Impact on Produce Industry of E. coli Outbreak in Romaine Lettuce

A good read in FoodDive on the impact of the E.coli outbreaks in romaine as related to the produce supply chain.  In the latest outbreak, FDA called for people to avoid Romaine lettuce and this caused a massive dump of product and a huge decrease in sales.

"But the outbreaks have pummeled romaine lettuce sales, according to data from Nielsen. Sales of the vegetable, typically the most widely consumed salad green, slumped 13% during the year ending Nov. 24 to $631 million, the analytics firm estimated. With less romaine lettuce available, USDA said prices of other lettuce varieties have surged, including Boston and iceberg lettuce — which saw a nearly 170% jump."

A warning for more to come?  Without good traceback, FDA will probably follow a similar tact with the next produce recall.  So will the industry be able to do voluntary labeling.  What about testing of irrigation water?

The Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in 2011, called for growers to test their irrigation water and take steps to prevent contaminated sources from being used on produce. But the FDA announced in September 2017 that implementation would be delayed until at least 2022, beginning with the largest farms, in order to allow the agency to “consider how we might further reduce the regulatory burden or increase flexibility.” 

Water testing has its issues including setting acceptable standards that can reflect the presence of pathogens, being able to find incidental contamination, etc.  Product sampling provides no guarantee either that low level contaminants will be found.  Can there ever be a 100% guarantee in preventing pathogens in leafy greens...probably not.

FoodDive
https://www.fooddive.com/news/its-not-easy-being-green-romaine-lettuce-e-coli-outbreak-rattles-food-g/543448/
It's not easy being green: Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak rattles food, grocery industries 
Dec 10, 2018
The FDA's decision to request that the popular green gets pulled from shelves sent "a strong message" to the produce sector while costing supermarkets millions of dollars.

This Week in Mislabeled Products - Week Ending December 14, 2018

Allergen Issue Identified by Complaint at Retail  - A Dalton, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 47 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef snack stick products because the products are misbranded and may contain milk, a known allergen, which was not declared on the finished product label.  The problem was discovered on Dec. 7, 2018, when FSIS received information concerning product from the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food Safety, which reported concerns over the label observed at a retail food establishment.

Incorrect Packaging for Hazelnut Product A Portland, Oregon establishment is recalling 600/4 oz. bags of Sea Salt Caramels Tumbled In Milk Chocolate, because it may contain undeclared hazelnuts.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product has the potential to be contaminated with hazelnuts and product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of hazelnuts.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-119-2018-release
3-D Meats, LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Snack Stick Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class I Recall
119-2018
Health Risk: High
Dec 9, 2018

Vermont Establishment Recalls Beef Quarters for SRM

A Vermont establishment is recalling approximately 10,828 pounds of raw intact bone-in beef quarters from cattle identified as being over 30 months of age because the products may contain specified risk materials (SRM), specifically vertebral column.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the state of Vermont of a complaint received by the state.  FSIS then investigated the complaint.

Specified risk materials (SRMs) are tissues in cattle that are considered to be of high risk for prion contamination. Prions are proteins that cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow, a disease that causes deterioration of the brain.  Establishments that slaughter cattle or process carcasses or parts of cattle must identify, remove, and segregate SRMs from edible meat, and dispose of those parts.

From USDA procedures for SRM Control, "SRMs are found in cattle of all ages. The age of cattle determines which SRMs require segregation, removal and disposal. Tonsils and the distal ileum of the small intestine are SRMs from cattle of any age. Several tissues are SRMs only in cattle 30 months of age and older (OTM+). For cattle 30 months of age or older, additional SRMs are the skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia (nerves attached to the brain), eyes, spinal cord, vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum), and dorsal root ganglia (nerves attached to the spinal cord)."

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-121-2018-release
Vermont Packinghouse, LLC Recalls Raw Intact Bone-In Beef Products due to Possible Specified Risk Materials Contamination 
Class II Recall
121-2018
Health Risk: Low
Dec 13, 2018

FDA Updates E.coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce, At Least One Farm Identified

Updating the ongoing investigation into the E.coli O157:H7 contamination in romaine lettuce, FDA announced that one farm so far has been linked so far as a source of product.  FDA "identified a positive sample result for the outbreak strain in the sediment of a local irrigation reservoir used by a single farm owned and operated by Adam Bros. Farms in Santa Barbara County."    With that, they are leaving the romaine warning in place for "Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Barbara Counties".  While the E.coli organism found in the sediement matched the outbreak strain via Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), the traceback analysis indicates that more than this one farm are probably involved.

