Hurricane Irma - Impact on Food Safety

Hurricane Irma has posed a number of challenges to the food supply chain - from growers to restaurants, to consumers.

Millions of people are still without power 5 days after the hurricane. At this point, perishable refrigerated and frozen foods are certainly lost. This not only impacts products at home, but also those in restaurants and retail.

Flooding, especially in coastal areas impacted by storm surges, has impacted homes and businesses.  Any food contacting flood waters should be thrown out.

There has been a huge impact on the agricultural sector from both flooding and from wind. It is estimated that 50% of the fruit came off the region's citrus trees. Vegetable crops have also been lost in areas prone to flooding.

Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/consumer/os-hurricane-irma-grocery-supply-chain-20170919-story.html
Hurricane Irma challenges Florida grocery pipeline
September 19, 2017
Kyle Arnold

Hair as a Hazard - An Extreme Case - Hairball Formation

When evaluating food for hazards, hair is not normally considered a risk  It can be considered a sign of insanitary handling and preparation, or it can be the source of hazards such as the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (an organism found on human skin), but in itself, is not a hazard.  However, here is a case where hair became a hazard.  A young woman ate enough hair overtime, that it formed a hairball in her stomach which led to deadly condition.

NY Post
http://nypost.com/2017/09/14/rapunzel-syndrome-teen-dies-from-eating-her-own-hair/
‘Rapunzel syndrome’ teen dies from eating her own hair
By Fox News
September 14, 2017 | 1:21pm

Pet Store Puppies Linked to Outbreak of Campylobacter

Puppies sold through Petland pet stores have been linked to an outbreak of Campylobacter.  There have been 39 cases (12 of those are store employees) in 7 states.  Age of those who became ill ranged from one year old to 77.

Petland doesn't necessarily agree with the assessment “The CDC has not identified any failures of Petland’s operating system that would lead to any Campylobacter infection. Petland reinforces proper hand sanitization before and after playing with any of our puppies with the many sanitation stations in each store and has strict kennel sanitation procedures and protocols put in place by consulting veterinarians.   “… we again stress the importance of proper hand sanitizing when handling pets and when handling their food or waste. It is also important not to let any dog lick your mouth.”

Campylobacter would be spread through the fecal material that can be left on the fur of the dog or even on the carpet.

Multistate Outbreak of Human Campylobacter Infections Linked to Pet Store Puppies
Posted September 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET
Outbreak Advisory

• Cases 39
• States 7
• Hospitalizations 9
• Death 0

Papayas Recalled After Tests Positive for Salmonella and New Outbreak

A California produce company is recalling Maradol Papaya after product tested positive for Salmonella.  Testing appears to have been done by FDA. 

This recall comes after a large Salmonella outbreak linked to papaya occurred in August.  This recent recall however, is an example of why it is important to track issues of the same or related product.  it only makes sense that when an outbreak occurs in product, in this case papaya, then the regulatory agencies will be focused on that and similar products.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm575287.htm
Bravo Produce Inc. Recalls Maradol Papaya from Productores Y Exportadores De Carica Papaya De Tecomán Y Costa Alegre SPR of RL and Packed by Frutas Selectas De Tijuana, S. De R.L. De C.V. Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
September 10, 2017

British Online News Report on Fear of Terrorist Attacks Using Food

A British online news report raises concern of an ISIS fueled terror attack through the contamination of food in grocery store.

Mail OnLine
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4858242/ISIS-tells-fanatics-poison-food-Western-supermarkets.html#ixzz4s6QDPZDL
ISIS tells its fanatics to poison food in Western supermarkets after testing the method on its prisoners in Iraq

• ISIS leaders are reportedly planning on poisoning food in UK and U.S. shops 
• Used prisoners in Mosul, Iraq as guinea pigs to test poisons in foodI
• Details of their 'tests' uncovered when Mosul was liberated this year 

By Sara Malm for MailOnline

Published: 15:30 BST, 6 September 2017  | Updated: 18:31 BST, 6 September 2017

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Sept 8, 2017

A grocery chain is recalling semi-sweet chocolate chips because the bags may contain milk chocolate chips and milk is not declared on the label.  While the statement does not tell how the issue was discovered, one could imagine either a some left-over milk chocolate chips left on the packaging line, or someone dumped the wrong chips during packaging operations.

A grocery store chain is recalling assorted muffin four packs that may include a banana nut muffin containing walnuts where that nut allergen not listed on the label.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm574585.htm
Wakefern Food Corp. Voluntarily Recalls ShopRite Semi-Sweet Real Chocolate Chips
September 1, 2017

Plant-based Hamburger With Bioengineered Soy Meat Protein Questioned on Allergen Issue

The primary ingredient in the plant based hamburger (yeah, a fake burger) is being questioned due to the fact that it may be an allergen.  According to this article, the company had tested the bioengineered soy leghemoglobin for safety, but the FDA may still have concerns.

My concerns are a little different.....

Food Business News
http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Business_News/2017/09/Impossible_Burger_environmenta.aspx?ID={5C9956A8-4832-4A78-A853-05ECE1FF3D41}&e=mwb124@psu.edu
Impossible Burger, environmentalists clash over key ingredient
 Sept. 5, 2017 - 
by Erica Shaffer

Infant Probiotic Solution Recalled Due to Potential Choking Concern

Garden of Life is recalling their Baby Organic Liquid Formula because there is inadequate instructions for delivering the product to infants.  Evidently, the product is too thick.  Directions for using syringe are not adequate.


This is a probiotic solution.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm575135.htm
Garden of Life LLC Issues Recall of Baby Organic Liquid Formula
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2017

FSIS Issues Updated Compliance Guideline for Control of Pathogenic E. coli (STEC) in Non-intact Beef

FSIS released an updated 2017 Compliance Guidance on Minimizing the Risk of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Raw Beef (including Veal) Processing Operations.  This guideline updates and combines information from both the 2008 Sampling Beef Products forEscherichia coli O157:H7 (August 12, 2008) and •Sanitation Guidance for Beef Grinders (January 2012).  "This guideline incorporates current Agency thinking on the use of antimicrobial treatments, establishment sampling programs, and other measures in the establishment’s HACCP system."

This guidance states "FSIS is revising [the previous guidance documents] because it has seen that many small and very small establishments have had difficulty in designing and supporting their HACCP system (e.g., HACCP plan, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure, or other prerequisite program) in a manner to prevent, eliminate, or reduce STEC to an acceptable level."

The guidance applies to non-intact beef products including: "ground beef; beef that an establishment has injected with solutions; beef that is vacuum tumbled with solutions; beef that an establishment has mechanically tenderized by needling, cubing, pounding devices (with or without marinade); beef that an establishment has reconstructed into formed entrees; and diced beef less than ¾ inch in any one dimension."