FDA Releases Report on 2020 Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Raw Onions

FDA issued their investigative report into the Salmonella Newport foodborne illness outbreak associated with consumption of red onions from the Southern San Joaquin Valley and Imperial Valley in California.

• In this outbreak, there were 1,127 reported domestic illnesses and 515 reported Canadian cases. It is the largest Salmonella outbreak in over a decade.
• This outbreak is also remarkable because the food vehicle, whole red onions, is a raw agricultural commodity that had not been previously associated with a foodborne illness outbreak.
• Salmonella Newport outbreak strain (specific whole genome sequence [WGS]) was not identified in any of the nearly 2,000 subsamples tested, but there were a total of 11 subsamples (10 water and 1 sediment) collected near one of the growing fields that were positive for Salmonella Newport, representing a total of three different genotypical strains (unique WGS patterns). [So the exact strain with the same genetic makeup was not found, but similar S. Newport strains were found]
• "A conclusive root cause could not be identified, several potential contributing factors to the 2020 red onion outbreak were identified, including a leading hypothesis that contaminated irrigation water used in a growing field in Holtville, California may have led to contamination of the onions."
• "Several plausible opportunities for contamination including irrigation water, sheep grazing on adjacent land, as well as signs of animal intrusion, such as scat and large flocks of birds which may spread contamination."
• "Visual observations and records review of packing house practices confirmed numerous opportunities for spread of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, including signs of animal and pest intrusion as well as food contact surfaces which had not been inspected, maintained, cleaned, or sanitized as frequently as necessary to protect against the contamination of produce."

Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Red Onions Implicated in the Summer 2020 Outbreak of Salmonella Newport

Full report - https://www.fda.gov/media/148440/download
05/13/2021

Article - Can Food Operations Achieve Zero Risk? - No

 A scientific article published in Current Opinion in Food Science states that zero risk does not exist in food processes.  There will be some residual risk even that that risk may be very small.

The authors state "Consumers, food industries and governments typically desire foods that are ‘free of any risk’. In practise this is not achievable. Microorganisms are present in most environments, including the raw materials required for making food, the tools and machinery used to process that food, and even at the humans that are employed in food processing facilities and other food establishments (e.g. restaurants).......However, it does not matter how stringent these measures are [processes and procedures implemented by food operations], they can never be perfect. Consequently, a residual risk always remains, making zero risk in foods – as in many other aspects of life – unattainable in practice"

Certainly operations strive to minimize risk the best they can, and operations will have varying risk depending on the processes they use and the product they make.  "In most food products, the risk per serving is virtually zero, resulting in a very low chance of the individual consumer contracting a disease. However, from a governmental perspective, the (expected) number of cases for products largely consumed can be relatively large, resulting in a relevant risk. Therefore, because zero risk does not exist for food products, the residual risk must be evaluated using the appropriate risk metrics."

Current Opinion in Food Science

https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2214799320301739
All food processes have a residual risk, some are small,some very small and some are extremely small: zero risk does not exist

(Current Opinion in Food Science 2021, 39:83–92)

FDA Releases Report on Retail Food Deli Risk Factors

FDA released a report on risk factors associated with retail food delis as part of their 10 year initiative on foodborne illness risk factors.  They found in general that while deli operations did a good job with glove usage and cooking temperatures, the main issues were:

• ensuring employees practiced proper handwashing
• holding foods requiring refrigeration at the proper temperature
• cooling foods properly

Of course operations that had established food safety programs and trained and certified managers did a better job than those that did not.

The study can be found here.  https://www.fda.gov/media/148247/download

The surprising thing in the report was the large percentage of operations without a Certified Food Safety Manager (33%).  "66.2% of the delis in this study operated in jurisdictions that required a CFPM but only slightly more than half of delis were found to have a CFPM employed and present at the time of data collection"

FDA Releases Report on Foodborne Illness Risk Factors in Delis
https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-releases-report-foodborne-illness-risk-factors-delis
Constituent Update
May 7, 2021.