They went on to state, "It’s important to note that although this is an important piece of information, the finding on this farm doesn’t explain all illnesses and our traceback investigation will continue as we narrow down what commonalities this farm may have with other farms that are part of our investigation. While the analysis of the strain found in the people who got ill and the sediment in one of this farm’s water sources is a genetic match, our traceback work suggests that additional romaine lettuce shipped from other farms could also likely be implicated in the outbreak. Therefore, the water from the reservoir on this single farm doesn’t fully explain what the common source of the contamination."

"As of Dec. 13, our investigation yielded records from five restaurants in four different states that have identified 11 different distributors, nine different growers, and eight different farms as potential sources of contaminated romaine lettuce. Currently, no single establishment is in common across the investigated supply chains. This indicates that although we have identified a positive sample from one farm to date, the outbreak may not be explained by a single farm, grower, harvester, or distributor."

Also as of the December 13th report, there have been 59 people infected in 15 states, with the last reported illness onset date being Nov. 16.

The farm with the positive E.coli sample in the sediment, Adams Brothers, has been cooperating.   They are a fifth generation farm.

FDA Statement
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm628400.htm
Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. and FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas on new findings and updated consumer recommendations related to the romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak investigation
For Immediate Release
December 13, 2018

RTE Sausage Links Recalled Due to Metal Complaints

An Owingsville, Ky. establishment is recalling approximately 29,028 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat (RTE) pork and poultry sausage links products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal.  The problem was discovered on Dec. 10, 2018, when FSIS received notification that the establishment had received five consumer complaints of metal pieces in the RTE sausage links.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-120-2018-release
CTI Foods LLC, Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Poultry Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
Class I Recall
120-2018
Health Risk: High
Dec 10, 2018

Sunflower Butter Recalled After Listeria Positive Test

Inspired Organics, LLC has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Sunflower Butter due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.   "This was brought to [the company's]attention by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) after product testing returned positive test results for potential for Listeria monocytogenes."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628186.htm
Inspired Organics Issues Voluntary Recall of Organic Sunflower Butter Due to Potential Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2018

Canned Corn Recalled Due to Under-processing Concerns

Del Monte Foods Inc. announced a recall of 64,242 cases of FIESTA CORN Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers due to under-processing which were the result of  deviations in the commercial sterilization process.

Based on the fact that it was a single product produced on multiple production days, one would guess that this was a scheduling issue (not having the right time or the right blend of product) rather than an equipment issue.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628259.htm
Del Monte Foods Announces Limited Recall of Canned Fiesta Corn Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers Due to Under Processing
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2018

Cat Food Recalled for Potential Low Levels of Thiamine

The J.M. Smucker Company is recalling specific lots of 9Lives® Protein Plus® wet, canned cat food due to possible low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1). No illnesses related to this issue have been reported to date and the product is being recalled out of an abundance of caution.  The potential for low thiamine levels was identified internally by finished product testing.

Cats have to be supplied two chemicals - the amino acid taurine and the vitamin thiamine, or Vitamin B1.  A cat eating a diet low in thiamine can result in a thiamine deficiency  which can result gastrointestinal issues as well as neurological problems.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628058.htm
The J.M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of 9Lives® Protein Plus® Wet, Canned Cat Food Due to Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
For Immediate Release
December 7, 2018

Natural (Raw) Pet Food Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Test

Columbia River Natural Pet Foods of Vancouver, WA is voluntarily recalling 933 packages of Cow Pie fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, produced in August 2017, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one package.  Cow Pie is a fresh frozen meats product intended to feed raw to dogs and cats. Cow Pie was distributed in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and direct delivery. The product comes frozen in 2 lbs. purple and white plastic bags. 

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627721.htm
Columbia River Natural Pet Foods Inc. Recalls Cow Pie Fresh Frozen Meats for Dogs and Cats Because of Possible Listeria monocytogenes Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2018