CDC Report - How Many Accidental Mushroom Poisonings Occur Each Year....More Than You Might Think

A study reported in CDC MMWR "found that 1,328 accidental poisonous mushroom ingestions were treated in emergency departments during 2016, and during 2016–2018 serious adverse outcomes occurred in 8.6% (48 of 556) of patients who sought care for accidental poisonous mushroom ingestions"  where consumption of the foraged mushrooms for were for food or hallucinogenic purposes. 

"Adverse outcomes from poisonous mushroom ingestions might occur because amateur mushroom foragers might not distinguish poisonous from nonpoisonous species (2). Recent immigrants are also at risk for mushroom poisonings because they might mistake poisonous mushrooms for nontoxic varieties found in other countries (4). Accidental mushroom poisoning diagnoses were more common in the summer and most frequently occurred in the western United States; this might reflect regional differences in the popularity of recreational mushroom foraging or the fact that Amanita smithiana, a potentially deadly and easily misidentified mushroom species that causes gastrointestinal symptoms followed by acute renal failure, is more common in this region"

"This analysis demonstrates the potential for serious adverse outcomes in young children, although they occurred less frequently than in older persons. Young children might take small, exploratory bites of mushrooms during outdoor play. " Adults often consumed larger quantities, either as food or for hallucinogenic effect.

We normally do not see many of these cases in the press, so at least for me, this number is a lot larger than I would have expected.


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7010a1.htm
Health Care Utilization and Outcomes Associated with Accidental Poisonous Mushroom Ingestions — United States, 2016–2018
Weekly / March 12, 2021 / 70(10);337–341
Jeremy A.W. Gold, MD1,2; Emily Kiernan, DO3,4; Michael Yeh, MD3,4; Brendan R. Jackson, MD2; Kaitlin Benedict, MPH2 

Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Poisonous mushroom ingestions can result in serious illness and death. The national prevalence of health care use associated with accidental poisonous mushroom ingestion is unknown.

Vending Machine Sandwiches Recalled After Positive Listeria Environmental Test in the Processing Facility

MG Foods of Charlotte, NC is recalling various Turkey Sandwiches due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

On March 2, 2021 during routine environmental testing the company detected the presence of Listeria on surface areas where the recalled products were produced.  The products were distributed between March 3, 2021 and March 5, 2021.  From looking at the use-by-date, the product only has a 4 day shelf-life, which had already passed when this recall was issued.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mg-foods-recalls-various-turkey-sandwiches-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes-contamination
MG Foods Recalls Various Turkey Sandwiches Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 10, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 10, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  MG Foods
Brand Name:  MG Foods and Fresh to You
Product Description:  Sandwiches
Company Announcement

Sesame Oil Recalled After Testing Finds Salmonella

Mediterranean Food Inc. of Warren, MI, is recalling its 2Lb plastic jar of "Alqosh Sesame Oil" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) at one of the retailers sold the product to which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some of the 2 Lb plastic jars of "Sesame Oil."  The product appears to be imported from Iraq.

Salmonella can survive in oil, a low Aw ingredient, for long periods of time.  A study demonstrated that Salmonella could survive for months in peanut oil.  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mediterranean-food-inc-recalls-alqosh-sesame-oil-because-possible-health-risk
Mediterranean Food Inc. Recalls “Alqosh Sesame Oil” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date: March 08, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Salmonella
Company Name: Mediterranean Food Inc.
Brand Name: Alqosh
Product Description: Sesame oil “Tahin”

Chocolate Product Recalled After Customer Finds Undeclared Almonds

Hu Products announced today a nationwide voluntary recall in the United States of a single production lot of the Hu Chocolate Covered Hunks - Sour Goldenberries Product (4 oz. bag) because some packages may contain undeclared almonds that were inadvertently added to the product during manufacturing. The company became aware of this issue as a result of a consumer contact. No reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of this product have been reported to the Company to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hu-products-conducts-nationwide-voluntary-recall-single-lot-4-oz-chocolate-covered-hunks-sour
Hu Products Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Single Lot of 4 oz. Chocolate Covered Hunks - Sour Goldenberries Product Due to Undeclared Almonds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:March 06, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain Undeclared Almonds
Company Name:  Hu Products
Brand Name:  Hu
Product Description:  Chocolate Covered Hunks-Sour Goldenberries
Company Announcement

Tahini Product Recalled After State Laboratory Finds Positive Salmonella Sample

KAREEM MART of Garden City, MI, is recalling its 1lb, 2lb, 10kg of “Tahina” food treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing from samples in the stores by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).  There have been no reported illness to date.  Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kareem-mart-recalls-tahina-because-possible-health-risks
Kareem Mart Recalls “Tahina” Because of Possible Health Risks
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 02, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Salmonella
Company Name:  Kareem Mart
Brand Name:  Kareem Chef
Product Description:  Tahina (Ground Sesame Paste)

