CDC MMWR: 2016-2017 Outbreak of Salmonella Outbreak from Undercooked Ground Beef

A CDC MMWR article details the investiation into a 2016-2017 Salmonella outbreak associated with ground beef.  "Contaminated ground beef was the likely source of a protracted outbreak of 106 Salmonella Newport infections, 42 hospitalizations, and one death in 21 states during October 2016–July 2017. While no direct link was found, whole genome sequencing suggests dairy cows were the ultimate outbreak source."

Traceback to an individual farm or processing lot was not possible.  "In the current outbreak, as has been observed in previous outbreaks, ground beef purchases traced back to numerous lots and slaughter/processing establishments (6). One possible explanation is that dairy cows carrying a high Salmonella load that overwhelmed antimicrobial interventions could have gone to multiple slaughter/processing establishments (7), resulting in contamination of multiple brands and lots of ground beef. This might explain the reason for failure to identify a single, specific source of contaminated ground beef."

CDC MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6715a2.htm?s_cid=mm6715a2_e
Protracted Outbreak of Salmonella Newport Infections Linked to Ground Beef: Possible Role of Dairy Cows — 21 States, 2016–2017
Weekly / April 20, 2018 / 67(15);443–446
Katherine E. Heiman Marshall, MPH1; Mackenzie Tewell, MPH2; Selam Tecle, MPH3; Molly Leeper, MPH1; Jennifer Sinatra, DVM4; Bonnie Kissler, MPH4; Adrienne Fung, MPH5; Kerri Brown, MSPH6; Darlene Wagner, PhD1; Eija Trees, PhD1; Kelley B. Hise, MPH1; Vishnu Chaturvedi, PhD7; Linda K. Schlater, DVM8; Brenda R. Morningstar-Shaw, MS8; Laura Whitlock, MPH1; Kristin Holt, DVM4; Karen Becker, DVM4; Megin Nichols, DVM1; Ian T. Williams, PhD1; Michael Jhung, MD1; Matthew E. Wise, PhD1; Laura Gieraltowski, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

Freeze Dried Raw Pet Food Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns

K9 Natural Ltd is voluntarily recalling four batches of the K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast 2.2lb and 11lb bags that was imported into the US market in June 2017 because that product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The product is a freeze dried 'raw' food  produced in New Zealand.  The product was shipped in June of 2017, so this testing was probably not part of the importation process.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604645.htm
K9 Natural Ltd Voluntarily Recalls K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast Raw Pet Food 2.2lb And 11lb Bags Because Of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2018

207 Million Whole Shells Eggs Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

An Indiana company is voluntarily recalling approximately 207 million whole shell eggs after they were linked to 22 cases (reported) of infection from Salmonella Braenderup.  The eggs were distributed from the farm in Hyde County, North Carolina and reached consumers in the following states: Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia through retail stores and restaurants via direct delivery.  Brands include Food Lion, Great Value, Glenview, Country Daybreak, Coburn Farms, Sunshine Farms, Crystal Farms, Nelms, and Waffle House.  The recall after a number of Salmonella cases were reported.

Rose Acre Farms is a family-owned company headquartered in Seymour, Ind., and has 17 facilities in eight states.  The Hyde County farm produces 2.3 million eggs a day and has 3 million laying hens.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604640.htm
Rose Acre Farms Recalls Shell Eggs Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2018

E. Coli STEC Outbreak Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce from Yuma AZ

The source of the the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has just been identified as romaine lettuce from Yuma AZ.   Since the last updated on April 10th by CDC, there are now 35 illnesses from 11 different states.  Pennsylvania leads the tally with 9 cases.  Of the 35 cases, 22 people have been hospitalized.

At this time, no common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce
Posted April 13, 2018 2:00 PM EST

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending 4/13/18

State Laboratory Detects Undeclared Sulfites on Potatoes - A Miami, FL food company is voluntarily recalling its ten-ounce packages of La Marinera Brand Dried Yellow Potatoes because it may contain undeclared sulfites, a chemical that cause allergic-like symptoms.  The voluntary recall was initiated after routine sampling by the Florida State Department of Agriculture and analysis by food laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the product, which were not declared on the label. [operations issue if it was added outside of label, or a label design issue if sulfites are normally added and was not included when label was made]

Mislabeled Sauce - Cookwell & Company Is voluntarily recalling potentially up to 6,522 units of its Four J Charred Tomato & Basil Sauce because it may contain undeclared soy, wheat and fish.  This recall was voluntarily issued by the company after it discovered that the product was unintentionally mislabeled [Operations - labeling issue].

Plain Chocolate Lid on Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream - Stewart’s Shops Corp. is recalling units of Stewart’s pint Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream because they may have been packaged incorrectly with a “Chocolate” lid. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a Stewart’s pint Chocolate ice cream lid had been found on a Stewart’s pint Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream container.[Operations - Labeling / packaging issue]

Wrong Ingredient Adds Undeclared Allergens to Bruschetta Mix - Cut Fruit Express, Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota is recalling packaged Bruschetta Mixes and Dips because they may contain undeclared milk and soy  According to the report, "The recall was initiated after products that may contain milk and soy were packaged into containers that did not declare the presence of milk and soy. Subsequent investigation indicates that an incorrect ingredient may have been used to produce the product." [Operations - batching error].

Egg Detected By Government Testing - Seoul Trading Corp. is recalling Dong Won brand [breaded] Frozen Shrimp Cutlet from the marketplace because it contains egg which is not declared on the label  This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. [Some types of breading have egg, some don't, so there was either carryover from a previous product, or the breading used had egg which was not caught somewhere in processing or formulation].

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604556.htm
Guixens Food Group Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in La Marinera Brand Dried Yellow Potatoes
For Immediate Release
April 12, 2018

Will Sesame Be Added to the Big Eight for Required Allergen Labeling?

There is a push to get sesame added to those allergens that require labeling as part of the FALCPA -
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.  While sesame label declaration is already required in Canada and Europe, it is not here.  It seems though, that many US companies may already be doing so.  Will it get to the point where there is enough pressure to push FDA to add this to the list....not sure, but it may be worth the effort to understand where you may be using sesame, especially when part of a natural flavor or spice ingredient.

According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), a 2010 study indicated that about 0.1 percent of the population has a sesame allergy.  I have never run across anyone who stated having a sesame allergy.

CSPI
https://cspinet.org/news/food-industry-split-disclosing-sesame-allergen-20180413
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 13, 2018
Contact: Jeff Cronin, 202-777-8370 or Ariana Stone, 202-777-8355

Food Industry Split on Disclosing Sesame, an Allergen
CSPI Urges FDA to Require Sesame Labeling and Industry to Close Gaps in Policies

WASHINGTON—Fourteen of 22 major food manufacturing companies declare the presence of sesame and do not obscure it as an unspecified “spice” or “natural flavoring,” according to a new report by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest.  But the remaining companies do not provide appropriate labeling, leaving consumers at risk for potentially life-threatening allergies.

Kentucky - Fast Food Worker May Have Exposed Patrons to Hepatitis A

In Kentucky, a fast food worker at a McDonald's restaurant may have worked while infectious with Hepatitis A.  Those patrons who ate at that McDonalds need to now watch for the symptoms as short window for vaccination with immunoglobulin (<2 weeks) has passed.
More on Hepatitis A transmitted by food from CDC.

http://www.madisoncountyhealthdept.org/
Health Department Investigating Hepatitis A Case in a Food Handler

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Thacker PIO 859-626-4259
April 12, 2018. Richmond/Berea, KY.

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