreview.com/article/food-supply-chain-issues-china-or-china-s-new-food-safety-act-or-running-gauntlet#sthash.JcXfS3vT.dpuf
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
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.
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.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Nebraska Establishment Recalls 167,000 lbs of Ground Beef After E. coli Positive Test Result
A Nebraska meat establishment is recalling approximately 167,000 lbs of ground meat after USDA found a positive sample in their 'in-commerce' testing. There have been no reported illnesses.
USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-135-2015-release
All American Meats, Inc. Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall 135-2015
Health Risk: High Nov 1, 2015
Congressional and Public Affairs Kristen Felicione (202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, Nov. 01, 2015 – All American Meats, Inc., an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,427 pounds of ground beef products that may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2015/recall-135-2015-release
All American Meats, Inc. Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall 135-2015
Health Risk: High Nov 1, 2015
Congressional and Public Affairs Kristen Felicione (202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, Nov. 01, 2015 – All American Meats, Inc., an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,427 pounds of ground beef products that may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
Chipotle Shuts West Coast Locations After Linked to E. coli Outbreak
UPATE - 12-21-15 - CDC reports that a total of 53 people have become infected in 9 different states. From the CDC report - "The number of ill people reported from each state is as follows: California (3), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (13), Pennsylvania (2), and Washington (27)."
Update - 11/4/15 - Reports have the total number of cases at 35 (as of Tuesday, 11/3) for those infected by E. coli O26.
11/2/15
Chipolte restaurants closed 43 west coast restaurants because of a potential link to E. coli outbreak. As of the Oct 31st, there were 22 reported illnesses. The ingredient source of E. coli has not yet been identified.
This is the third major outbreak associated with the chain. In September, a California location was involved in a Norovirus outbreak where 80 individuals become ill. In the same month, 22 locations were linked to 64 cases of Salmonella infection. In this case, tomatoes were pinned as the source.
This has had a impact on the business as the stock price has dropped to a 4 month low.
Update - 11/4/15 - Reports have the total number of cases at 35 (as of Tuesday, 11/3) for those infected by E. coli O26.
11/2/15
Chipolte restaurants closed 43 west coast restaurants because of a potential link to E. coli outbreak. As of the Oct 31st, there were 22 reported illnesses. The ingredient source of E. coli has not yet been identified.
This is the third major outbreak associated with the chain. In September, a California location was involved in a Norovirus outbreak where 80 individuals become ill. In the same month, 22 locations were linked to 64 cases of Salmonella infection. In this case, tomatoes were pinned as the source.
This has had a impact on the business as the stock price has dropped to a 4 month low.
Juice Processor Ordered to Cease Operations for Lack of Compliance
An Idaho juice processor was ordered to cease production after not complying with FDA regulations. The juice processor was not heat pasteurizing, and according to juice regulations, there must be validated reduction steps in place. Normally, juice processors use heat pasteurization to accomplish this. It is unclear what, if anything, this processor was doing.
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm470328.htm
FDA orders juice manufacturer to cease operations
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2015
Release
FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm470328.htm
FDA orders juice manufacturer to cease operations
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2015
Release
Friday, October 30, 2015
Apples Recalled Due to Positive Screen for One of Three Pathogens
A MN firm is recalling apples because a test indicates the presence of Listeria or Salmonella or E.coli. So basically, they don't know which because who ever did the test ran a screen which looks for indicator genes for each of the three.
The recall was probably based upon a positive reaction of the test without the isolation of the actually pathogenic organism. This is the problem with a screen - not sure which organism or it is just a false positive result.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470317.htm
Northstar Produce Inc. Recalls Granny Smith Size 175 Apples Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release October 26, 2015
Contact Consumers Mike Abernathy 763-286-0110
Firm Press Release
Northstar Produce Inc.of St. Louis Park, MN the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. is recalling 33 cases of Granny Smith Size 175ct apples, because a test performed on a sample of the apples indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli.
The recall was probably based upon a positive reaction of the test without the isolation of the actually pathogenic organism. This is the problem with a screen - not sure which organism or it is just a false positive result.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470317.htm
Northstar Produce Inc. Recalls Granny Smith Size 175 Apples Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release October 26, 2015
Contact Consumers Mike Abernathy 763-286-0110
Firm Press Release
Northstar Produce Inc.of St. Louis Park, MN the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. is recalling 33 cases of Granny Smith Size 175ct apples, because a test performed on a sample of the apples indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and / or Enterohemorrhagic E. coli.
