Annual USDA Pesticide Analysis Report for Produce

Each year USDA releases their Pesticide Data Program report where they release findings of their sampling/testing program for pesticides in produce.  The overwhelming majority of samples were within EPA tolerances.  A very small percentage, 0.53%, had levels above that. 

• In 2015, over 99 percent of the samples tested had residues well below the tolerances established by the EPA with 15 percent having no detectable pesticide residue.
• Residues exceeding the established tolerance were detected in 0.53 percent (54 samples) of the total samples tested (10,187 samples). Of these 54 samples, 18 were imported (33 percent) and 36 were domestic (67 percent).
• The samples containing pesticides that exceeded established tolerances included: 1 sample of fresh cherries, 4 samples of cucumbers, 3 grape samples, 3 samples of green beans, 1 peach sample, 1 pear sample, 8 samples of spinach, 25 samples of strawberries, 2 tomato samples, and 6 samples of watermelon. (Appendix I of the report has the levels).

One of the interesting lines from the study - "Prior to testing, PDP analysts washed samples for 15-20 seconds with gently running cold water as a consumer would do; no chemicals, soap, or any special wash was used."  There has been a lot of discussion around the washing of produce before consumption when that produce item is considered a raw agricultural commodity.  But does the consumer know that as a fact that they should always wash produce before consuming, not only for residual chemicals, but also for microbiological contamination.

 

 USDA - Pesticide Data Program

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2015PDPAnnualSummary.pdf

Executive Summary

Pancake Mix Recalled Due to Use of Potentially Contaminated Milk Powder Ingredient

Two companies are recalling pancake mix that used the recalled milk powder as an ingredient.  That milk powder had been recalled a week ago when FDA had seized product due after finding Salmonella in the facility but not the product.

This is interesting in that although the ingredient has never tested positive and there have been no related illnesses, downstream processors are recalling product for their supplier's less-than-clean facility.  Granted that facility did have a persistent strain of Salmonella found throughout the environment, but without knowing the particulars of the facility, it is hard to evaluate the true risk.  But there is a risk, although small, that if Salmonella were present and the consumer making pancakes spills the mix on the counter.  And of course, there are those who may sample the raw batter.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm532382.htm
Publix Recalls Publix Premium Pancake and Waffle Mixes Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
For Immediate Release
December 8, 2016

Study - Restaurant Servers Poor At Communicating Risk of Undercooked Meat

A recent study shows that restaurant servers do a poor job in explaining the risks when customers order undercooked meat, specifically hamburgers.  The majority of servers (77 percent) gave customers unreliable information conveying the risks of undercooked meat.   As we know, raw hamburger can have pathogens such as E. coli STEC and Salmonella.  While it is the consumers choice to buy rare or medium rare hamburgers, they should understand the risk. 

In the end, informing customers helps the restaurant protect themselves from liability.   Just last year, an outbreak in Vermont occurred when a restaurant was purposely selling undercooked hamburgers.  Of course there is the case that was the impetus for enacting the regulation requiring HACCP regulations in meat operations - Jack in the Box.

Meatingplace
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/70439
Study: Restaurants not good at explaining risks of undercooked meat to customers
By Michael Fielding on 12/9/2016

Milk Product Producer Issues Recall After FDA Seized Product

(Updated Dec 13, 2016.   Valley Milk Products issued recall announcement on FDA website).

Valley Milk Products issued a recall of milk and buttermilk powder after FDA seized product due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.   As reported a few days earlier, FDA seized product after an investigation found Salmonella in the environment, the same strains that had been hanging around for years.  While FDA had urged the company to recall, they initially refused because they stated that testing had never found Salmonella in product.  Well, FDA felt the environmental evidence was strong enough to warrant seizing product.

It is hard to guess the circumstances that were present to have this standoff, however, it does indicate that FDA will take action based upon conditions that might support adulteration, but not necessarily product contamination.  In this case, the facility had some ongoing issues that should have been resolved, but the degree of risk is hard to guess.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm532828.htm
Valley Milk Products, Strasburg, Virginia Recalls Limited Amount of Milk and Buttermilk Powder Because of Possible Health Risks
For Immediate Release December 9, 2016

Cooked Meat Recall Expanded for OK Firm Due to Additional Complaint of Undercooked Meat

An OK company drastically expanded it Nov. 26, 2016 recall for potentially undercooked ready-to-eat chicken from ~20,000 lbs to ~2,000,000 lbs.  The recall now includes about 3 months of production (original was 2 day lots) and covers a wider variety of product.   The expanded recall comes because of an additional complaint of raw product on November 28th.

