CDC MMWR Report - 2017 Norovirus Outbreak During Thanksgiving Holidays

CDC released a report on a 2017 norovirus outbreak associated with a vomiting event in a restaurant.  Thirty-six cases were identified  with individuals suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps occurring 2.5 to 54 hours after visiting the restaurant.  Symptoms lasted about 3 days.  Those most likely to become ill were in the restaurant close to the time of the vomiting event.

Basically, an ill patron vomits in the restaurant.  Although an employee applied spray disinfectant, 36 patrons still contracted the virus.  "A point-source norovirus outbreak occurred after an infected patron vomited in a restaurant. Transmission near the vomiting event likely occurred by aerosol or fomite. Norovirus spread throughout the restaurant could have occurred by aerosol, person-to-person, fomite, or foodborne routes. Inadequate employee handwashing likely facilitated foodborne transmission through servings of pecan pie."  Norovirus is highly infectious and transmits easily in the environment.

So if you are in an eating establishment and someone vomits, consider leaving immediately.  For the food establishment, move people away from event, clean like heck following established protocol, and consider giving the cleaner the rest of the night off.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/pdfs/mm6746a4-H.pdf
Notes from the Field: Multiple Modes of Transmission During a Thanksgiving Day Norovirus Outbreak — Tennessee, 2017
Weekly / November 23, 2018 / 67(46);1300–1301

CDC Advises To Avoid ALL Romaine Lettuce After E.coli Cases Reported

UPDATE ISSUED - 11/26/18 GO TO LINK

CDC is advising that people not eat romaine lettuce after an outbreak of E. coli has been identified.  There have been thirty-two people infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states with thirteen people hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The illnesses are listed with dates ranging from October 8, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

The reason for warning against all romaine lettuce is that the source is not known yet.  Until more information is gathered, CDC is taking a precautionary stance.

While this strain is linked to past outbreaks, it is not linked to the recent E.coli outbreak in Yuma AZ, but it is linked to the 2017 E. coli outbreak.    "Whole genome sequencing (WGS) results showed that the E. coli O157:H7 strain isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the E. coli strain isolated from ill people in a 2017 outbreak linked to leafy greens in the United States and to romaine lettuce in Canada. The current outbreak is not related to a recent multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce. People in the spring outbreak were infected with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria with a different DNA fingerprint."

In the 2017 outbreak of the same strain, the source was not definitively found, although it was said to be leafy greens. In that outbreak, CDC and FDA were criticized for not stating it was Romaine lettuce.

CDC News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html
Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Posted November 20, 2018 at 2:30 PM ET

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) infections linked to romaine lettuce.

At A Glance

• Reported Cases: 32

• States: 11

•Hospitalizations: 13

•Deaths: 0

•Recall: No

Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers

CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak. This investigation is ongoing and the advice will be updated as more information is available.

Stew Source of C. perfringens Outbreak at NC Church BBQ

Hundreds of attendees of a church BBQ in North Carolina were stricken with C. perfringens.  Tests indicate that it was the Brunswick stew.  This would indicate that the stew was not held at proper temperatures between the time it was made and the time it was served, allowing the C. perfringens to grow to high number.  Symptoms, including watery diarrhea and mild abdominal cramps occur about 16 hours after consumption of foods containing large numbers (>106 live vegetative cells or >106 spores) of enterotoxin-producing C. perfringens and will last 12 to 24 hours.

Cabarrus Health Alliance

https://www.cabarrushealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=108
UPDATE: Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church BBQ
New Update
Update: November 16, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Ending November 19, 2018

Marinade Label Missing Soy and Wheat - Deleite Foods Enterprises, Inc., a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 11,000 pounds of marinated raw poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the products contain wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered during routine label verification activities by an FSIS inspector, who found that the product did not include an ingredient statement nor declare soy and wheat.

Wrong Package for Chocolate Cherries - Chukar Cherries of Prosser, WA is recalling 7.5oz Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries because they may contain undeclared milk. One allergic reaction has been reported to date. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.

Issue with Label Control - Jay Robb Enterprises is recalling Jay Robb Unflavored Egg White Protein Product,manufactured by Agropur MSI, LLC of La Crosse, Wisconsin, because it may contain undeclared milk allergen. "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Agropur MSI, LLC packaged whey protein powder into Unflavored Egg White Protein pouches that did not reveal the presence of milk allergen. The product was intended to be packaged into Jay Robb Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate packages. The company is requesting return of all Unflavored Egg White Protein with the listed lot dates in order to fully account for product recovery. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the manufacturer’s label control policies."

