Update on Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Onions - Additional Cases and Additional Companies Issue Recalls for Onions

There are now 808 cases of Salmonella with 157 hospitalizations linked to onions. Additional companies that sold those onions or used them in products issued recalls.  Canadian companies also issued recalls for onions.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 808
Hospitalizations: 157
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: October 13, 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, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

In addition to Prosource and Keeler Family Farms

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is voluntarily recalling Green Giant Fresh whole yellow onions in 2 lb. bags, 3 lb. bags, and 5 lb. bags; whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and whole red onions in 2 lb. bags delivered directly to three UNFI retail distribution centers (DCs) in Fargo, North Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota and Hopkins, Minnesota between July 9 and Aug 6, 2021. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

HelloFresh has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021.

EveryPlate has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021. We recommend disposing of onions received during the specified time period. Please note that onions received after September 8, 2021 are not affected by this recall. For further information on whether you have been impacted, please check the product codes, located on the bottom square of your box shipping label. Please see the photo provided below as reference for locating the product code.

Canada

Gwillimdale Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella
Goodfood brand Onions recalled due to Salmonella

Dorsey brand, MVP brand, Pier-C brand, and Riga Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-october-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (October 2021)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions from ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Produce, LLC (also known as ProSource Inc.) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

CDC Issues Food Safety Alert for Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Salame Sticks

CDC and FSIS issued a Food Safety Alert for Citterio brand Salame Sticks after that product was linked to 21 cases of salmonella infection, with 6 hospitalizations, across 8 states. Product was sold at Trader Joe's, Wegmans, and potentially other food retailers. Outbreak dates range from 9/19/21 to 10/3/21.  Euro Foods, a Freeland, Penn. establishment, produced the ready-to-eat (RTE) Italian-style salame stick products .

CDC Food Safety Alert
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/i45-10-21/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Salami Sticks
Posted October 28, 2021
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 21 (1 new)
Hospitalizations: 6 (3 new)
Deaths: 0
States: 8
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active
Contaminated Food
Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks

Who Knew....Cake Decorating Could Be Dangerous to Your Health....If You Use Non-edible Luster Dust

"During 2018–2019, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) investigated cases of metal poisonings associated with commercially and home-prepared cakes decorated with products referred to as luster dust. Several types of glitters and dusts, broadly known as luster dust,* for use on prepared foods can be purchased online and in craft and bakery supply stores (1)"

• "Some luster dusts are specifically produced with edible ingredients that can be safely consumed. Companies that make edible luster dust are required by law to include a list of ingredients on the label (2). Luster dusts that are safe for consumption are typically marked “edible” on the label." 
• "Some luster dusts used as cake decorations are not edible or food grade; labeled as “nontoxic” or “for decorative purposes only,” these luster dusts are intended to be removed before consumption." 
• "Cases in Rhode Island were associated with copper ingestion, and the case in Missouri was associated with a child’s elevated blood lead level. In Rhode Island, luster dust products that had been used in cake frosting were found to contain high levels of multiple metals.§"
• "Explicit labeling indicating that nonedible products are not safe for human consumption is needed to prevent illness from inappropriate use of inedible products on foods."

CDC MMWR
Cake Decorating Luster Dust Associated with Toxic Metal Poisonings — Rhode Island and Missouri, 2018–2019 | MMWR (cdc.gov)
Cake Decorating Luster Dust Associated with Toxic Metal Poisonings — Rhode Island and Missouri, 2018–2019
Weekly / October 29, 2021 / 70(43);1501–1504
Brendalee Viveiros, PhD1; Genevieve Caron, MPH1; Jonathan Barkley, MPH1; Evan Philo2; Sharon Odom3; Jeff Wenzel3; Mark Buxton, MA3; Elizabeth Semkiw, PhD3; Alan Schaffer4; Laura Brown, PhD5; Adrienne S. Ettinger, ScD5,6 (View author affiliations)

Canadian Study Detects non SARS-COV-2 on Food Retail Surfaces

A Canadian study sampled grocery stores for SARS-CoV-2.  957 samples were taken and all samples were negative for the virus.    "The stores chosen were not isolated, were in population-dense areas, which generated high traffic, and were located in a COVID-19 “hot zone.” The stores selected 

were in 4 different municipalities/towns within a single province. Hence, the provincial and federal COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines were the same for all."

The authors state "These results suggest that the risk of exposure from  contaminated high-touch surfaces within a food retailer store is low if preventive measures and recommended  sanitizing routines are maintained."  I am not sure they can go this far in suggesting this.  For one, there was no evidence suggested that any shopper was ill with the COVID virus, so it is hard to discuss survival.  Two, there was no comparison on the degree of of application of preventive measures, so any conclusion should state that "it may have had an impact."


Current Research in Food Science
file:///C:/Users/mwb124/Downloads/1_s2.0_S2665927121000629_main__1_%20(1).pdf
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in food retailers in Ontario
Singh etal. (2021)

FSPCA Annual Conference - Preventive Controls for Human Foods and other Updates

The Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, or FSPCA, is the FDA funded alliance charged with the development of training programs to support companies achieve FSMA compliance though the development of their Food Safety Plans (PCHF or PCAF), Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and Plan to prevent intentional adulteration (IA rule).  The FSPCA had their annual conference this week where discussions were held on programmatic issues as well as compliance to the regulations as determined by FDA

What were my takeaways from this conference?

