Canadian Firm Recalls Frozen Breaded Chicken Products for Potential Staph Aureus Enterotoxin

A Canadian firm is recalling breaded chicken products for Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin.  Product was distributed in Ontario.  No illnesses have been reported.

The issue with Staphylococcus is that the organism  can grow in the batter if that batter is temperature abused.  As the organism grows to high numbers, it produced a heat stable toxin.  So once there, the fryer used to set the coasting at the manufacturing facility as well as any cooking done in the home by the consumer will not eliminate that toxin.. It is critical (thus a CCP / Process Preventive Control) for facilities to control batter temperature throughout the day.

Food Recall Warning - Various breaded chicken products recalled by Maple Leaf Foods due to a toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria

Recall date:May 9, 2017 

Reason for recall:Microbiological - Staphylococcus aureus .

Fresh Bagged Spinach Recalled for Listeria Contamination

A KY company is recalling bags of fresh spinach after being notified by their supplier partner that the spinach may have Listeria contamination.  According to the report, "The products were distributed in North Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky and West Virginia and distributed through retail stores, wholesale and foodservice distributors."

FDA Recall notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm558398.htm
The Horton Fruit Company, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Fresh Spinach Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
May 12, 2017

Frozen Peas Recalled After Sample Tests Positive for Listeria

A Wisconsin frozen food company is recalling frozen peas after product was tested by the State of Florida and found to contain Listeria.

While we would expect that someone would cook frozen peas, which if done according to instructions, would eliminate Listeria, people may not always do that.  Or they may use them as raw in specific applications such as pea salad or in a smoothie.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm
Lakeside Foods, Inc. Recalls Season's Choice Frozen Sweet Peas Because of Possible Health RiskFor Immediate Release
April 11, 2017

RTE Burrito Products Recalled for Listeria Contamination.

A New Mexico food company is recalling 252,000 lbs of frozen burrito products after FSIS testing found a Listeria positive product sample.  The product is classified as a ready-to-eat product, and as a ready-to-eat product, the company would need to have an active Listeria control program.   With this much product recalled, it probably was not that 'active'.

The directions are heat-and-serve for both frozen and thawed product.

USDA / FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-050-2017-release
Green Chile Food Company Recalls Meat and Poultry Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 050-2017
Health Risk: High 

May 13, 2017

Home Delivered Meat - Buyer Beware

A recent study conducted by RU and TSU looks at issues involving meat shipped to homes via home delivery systems such as meal kits.   These issues include:

• A wide range of temperatures upon receipt, ranging from (-)23F to 75F.  Much of the issue was related to the type of coolant (dry ice best, gel packs worst) and the amount of insulating packaging material surrounding the product.
• Most home delivery companies did not require receipt upon delivery, which means that product can sit on the front porch until the home owner realizes it is there.  This can be an issue when the product is shipped as a surprise gift, so the recipient is not expecting it.
• Home delivery companies did not have food safety information on their website
• Products were not properly labeled to indicate the type of meat.
• Microbial loads varied greatly. Pathogen loads varied greatly.

The authors stated that the bigger, better known companies did a better job, but with many companies entering the business channel, there may be more concern.

In the end, buyer beware.

Meatingplace
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/73203
Study of meat from home delivery services shows disturbing results
By Rita Jane Gabbett on 5/11/2017

Spinach Dip Recalled after Complaints of Small Glass Fragments

Publix Super Markets is recalling deli packs of artichoke and spinach dip after receiving complaints of small glass fragments in the product.  Product was distributed to 6 states in the Southeast US.

We have not seen many glass related outbreaks recently outside of product packed in glass containers.

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm557582.htm
Publix Recalls Private Label Brand of Deli Artichoke and Spinach Dip Due to Possible Health Risk
Release
May 8, 2017

CDC Report - 2016 E.coli (STEC) Outbreak Linked to Stream Water Contaminated with Deer Feces

In May of 2016, 4 children became infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) after playing in a stream in a city park.  After an investigation, the likely source was determined to be deer poop (aka scat).  According to the report, "MLVA profiles were identical for the case-patient, water, and deer scat isolates".

The presence of E. coli in the water varied over time. Coyote scat also had E. coli of similar makeup..but this may be related to the fact the coyote is drinking that same water.  What this does show is that surface water is prone to contamination from animal feces and this contamination can be passed to humans directly through intake of that water or potentially through food irrigated with that water.

CDC - Emerging and Infectious Disease

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/23/7/17-0226_article
Contaminated Stream Water as Source for Escherichia coli O157 Illness in Children

Abstract

In May 2016, an outbreak of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli O157 infections occurred among children who had played in a stream flowing through a park. Analysis of E. coli isolates from the patients, stream water, and deer and coyote scat showed that feces from deer were the most likely source of contamination.

Cases of Botulism Linked to Food Sold at CA Gas Station

In Sacramento CA, there have been 5 cases of botulism that seem to be linked to food sold at a gas station.

Sacramento Bee
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article149163279.html
Botulism outbreak suspected to have started at Sacramento region gas station
Local

May 07, 2017 10:38 AM
By Ellen Garrison  egarrison@sacbee.com

Chicken Sausage Products Recalled Due to Plastic Foreign Material

Perdue Foods LLC of Gainesville, GA is recalling chicken sausage products due to the potential for plastic pieces.  According tot the report, "The problem was discovered on May 5, 2017, when FSIS was notified by the firm that they had received three consumer complaints of blue plastic materials in the sausage."  No injuries have been reported.

USDA / FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-045-2017-release
Perdue Foods LLC. Recalls Poultry Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 045-2017
Health Risk: High

May 6, 2017