Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Leads to Wild Songbirds

CDC issued a report of an ongoing investigation into Salmonella associated with wild birds...not eating them of course, but handling feeders or even sick or dead birds.  So far there have been 19 Salmonella infections in 8 states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA) with eight of those people hospitalized.  The surprising thing here is that these states are on both sides of the nation, and generally birds do not cross the nation from east to west, although the bird at the center of the investigation, the Pine Siskin is a bit more sporadic in movement than other birds, something termed 'irruptive'.  They are similar to a goldfinch, especially a late season gold finch that no longer has the bright yellow colors.

Wild birds can carry various strains of Salmonella and some of those strains can make the birds sick.  More importantly, many of those strains can affect us.  Washing hands after handling feeders and keeping feeder clean is important.   CDC recommends a 9:1 mix of household bleach, which is a bit strong, so a really good rinse afterwards to remove any residual chlorine is important.  Personally, I feel this is a bit strong...the CDC uses this concentration for disinfecting surfaces for Ebola and such, but this is technically a food contact surface.   Plus, this concentration will be hard on your bird equipment.  If thoroughly clean, I would follow what Clorox recommends for your pets, which is a much weaker concentration.  https://www.clorox.com/how-to/disinfecting-sanitizing/disinfecting-with-bleach/pet-resource-tips/




Here is a picture of Pine Siskins mobbing my sunflowers.

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CDC Investigation Notice: CDC investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to wild songbirds
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 1, 2021

Small Amount of Raw Ground Chorizo Sausage Recalled Due to Extraneous Materials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for approximately 39 pounds of raw ground chorizo sausage products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard pieces of crystalline material.  The fresh and frozen raw ground chorizo sausage items were produced on March 8, 2021 by Century Oak Packing Company, an establishment in Mt. Angel, Ore.  The problem was discovered when the firm received three consumer complaints reporting findings of hard pieces of crystalline material in the product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-ground-chorizo-sausage-products-due-possible
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Ground Chorizo Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
FSIS Announcement

Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls Recalled Due to an Undeclared Wheat Allergen

b.a. Sweetie Candy Co in Cleveland, Ohio is voluntarily recalling its Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls due to an undeclared wheat allergen. This recall has been initiated due to the ingredient label not stating a wheat allergen. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There have been no reports of illness involving products addressed in this recall; however, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ba-sweeties-candy-co-issues-voluntary-recall-its-chocolate-malt-chocolate-malted-milk-ballsb.a. Sweeties Candy Co. Issues Voluntary Recall of its Chocolate Malt & Chocolate Malted Milk Balls

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 31, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared wheat
Company Name:  b.a. Sweetie Candy Co
Brand Name:  Dave’s Supermarket
Product Description:  Chocolate Malt Balls and Chocolate Malted Milk Balls

Hummus Recalled After FDA Sampling Positive for Salmonella

Sabra Dipping Company, LLC announced that, in partnership with the FDA, it is recalling approximately 2,100 cases of 10 oz Classic Hummus because it was potentially contaminated with Salmonella, that was discovered by a routine screen of a single tub by the FDA.

It will be interesting to see if anything more comes of this.  No doubt there will be a lot more testing of product samples and the environment.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sabra-dipping-company-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-single-sku-classic-hummus
Sabra Dipping Company Issues Limited Voluntary Recall of a Single SKU of Classic Hummus
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 29, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella Contamination
Company Name:  Sabra Dipping Company LLC
Brand Name:  Sabra
Product Description:  Classic Hummus

Retailer Recalls Cookies and Creme Cake Items After Supplier Notification of Undeclared Hazelnut

Harris Teeter and its supplier Rise Baking Company of York, PA is recalling certain Fresh Foods Market Cookies and Creme Cake items due to undeclared hazelnut. The recall was initiated after it was discovered the cakes were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Hazelnuts. Subsequent investigation indicates a change in raw material under previous production ownership that was not introduced into the company’s ingredient review process.

Rise Baking Company LLC Issues a Recall for Undeclared Hazelnut in Cakes
Summary
Company Announcement Date: March 31, 2021
FDA Publish Date: March 31, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Due to undeclared hazelnut
Company Name: Rise Baking Company LLC
Brand Name: Harris Teeter, Dawn Food Products
Product Description: Cookies and Cream Cake, Vanilla Bean Waterfall Cake

A Tale of Shrimp Tails - How Social Media Swings Responding to A Fake Contamination Issue

By now you probably hear of the 'tail' about shrimp tails in General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  It is a story worth reviewing for it tells the issues of dealing with today's out-of-control social media culture.

