NPR on Why Not to Freak on Foodborne Illness

A report on NPR discusses the impact of technology on detecting foodborne illness.  While it may seem like there are more outbreaks, much of it is our ability to detect these illnesses.  

Some insight provided by Penn State's own, Dr. Ed Dudley.  (There are many who wish his name was spelled 'Dudely' instead of Dudley, because then he could be Dr. Dude...or the Dude..just our opinion man)

NPR Salt

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/09/10/645562083/food-safety-scares-are-up-in-2018-heres-why-you-shouldnt-freak-out
Food For Thought
Food Safety Scares Are Up In 2018. Here's Why You Shouldn't Freak Out

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week Ending 9-8-18

A Sunnyvale, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 371 pounds of raw chorizo sausage products due to misbranding, The product contains sesame seed, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during routine inspection label verification activities.

An Indianapolis, Ind. establishment, is recalling approximately 242 pounds of fully cooked chicken salad product due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen - the contain tree nuts (walnut), a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered after the firm received a consumer complaint

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-077-2018-release
New York Style Sausage Co. Recalls Raw Chorizo Sausage Products due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Ingredient 
Class II Recall
077-2018
Health Risk: Low
Sep 5, 2018

Cage Free Eggs Recalled After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

An Alabama establishment is recalling Cage Free Eggs after there were reported Salmonella illnesses after use of the eggs.  There have been 14 illnesses with 2 hospitalizations.

The concern with eggs is that if Salmonella is not controlled in the flocks, it can be passed to the eggs.  Control in cage-free environments may be an issue, but the circumstances in this particular case were not detailed.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/UCM619945.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Linked to Shell Eggs from Gravel Ridge Farms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses that is linked to shell eggs.

Update - September 10, 2018

Raw-Meat Pet Foods Recalled Due to Potential Pathogen Contamination

There were two recent recalls of raw-meat pet food.  One recall was for Salmonella and Listeria.  The other was for Listeria.  The most recent recall was initiated after a state laboratory tested and found the product positive for the pathogens.  The company stated that they had done their own testing and did not find anything.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm619888.htm
Steve’s Real Food Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Turducken Recipe, One Lot of Quest Emu, and One Lot of Quest Beef Due to Possible Salmonella and L. Mono Contamination
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2018

Update on Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Honey Smack Cereal

CDC and FDA issued an update on Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Kellogg's Honey Smacks Cereal.  There are now 130 cases reported, but from 100 cases the July update.

A few items to note.

• Ill people range in age from less than one year to 95, with a median age of 57.  One would have thought that the median age would have been much lower with the thought that this cereal would have been eaten primarily by children, however, with a median of 57, clearly half are older adults.
• Illnesses started on dates from March 3, 2018, to August 7, 2018 with a recall posted on June 14th.  There was an issue getting the product off the store shelves, but probably more difficult in getting people to remove it from their own pantries.  "People who recently became ill report eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal that they had in their homes."  

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/Mbandaka-06-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka Infections Linked to Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal
Posted September 4, 2018 4:00 PM ET

FDA and CDC Conclude Investigation into Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pasta Salad

FDA and CDC concluded an investigation into a Salmonella outbreak linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad, sold primarily in the Midwest.  There have been 101 illnesses with 25 hospitalizations.  Product was recalled in mid-July.  The announcement did not list any explanation to how Salmonella got into the product.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm613806.htm
FDA Investigated Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, investigated a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to Spring Pasta Salad sold at Hy-Vee locations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Cooked Chicken Product Recalled Due to Metal Pieces

Wayne Farms, LLC, a Decatur, Ala. establishment, is recalling approximately 438,960 pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken products (produced on various dates from July 4 through July 17, 2018) that may be contaminated with metal pieces.  "The problem was discovered after the firm received a customer complaint on July 27, 2018. The firm investigated to determine the nature of the foreign material complaint and notified FSIS of the findings on Sept. 4, 2018."  The product was packed for foodservice and further processing applications.

Hard to think this product had not been passed through a metal detector, which if so, that would mean the unit was not working correctly.

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-076-2018-release
Wayne Farms, LLC Recalls Fully Cooked Chicken Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall 
076-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Sep 5, 2018 

FDA and CDC Announce Veggie Tray-Linked Cyclospora Outbreak Over

The FDA and CDC announced that the Cyclospora outbreak associated with Del Monte vegetable trays is over. There were a total of 250 hospitalizations with the last illness starting on 6/14/18.  The announcement of the outbreak was in early June.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm610982.htm
FDA Investigation of Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays Ends

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis illnesses associated with Del Monte vegetable trays recalled from Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in the United States.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 250
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: 6/14/2018
States with Cases: IA, MN, WI, MI

September is National Food Safety Education Month

September is National Food Safety Education Month.

If we get these basics down, we will go a long way to preventing foodborne illness.....

1. Wash your hands....well, with soap.

2. Handle your raw meat. poultry and seafood as though it may be contaminated...because it probably is.

3. Follow directions for cooking.....including using a thermometer.  Remember...cookie dough must be baked first, hamburgers must reach 160F (155 for professionals), etc.

4. Clean your counters and other food surfaces....with detergent and clean moistened towel, not just that nasty cloth that was lying on counter or the floor.

5. Prevent raw food from contaminating ready-to-eat foods - cover, separate, wrap

6. Refrigerate...40F or less...don't let food sit around, get it in the refrigerator.  And check to see if your refrigerator is at the right temperature.

USDA Website - National Food Safety Education Month
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2018/09/04/kick-national-food-safety-education-month-great-hand-washing-methods-use-all

PRWeb
https://www.prweb.com/releases/how_to_get_a_safe_meal_on_the_table_five_often_forgotten_food_safety_basics_from_the_partnership_for_food_safety_education/prweb15729014.htm
How to Get A Safe Meal on the Table: Five Often-Forgotten Food Safety Basics from the Partnership for Food Safety Education
During National Food Safety Education Month, Integrate Food Safety into the Delight of Family Dinner