Three Hepatitis A Issues from Across Country

There are some Hepatitis A outbreak events worth noting.

• First is a case in Alabama where a pizza delivery person has been diagnosed.  People who have purchased pizza from this establishment have been asked to get a vaccine.
• In San Diego, CA, a huge outbreak of Hepatitis A has close to 500 infected but has had a huge impact among the homeless population.  Vaccines have been given at local parks, a place where the homeless my frequent.
• In SE Michigan, more than 300 have become infected, including at least one food worker.

ABC 33 Alabama
http://abc3340.com/news/local/hepatitis-a-virus-found-in-anniston-food-handler
Vaccines recommended after Anniston restaurant worker tests positive for Hepatitis A
by James Franklin| [not the football coach]
Wednesday, October 11th 2017

Ben and Jerry's Changing Sourcing to Eliminate Glyphosate from Ingredients

Ben and Jerry's  announced that they are making changes to their sourcing to eliminate the chemical glyphosate from ingredients they purchase...by 2020.  Glyphosate, a main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, was found to be present in their product (as well as other food products) at very low levels - far below what EPA would cause adverse effects (EPA has a limit of 2 mg/kg/day vs 1.75 ppb found) and EPA says that the chemical is not likely to be carcinogenic.  In 40CFR180, lists the tolerances for pesticide residues in food including glyphosate (180.364 - table below).   EPA's established tolerance for glyphosate in drinking water is 700 parts per billion (ppb).

So 1.75 ppb is pretty darn low, and based upon this EPA limit, a news article (below) determined that a kid would have to eat over 100,000 servings per day to get to this level.  And glypshate is common in the environment and as well other foods.  A study found that many cereal grain products had levels ranging from 25 to 1000 ppb - again, all well below EPA limits.  It is even in wine (in a 2016 report, the highest level found was 18.74 ppb).

But people get excited, especially once you link a herbicide to thier food.  I think the controversy is good.  It forces the science to prove its safety and for the agricultural industry to manage its use.  Where we fail is communicating to consumers the minimal risk associated with the amount that was found.

NECN

http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Ben--Jerrys-to-Change-Ingredients-After-Weed-Killer-Discovery-450487113.html

Ben & Jerry’s to Change Ingredients After Weed Killer Discovery

By Jack Thurston

Another Recall for Foreign Material in Meat Products

A Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 12,816 pounds of fully cooked shredded beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic.  The problem was discovered on October 11, 2017, when the company received notification from their consignee that a consumer complaint had been received regarding foreign material, specifically plastic, in the product.

Here is another recall for foreign material in the form of plastic.  It appears from this notice there was one complaint, but hard to tell the extent of the issue.  Still, probably a small error that will be costly for a small private company.

USDA / FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-109-2017-release
J & B Sausage Company, Inc. Recalls Fully Cooked Shredded Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall 

109-2017
Health Risk: Low 

Oct 12, 2017

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Ending 10/13/17

Whole Foods Market stores is voluntarily recalling 365 Everyday Value Organic Raisin Bran because the product contains undeclared peanuts that were not listed on the product label.  The issue was discovered after Whole Foods Market determined the packaging contained Peanut Butter Cocoa Balls instead of Organic Raisin Bran.

A Tennessee firm is recalling 816 Premium Chicken Salad Wheatberry Sandwich Lot Number 17 198 because they have the wrong ingredient statement and contain undeclared eggs and soy.  The recall was initiated after Quality Assurance discovered that product containing the allergens was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the allergen. The ingredient statement on the affected product is for a different sandwich.

General Mills is voluntarily recalling two days of production of Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Raisin Granola cereal produced on July 15 and 16, 2017 because the product may contain almonds, an undeclared nut allergen. 

La Terra Fina is voluntarily recalling its 10 oz. containers of Spinach Artichoke & Parmesan Dip & Spread with the date of BEST BY NOV-01-2017 due to undeclared egg.  The issue was discovered after receiving notification from a retailer that the ingredient statement and UPC code were for a different dip.

