FDA and CDC Announce Vibrio Outbreak Associated with Venezuela Crab Meat Over

FDA and CDC released an announcement saying that the Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak associated with Venezuela crab meat is over.  CDC and FDA had issued a warning in July when the outbreak was identified.  At the end of this, there is a total of 26 illness and 9 hospitalizations.

"Vibrio bacteria naturally live in certain coastal waters and are present in higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer. About a dozen Vibrio species can cause human illness, known as vibriosis. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the most common species causing human illness in the United States." 

Vibrio will be eliminated through cooking, however, "the product under investigation was a fresh, pre-cooked product that may be served chilled or lightly re-heated in various dishes".

"Most people infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus develop diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever and stomach pain. Diarrhea tends to be watery and occasionally bloody. "

https://www.fda.gov/food/recallsoutbreaksemergencies/outbreaks/ucm613500.htm
FDA Investigated Multistate Outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Linked to Fresh Crab Meat Imported from Venezuela

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 Vibrio parahaemolyticus illnesses that was linked to fresh crab meat.

Update – September 27, 2018

$18 Million in Smuggled Drugs Found in Shipment of Bananas

In Texas, a shipment of bananas was found to be carrying a hidden load of cocaine..540 packages.....18 million dollars worth.

The Produce News
http://theproducenews.com/the-produce-news-today-s-headlines/25022-this-18-million-drug-bust-is-bananas
This $18 million drug bust is bananas
September 24, 2018

CDC Report on Campylobacter Outbreak Associated with Puppies

CDC issued a report on an investigation into last year's Campylobacter outbreak associated with pupplies sold through pet stores.  "By February 28, 2018, a total of 118 persons meeting the case definition for Campylobacter infection, including 29 pet store employees, were reported from 18 states."

"Practices identified during records review indicated that pet store puppies travel from breeders to distributors to stores by third-party transport companies. Information collected for eight puppies owned by infected persons and 20 puppies with fecal samples that were positive for Campylobacter jejuni traced back to 25 breeders and eight distributors. No single breeder, distributor, or transporter was identified as the infection source. However, potential for Campylobacter transmission among puppies exists because puppies from different breeders were commingled at distributors, during transport, and in stores."

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6737a3.htm?s_cid=mm6737a3_e
Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Outbreak Linked to Puppy Exposure — United States, 2016–2018
Weekly / September 21, 2018 / 67(37);1032–1035

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week ending September 22, 2018

No Allergen Declaration on Label - Purus Labs, Inc of Plano, Texas is recalling MyoWhey Chocolate Cookie Crunch,because it may contain undeclared milk and soy.  The recall was initiated after a routine inspection by the Texas Department of State Health Services determined that the product had been distributed without proper allergen labeling for milk and soy.

Wheat on Ingredient List but not Allergen Declaration - Lidl US has voluntarily recalled all Bellona brand “Milk Chocolate Flavored Coated Wafer with Hazelnut Crème Filling and White Chocolate Flavor” confections as a precautionary measure because the allergen statement does not include wheat.  Wheat flour is correctly listed as the second ingredient on the package, but the allergen statement does not include wheat alongside the properly declared allergens listed.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm621293.htm
Purus Labs Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Soy in MyoWhey
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2018

TX Establishment Recalls Beef Jerky Due to Metal Piece Complaint

An El Campo, Texas establishment is recalling approximately 690 pounds of ready-to-eat teriyaki beef jerky products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of hard metal.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received a consumer complaint from a retail store customer regarding metal in the teriyaki beef jerky product

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-083-2018-release
Junior’s Smokehouse Processing Plant Recalls Beef Jerky Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class II Recall 
083-2018 
Health Risk: Low 
Sep 21, 2018 

