CDC Reports Ongoing Outbreak E. coli STEC Infections with 17 Cases So Far, Food Not Yet Identified

The CDC reports that there is an ongoing outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.  To date, there have been 17 cases in 7 states, with those states located across the country.  A source food or establishment has not yet been identified.
Connecticut  2
Idaho  4
Missouri  1
New Jersey  6
Ohio  1
Pennsylvania  2
Washington  1
Total  17

While finding the source in this type of cross-country outbreak is probably not easy, the ability to track and match the bacterial strains for each of the cases is incredible, especially when you consider that many of the states only have one or two cases.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Investigation Notice: Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections
Posted April 10, 2018 6:00 PM EST

Two Massive Recalls of Meat Products Due to Complaints of Foreign Material

There were two massive recalls of meat products for foreign Material this week.  In the past month, USDA has announced 5 recalls due to foreign matter contamination.

• Koch Foods, Inc., a Fairfield, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 119,480 pounds of beef rib-shaped patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic pieces.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  The problem was discovered when the firm received notification from "a" customer,
• Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,159 pounds of Salisbury steak products (poultry, pork, and beef) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone.  The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints and three reports of minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product.

The rib-shaped beef patties with thin blue plastic pieces (gloves or wrapping?) was a Class II recall and was the result of "a" complaint...so one complaint.  Back in the day, someone would just throw it out...now, a recall of 60 tons of produce, close to 3 full tractor trailer loads.  But we get it, it shouldn't be there.

The Salisbury steak recall was classified as a Class I recall since there were actual injuries.  Sounds like the bone collection system on the grinder may not have been working well enough?  (how a bone collection system works)  This recall was for 67 tons of product. Salisbury steak is that wonderful concoction of meat and other ingredients (Mechanically Separated Chicken, Pork, Water, Beef, Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color), Breader (Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Durum Flour, Leavening [Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate], Yeast), 2% or less of the following: Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Caramel Color, Flavoring, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Dextrose, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin.) smothered with gravy.   Grill marks added for added pleasure.

So that is over 120 tons of meat product....that's a lot of meat. 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-032-2018-release
Koch Foods Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall

032-2018
Health Risk: Low 

Apr 11, 2018

French Creme Cheese Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Sample

Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Explorateur French Triple Crème cheese from nine stores located in six different states after the grocery store chain was notified by a distributor of a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604172.htm

Nine Whole Foods Market Stores Issue Voluntary Recall for Explorateur French Triple Creme Cheese Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2018

Flour Recalled for Salmonella, Sell-By Date Over 2 years Ago

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods is voluntarily recalling 2,099 cases of Organic Amaranth Flour (22 oz.), after recent testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in a single LOT of Organic Amaranth Flour (22 oz.) with a Sell By date of Nov. 26, 2015.  (Note this expiration date)  "Bob’s Red Mill issued a voluntary recall for Organic Amaranth Flour (22 oz.) after recent testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in a tested sample of Organic Amaranth Flour (22 oz.) with a Sell By date of Nov. 26, 2015. Bob’s Red Mill has commenced an investigation of the source of the problem in the Supply Chain."

Not sure why someone would be testing flour that has an sell-by-date that has long ago.  According to the FDA notice, some product was found at store level.  If this was a recent test that discovered the Salmonella, that fact that it was there shows how long Salmonella can persist in dry product.

FDA Recall Notice

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604028.htm
Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Organic Amaranth Flour (22 Oz.) Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 6, 2018

Barbequed Beef Recalled After Two Foreign Material Complaints - Rubber Pieces

An Ohio establishment is recalling approximately 14,525 pounds of fully cooked not shelf stable pulled barbequed beef products after receiving two complaints for foreign material contamination in the form of rubber pieces.  There have been no reports of injury.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-030-2018-release
J.T.M. Provisions Company Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall

030-2018
Health Risk: Low 

Apr 7, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending 4/6/18

Cup of Salad with Right Lid and Wrong Side Label - A Wisconsin establishment, is recalling approximately 130 pounds of fully cooked ready-to-eat curry chicken salad products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen - the products contain tree nuts, specifically cashews, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.   "The problem was discovered on April 2, 2018 when the firm was notified by a customer that the deli cup container for the curry chicken salad products had a correct label on the lid, but an incorrect label on the side of the cup. The firm inadvertently labeled the side of the containers with labels for Artichoke & Jalapeno Dip, which does not contain cashews. Therefore, tree nuts (cashews) are not listed in the ingredient statement applied to the side of the cup."  [Processing error at labeling].

