CDC: 4/25 Update on E. coli Outbreak Associated with Romaine Lettuce

There are now 84 cases of E. coli infection with 42 hospitalizations related to the romaine lettuce from Yuma AZ.  Cases have occurred in 19 different states.   CDC recommends against eating any form of romaine lettuce unless you can verify that it is from an area other than Yuma.

How hard is it to determine where your romaine is from?  Probably not easy. 
Unfortunately, this will be a big impact on all those who farm or process romaine.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce

Canada - E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Pork Products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced a recall for pork products from an Alberta processor after being linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak with 34 illnesses, 11 hospitalizations, and 1 death.

Pork is rarely associated with E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks.  This is the second major E. coli outbreak associated with pork originating out of Alberta Canada.  In 2014, an outbreak of 119 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with exposure to contaminated pork products originating in Alberta.

Meatingplace
http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/79278?loginSuccess
E. coli prompts recall of Canadian pork products
By Julie Larson Bricher on 4/25/2018

Freeze Pops Recalled After Environmental Tests Positive for Listeria

A Wheeling, WV firm is recalling approximately 3,000 cases of Budget $aver Cherry Pineapple Monster Pops and Sugar Free Twin Pops from the company's Denver facility after state inspectors found environmental tests positive for Listeria monocytogenes.    "The voluntary recall was the result of a routine state inspection of the company’s Denver production facility which found Listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples collected by the inspector. The Ziegenfelder Company has ceased the production and distribution at the plant as the state of Colorado and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605437.htm
Ziegenfelder Company Recalls Certain Ice Pops For Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2018

RTE Refrigerated Salmon Spread Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

A Kentwood, Michigan firm is voluntarily recalling a specific lot (produced March 26, 2018) of Smoked Salmon Spreads (487 lbs.) due to potential for Listeria monocytogenes.  The product is a RTE refrigerated product.  While no reason is provided, it may be a post-process contamination issue, and if that is the case, we may not be surprised to see additional lots eventually included in the recall.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605105.htm
Superior Foods Company Voluntarily Recalls 487 lbs. of Smoked Salmon Spreads
For Immediate Release
April 18, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending April 21, 2018

Undeclared Peanuts in Canned Spinach - McCall Farms, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of cases of Happy Harvest Spinach in 13.5 oz cans as a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of peanuts resulting from product mislabeling. [Operations Error - mislabeling]

Undeclared Walnuts in Artichoke Dip - Eataly USA of New York City, New York is recalling Eataly Artichoke Spread, because it may contain undeclared walnuts.  The problem was found by a costumer who is allergic to nuts. He did not encounter any illness, but had a light allergic reaction. The customer declined to fill out the Eataly incident form and just wanted to bring the seriousness of what happened to our attention. Subsequent investigation indicates that the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the packaging process. [Operations Error - Improper clean out?]


Voluntary Recall Notice of Happy Harvest Canned Spinach Due to Potential Undeclared Peanut Allergen from Product Mislabeling
For Immediate Release
April 21, 2018

CDC Includes All Forms of Romaine Lettuce from Yuma AZ in E. coli Outbreak

The CDC is now including all forms of romaine lettuce from Yuma AZ.  it was initially focused on chopped romaine in the E. coli outbreak.  They suggest that if you purchase romaine lettuce, you ensure that the product is not from Yuma.

There are now 53 cases of E.coli infection in 16 states with 31 hospitalized.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Posted April 20, 2018 4:00 PM EST

At A Glance

• Case Count: 53(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/epi.html)
• States: 16(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/map.html)
• Deaths: 0
• Hospitalizations: 31
• Recall: No

What's New?

• Based on new information, CDC is expanding its warning to consumers to cover all types of romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region. This warning now includes whole heads and hearts of romaine lettuce, in addition to chopped romaine and salads and salad mixes containing romaine. 
• Do not buy or eat romaine lettuce at a grocery store or restaurant unless you can confirm it is not from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region.
• Unless the source of the product is known, consumers anywhere in the United States who have any store-bought romaine lettuce at home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. Product labels often do not identify growing regions; so, throw out any romaine lettuce if you’re uncertain about where it was grown. This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.
• Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region.
• The expanded warning is based on information from newly reported illnesses in Alaska. Ill people in Alaska reported eating lettuce from whole heads of romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region.

