FDA Warning - Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Raw Onions

The FDA, CDC and local agencies are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho as a source of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Investigators "identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate raw onions."  There have been 652 cases reported so far with 129 hospitalizations.  There are cases in 37 different states with TX and OK having the highest numbers.  The last case identified was on September 30, 2021.   But caution is still required because onions can be generally stored for 2 to 3 months.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-september-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (September 2021)
FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses linked to whole, fresh onions. Do not eat, sell, or serve certain onions from ProSource Inc.
October 20, 2021

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 652
Hospitalizations: 129
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 30, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Clam Chowder Recalled After Consumer Complaint for Foreign Material - Piece of Plastic

Ivar’s Soup and Sauce Company, Mukilteo, Washington is recalling 14,968 sleeves of refrigerated Kettle Classic Clam Chowder With Uncured Bacon, Costco Item #1270666, packaged in 2-24oz Sleeved Packs, because of the possibility that the product may contain hard, sharp opaque plastic pieces.  The problem was discovered on 10-17-21 when a consumer found a piece of plastic in the container they purchased and notified Ivar’s. No injuries were reported. The piece of plastic found by the consumer is in the shape of a half circle with some of the center missing, with edges that are sharp and pointed. The diameter of the circle is approximately 1 ½”. It is possible that the remainder of the circular plastic is a similarly intact piece or numerous smaller pieces.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ivars-soup-and-sauce-company-recalls-kettle-classic-clam-chowder-uncured-bacon-because-product-may
Ivar's Soup and Sauce Company Recalls Kettle Classic Clam Chowder with Uncured Bacon Because the Product may Contain Hard Plastic Pieces
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 19, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 19, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Soup
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for hard plastic opaque pieces
Company Name:  Ivar’s Soup and Sauce Company
Brand Name:  Ivar’s
Product Description:  Kettle Classic Clam Chowder with Uncured Bacon

Pork Products Recalled for Using Non-Inspected Imported Meat Ingredients

Evans Food Group Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,359 pounds of pork pellet products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States.  The pork pellet products were imported on September 15, 2021 and further processed into pork rind and chicharrones items.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/evans-food-group-recalls-pork-products-imported-without-benefit-inspection
Evans Food Group Recalls Pork Products Imported Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2021 - Evans Food Group Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,359 pounds of pork pellet products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ground Turkey Recalled After Complaints for Foreign Material - Blue Plastic

Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue plastic. The problem was discovered when FSIS and the establishment received consumer complaints reporting pieces of blue plastic embedded in raw ground turkey produced by Est. 7345.  There have been no confirmed reports of injuries due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/butterball-llc-recalls-ground-turkey-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Butterball, LLC Recalls Ground Turkey Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
BUTTERBALL, LLC
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2021 – Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Virginia, 30 Cases So Far

There have been 30 cases of Hepatitis A reported to the Virginia Department of Health.. And Health Department officials indicate that there may be more.  "Hepatitis A symptoms typically begin 28 days after exposure to the virus but can begin as early as 15 days and as late as 50 days. Hepatitis A is preventable with a vaccine."

One restaurant has been the focus with a lawsuit already filed.  "According to the lawsuit, Mindy Perdue ate a gravy biscuit combo on Aug. 21 at the Famous Anthony’s on Grandin Road in Roanoke. A few weeks later, she began experiencing migraines, fever, vomiting, jaundice and dark urine. She was ultimately hospitalized."

The gravy biscuit combo....mmmmm.

Roanoke Times
https://roanoke.com/news/local/lawsuit-filed-in-famous-anthonys-hepatitis-a-outbreak-30-cases-now-reported/article_aab71530-286a-11ec-b70b-bf1aedfbec09.html

Lawsuit filed in Famous Anthony's hepatitis A outbreak; 30 cases now reported

Alison Graham 

Oct 8, 2021 

FDA Releases Results of Pathogen Testing in Romaine Lettuce from Yuma AZ, Conducted1st Quarter of 2021

The FDA released their findings of a sampling project where FDA collected and tested romaine lettuce from commercial coolers in Yuma County, Arizona during February and March 2021. The agency tested the lettuce for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), specifically enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), and Salmonella spp. 

"The FDA collected 504 romaine samples for EHECs and Salmonella spp., with the testing performed by an independent laboratory on contract, as part of a pilot project. Each sample consisted of 10 subsamples, and each subsample was made up of at least 300 grams of romaine lettuce (whole heads, hearts or individual leaves)."

"During the assignment the FDA detected E. coli O130:H11 in one sample. The isolate was found to be moderate to high risk and could be capable of causing severe illness in humans, though it was not linked to any known human illnesses, and no product ever reached consumers. The owner of the product did not harvest the remaining crop from the field where it was grown."