Supplier Issue with Peanut Cross Contact - Izzy’s Ice Cream, LLC is voluntarily recalling limited numbers of its Maple Nut Ice Cream pints following a supplier’s recall of walnuts due to the possible presence of undeclared peanut residue. The recall was initiated after receiving notification from the nut supplier, Midwest Northern Nut, that nuts used in Maple Nut Ice Cream may have possible cross-contact with a peanut allergen. [Supplier Control of Allergens]

Label Challenges Associated with Newly Acquired Brand -Sulfites Missing on Labels - Austin, TX, is recalling its 60 gram bars of EXO Blueberry Vanilla, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Apple Cinnamon bars because they may contain undeclared sulfites.The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the apricots used in the products contain sulfur dioxide as a preservative, and the packaging did not reflect the presence of sulfites. Aspire Food Group recently acquired full rights to the Exo brand, including product recipes, from Exo, Inc on February 23, 2018. As part of our audit of Exo, Inc's recipes, our manufacturing team identified this labeling error. All warehoused products that were manufactured after February 23, 2018 will be reconditioned to declare sulfites. All recalled products manufactured prior to February 23, 2018 will be destroyed, in addition to any product returned from customers regardless of manufacture date. [

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-029-2018-release
Good Foods Group, LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
Class I Recall

029-2018
Health Risk: High 

 Apr 3, 2018

Addressing Packaging Risks in The Food Safety Plan

An article in this month's Food Safety Magazine (April 3, 2018), "How Should Packaging Be Addressed in Your Food Safety Program:, discusses the risk associated with packaging.  In general the risk of hazards from food packaging is low.

Foreign objects - low.  Perhaps for glass if packaging in glass containers. 
But there are a number of controls in place to help reduce issues including washers and detectors.

Allergen management can pose a bigger risk especially when food manufacturers are handling multiple labels covering multiple allergen combinations.  Issues include poor execution in creating labels, not checking labels at receiving, using the wrong labels when processing.

In their summary, "So, is packaging a significant risk in the overall food safety management system? The answer is no. The overall risk is probably even lower today with the emphasis on adoption of GFSI audit schemes or ISO 22000. "

Food Safety Magazine  FSM eDigest | April 3, 2018
https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/enewsletter/how-should-packaging-be-addressed-in-your-food-safety-program/#References
How Should Packaging Be Addressed in Your Food Safety Program?
By Richard F. Stier

FDA Uses Ability to Mandate Recall for First Time, This for Contaminated Kratom

FDA issued its first mandatory recall of contaminated 'food' product (although this product is a dietary supplement which are considered food) when the agency issued one for powdered kratom product contaminated with Salmonella.  The ability to mandate a recall was granted to FDA under the FSMA regulation.  Kratom has been involved in a wide spread Salmonella outbreak.

According to the news report, "The agency asked Triangle on Friday to voluntarily recall the kratom items. When the company did not comply with the request, the FDA the next day ordered the firm to cease distribution. The company could have requested a hearing, the agency said, but it did not respond within the required time frame. The agency then issued the mandatory recall order."

Once the weapon is pulled out of the holster for the first time, it become a lot easier the second time around.

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/04/03/in-a-first-fda-orders-recall-of-a-contaminated-food-kratom-with-salmonella/?utm_term=.214cd8fb6fe4
In a first, FDA orders recall of a ‘contaminated food’ — kratom with salmonella
by Laurie McGinley by Laurie McGinley Email the author
To Your HealthApril 3, 2018

FDA Issues Warning Letter To Raw Pet Food Company, Bacteriophage Use Not Accepted

FDA issued a warning letter to Arrow Reliance (Darwin's Natural Pet Products) in light of the Salmonella contamination found in the raw pet food that resulted in a dead kitten.  Two recalls (1, 2) were made after pathogens were found.  FDA had found the same strain of Salmonella in the kitten and in product.  FDA requested a response on corrective actions within 15 days.

The warning letter reveals how the facility was planning to rid product of Salmonella - through application of bacteriophage.  While bacteriophage has had some success in reducing pathogens in food applications, particularity liquids, it has not gained sufficient validation as an absolute control.  Issues with bacterial strain diversity can be a challenge if the cocktail of bacteriophage is not equally diverse (Ref).  This is a good example of why bacteriophage was not the silver bullet.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm603589.htm
Arrow Reliance Inc 4/2/18

US Food and Drug
Seattle District Office
22215 26th Avenue SE, Suite 210
Bothell, Washington 98021

April 2 2018