Recalled Sugar Smacks Cereal Still on Shelf, Still Causing Illness

FDA released an update on the Salmonella outbreak associated with Kellogg's Honey Smacks Cereal.  Although a recall was issued in mid June, FDA learned that some retailers are still selling recalled product.  There are now 100 people in 33 states who have become ill.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella has been found in the contract manufacturing facility by FDA during their environmental swabbing analysis.  The facility has discontinued making product.

This cases demonstrates the difficulty in getting recalled product off the shelf, and with that, getting consumers to look in their pantry for recalled product.

Also of note is that this was contract manufactured product.  As a RTE product with post-leathality exposure (from the time it is extruded until it is packaged), environmental control is critical.  The fact that FDA was able to find Salmonella in the environment would indicate this this co-manufacturer's environmental program was not adequate.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610827.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka Infections Linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal
July 12, 2018 Update

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending July 14, 2018

Wrong Kind of Nuts - AZ is voluntarily recalling 148 units of the Superfood Salads due to misbranding and undeclared peanuts.  The product contains peanuts which are not declared on the product label as packages of peanuts were mistakenly included in the kits instead of cashews.

Wrong Labels Result in Undeclared MSG - An Oregon establishment, is recalling approximately 102 pounds of ready-to-eat beef jerky products due to misbranding,  - the beef jerky products may contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) that is not declared on the finished product labels. " The problem was discovered on July 5, 2018 by the firm during a routine label review.  Specifically, the firm produced “Old Fashioned Silver Dollar Beef Jerky” products with case code 81471, and inadvertently labeled the products within the case with the “Teriyaki Beef Jerky” label. The “Old Fashioned Silver Dollar Beef Jerky” contains monosodium glutamate (MSG), but the Teriyaki Beef Jerky does not."

Supplier Reformulation Results in Allergens Not Accounted for on Label - A Wittenberg, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 12,946 pounds of pork products due to misbranding - the products may contain brown rice flour and glycerin, ingredients that are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered on June 29, 2018 when the firm informed FSIS that the supplier had reformulated the product without notifying the firm

Milk Not on Label - Portland, Oregon is recalling Naked Bread Hamburger Buns #NothingToHide, 8 pack, affected lot codes F6 Best By June 16th, 2018 through July 16th 2018, because it may contain undeclared milk. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the listing of milk.

FSIS Discovers Missing Milk on Label - A Boston, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately three pounds of chicken wrap products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered by FSIS personnel during routine in-plant verification activities.


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm613463.htm
AZ Firm Issues Voluntary Product Recall Due to Undeclared Peanuts in Superfood Salad
For Immediate Release
July 12, 2018

Food for thought: Eight tips for making good choices at farmers markets

PSU News
https://news.psu.edu/story/526731/2018/06/28/impact/food-thought-eight-tips-making-good-choices-farmers-markets
Food for thought: Eight tips for making good choices at farmers markets
Amy Duke
June 28, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Traveling throughout Pennsylvania in the summer and fall, you don't have to go far to find a roadside stand or farmers market touting baskets of colorful fruits and vegetables.

However, as with any food purchase, a little know-how can go a long way in keeping you and your family safe from foodborne illness, advises a food safety educator with Penn State Extension.

"Farmers markets are undoubtedly an important — and historical — part of agriculture," said Sharon McDonald, senior extension educator and food safety specialist, when referring to the 310 markets in the state. "As these food venues continue to blossom – fueled by demand for locally grown and produced foods – so does the need to educate consumers about potential food safety hazards."

Outbreak of Salmonellosis at State College Church Picnic

A Salmonella outbreak has affected 50 people who attended a picnic held by a State College, PA church over the weekend.  No specific food has been yet identified.

https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/state-college/article214622710.html
At least 50 people treated at Mount Nittany after salmonella infection
By Lauren Muthler And Jeremy Hartley
lmuthler@centredaily.com
jhartley@centredaily.com
July 10, 2018 03:23 PM

Raw Meat Cat Food Recalled Due to Pathogens

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, OR is recalling raw cat food after internal testing found pathogens present on the product. 