No illnesses have been reported.

News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-115-2016-expanded
National Steak and Poultry Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken That May Be Undercooked
Class I Recall 115-2016 EXP
Health Risk: High Dec 4, 2016

Trader Joe's Hummus Recalled for Listeria

A NC facility is recalling Trader Joe's branded hummus after product testing found Listeria contamination.  The products are packed in 16 ounce plastic tubs with a "C in the plant identification code.   The contamination was discovered "after testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in product manufactured on the same equipment."

FDA Recall Notice

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm531359.htm
Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recalls of Certain Hummus Products Because of Possible Health Risks
For Immediate Release
November 30, 2016

US Marshalls Seize Dry Dairy Ingredients from a Virginia Processing Facility

US Marshalls seized dairy products worth nearly $4 million from a Virginia dairy processing facility.  Products were nonfat milk powder and buttermilk powder packaged in 40- and 50-pound bags for further manufacturing.  This comes after regulators, conducted an investigation of the facility,  "observed poor sanitary practices and reviewed the company’s records, which showed positive results for Salmonella in the plant’s internal environmental and finished product samples. FDA investigators observed residues on internal parts of the processing equipment after it had been cleaned by the company and water dripping from the ceiling onto food manufacturing equipment. In addition, environmental swabs collected during the inspection confirmed the presence of Salmonella meleagridis on surfaces food came into contact with after being pasteurized." 

Through the use of whole genome sequencing on the Salmonella samples, it was determined that the strain found was persistant in that facility over time.  "The sampling results indicate that the Salmonella strains from 2016 are nearly identical to Salmonella strains found at the company in 2010, 2011 and 2013. These findings of Salmonella meleagridis at the company dating back several years demonstrate the existence of a persistent strain of Salmonella at this facility."  

No illnesses have been linked to the product to this point, but that may be due to a number of factors such as actual amount of organisms in product, the virulence of the organism, as well as the application of the milk powder and the type of processes used where this was an ingredient.


FDA News Release
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm531188.htm
Food regulators seize adulterated milk products for food safety violations
For Immediate Release
November 30, 2016

Jury Verdict of 7.55 Million Awarded Against Pumpkin Farm After Child Infected with E. coli

A jury awarded 7.55 million dollar verdict to a child who contracted an E.coli O57 infection that led to HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome) after visiting a MN farm / pumpkin stand in 2013.

From the news release:

"Dehn’s Pumpkins offers a Halloween attraction that is open to the public every year. In 2013, children were allowed to pet and feed cows that are raised on the property. Testimony at trial proved that on the day the child visited the facility, manure, contaminated bedding, and hay were in the enclosure where the cows were kept. Manure was also on the cows’ hides and hooves, and on the gate that separated the children from the animals."
"There were no handwashing stations, warning signs, or any other measures to prevent transmission of disease at the facility. The business owners claimed they had no idea that children could get sick by touching animals. They did not take preventive measures because they didn’t think the setting was a risk to children."
"The 10 year old girl went to the farm with her parents on the weekend of October 12 – 13, 2013 and got sick a few days later. At least seven people were sickened in that particular E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Health linked the illnesses to cows that were in the animal attraction at the farm. At least three of the case patients had bacterial isolates with the same DNA fingerprint."

While this is awful for the child, you have to think every a farm operation that has a petting area for farm animals is reading this and asking themselves if it is worth the risk.  At a minimum, it is important to have handwashing signage and an areas to wash hands.

Food Poisoning Bulletin
https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2016/pritzker-hageman-wins-7-55-million-verdict-for-child-with-hus-e-coli/
Pritzker Hageman Wins $7.55 Million Verdict for Child with HUS E. coli
November 23, 2016 by News Desk Leave a Comment

Man Arrested After IntentionallyContaminating Salad Bar

A California man was arrested after he intentionally contaminated a salad bar with an unknown substance.  A twelve year old reported being sick after eating at the establishment.

ABC10 , KXTV Lake Tahoe, CA
http://www.abc10.com/news/local/california/man-arrested-for-poisoning-food-in-lake-tahoe/355219270
Man arrested for poisoning food in Lake Tahoe
11:17 PM. PST November 22, 2016