A PA firm is recalling Pennsylvania is voluntarily recalling one lot of Hannaford Supermarkets’ potato salad because it may contain undeclared egg.  "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that certain packages of the recalled product contained an ingredient and nutrition label from another product [Taste of Inspirations Rotini Salad] that did not reveal the presence of egg."


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm579511.htm
Whole Foods Market Issues Nationwide Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in 365 Everyday Value Organic Raisin Bran
For Immediate Release
October 6, 2017

FDA Reminder - Choose Legitimate Source When Purchasing Pet Meds Online

The FDA reminds us that it is important then when purchasing pet medications online, ensure they are from a legitimate source.  They suggest that you should look for pharmacy websites ending in “.Pharmacy.”  It is also advisable to work in conjunction with your veterinarian.

FDA.gov
https://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048164.htm
Buying Pet Medicines Online: Ensuring Products are Safe

In Virginia, Chili Cook-off is Site for Salmonella Outbreak

In Virginia, a Volunteer Fire Company's Chili Cook-off is being blamed for dozens of people becoming ill from Salmonella.  The exact food source responsible for the Salmonella contamination has not yet been identified.

You always wonder about eating food at these events - 1) do these cooks, the people making the food, really understand food safety principles, have they been trained in any way, 2) are they implementing those principles - have they taken the necessary precautions to transport and prepare the food for an onsite event such as this, 3) do their normal kitchen handling and preparation procedures adapt in order to make the larger quantities needed for this event, and 4) is the food protected at the event from cross contamination.

While regulations do not require training for these events, training is available.  Penn State offers the Volunteer Food Safety - Cooking for Crowds training.

Virginia Pilot - Local News
https://pilotonline.com/news/local/salmonella-found-in-food-from-chincoteague-chili-and-chowder-cook/article_41d118d2-db5a-57e2-b2e4-2326f39cb161.html
Salmonella found in food from Chincoteague Chili and Chowder Cook-off
By Ryan Murphy
The Virginian-Pilot
Oct 10, 2017 Updated 10 hrs ago

Ohio Firm Recalls Raw Meat Products After Processing Water Found to Be Non-Potable

An Ohio establishment is recalling raw meat products after thier water tested positive for coliforms (not E. coli). "Therefore, the non-potable water supply resulted in the potential creation of insanitary conditions and potential direct product contamination leading to adulteration of the products processed in the facility during this time period."

 Using non-potable water is an issue...whether pathogens are detected in teh sample or not.  With coliforms, all one can tell is that water source has been compromised, so there is an uncertainty what else can be there including chemicals.

It is important to know the ultimate source of your facility's water.  It is also important to know what to do in the event of a water emergency whent that water becomes contaminated.  It would be interesting to know in this case whether the facility had warning or was the testing done afterwards.

NewsJournal.com
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/local/2017/10/08/shilohs-newswanger-meats-recalls-more-than-one-ton-meat/744192001/
Shiloh's Newswanger Meats recalls more than one ton of meat

FSMA Compliance Date Reference Sheet from FSPCA

FSPCA has published a nice reference sheet that lists the FSMA compliance dates for the various rules.    That sheet can be found here LINK.

Frozen Peas Recalled for Possible Listeria Contamination

Pinnacle Foods is recalling frozen peas for potential Listeria contamination after "testing indicted the presence of Listeria in the retail environment".   Recalls were issued by the Department of Defense, Publix, and possibly other retailers, but nothing has yet been posted on the FDA website.

The fact the contamination was found at retail would indicate that it was not found by the company.  This may be the reason for the delay as the company tries to understand the scope of the recall.  Perhaps their own internal testing has not found anything, which can be certainly possible if the contamination level is low.

More will come on this issue.

Department of Defense News Room
https://www.commissaries.com/our-agency/newsroom/news-releases/birdseye-peas-recalled-due-possible-listeria-contamination
Birdseye Peas recalled due to possible Listeria contamination
October 2, 2017