Bagged Edamame Recalled Due to Allergen Labeling Deficiency...Contains Soy
Giant Foods is recalling frozen edamame because the allergen statement is not there...Contains Soy. Of course edamame is soy, just the immature version still in the pods. But some may not recognize this, and by regulation, the common name must be stated.
From the FDA Guidance Q&A document
Packaged foods that are made using soybeans as an ingredient or as a component of a multi-component ingredient (e.g., soy sauce or tofu) should continue to use the word "soybeans" as the appropriate common or usual name for this ingredient to identify properly the ingredient (e.g., "soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)").
Centre Daily Times
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/10/30/4992035/giant-announces-edamame-recall.html
Giant announces edamame recall
By From CDT staff reports
October 30, 2015
Caution: soybeans contain soy.
A warning like this was left off some edamame, causing a Pennsylvania food chain to pull the product from shelves.
Giant Food Stores, LLC and Martin’s Food Markets announced Friday that it was removing Nature’s Promise Organic Edamame products because they contain soy, but it is not listed on the labels as containing the ingredient, which can cause problems for people with a specific allergy.
From the FDA Guidance Q&A document
Packaged foods that are made using soybeans as an ingredient or as a component of a multi-component ingredient (e.g., soy sauce or tofu) should continue to use the word "soybeans" as the appropriate common or usual name for this ingredient to identify properly the ingredient (e.g., "soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)").
Centre Daily Times
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/10/30/4992035/giant-announces-edamame-recall.html
Giant announces edamame recall
By From CDT staff reports
October 30, 2015
Caution: soybeans contain soy.
A warning like this was left off some edamame, causing a Pennsylvania food chain to pull the product from shelves.
Giant Food Stores, LLC and Martin’s Food Markets announced Friday that it was removing Nature’s Promise Organic Edamame products because they contain soy, but it is not listed on the labels as containing the ingredient, which can cause problems for people with a specific allergy.
Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Sales Scam - Industrial Bleach as a Miracle Drink
A Washington man was sentenced to 51 months in prison for selling an industrial chemical as Medical Miracle Solution, MMS. The solution, as detailed by the authorities, was sodium chlorite. According to reports, the directions had the consumer add citric acid to this which creates chlorine dioxide, a very strong oxidizing solution. This type of mixture is used in a number of industrial applications including use as a sanitizing solution for food contact surfaces. But not for direct consumption. A number of people had reported becoming ill.
Peanut Butter Recalled Due to Potential Metal Pieces
Hormel is recalling 153 cases of 16.3 oz jars of Skippy Peanut Butter due to a potential for metal. Metal pieces were found on an in-line magnet, which probably raised concern that some could have made its way to the jars.
The interesting thing to note is that product was already shipped given that sufficient metal was found to raise concern. Also 153 cases, about 3 pallets of product, would probably represent less than an hour of production. These types of issues can arise for a number of reasons...just in time shipping where product is being shipped as it is made. Another reason can be inadvertent shipping of product placed on hold because of fact there was an equipment malfunction where that product was placed 'on hold' because the malfunction resulted in metal pieces being generated as indicated by the in-line magnet. An indicator that this may have been the case is the production code / Best if Used By date...if this product had just been made, the code would probably be further out than next December.
FDA Recall Notice
Recall: Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470175.htm
Hormel Foods Sales LLC Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Number of Jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Metal Pieces
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2015
The interesting thing to note is that product was already shipped given that sufficient metal was found to raise concern. Also 153 cases, about 3 pallets of product, would probably represent less than an hour of production. These types of issues can arise for a number of reasons...just in time shipping where product is being shipped as it is made. Another reason can be inadvertent shipping of product placed on hold because of fact there was an equipment malfunction where that product was placed 'on hold' because the malfunction resulted in metal pieces being generated as indicated by the in-line magnet. An indicator that this may have been the case is the production code / Best if Used By date...if this product had just been made, the code would probably be further out than next December.
FDA Recall Notice
Recall: Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm470175.htm
Hormel Foods Sales LLC Voluntarily Recalls a Limited Number of Jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Metal Pieces
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2015
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