Canada - Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red Onions from the USA

According to a release from Canadian Government,  there have been 114 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness linked to raw red onions imported into Canada from the US.

While this outbreak is in Canada, the report states that the "U.S. CDC is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in this outbreak."

Onions have been rarely an issue regarding foodborne illness outbreaks.  In a 2015 study (below), inoculated Salmonella did not penetrate into the onion from the outer layers and the level of organism generally decline, more so at ambient temperatures versus refrigeration temperatures, although Salmonella was recoverable after  7 weeks of refrigerated storage.  With diced onions. Salmonella number did increase somewhat when the product was refrigerated.  "Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella did not decline at 4uC and increased by 0.2 to 0.3 log CFU/g/h at ambient conditions in diced onions."  So based on this..if Salmonella did survive on the onions that were kept cool and then if those onions are diced, then there could be some growth if held at ambient temperature.  Hard to know exactly what happened.  My guess is that the Salmonella never read this research paper.

Reason for concern with the onions you bought from the store....unless those onions are part of the recalled onions, there is still very low risk when you peel the outer layers away and then rinse the onions under running water before use.

Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2020/outbreak-salmonella-infections-under-investigation.html

Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States
July 30, 2020 – Update

Naturally Occurring Lithium in Drinking Water Linked to Lower Suicide Rates

Lithium is a akali metal that is found in trace amounts in the environment including plants and animals.  It can be found in food sources including grains and vegetables, and, in some areas, drinking water.  The amounts humans take in depends on their location and their diet.  

Lithium has been long used to treat mental disorders including bipolar disorder and depression, so it comes as no surprise that in areas where lithium is found in drinking water that those areas have lower suicide rates.

From the article -  "In these unprecedented times of COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent increase in the incidence of mental health conditions, accessing ways to improve community mental health and reduce the incidence of anxiety, depression and suicide is ever more important."

"Lithium, sometimes referred to as the ‘Magic Ion’, is widely and effectively used as a medication for the treatment and prevention of manic and depressive episodes, stabilising mood and reducing the risk of suicide in people with mood disorders. Its anti-aggressive properties can help reduce impulsivity, aggression, violent criminal behaviour and chronic substance abuse."

Perhaps we need a little lithium in our water.

Kings College
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/lithium-in-drinking-water-linked-with-lower-suicide-rates
Lithium in drinking water linked with lower suicide rates
Naturally occurring lithium in public drinking water may have an anti-suicidal effect – according to a new study from Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London.
27 July 2020

Historical Perspective on Food Standards - Butter vs Margarine

Is soy milk really milk?  No, it is not.  It may look like milk, but it is not milk.  Is margarine butter?  Clearly not.  But the labeling of margarine as such did not come easily.  Back in 1886 it took an Act of Congress to make it so. So one of the first Standards of Identity was not put in place by regulation, but rather by legislation.  A news release from the National Milk Producers Federation reviews the history of how that legislation.

There are a lot of things that the Federal Government should do, and should not do.  Establishing standards for what things are and what they aren't is more helpful than constantly changing the nutrient panels on products.  As discussed previously, names should mean something.  Perhaps today. labeling liquid expressed from soy as milk does not seem bad. however, where does it stop.  Celery milk?  Onion milk?  And at what point does it become the margarine of the 1880's where you wonder how anyone could have considered that butter?

National Milk Producers Federation
https://www.nmpf.org/dairy-defined-how-the-fight-against-bogus-butter-changed-the-world/
Dairy Defined: How the Fight Against “Bogus Butter” Changed the World
July 27, 2020

FDA and CDC Update Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Salad Items, Source Not Yet Determined

FDA issued an update on the Cyclospora outbreak related to Fresh Express salads.  As of July 22, 2020, there are now 641 cases across 11 states, with majority of cases in Illinois and Iowa.  The last update was issued on July 9, 2020.  The actual food source of the outbreak has still not been determined.

FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora: Bagged Salads (June 2020)
FDA’s traceback investigation continues. CDC reports additional cases.
07/24/2020
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 641
Hospitalizations: 37
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: 5/11/2020 – 7/5/2020

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending July 24, 2020

Supplier Packaging Error - Giant Eagle, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of Giant Eagle Dried Island Fruit Mix due to the possibility the product may contain undeclared Peanut, Almond, Milk and Soy allergens.  Giant Eagle was made aware of the issue by a guest who purchased the product and the company has since learned that the cause was a packaging error made by the product manufacturer.

Incorrect Label - Winter Gardens Quality Foods, Inc., is voluntary recalling one of its products: Whole Foods Market Spinach Artichoke Dip carrying the lot code 248 and Use By: 07/26/20, because of an undeclared allergen (Egg).   The recall was initiated following an internal review of records identified the incorrect label.

