USDA Study Demonstrates Most Consumers Do Not Practice Proper Food Safety Procedures

A study conducted by USDA, demonstrated that a vast majority of consumers do not follow proper practices in the kitchen.

• Most people do not properly wash hands  -  "the study revealed that consumers are not washing their hands correctly 97 percent of the time".
• Most people do not use thermometers, and those that do, only half know the proper cooking temperatures - "results reveal that only 34 percent of participants used a food thermometer to check that their burgers were cooked properly. Of those who did use the food thermometer, nearly half still did not cook the burgers to the safe minimum internal temperature."
• People tend to cross contaminate other surfaces / food. After handling raw poultry 
• 48 percent of the time are contaminating spice containers used while preparing burgers,
• 11 percent of the time are spreading bacteria to refrigerator handles, an
• 5 percent of the time are tainting salads due to cross-contamination.

This is not surprising, and shows the reason why even  raw meat processors need to control pathogenic organisms.

Changing behaviors is not easy.  It does not help that many high schools have moved away from subjects that cover this.

USDA
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/06/28/study-shows-most-people-are-spreading-dangerous-bacteria-around
Study Shows Most People Are Spreading Dangerous Bacteria Around the Kitchen and Don’t Even Realize It 

Outbreak Strain of E. coli in Romaine Lettuce Found in Irrigation Canal

FDA and CDC released a report this week on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma AZ growing region.  The report indicated that the outbreak strain was found in the irrigation water canal.  A single grower, harvester, processor or distributor  has not been identified.

As of June 27, the CDC reports that 210 people in 36 states have become ill with 96 hospitalizations and five deaths.

With the outbreak strain found in the canal system, it is easy to understand why one grower was not identified as well as the extent of the outbreak in terms of cases.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm604254.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce from Yuma Growing Region

June 28, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Ending 6/23/18

Undeclared Almonds Found by Consumer - An Oregon company is recalling 79 Sleeves (948 units) of Oregon Peppermint bars, lot code 112918, because it may contain undeclared almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing almonds was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds.

 State Lab Finds Declared Sulfites in Dried Fruit  A MI firm is recalling, AL Reef  Dried Apricots Sour, because it may contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling of the product by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspectors and subsequent analysis by Department food laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared sulfites in Al Reef Dried Apricot Sour package that did not declare sulfites on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm611610.htm
Nectar Foods Inc Dba Honey Mama's Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Oregon Peppermint Cacao Nectar Bar
For Immediate Release
June 22, 2018

FDA Releases Draft Guidance on the Food Defense Rule as Part of FSMA

FDA released a guidance document on meeting requirements for a food defense plan.  Titled as Guidance for Industry: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration, provides how to develop and implement a food defense plan.  It is a draft guidance, but with the rule final, this guidance should not change much.

The draft guidance can be found here.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/ucm610946.htm
Draft Guidance for Industry: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration

Pastramini Recalled Due to Processing Deviation with Regard to Curing

An Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 3,592 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef pastrami products due to processing deviations that may have led to underprocessing of products and resulted in inadequate curing,   "The problem was discovered on June 20, 2018, after the firm received a consumer complaint about product discoloration. The firm conducted an investigation and product testing and determined that not all products contained an adequate amount of the curing solution."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-052-2018-release

Agri Star Meat And Poultry LLC Recalls Beef Pastrami Products due to Possible Processing Deviation
Class II Recall

052-2018
Health Risk: Low

Jun 21, 2018

US Government Proposes Single Food Agency

The US Government released a reorganization plan this past week, and among the items listed, was a proposal to reorganize food safety functions into one agency, The Federal Food Safety Agency, which would fall under USDA.

Easier said then done.  Will it have an impact on overall safety of the food supply?  Will savings of reducing duplication over time outweigh cost of reorganization?

Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century
Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Government-Reform-and-Reorg-Plan.pdf

Texas Establishment Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to STEC O103

Texas Natural Meats, a Lott, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 489 pounds of frozen raw, ground beef products that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103, The problem was discovered on June 19, 2018 by FSIS during routine inspection activities. The product was tested by the establishment and found to be positive for STEC O103 under their sampling program.

USDA News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-051-2018-release
Texas Natural Meats Recalls Frozen Raw Ground Beef Products
Class I Recall

051-2018
Health Risk: High

Jun 20, 2018

Recall of Sprouting Seed Mix Due to Salmonella

An Illinois Company is recalling its NOW Real Food® Zesty Sprouting Mix – Product Code 7271, Lot #3031259 and Lot #3038165 – because its primary ingredient, Crimson Clover Seeds, has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, "Evidence of potential contamination was implicated in ongoing FDA and CDC investigations into multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections, of which the clover seed supplier was notified'.

The sprouting mix is comprised by three different seed types. The consumer actually sprouts the seeds according to directions - Place two tablespoons of seeds in a sprouting jar with three times as much water as seeds. Soak overnight. Rinse seeds and drain twice daily, store in low humidity without direct sunlight. About the fourth day place rinsed sprout jar in indirect sunlight to develop green chlorophyll leaves.

Generally, seeds are sanitized before sprouting  in commercial operations.  If Salmonella is present in these consumer packs, and with no listed sanitation step for the consumer,  Salmonella can grow as the seeds germinate and grow.


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm611388.htm
Now Health Group Inc. Recalls Select Now Real Food® Zesty Sprouting Mix Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
June 21, 2018

Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Veggie Trays

FDA is investigating an outbreak of cyclospora linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip.  There have been 78 confirmed cases.

Cyclospora is a single cell parasite that causes “diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer”.

While FDA has not identified a source or reason, Cyclospora contamination can occur when contaminated water is used to irrigate vegetables.

FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610982.htm
FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials have been investigating a cluster of cyclosporiasis illnesses associated with recalled Del Monte vegetable trays from Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in the United States.