CDC and FDA Investigating Pathogenic E. coli Outbreak Linked to Spinach

The FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. 

• As of November 15, 2021, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 7 states. 
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 15 to October 27, 2021.
• Five people in this outbreak report eating spinach in the week before becoming sick and one person reported Josie’s Organics brand.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-spinach-november-2021
Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O157:H7 - Spinach (November 2021)
Spinach sample from Minnesota tests positive for E. coli, potentially linked to illnesses

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 10
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: October 27, 2021
States with Cases: IA (1), IN (3), MI (1), MN (2), MO (1), OH (1), SD (1)

$53M in Drugs Seized in Cauliflower Shipment

US Customs found a tractor trailer loaded with drugs contained in a shipment of cauliflower from Mexico.    "The tractor and the trailer were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 412 packages containing 2,611.15 pounds of alleged methamphetamine and 50 packages containing 113.31 pounds of alleged cocaine within the commodity. The narcotics combined had an estimated street value of $53.1 million."

Cauliflower shipment loaded with $53M of meth, cocaine | Produce News (theproducenews.com)

Cauliflower shipment loaded with $53M of meth, cocaine
November 16, 2021

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers seized narcotics this weekend, that totaled over $53 million in street value.

Import Distributor Recalls Dried Apricots After NY State Lab Finds Undeclared Sulfites

ILG International Trading, Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 500 g (17 oz) packages of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots because they contain undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 500 g (17 oz) packages of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots, which were not declared on the label.   Analysis of “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots revealed they contained 23.49 milligrams per serving.  (The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites).  The recalled “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots, product of Uzbekistan, were distributed nationwide in retail stores. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ilg-international-trading-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-natural-delight-collection-natural?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
ILG International Trading Inc. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in “Natural Delight Collection” Natural Dried Apricots
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sulfites
Company Name:  ILG International Trading, Inc.
Brand Name:  Natural Delight Collection
Product Description:  Dried Apricots

Ariz. Establishment Recalls Ground Beef Patties After Complaint from Foodservice Regarding White Plastic Pieces

Shamrock Foods Company, doing business as Gold Canyon Meat Company, a Phoenix, Ariz., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,876 pounds of raw ground beef patties because they may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of hard, white plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm received complaints from restaurant staff reporting they found hard, white plastic in the beef patty products during preparation.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions 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/shamrock-foods-company-dba-gold-canyon-meat-company-recalls-raw-ground-beef-products
Shamrock Foods Company DBA Gold Canyon Meat Company Recalls Raw Ground Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
SHAMROCK FOODS COMPANY
FSIS Announcement

FDA Releases Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud) Webpage

FDA released their Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud) webpage.  It is hard to estimate the degree to which food fraud occurs.  Food fraud is more than an economic issue in that it can impact food safety and nutrition.

https://www.fda.gov/food/compliance-enforcement-food/economically-motivated-adulteration-food-fraud
Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud)

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) occurs when someone intentionally leaves out, takes out, or substitutes a valuable ingredient or part of a food. EMA also occurs when someone adds a substance to a food to make it appear better or of greater value. For example, when manufacturers add a cheaper vegetable oil to an expensive olive oil but sell the product as 100% olive oil, they are cheating their customers. We refer to this type of EMA as food fraud.

Food Banks Expanding Capacities in Light of COVID, But Face Supply Chain Issues

Food banks proved vital during the COVID pandemic, serving a greater number of people than they ever had before.  With that, many have undertaken expansion projects to build capacity to serve, whether that be in the expansion of refrigerated storage or moving into the preparation of food.   At the same time, the same supply chain issues that have driven up costs for the entire food sector are also now impacting food banks in cost, both food and transportation, and availability.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-atlanta-utah-beb8c68cfad61e8bf8dc11e315169864
Food banks embark on expansions with lessons from COVID
By SUDHIN THANAWALA
November 4, 2021

ATLANTA (AP) — Food banks across the country are pursuing major expansion projects driven in part by their experiences during the pandemic, when they faced an explosion of need.

WA Establishment Recalls Ground Chicken Burgers After Complaints for Bone Material

Innovative Solutions, Inc., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 97,887 pounds of raw ground chicken patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of bone.  The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints reporting findings of bone in the chicken burger product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/innovative-solutions-inc.-recalls-chicken-patty-products-due-possible-foreign-matter
Innovative Solutions, Inc. Recalls Chicken Patty Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, INC
FSIS Announcement

Salmonella Outbreak in Salame Update - PA Establishment Recalls Salame Sticks After October Public Health Alert

CDC reports that there are now 31 cases of salmonella infections, with 6 hospitalized, linked to Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks.

Euro Foods, a Freeland, Penn. establishment, is recalling approximately 119,091 pounds of salame stick products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Although a public health alert was issued for the salame stick products on October 29, 2021 with FSIS believing that the product was no longer in commerce, further follow-up by FSIS found product available at one retail location and two Citterio salame stick samples previously collected by the California Department of Public Health have tested positive for Salmonella.

Euro Foods Dba Citterio USA Corp. Recalls Salame Stick Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)

Euro Foods Dba Citterio USA Corp. Recalls Salame Stick Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Oregon Processor Recalls Salmon Lox After WA State Testing Finds Listeria

Oregon Lox Company of Eugene, Oregon is issuing a voluntary recall of various brands of Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon Lox, specific lot number 22821, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes  (the notice actually states rnonocytogenes...I guess the rn looks like m, and this is not a new species).  The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/oregon-lox-company-recalls-wild-cold-smoked-keta-salmon-lox-because-possible-health-risk
Oregon Lox Company Recalls Wild Cold Smoked Keta Salmon Lox Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 11, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 12, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Oregon Lox Company
Brand Name:  Aqua Nova, North Coast, Tony’s
Product Description:  Salmon Lox