Should FDA have Announced a September E. coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce Sooner?

FDA was criticized for delay in announcing an E. coli O175:H7 outbreak associated with Romaine lettuce.  FDA issued the announcement on October 31st that Romaine lettuce was the likely source of E. coli infection that impacted 23 people, 11 of those hospitalized.

The dates for reported illnesses ranged from July 12, 2019 to Sept. 8, 2019. CDC began the investigation of the outbreak on Sept. 17, 2019, at which time there were no further reported illnesses.

According to a Washington Post article, both the CDC and FDA "determined that romaine was the likely cause on October 2nd.", however, this was at a point when there had been no additional cases for several weeks.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-cdc-and-other-health-partners-investigated-outbreak-e-coli-o157h7-possibly-linked-romaine
FDA, CDC and other health partners investigated outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 possibly linked to romaine lettuce, outbreak appears to be over
October 31, 2019

RTE Sausage and Sliced Pepperoni Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Sample

Ezzo Sausage Company, a Columbus, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 25,115 pounds of sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The ready-to-eat sausage products were produced on Oct. 29, 2019, Oct. 30, 2019 and Nov. 5, 2019 and include sausage and sliced pepperoni items, most for use in pizza type applications.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS of a positive sample result for Listeria monocytogenes.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-111-2019-release
Ezzo Sausage Company Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall
111-2019
Health Risk: High
Nov 9, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending November 9, 2019

Pork Not Beef - Padrino Foods, LLC, an Irving, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 1,931 pounds of beef tamales because the products may be misbranded - the products are labeled as beef and sirloin tamales but contain pork product inside the package.  The problem was discovered by a customer who notified the firm of the misbranding error.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zSJPxNS7gA&feature=push-fr&attr_tag=W_qIuWzBvj-UrnaO%3A6
Padrino Foods, LLC Recalls Beef Tamales Products due to Mislabeling
Class II Recall
07-2019
Health Risk: Low
Nov 4, 2019

FDA Educational Material for training Food Workers

FDA had released some educational tools that you may want to consider for including in your employee training.  While the main audience for this is retail operations, they can be used for food processing operations or other.

One of these is educational testimonials from people who had been affected by foodborne illness.  These are done in the styling used in TV newsmagazine shows such as 48 hours and 20/20.  They are each about 5 to 8 minutes in run time.
LINK

Other information available includes posters
LINK

The main page for the materials is LINK.

Canada - This Week in Canadian Recalls Thru Nov 7, 2019

Nossack Fine Meats Ltd. is recalling Nossack brand European Style Back Bacon from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The food recall warning issued on October 12, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.

Filicetti Foods Inc. is recalling Filicetti brand Dry Cured Italian Style Sausage (hot) from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall was triggered by CFIA food sampling activities following an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.

Industry is recalling various raw beef and raw veal products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The food recall warning issued on November 5, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) food safety investigation. This recall was triggered by the CFIA's inspection activities. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

Industry is recalling various fresh-cut vegetable products from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination (Mann Packing Recall). Distributors, retailers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled product described below.  This recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

NJ Meat Processor Recalls Ground Meat Due to Plasctic Pieces

Rastelli Bros., Inc., doing business as Rastelli Foods Group, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 130,464 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic.   The problem was discovered after FSIS received consumer complaints through the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline. The firm also notified FSIS that they received a consumer complaint directly.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-109-2019-release
Rastelli Bros., Inc. Recalls Meat Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
109-2019
Health Risk: Low
Nov 7, 2019

Improperly Processed Cold Smoked Salmon Recalled as a Clostridium botulinum Risk

Mill Stream Corp. (Sullivan Harbor Farm) of Hancock, Maine is voluntarily recalling ten lots of Cold Smoked Salmon because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum

According to the notice, "The recall was initiated because the product’s water phase salt (WPS) tested below 3.5%. This was discovered upon re-review of laboratory certificates, which were found to have incorrectly reported WPS levels. Labeling instructions state to keep refrigerated at or below 38ºF and that the product may be frozen. Because the WPS is under 3.5% the product must remain frozen until ready to consume. Product stored in the refrigerator after thawing has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum."

As a cold smoked fish product, the hazard of concern is the non-proteolytic strains of Clostridium botulinum, specifically Type E, that have the ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures in vacuum packed product.  (Proteolytic strains, those often associated with improperly processed home canned foods require higher temperatures).  The salt content is a hurdle that prevents this growth, and if not at the right level, than growth can be an issue.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mill-stream-corp-sullivan-harbor-farm-issues-voluntary-recall-cold-smoked-salmon-because-possible
Mill Stream Corp. (Sullivan Harbor Farm) Issues a Voluntary Recall of Cold Smoked Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 06, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 06, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Clostridium botulinum
Company Name: Mill Stream Corp.
Brand Name: Mill Stream Corp.
Product Description: Cold Smoked Salmon

Two Retailers Issue Recalls Associated with Mann Packing Recall of Produce Due to Listeria

Whole Foods and Albertsons have issued recalls associated with vegetable items from Mann Packing Company due to Listeria.  Mann Packing issued their recall on November 3rd.

The Listeria issue evidently started with testing done by the CFIA.  From an article in The Packer,  "According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Mann Packing recall was an update to a Nov. 1 recall of six Compliments (Sobeys) brand fresh-cut products. That recall was also an expansion of an Oct. 30 recall, of Compliments Sweet Kale Blend. The kale item was recalled following a test from the Canadian agency that detected Listeria monocytogenes."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mann-packing-recall-vegetable-products-affects-whole-foods-market-stores-grocer-issues-voluntary
Mann Packing Recall of Vegetable Products Affects Whole Foods Market Stores; Grocer Issues Voluntary Recall of Multiple Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date: November 06, 2019
FDA Publish Date: November 06, 2019
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Multiple Products
Company Name: Whole Foods Market
Brand Name: Whole Foods Market
Product Description: Multiple Products

Poultry Products Recalled for Metal Discovered During Further Processing

Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc., a Gentry, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,071,397 pounds of poultry products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal.  The problem was discovered by Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. establishments during further processing.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-108-2019-release
Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. Recalls Poultry Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
108-2019
Health Risk:High
Nov 6, 2019