"In response to the finding, FDA conducted an investigation at the farm to identify possible sources and routes of contamination. The FDA was able to collect romaine lettuce from the field, multiple samples of soil, water, sediment, and animal fecal material. FDA also assessed farm equipment and other surfaces. Only one of the total 24 samples yielded STEC (specifically, E. coli O116:H-[which is different than the what was found in the initial sample]). This sample came from the outer leaves of romaine lettuce. The strain was further characterized as low risk to human health, and FDA’s analysis indicated the strain was not linked with any past known foodborne illness outbreaks."

This demonstrates the low level of pathogenic E. coli can be present and the difficulty in being able to find through sampling.

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-releases-report-findings-sampling-romaine-lettuce-yuma-az
FDA Releases Report on Findings from Sampling of Romaine Lettuce in Yuma, AZ
Constituent Update
October 7, 2021

TN Meat Processor Recalls Smoked Pork Products After FSIS Inspection Finds Potential Listeria Issue

Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q, a Nashville, Tenn., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,140 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked pork barbecue products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The frozen RTE hickory smoked pork barbecue products were produced on September 7, 2021 and September 8, 2021 and packaged on September 8, 2021.  The problem was discovered by FSIS during an assessment of the establishment’s production records.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

One would guess that the company did not take appropriate Corrective Action to sampling results from a month earlier.  During an USDA FSIS Inspection, this would have been seen by the inspectors.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/nicks-famous-bar-b-q-recalls-ready-eat-pork-products-due-possible-listeria
Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2021 – Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q, a Nashville, Tenn., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,140 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked pork barbecue products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

GA Company Recalled Canned Beef with Gravy Products After State Lab Finds Unsafe Levels of Lead in Spice Mix

Crider Foods, a Stillmore, Ga., establishment, is recalling approximately 525,717 pounds of canned beef with gravy products that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead, due to a spice mix used from an outside supplier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.  The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner. In-plant verification activities conducted by Crider Foods in conjunction with FSIS found that a spice mix used from an outside source contained unsafe levels of lead.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

The specific spice is not listed, however spices originate from all over the world, including areas with lead issues in the soil.  From a 2018 CDC Report:

Lead can contaminate spices during many points in the global supply chain. Spices are often grown in countries polluted by leaded gasoline, smelters, battery manufacturing plants, and mines. Lead is deposited in soil and water from airborne pollutants and fertilizer application. Lead dust from grinding machinery can also contaminate spices (3). Spices might also be adulterated deliberately with lead to enhance color or increase weight.† Because >95% of spices consumed in the United States are imported,§ recommendations to purchase only locally grown spices are impractical. According to the World Health Organization Codex Standard 193–1995, the permissible limit of lead for infant formula is 0.02 mg/kg lead and for salt is 2 mg/kg. No U.S. permissible limit for lead in spices exists; however, the FDA limit for lead in natural-source food color additives (e.g., paprika, saffron, and turmeric) is 10 mg/kg. The FDA action levels (i.e., the levels at which an investigation is undertaken, or a recall is issued, depending upon the circumstances and findings) for products intended for consumption by children are 0.1 mg/kg for candy and 0.5 mg/kg for other foods¶; however, spices are not considered food intended for consumption by children. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates of consumption from the What We Eat in America survey are low for many of the spices in question (e.g., 0.09 g/day of cumin, 0.03 g/day of turmeric) (4); however, spice consumption might differ for children whose parents emigrated from Southeast Asia (e.g., estimated consumption: 1.22 ± 1.14 g per portion of cumin in dishes prepared daily; 0.60 ± 0.46 g per portion of turmeric in dishes prepared daily), where spices are used in cooking, home remedies, and ceremonial activities (5). Use of spices, herbal remedies, and alternative medicines also are increasingly popular among other U.S. residents; spice imports into the United States have increased by approximately 50% since 1998 (6). However, their regulation is complicated by Internet sales, international travel, and importation by relatives and friends (7).

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/crider-foods-recalls-canned-beef-gravy-products-due-possible-unsafe-levels-lead
Crider Foods Recalls Canned Beef With Gravy Products Due to Possible Unsafe Levels of Lead From Outside Source

Trail Mix Product Recalled for Undeclared Peanuts After Two Complaints of Allergic Reactions

Nestlé Professional, Solon, OH is recalling four Nature’s Heart 1.5 ounce fruit and trail mix products because they may contain undeclared peanuts.  The recall was initiated after Nestlé Professional received two complaints from individuals with peanut allergies who ate the Nature’s Heart Superfoods Trail Mix and Mango Turmeric Cashew Glazed Mix and experienced mild reactions. No severe reactions or hospitalizations have been reported.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nestle-professional-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-natures-heart-15-ounce-products
Nestlé Professional Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Nature’s Heart 1.5 Ounce Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared peanuts
Company Name:  Nestlé Professional
Brand Name:  Nature’s Heart
Product Description:  Fruit and trail mix products