Raw Cashews the Source of Salmonella in Cheese-Like Product

FDA issued a report into the investigation of a Salmonella outbreak linked to fake cheese product (initially posted on April 23).  In this outbreak, 7 people were affected with 3 hospitalizations.  FDA had found the causative strain to be found in the raw cashews

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-duisburg-and-urbana-jules-cashew-brie-april-2021
Outbreak Investigations & Safety Advisories
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
The following is an update from FDA of concern to our subscribers.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 7
Hospitalizations: 3
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 8, 2021
States with Cases: CA (4), FL (1), TN (2)
Product Distribution*: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

Beef Pasta Products Recalled After Potential Soy Cross Contamination Incident

Bellisio Foods, Inc., a Jackson, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 3,927 pounds of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) spaghetti with meat sauce product due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen - the product contains soy which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the company determined soy-containing ingredients may have comingled with the recalled product that does not normally contain soy.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/bellisio-foods-inc.-recalls-beef-pasta-products-due-misbranding-and-undeclared
Bellisio Foods, Inc. Recalls Beef Pasta Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
BELLISIO FOODS, INC.
FSIS Announcement

Almond Butter Recalled After Complaint That Jar Contained Peanut Butter

Natural Way of Fayetteville, AR, is recalling its 16 ounce jars of original almond butter because they may contain undeclared peanuts. The potential for contamination was noted after a customer notified Natural Way of a jar of peanut butter mislabeled as almond butter.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natural-way-recalls-almond-butter-due-undeclared-peanuts
Natural Way Recalls Almond Butter Due to Undeclared Peanuts
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Natural Way
Brand Name:  Natural Way
Product Description:  Original Almond butter

Protein Powder Recalled for Undeclared Soy After Packaging Error

Arizona Nutritional Supplements of Chandler, AZ is voluntarily recalling 13.9 oz. containers of “365 Everyday Value Whey Protein Powder Natural Vanilla Flavor” due to the potential of an undeclared soy allergen. Containers of 365 Everyday Value Whey Protein Powder Natural Vanilla Flavor were mistakenly packaged with Soy Protein Powder resulting in an undeclared Soy allergen. No illnesses have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/arizona-nutritional-supplements-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-allergen-365-everyday-value-whey
Arizona Nutritional Supplements Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy Allergen in 365 Everyday Value Whey Protein Powder Natural Vanilla Flavor
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 07, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy allergen
Company Name:  Arizona Nutritional Supplements
Brand Name:  365 Everyday Value
Product Description:  365 Everyday Value Whey Protein Powder Natural Vanilla Flavor

Potato Chip Company Recalls Product for Undeclared Allergen After Filling Wrong Bags

Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of select 16 1/8 oz. bags of Ruffles All DressedPotato Chips because they may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that certain bags of Ruffles All Dressed Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with another flavor of potato chips, potentially exposing consumers to undeclared milk.

As you may recall, Frito Lay was issued a Warning Letter in December of 2020 for multiple allergen mislabeling issues.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-ruffles-all-dressed-potato-chips
Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk In Ruffles All Dressed Potato Chips Distributed Regionally to Sam’s Club
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Frito-Lay
Brand Name:  Ruffles
Product Description:  Ruffles all dressed flavored potato chips

Contract Packer Fills Wrong Product Resulting in Undeclared Almonds

The Hershey Company (Hershey) today announced a voluntary recall of a single lot of Hershey’s Chocolate Shell Topping in a 7.25-oz. (205g) bottle with UPC (346000) after learning that 1,700 bottles were incorrectly filled with Heath Shell Topping which is made with almonds.  The situation arose due to an isolated error at a contract manufacturing facility. Immediate steps were taken to prevent recurrence. Hershey is conducting this recall with the full knowledge and cooperation of the US Food and Drug Administration.

As part of a company's Food Safety Plan for manufacturing this product, allergen labeling would be covered by an Allergen Preventive Control.  As the purchaser of this finished product, the purchasing company would need to ensure that their contract manufacturer had labeling as part of their Food Safety Plan and that the components of this Preventive Control are sufficiently robust in order to prevent this.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hershey-voluntarily-recalls-hersheys-chocolate-shell-topping-due-undeclared-almonds
Hershey Voluntarily Recalls Hershey’s Chocolate Shell Topping Due to Undeclared Almonds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name:  The Hershey Company
Brand Name:  Hershey's
Product Description:  Hershey’s Chocolate Shell Topping