Basically story goes like this.

Monday

Guy (who we later find out is a celebrity-wannabe....a comedy writer) posts a pic of shrimp tails with General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Pic goes viral via social media along with commendation, jokes, etc. at the company's expense.

Tuesday

Company responds that this is not shrimp tails - based on knowing that this could not be possible, but without evaluating the product.

(https://nationalpost.com/news/world/man-finds-shrimp-tails-in-his-cinnamon-toast-crunch-cereal-but-the-company-says-its-just-sugar)

This amps up the complainant with anti-big company rhetoric.

But upon further investigation, it appears this product had been tampered with.  Indeed these are shrimp tails, but it appeared the product had been tampered with.

Wednesday

We find out that this complainant, Karp, is a true piece of work as past woman associates of his detail his lying abusive ways.

Now social media turns on Karp.

Thursday

The complainant Karp drops his social media presence.

Lessons to be Learned

Social media loves to serve out punishment with little to no searching for truth.   Main stream media follows along with little to no investigation of their own.  This is our new reality.

Companies involved in such fiascos need to have a rapid and accurate response.  (I wonder if flying a team to the site perhaps would have been better able to promptly ascertain the situation?)

Unfortunately in situations like this, it is important to pursue this to the bitter end or stories like this will never die.  Then the outcome of this must be clearly communicated.   Because in the end, what will people remember...and at this point, it may still be that shrimp tails were in a box of cereal.

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/man-finds-shrimp-tails-in-his-cinnamon-toast-crunch-cereal-but-the-company-says-its-just-sugar
Star Tribune
https://www.startribune.com/for-general-mills-a-quick-trip-through-the-grinder-of-social-media/600039327/
General Mills takes trip through social media grinder after man claims shrimp tails in cereal

Chinese Beef Product Recalled Due to Ineligibility for US Import

BC Food LA, LLC., a South El Monte, Calif. firm, doing business as B & C Food Co., is recalling approximately 1,643 pounds of Chinese style hot pot base products containing beef tallow. The products were imported from the People’s Republic of China, a country ineligible to export beef to the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The problem was discovered when FSIS received an anonymous report of ineligible beef tallow products imported from China.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/bc-food-la-llc-recalls-ineligible-beef-products-imported-china
BC Food LA, LLC Recalls Ineligible Beef Products Imported From China

Trident Seafood Recalls Salmon Burgers for Potential Metal Pieces

Trident Seafoods Corporation is issuing a voluntary recall of a single lot number of Pacific Salmon Burgers, Net Wt. 3 lbs. (48 oz.), because it may contain small pieces of metal.  There have been no reports of injury or illness related to the recalled products to date, however anyone concern about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. The source of the small pieces of metal hasn’t been identified yet. Trident Seafoods takes food safety very seriously and is investigating this situation thoroughly.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trident-seafoods-recalling-pacific-salmon-burger-public-notice
Trident Seafoods Recalling Pacific Salmon Burger - Public Notice
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 27, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Seafood/Seafood Product
Reason for Announcement:  May contain small pieces of metal
Company Name:  Trident Seafood Corporation
 Brand Name:  Trident
Product Description:  Pacific Salmon Burgers

Midwestern Pet Food Issues Recall for Pet Food After Samples Reveal the Presence of Salmonella

Midwestern Pet Foods, Evansville, Indiana is recalling specific expiration dates of certain dog and cat food brands [approximately 140 varieties of varying sized bags] including CanineX, Earthborn Holistic, Venture, Unrefined, Sportmix Wholesomes, Pro Pac, Pro Pac Ultimates, Sportstrail, Sportmix and Meridian brands produced at its Monmouth, Illinois Production Facility because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the company which revealed that the finished products may contain the bacteria.

This same company recently completed a recall related to Aflatoxin, but that product came out of their OK processing facility.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/midwestern-pet-foods-voluntarily-recall-due-possible-salmonella-health-risk
Midwestern Pet Foods Voluntarily Recall Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  March 27, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary  Food & Beverages    Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: Midwestern Pet Foods
Brand Name:  Multiple brands
Product Description:  Dog and Cat Food