FDA Issues Announcement and Letter Regarding Toxic Compounds in Baby Foods

FDA issued a follow-up to their earlier response on heavy metals in baby food.  As you many remember, a US Senate Subcommittee released a report on compounds such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in baby food, for which FDA issued a response.  This current issuance, A Letter to Industry basically reminds baby food companies "of their existing responsibility to consider risks from chemical hazards, including toxic elements, when conducting a hazard analysis, including for products for babies and young children. The preventive control provisions require industry to implement controls to significantly minimize or prevent any identified chemical hazards requiring a control. "

In this Letter, "FDA does not advise parents and caregivers to throw out their supply of packaged baby foods or to stop feeding their babies and children certain foods altogether. Eliminating food groups from your children’s diet in order to avoid certain toxic elements that occur in the food supply may result in deficiencies in certain nutrients and potential poor health outcomes."

It also tell parents that if they make their own food, they are unlikely to do a better job than the food companies.   "For parents who choose to make their own baby foods, it is important to know that this is not likely to reduce potential exposure to toxic elements in baby foods and may instead result in higher concentrations, as food manufacturers have the capability to implement strategies that result in using ingredients with lower concentrations of toxic elements. Finally, we want to stress that it is critical that parents and caregivers not attempt to make and feed their infants homemade infant formula—as this is extremely unlikely to reduce exposure to toxic elements and has resulted in infants suffering life-threatening consequences, including severe nutritional deficiencies and microbial foodborne illness."

Are there many who are left thinking...well, tell us how bad is it?  What are the real risks?  Well FDA starts the letter with this "We share the public’s concerns for the health of America’s children, and want to reassure parents and caregivers that at the levels we have found through our testing, children are not at an immediate health risk from exposure to toxic elements in foods. "  

In an announcement issued the same day, FDA stated some of their planned actions.

• Issuing guidance to identify action levels for contaminants in key foods, with plans to revisit those levels on a regular basis and lower them if appropriate, as well as providing guidance to industry on how to meet their obligations under current regulations;
• Increasing inspections and, as appropriate, taking compliance and enforcement actions;
• Boosting sampling of foods for babies and young children, including sharing results; and
• Working with government, academia and industry to support research and development of additional safety information on toxic elements in foods for babies and young children and additional steps that industry can take to further reduce levels.

Constituent Updates
https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-letter-industry-chemical-hazards-including-toxic-elements-food-and-update-fda-efforts-increase
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
_______________________________________
FDA Letter to Industry on Chemical Hazards, including Toxic Elements, in Food and Update on FDA Efforts to Increase the Safety of Foods for Babies and Young Children

March 5, 2021

Raw Pet Food Recalled After FDA Sampling Finds Salmonella and Listeria

Bravo Packing, Inc. of Carneys Point, NJ is recalling all Ground Beef and Performance Dog, a frozen raw pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Bravo Packing, Inc. is voluntarily recalling the products after samples of Performance Dog and a sample of Ground Beef were collected during an FDA inspection, tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Bravo issued a series of recalls for their raw pet food in 2013, 2014 and 2015 for Salmonella and/or Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bravo-packing-inc-recalls-all-performance-dog-and-ground-beef-raw-pet-food-because-possible
Bravo Packing, Inc. Recalls All Performance Dog and Ground Beef Raw Pet Food Because of Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk to Humans and Animals
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 03, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 03, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Bravo Packing, Inc.
Brand Name:  Bravo Packing, Inc.
Product Description:  Ground Beef and Performance Dog, frozen raw pet food

Sprinkles Recalled Due to Reaction to Undeclared Milk

Wilton Brands of Naperville, Illinois announced today a voluntary national recall of all lots of six sprinkles products and one kit containing affected sprinkles, because they may contain undeclared milk.  This recall is being initiated because of one reported allergic reaction to date associated with one of the recalled products. Wilton is recalling all affected products with a similar formulation. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wilton-brands-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-7-sprinkle-products
Wilton Brands Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in 7 Sprinkle Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 03, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 03, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May Contain Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Wilton Brands
Brand Name:  Wilton, Tasty by Wilton, and Holiday Home
Product Description:  Sprinkle Products

Rice Crisps Recalled Due to Undeclared Soy

The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., today issued a voluntary recall for 3.03 oz. bags of Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor because they may contain undeclared soy ingredients.

While no reason for the issue was listed, these issues can often be related to a mis-formulation by the company or by an ingredient by the supplier.

The ingredient statement from the company's website states

Ingredients: Whole grain brown rice flour, degerminated milled corn, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, dry whey, brown sugar, onion powder, molasses, buttermilk powder, yeast extract, spices, tomato (dried), garlic powder, citric acid, natural flavor, tocopherols (preservative), paprika (color), gum arabic.
CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-oats-company-issues-voluntary-recall-quaker-rice-crisps-sweet-barbecue-flavor-due-undeclared

The Quaker Oats Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor Due to Undeclared Soy Issue
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 01, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  May Contain Undeclared Soy Ingredients
Company Name:  The Quaker Oats Company
Brand Name:  Quaker
Product Description:  Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor