CDC and FDA Update on Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Bagged Salad

FDA and CDC released an update on the Cyclospora outbreak associated with bagged salad sold which is linked to a facility in Illinois.  As of June 29, 2020, there have been 206 reported cases of Cyclospora infection.  The previous update was on June 19, 2020.

"The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States. The investigation includes Fresh Express branded products as well as products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. Investigators continue to look into whether other retail brands may be impacted."

"Currently, the epidemiologic and traceback information collected by federal and state investigators indicates that a likely cause of this outbreak is product made at the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois."

FDA

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Fresh Express recalls products made in its Streamwood, Illinois production facility with either iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots
06/29/2020

FDA Issues Warning Letter to NJ Cheese Processor - No Preventive Control Plan and No Listeria Control Program

FDA issued a Warning Letter to El Abuelito Cheese, Inc. of Patterson NJ for not having a Preventive Control Plan in place for each type of food processed.  They also did not have a Listeria control program in place.  While investigators found Listeria in the processing facility, the strains they found were not pathogenic.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/el-abuelito-cheese-inc-605472-06042020
WARNING LETTER
El Abuelito Cheese, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 605472 — June 04, 2020

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Three Firms for Non-compliance for FSVP for Imported Goods

FDA issued Warning Letters to three firms for not being in compliance with the FSVP regulations.  These firms did not have FSVP in place for products they imported.

Global Commodities Corp., of  Hayward, CA 94545 was not in compliance with the FSVP  for Buenas Kaong Red Sugar Palm Fruit in Syrup and Macapuno String in Syrup preserves imported from (b)(4), Philippines; and Boy Bawang Mixed Nuts Snacks – Garlic imported from KSK Food Products, Philippines. The firm did not have FSVPs for these products.

H & C Food Inc., located at 1300 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY was found not to be in compliance with the FSVP requirements for  Enoki Mushroom imported from Green Co., Ltd, South Korea and Teriyaki Kimnori Roasted seaweed Snack (b)(4). The firm did not have FSVPs for these products. 

Diamond Rock Food Imports, Inc.of Copiague, NY was not in compliance with the requirements of FSVP regulations for Tomato Sauce and Refried Red Beans products imported from (b)(4) and the Grape Soft Drink product imported from your (b)(4). The firm did not have an FSVP for these products or any other products imported by your firm.

Lawsuit Filed Against Meat Processor for COVID-19 Deaths

A lawsuit against Tyson Foods was filed by the families of 3 workers who died from COVID-19 alleging that "Tyson concealed information about the extent of illness among the workforce at its pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa, and that it failed to institute adequate safety measures."

Food Processing Magazine
https://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2020/suit-blames-3-covid-deaths-on-tyson-foods
Lawsuit Blames 3 COVID Deaths on Tyson Foods
By Pan Demetrakakes, Senior Editor
Jun 26, 2020

Tyson Foods is being sued by families of three workers at one of its Iowa plants who died after contracting COVID-19.

Cyclospora Outbreak Associated with Bagged Salads in Midwest US, 76 Cases to Date

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections potentially linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco grocery store brand “garden salads” containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots.  As of June 19th, there have been 76 cases with 16 hospitalizations, with onset date ranging from May 11th through June 14th.

"FDA and CDC are recommending that consumers should not eat, and restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve all ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, all Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad sold in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Brand Garden Salad sold in Illinois."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
Don’t eat ALDI, Hy-Vee, or Jewel-Osco store brand bagged salads labeled as ‘garden salads’ and sold in six mid-western states.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 76
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 - 6/14/2020
States with Cases: IA (28), IL (23), KS (1), MN (10), MO (7), NE (7)

NJ Company Recalls 43,000 Pounds of Ground Meat for Potential E. coli Contamination

Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. 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/2020/recall-012-2020-release
Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Beef Products due to Possible E.coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
012-2020
Health Risk: High
Jun 13, 2020

Raw Macadamia Nuts Recalled After Lot Tests Positive for Salmonella

An Illinois company, NOW Health Group, Inc. (NOW), is recalling its NOW Real Food® Raw Macadamia Nuts because this lot has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. NOW became aware of the potential contamination after routine sampling in a later lot of finished product (which contained the same lot of raw material as used in the recalled lot) found the bacteria. This later finished product lot was not released and remains in a quarantined state.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/now-health-group-inc-voluntarily-recalls-now-real-food-rraw-macadamia-nuts-because-possible-health
NOW Health Group Inc. Voluntarily Recalls NOW Real Food ®Raw Macadamia Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 12, 2020
FDA Publish Date: June 12, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Nuts & Nut Products
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name: NOW Health Group, Inc.
Brand Name: Now Real Food
Product Description: Raw Macadamia Nuts

COVID Times - June 9, 2020

People with Blood Type O May Have Reduced Risk of COVID Infection and Hospitalization - A study conducted by the 23andMe, the genetic testing company, has found preliminary evidence that people with blood type O may have reduced risk of infection as well as lower rate of hospitalization if infected.

Study of Sailors Exposed to Virus Aboard Ship - CDC published a study that looked at an COVID-19 outbreak on a US Naval Ship.  In the sampling of sailors, "healthy U.S. service members experiencing close contact aboard an aircraft carrier, those with previous or current SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced mild illness overall, and nearly 20% were asymptomatic. Approximately one third of participants reported fever, myalgia, and chills and had higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection than did persons who reported cough and shortness of breath. Participants reporting anosmia (loss of sense of smell) or ageusia (loss of sense of taste) had 10 times the odds of having infection, compared with those who did not."

The World Health Organization Still Trying to Get It Right - WHO had to clarify a statement by one of their experts who said that spread from asymptomatic carriers was very rare, this of course is not the case.  This comes as they also backtracked on the use of masks.

Have the Lock Downs Helped? - Many may complain, but studies indicate that the lock downs have helped in saving lives.  Not to say that lock downs need to continue, but they provided an opportunity for learning how to better function through the use of preventive measures at the same time, allowing for the medical community to improve on treatments.  This is not to say we are out of the woods as areas in the country still struggle with cases spiking.

CDC Report - Survey Indicates Some People Using Unsafe Disinfection Practices Including Using Bleach on Food

CDC published a report indicating that a good number of people feel that using bleach on food products to remove potential COVID-19 virus was okay.  It isn't okay to use disinfectants on food

In April, CDC reported that there as an increase in chemical-related health issues caused by the misuse of disinfectants by people trying to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

A survey was conducted, and while a good portion of people had the basic understanding for use of chemicals, "Thirty-nine percent reported intentionally engaging in at least one high-risk practice not recommended by CDC for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (2), including application of bleach to food items (e.g., fruits and vegetables) (19%); use of household cleaning and disinfectant products on hands or skin (18%); misting the body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray (10%); inhalation of vapors from household cleaners or disinfectants (6%); and drinking or gargling diluted bleach solutions, soapy water, and other cleaning and disinfectant solutions (4% each)."

"These practices pose a risk of severe tissue damage and corrosive injury (8,9) and should be strictly avoided. Although adverse health effects reported by respondents could not be attributed to their engaging in high-risk practices, the association between these high-risk practices and reported adverse health effects indicates a need for public messaging regarding safe and effective cleaning and disinfection practices aimed at preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in households."

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6923e2.htm?s_cid=mm6923e2_w
Knowledge and Practices Regarding Safe Household Cleaning and Disinfection for COVID-19 Prevention — United States, May 2020
Early Release / June 5, 2020 / 69
Radhika Gharpure, DVM1,2; Candis M. Hunter, PhD1; Amy H. Schnall, MPH3; Catherine E. Barrett, PhD1; Amy E. Kirby, PhD1; Jasen Kunz, MPH1; Kirsten Berling, MPH1; Jeffrey W. Mercante, PhD1; Jennifer L. Murphy, PhD1; Amanda G. Garcia-Williams, PhD1 (View author affiliations)