• Three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe because testing results indicate they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 
• One lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe because testing results indicate it has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga Toxin producing E. coli O121. 
• The Company discovered these lots were potentially contaminated during enhanced quality testing it conducted as a follow-up to its March 2018 recall.

As for the chicken, it appears the company is using HPP treated chicken as an ingredient.  While the HPP will reduce the level of pathogens associated with the raw chicken - Salmonella and Campylobacter,  the product is still subject to contamination after the bags are opened, mixed, and then packed.  The concern of course will be Listeria monocytogenes contamination as an environmental contaminate.

Venison meat is a risk for  STEC E. coli. Trim can be a concern and may be surface treated by the venison processor.  Even if so, not a guarantee to eliminate venison.

As with any raw pet food, there is the risk of pathogen contamination.  It would be best to consider using a HPP process on the finished product as a pathogen reduction step.  Instead, the company is relying on ingredient control as well as environmental control.  Monitoring is good for verification, but may not catch low level contamination.

Some components of the quality systems from the company website.
Raw Cat Raw Diet Safety and Quality
http://www.radfood.com/education/safety_and_quality

EU - Frozen Vegetables Linked to Listeria Outbreak with Nine Deaths

In Europe, frozen vegetables, primarily corn, from a Hungarian processing facility have been linked to a Listeria outbreak where 47 have become infected including 9 deaths.

It appears that the same strain of Listeria has persisted in this plant for at least the last three years.

While corn has been the primary food associated with illness, it can be likely that more products are contaminated especially when similar equipment is used to pack the product.  Perhaps there was more of a tendency to under-cook the corn before eating or using frozen corn in ready-to-eat applications, such as using it in a salad or fresh salsa.

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/180703
Listeria monocytogenes: update on foodborne outbreak
3 July 2018

Frozen corn and possibly other frozen vegetables are the likely source of an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that has been affecting Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom since 2015.

CDC Update on Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Trays of Cut Vegetables

CDC released an update of the cyclospora outbreak associated with cut vegetable trays.  There are  185 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in persons who reportedly consumed pre-packaged Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip.  The outbreak has been centered in 4 states.   Seven people have been hospitalized,.

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2018/a-062018/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Linked to Del Monte Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays — United States, 2018

Low-tech food-safety training still best for some audiences

https://news.psu.edu/story/527080/2018/07/02/research/back-future-low-tech-food-safety-training-still-best-some-audiences
Back to the future: Low-tech food-safety training still best for some audiences

Jeff Mulhollem
July 2, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — While current training for food safety and sanitation usually incorporates high-technology presentations, such as videos and slide shows, there is still a need for low-tech approaches, according to Penn State researchers.

FDA Commissioner Discusses the Impact of New Technologies on Outbreak Detection

In light of a number of recent outbreaks making headlines, the FDA commissioner released a statement stating that it is not that the food is less safe, but the fact that our ability to identify outbreaks has improved dramatically thanks to new technology.  Now, we have the ability to link widely scattered cases from across the county.

 "The FDA, in concert with the CDC and other partners, are now able to link illness investigations to products in the marketplace more often than ever before, including discovering multistate outbreaks that couldn’t previously be detected."

"While there have been many advances over the past years, one of the most powerful of the new technologies we employ is whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS is a technique that can sequence and determine the entire genetic blueprint of a foodborne pathogen."

"By using this technology, public health investigators can link illnesses in different people and locations to reveal outbreaks with a level of precision never previously available. Simply put, this means we’re better at identifying outbreaks and their source."

So our food is not less safe just because it appears there are more announced outbreaks.

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on developments in the romaine outbreak investigation, recent outbreaks and the use of modern tools to advance food safety
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2018