Still More Recalls Linked to Dairy Powder with Potential Salmonella Contamination

More recalls have been issued for the potentially contaminated dried dairy powder.
The recall list was last posted on January 2.  Since then, recalls have been posted by Hostess for their White Peppermint Twinkies,  Palmer for certain chocolate candies, HyVee for candy products,  Tupperware for a seasoning product, and Dutch Valley for a snack mix.  Thus far, there have been no reported illnesses and not product has testing positive for the Salmonella pathogen.

Hostess Brands, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Limited-Edition Holiday White Peppermint Hostess® Twinkies® because of Possible Health Risk
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm536055.htm
For Immediate Release - January 9, 2017

Frozen Breaded Okra Recalled for Potential Glass Contaminate

Pictsweet is recalling bagged frozen breaded okra after the company received complaints of glass contamination.  One injury has been reported.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm537117.htm
The Pictsweet Company Announces Voluntary Recall of Pictsweet Farms 12oz Breaded Okra due to Risk of Glass Contamination
For Immediate Release
January 13, 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

Pennsylvania Dept of Ag Warns about Raw Milk Cheese Due to Staph Contamination

PA Dept of Ag is warning consumers who may have purchased raw milk cheese form a Centre County (PA) produce after the Department found the presence of Staphylocuccus aureus.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture News Release
http://www.media.pa.gov/pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=508
Agriculture Department Warns Consumers of Contaminated Cheese from Centre County Dairy
12/29/2016

CDC - 2106 Outbreak of Salmonella Linked to Cucumbers

CDC published a report regarding a 2016 outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Oslo.  The report links the outbreak to Persian or mini cucumbers.  "The investigation identified two Canadian Persian cucumber suppliers during the timeframe of interest, but a single grower was not identified."

"This is the fourth Salmonella outbreak since 2013 associated with cucumbers, with over 1,200 illnesses and 260 hospitalizations included in the previous three outbreaks (2–4). Two of these outbreaks were caused by cucumbers sourced from Mexico (2,4), whereas the other outbreak identified cucumbers sourced from Maryland as a major cause of illnesses (3). This outbreak supports the continued evaluation and sampling of produce by FDA with the Food Safety Modernization Act requirements intended to prevent and minimize contamination of produce with pathogens."

CDC - Morbidity and Mortality
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm655051a3.htm?s_cid=mm655051a3_e
Outbreak of Salmonella Oslo Infections Linked to Persian Cucumbers — United States, 2016
Weekly / December 30, 2016 / 65(5051);1430–1433

Imported Canned Olives Recalled Due to 'Quality Issue' that Could Be a Safety Issue

A New York company is recalling canned olives that were manufactured in Spain due to quality issues that could result in a health issue.  While the notice comes short  of saying the issue, a likely reason would be swollen cans.  Swollen cans can be the result of under-processing or storing cans at an elevated temperature (and thus supporting the growth of thermophilic sporeformers that survived the thermal process).

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm534829.htm
American Roland Food Corp. Initiates A Recall Of Roland® Manzanilla Olives Stuffed With Anchovies Due To Product Quality Issue
For Immediate Release - December 27, 2016

Recalls Continue for Products Using Potentially Contaminated Dairy Powder Ingredient

The recalls have continued for products using the potentially contaminated dairy powders from Valley Dairy. A list of recalls products through 12/21/16 is posted here.

Mikesell’s Recalls 2.25 Oz. Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips Because Of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release December 29, 2016

Tortilla Products Recalled After Complaints of Brittle Plastic Contaminaiton

A Texas establishment is recalling ~23,500 lbs of beef & cheese tortilla products after the company received complaints of foreign objects in the product, specifically clear, brittle plastic.  There have been no reported injuries.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2016/recall-119-2016-release
Ruiz Food Products, Inc. Recalls Beef and Cheese Tortilla Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 119-2016
Health Risk: Low Dec 21, 2016

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