• FDA inspections have slowed during COVID, but they look to pick back up as soon as they can.  Companies must continue to achieve compliance and not be lulled into inaction because there has not been many inspections.
• A large percentage of FSVP audits have found that importers do not have plans at all.  Many of the audits had been conducted virtually, and the plan is to continue to reach more importers.  Being virtual, FSVP audits are not impacted by COVID as much.
• FDA will continue to conduct facility audits for Food Safety Plans with a focus on mission critical inspections (for cause).  GMP inspections will also be continue to be conducted and comprise a high percentage of the number of audits conducted by FDA for food facilities.
• Portions of the audits may be conducted virtually/remotely. 
• For IA (Food Defense), there have not been any audits, but FDA is looking to ramp up evaluation, and this will probably be done as part of other audits.  The key here is to make sure that companies continue to develop their programs.
• Finally, the PCHF curriculum is undergoing an update. Look for this (hopefully) in 2022. 

US FDA Release Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for 2019

FDA released their annual report for pesticide monitoring, this covering the 2019 fiscal year. "In FY 2019 (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019), FDA analyzed 4,327 human food samples (1,258 domestic and 3,069 import samples) in its regulatory monitoring program. FDA collected domestic human food samples from 45 states and Puerto Rico and import human food samples from 84 countries. FDA found that 98.7% of domestic and 89.1% of import human foods were compliant with federal standards. No pesticide chemical residues were found in 42.4% of the domestic and 49.4% of the import samples.

As part of a hazard analysis, it is generally accepted that domestic produce will not have pesticides as a chemical hazard concern. With imported produce and food products, it is dependent upon the item and where that product is from.


Link to Report PDF - https://www.fda.gov/media/153142/download
Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program
Fiscal Year 2019 Pesticide Report

October, 2021

Executive Summary

Growers often use pesticides to protect their products from insects, weeds, fungi, and other pests. U.S. regulators help ensure that food produced with the use of pesticides is safe to eat by setting allowable levels called tolerances for pesticide chemical residues and by monitoring foods in the market to determine if those levels are being exceeded. The role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to establish pesticide tolerances on the amount of a pesticide chemical residue a food can contain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for enforcing those tolerances for domestic foods shipped in interstate commerce and foods imported into the United States (U.S.).*

Virginia - Update on Hepatitis Outbreak Linked to Local Restaurant Chain

In Virginia, local health authorities are reporting that as of 10/20/21, there have been 44 cases of Hepatitis infection with at least 26 hospitalizations and one death, all associated with 3 retail locations of Famous Anthony's. It had been reported that one ill employee had worked in all three locations.

The Roanoke Department of Health has been providing vaccines following this outbreak.  There is a short window of time after exposure where the vaccine can provide immunity.

From the CDC

• Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent hepatitis A.  A person who has not previously received hepatitis A vaccine and who has direct contact with someone with hepatitis A should get hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible and within 2 weeks after exposure.
• Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease. It is usually spread through close, personal contact with an infected person or when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks that are contaminated by small amounts of stool (poop) from an infected person.
• Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements). Most children less than 6 years of age do not have symptoms.
• A person infected with hepatitis A can transmit the disease to other people even if he or she does not have any symptoms of the disease.
• Most people who get hepatitis A feel sick for several weeks, but they usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death; this is more common in people older than 50 years and in people with other liver diseases.
• Hepatitis A vaccine has made this disease much less common in the United States. However, outbreaks of hepatitis A among unvaccinated people still happen.

Roanoke Health Department holding hepatitis A vaccine clinics following recent Famous Anthony’s outbreak · NewsKudo
Roanoke Health Department holding hepatitis A vaccine clinics following recent Famous Anthony’s outbreak
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Following a recent hepatitis A outbreak in the Roanoke Valley tied to the Famous Anthony’s restaurant chain, the Roanoke City Health Department is holding clinics this week to help vaccinate people against the virus.
On Sept. 24, health officials reported that an employee who worked at three different Famous Anthony’s locations tested positive for the highly contagious infection.

Update - Distributors Recall Onions Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Updated 10-22-21  FDA issued an update for the Salmonella outbreak linked to onions to indicate that two US distributors ProSource Produce and Keeler Family Farms have issued a recall of red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prosource-produce-llc-voluntarily-recalls-whole-raw-onions-shipped-chihuahua-mexico-between-july-1
Prosource Produce LLC Voluntarily Recalls Whole Raw Onions Shipped From Chihuahua, Mexico, Between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021, Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 20, 2021
FDA Publish Date: October 21, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages Produce
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: ProSource Produce LLC
Brand Name: Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Sierra Madre, Markon First Crop., Markon Essentials, Rio Blue, ProSource, Rio Valley, and Sysco Imperial
Product Description: Whole raw red, yellow, white onions

Fish Dip Recalled for Undeclared Allergens After Customer Finds Product Packed Into Wrong Container

Smilin’ Bob’s is recalling 461 cases of Smilin’ Bob’s Original Smoked Fish Dip was mistakenly packed in Smilin’ Bob’s Natural Smoked Fish Dip cups with a Original Smoked Fish Dip lid.  The issue was discovered when one of our retail customers brought attention that cups had a UPC code that did not match that for the “original” fish dip. As a result, the packaging does not list the presence of a possible egg allergen.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/smilin-bobs-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-smilin-bobs-smoked-fish-dip-products
Smilin’ Bob’s Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Egg In Smilin’ Bob’s Smoked Fish Dip Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  October 21, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg allergen
Company Name:  Smilin’ Bob’s
Brand Name:  Smilin’ Bob’s
Product Description:   Smoked Fish Dip