Snack Cakes Recalled Due to the Potential for Mold

Hostess is recalling Raspberry Zinger snack cakes due to the potential for mold.  The release does not say what specific issue led to the recall, perhaps it was a misformulation issue where insufficient anti-molding agents were added?

I always thought these types of snack cakes were bullet proof.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hostess-brands-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-hostessr-raspberry-zingersr-due-potential-mold
Hostess Brands, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® Due to the Potential for Mold
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 20, 2020
FDA Publish Date:  July 21, 2020
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to contain mold
Company Name:  Hostess Brands LLC
Brand Name:  Hostess
Product Description:  Raspberry Zingers

Parasite Taxoplasma gondii Found in Scotish Venison Meat

A recently published study looked at the prevalence of Taxoplasma gondii in retail meat samples in Scottland. (Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in retail meat samples in Scotland, FWP 2020).  Results were that "Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 0/39 (0%) beef samples, 1/21 (4.8%) chicken samples, 6/87 (6.9%) lamb samples, 3/71 (4.2%) pork samples and 29/82 (35.4%; Sampling Period 1) and 19/67 (28.4%; Sampling Period 2) venison samples."  The researchers state "This is the first study to report the presence of T. gondii in retail meat products in Scotland and has highlighted venison as a potentially high risk meat."

So, what is the risk for those eating venison?  In 2017, a Wisconsin outbreak was investigated at a hunting camp and in that invesigation, it was believed to be related to undercooked venison.  In this paper, the author points out other outbreaks involving venison, "In 4 other studies of suspected venison-transmitted toxoplasmosis, consumption of undercooked or raw venison was reported [

28–31]. In a follow-up study of the coworkers of the patients in one report, T. gondii seropositivity was significantly associated with having eaten raw or rare venison [31]. Another of the reports describes a toxoplasmosis outbreak among a group of healthy male Canadian hunters who consumed undercooked venison in Illinois, USA [28]. The Canadian outbreak is almost identical to this outbreak in attack rate, incubation period, symptom severity, and the inclusion of one seronegative but presumed exposed individual. As Wisconsin and Illinois share a border, it is possible that similar strains of T. gondii caused the outbreaks. "

Taxoplasma gondii tissue cysts are not overly heat resistance. (link).  "At 61 C (142F) the cysts were generally inac tivated instantaneously as a result of the come up time (2 min) and come-down time (1.5 min)."

But if people follow the recommendation for cooking meats, especially wild meats where the potential for contamination may be higher in that the diet is not controlled, cooking to medium should easily achieve this goal.

FDA Warning Letters - Two Importers Without FSVP For Imported Goods

FDA issued two Warning Letters this week to food importer for lack of FSVP programs for items that they were importing for sale in the USA.

Tiao Peng Trading, Inc.of Hayward, CA did not have an FSVP for these imported items a) Canned black beans, canned red beans, and canned fruit, b) Fish snack foods, and  c)Custard cake.  They also did bit gave documentation that thermally processed low‐acid foods packaged in hermetically sealed containers (low-acid canned foods) was produced in accordance with Low Acid Food Requirements (21 CFR part 113).

Express Trading International Inc.of San Diego did not have an FSVP for a) Canned Coconut Milk and b)  Aloe Vera Drink Pomegranate.

FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) are required by importers to demonstrate that product had been produced to US food safety standards.


FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tiao-peng-trading-inc-603865-05192020
Tiao Peng Trading, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 603865 — May 19, 2020

Does The Amount of COVID Virus Impact Severity - The Importance of Infecting Dose or Viral Load

There has not been much written about the impact of infecting dose  - the amount of virus (viral load) that a person encounters during an infection event - has on severity of illness.  Or whether a high infecting dose (high viral load received when infected) is more likely to lead to illness in someone not considered high risk.  But that concept would certainly make sense.  A person being infected with hundreds of thousands of viral particles at one time (and all contained in a aerosolized droplet) would be harder for the body to fend off than a few viral particles, and this would also lead to a shorter time needed to reach a critical mass in the body.

While this is not an easy to conduct research, a group at Oxford discusses viral load with regard to healthcare workers based upon case histories....cases where those people working with those who are seriously sick and thus these workers are more likely to encounter high loads of virus spewed out by the highly infected.  The paper shows a number of cases where healthcare workers become sick themselves when working with severely ill.

Could this be why in some cases where those people who become infected and end up at the point of hospitalization, but are seemingly in good immune shape?  Could they have taken in a viral load so large it just overcomes the body's defenses, or in this case, triggers that cytokine storm?

Interesting, a Chinese study found that infected people had the highest viral load in their throat before the onset of symptoms.

More reason for everyone to wear masks.  Masks can reduce how much virus a person emits and then can reduce the amount of virus a healthy person takes in.  People will argue that cotton masks do not prevent a virus from getting through...and that is not the goal.  The goal is reduction.

https://covid19-evidence.paho.org/handle/20.500.12663/1368
SARS-CoV-2 viral load and the severity of COVID-19