Three Raw Pet Food Recalls

There were three recalls of raw pet foods - one for Listeria, one for Salmonella, and one due to improper procedures for un-eviscerated fish that could be a Clostridium botulinum issue.  In this case, it was that the fish were too big making the drying process potentially more difficult.

• OC Raw Dog, LLC of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, is recalling approximately 1,560 lbs of Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation which was manufactured on 10/11/2017 with a lot number 3652 and a use by date of 10/11/18. We are voluntarily recalling because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  OC Raw was notified by the FDA of the contamination after it was reported that New Jersey Department of Food and Agriculture tested the product and found it to be positive.
• OC Raw Dog, LLC of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, is recalling the Freeze Dried Sardines because the fish have exceeded the FDA compliance guideline for fish larger than 5 inches. The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried, or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning between 1981 and 1987 and again in 1991. Because OC Raw Dog Freeze Dried Sardines are larger than 5 inches there is a possible health risk. Clostridium botulinum can cause severe and potentially fatal toxicity in both animals consuming the pet treat and people handling the pet treat or coming in contact with contact areas that have been exposed o the product. OC Raw was notified by the Minnesota Department of Food and Agriculture after a sample of our OC Raw Dog Freeze Dried Sardines were collected and determined to contain un-eviscerated or intact un-gutted fish that measure 6-61/2 inches which is greater than FDA guidelines of 5 inches for un-eviscerated fish.
• TruPet, LLC of Milford, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Boost Me Mighty Meaty Beef Topper Meal Enhancer because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall is being issued in an abundance of caution following the FDA’s collection of a retail sample from a single batch which tested positive.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605374.htm
OC Raw Dog, LLC RECALLS one lot of Chicken, Fish & Produce BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK
For Immediate Release
April 20, 2018

Number of E. coli Infection Cases Linked to Chopped Romaine Lettuce Increases

CDC updated information on the E. coli outbreak associated with romaine lettuce.  There are now 53 people infected in 16 dates.  Of those, 31 have been hospitalized with five who have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

No specific source or reason for the contamination has been identified outisde the fact the product was from Yuma Az.

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 18, 2018 4:15 PM EST

What's New?

• Eighteen more ill people have been added to this investigation since the last update on April 13, 2018. 
• Five more states have reported ill people: Alaska, Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Montana.
• Nine more hospitalizations have been reported, including two people who developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

FDA Issues 483 Report on Facility Issues at Egg Farm Responsible for Salmonella Outbreak

FDA issued a 483 Report for Inspectional Observations for the Rose Acre Farm facility in light of the 23 cases of salmonellosis related to thier eggs and associated recall of 207 million eggs.

The issues indicate the facility had a rodent issue as well as sanitation issues.  Records indicate a rodent issue and this was verified in that numerous rodents had been spotted during the inspection.  Issues with sanitation were also noted including improper cleaning practices, placement of food contact surfaces on the ground, and excessively filthy equipment.

It is not uncommon to have mice in the manure pit, and that is where most of the mice sightings were made.  The more important issue was to what degree was Salmonella within the laying flocks and in the the environments where chicken were housed.  Uncontrolled movement of mice and poor cleaning could be factors, but hard to determine the impact of them on the prevalence of Salmonella in chickens and in environment. 

FDA 483 Report - Rose Acre Farms
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofGlobalRegulatoryOperationsandPolicy/ORA/ORAElectronicReadingRoom/UCM604794.pdf

FEI NUMBER 2000023438
NAME AND TITLE OF INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM REPORT IS ISSUED TO:
Nathan K. Nickolisen, Complex Manager
FIRM NAME Rose Acre Farms -Hyde County Egg
CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE Pantego, NC 27860
STREET ADDRESS 1560 Hyde Park Canal Road
TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTED Shell Egg Producer

FDA 483 Report
Date of Inspection 3/26 - 4/11/18