NY Establishment Recalls Meat Product for Excessive Nitrite Levels

A Rochester, N.Y., establishment is recalling approximately 6,082 pounds of ready-to-eat olive loaf pork products due to sodium nitrite levels in excess of the regulatory limit. The problem was discovered on Sept. 20, 2018 by FSIS inspectors while performing routine label verification activities. FSIS discovered that the establishment’s formulation for the use of sodium nitrite, a restricted ingredient, exceeded the regulatory limit.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-082-2018-release
Zweigle’s Inc. Recalls Olive Loaf Pork Products due to Sodium Nitrite Levels in Excess of Regulatory Limit 
Class II Recall 
082-2018 
Health Risk: Low 
Sep 20, 2018 

Ground Meat Recalled after being Linked to 18 Cases of E. coli O26 Infection

Cargill Meat Solutions, a Fort Morgan, Colo. establishment, is recalling approximately 132,606 pounds of ground beef products made from the chuck portion of the carcass that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26.

CDC reports that there have been 18 cases in 4 states.  Of these, 6 have been hospitalized and there has been one death.  The product was packed in June with the onset of illness ranging from July 5 through July 25, 2018.  The outbreak appears to be over at this point, but there is the concern that some may have frozen the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-081-2018-release
Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. Coli O26 Contamination
Class I Recall
081-2018
Health Risk: High
Sep 19, 2018

FDA Statement on Efforts to Prevent Cyclospora

FDA released a statement concerning Cyclospora in produce in light of the two large outbreaks - Fresh Express and McDonald's Salads where 511 cases where people were infected, and the Del Monte Veggie Tray with 250 cases.

In short, they were not able to find a source in either of the outbreaks, but with the new test they developed, they detected Cyclospora in domestically grown cilantro and romaine lettuce.  From the statement,  "During our investigation, two samples of domestically grown romaine lettuce were also found to be positive for Cyclospora even though they were not sourced from locations associated with the lettuce that was linked to this outbreak. None of the romaine lettuce associated with these positive test results for Cyclospora went into the marketplace and all of the produce suspected of being contaminated was destroyed, preventing additional Cyclospora illnesses from occurring. "

Though increased surveillance of domestic and imported produce along with the implementation of the Produce Safety Rule by farms, FDA hopes to get a handle on this parasite.

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm620867.htm
Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on the FDA’s ongoing efforts to prevent foodborne outbreaks of Cyclospora
For Immediate Release
September 18, 2018

Canada - Warning of Risk Associated with Salmonella in Undercooked Raw Breaded Chicken Product

The Canadian Government issued a warning statement on breaded raw chicken products and the risk of Salmonella due to undercooking.  Over the past 16 months, there have been hundreds of cases of Salmonella infection despite ongoing efforts on education.

The issue is that the breaded chicken appears to be fully cooked and if one had to guess, people are not using a measuring device.  The reason it looks cooked is that with breaded product, the product is only par-cooked to set the coating.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is requiring industry to implement measures at the manufacturing/processing level to reduce Salmonella to below detectable amounts in frozen raw breaded chicken products that are packaged for retail sale.
Companies have these options (document below).

Option 1 - Include as part of the manufacture of the frozen raw breaded chicken products a cook process that has been validated to achieve a 7-log reduction in Salmonella. (But still list cooking instructions to handle any Listeria concern.

Option 2 - Implement a Salmonella testing program for the raw chicken mixture to demonstrate it has no detectable Salmonella.

Option 3 - Implement a Salmonella hold-and-test program for finished frozen raw breaded chicken products.

Option 4 - Include as part of the manufacture of the frozen raw breaded chicken products, a process or combination of processes that has been validated to achieve a 2-log reduction in Salmonella and implement a Salmonella sampling program for the raw chicken mixture.

From: Public Health Agency of Canada 
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2018/09/council-of-chief-medical-officers-of-health-concerned-about-the-risk-of-salmonella-illness-from-frozen-raw-breaded-chicken-products.html
Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health concerned about the risk of Salmonella illness from frozen raw breaded chicken products 
September 13, 2018 - Ottawa, ON - Government of Canada