Now Defunct Co-Packer Mislabeled Product -  Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC of Auburn, CA is announcing a recall of 567 cases of Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade, manufactured by Purveyors Kitchen, because it contains an undeclared tree nut (walnut). The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Purveyors Kitchen – Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade containing tree nuts (walnuts) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the tree nut (walnut). At present, the source of this problem is unknown as Purveyors Kitchen is no longer in operation. The owners of Purveyors Kitchen are not participants in Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-115-2018-release
Deleite Foods Enterprises, Inc. Recalls Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class II Recall
115-2018
Health Risk: Low
Nov 19, 2018

Limited Lots of Cap'n Crunch Recalled After Routine Testing Reveals Potential Salmonella Contamination

The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., is recalling a small quantity of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch cereal after routine sampling program by the company revealed the finished product may contain bacteria. Salmonella.  "While the potentially affected product only reached five specific Target stores and is limited to 21 boxes of one variety with two Best Before Dates, Quaker is initiating the voluntary recall to protect public health.  The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed the finished product may contain [Salmonella]".

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626142.htm
The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of a Small Quantity of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch Cereal Distributed to Five Target Stores Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018

Michigan Company Recalls Ackawi Cheese After State Inspection Discovers Listeria Issue

Green Cedar Dairy of Michigan is recalling Ackawi cheese after a Listeria issue was discovered on November 9, 2018 during a routine inspection by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Food & Dairy Division (MDARD) and by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

From www.cheese.com, Ackawi cheese is "a Middle Eastern cheese named after the Aker region of Palestine, where it first originated. In Arabic, akkawi means "from akka". It is soft unripened brine cheese with a chewy, smooth consistency and a very mild, slightly salty flavour. The cheese is widely popular across most of the Levant where it is used as a table cheese, eaten as it or paired with a fruit."

Further, "The cheese is commonly made using pasteurized cow's milk, but can be made with goat or sheep's milk as well. It is produced on a large scale in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Cyprus where people typically eat it with a soft flatbread at lunch and dinner. Its texture can be compared to that of a Mozzarella, Feta or a Mizithra, as it does not melt down very well. The resistance to melting makes it an excellent frying cheese, because it holds its shape very well. The cheese can be stored for up to a year."
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626134.htm
Recall of Green Cedar Dairy Ackawi Cheese Bearing a Sell by Date of March 26, 2019 or Later
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2018

Two Utah Establishments Recall Ground Beef Products After USDA Testing Finds E. coli O157:H7

Swift Beef Co's Hyrum, Utah establishment is recalling approximately 99,260 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  This product was shipped to retail distributors for further processing and food service distributors for institutional use in locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.  "The problem was discovered on November 15, 2018, when FSIS visited Swift Beef Company in response to a FSIS ground beef sample that was collected at a further processing establishment and was confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7."

Majestic Meat Company of Salt Lake City, Utah is also recalling approximately 532 pounds of ground beef products (bulk ground beef, ground beef patties, and meatballs) after "FSIS identified that product associated with a sample that confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 had been shipped. The establishment held 2 of the 3 boxes of source material associated with the sampled product, however, the third box of source material was further processed and shipped."

Three have been no reported cases of illness in either case.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-114-2018-release
Swift Beef Company Recalls Ground Beef Products due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall

114-2018
Health Risk: High 

Nov 17, 2018

Chicken Salad Product Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination

A Houston, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,912 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The problem was discovered on November 13, 2018 during routine record review by FSIS inspection program personnel.

No exact reason was listed in the announcement.  It could be a Listeria positive test result on an environmental food contact surface sample or something similar.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-111-2018-release
Ron's Home Style Foods Recalls Ready to Eat Chicken Salad Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination 
Class I Recall 
111-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Nov 14, 2018 

Recall Issued After Supplier Ships Frozen Asparagus with Listeria Issue

The Pictsweet Company has recalled 1,872 cases of Pictsweet Farms 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears after it was notified by the manufacturer that product suspected of containing Listeria monocytogenes was inadvertently shipped to The Pictsweet Company.

It is hard to know exactly how this happened.  Perhaps a test-and-hold program that didn't hold too well?  Or a sample was taken for testing and that lot of product was not held?  The next question is whether this supplier has a larger Listeria issue extending beyond this lot.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625788.htm
The Pictsweet Company Recalls 8-ounce Steam’ables Asparagus Spears due to Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2018