FDA Investigating Illnesses that May Be Linked to Lucky Charms

The NY Post reports that FDA is investigating illnesses that people claim are related to Lucky Charms cereal.  On website iwaspoisoned.com, there have been over 400 reports of consumers complaining that they began vomiting and experiencing diarrhea after eating a bowl of Lucky Charms.

A few things to note.

- The illnesses from the consumer reporting website report similar symptoms and the onset time for symptoms occur soon after consumption.  This would lead one to believe it is not an issue more often associated with cereal products, namely bacterial infection from vegetative pathogens such as Salmonella.

- FDA stated that they have not had any reported cases to their web portal.  (as reported by Fox 8)

“The FDA is aware of reports and is looking into the matter. The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, an FDA investigator may visit the person who made the complaint, collect product samples, and initiate inspections. Complaints of a less serious nature or those that appear to be isolated incidents are monitored and the information may be used during a future inspection of a company to help the FDA identify problem areas in a production plant. The complaints are also discussed with company management during these inspections. 

As additional background, the FDA hosts its own adverse event reporting system through our Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System(CAERS) is a database that contains information on adverse event and product complaint reports submitted to FDA for foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. The database is designed to support CFSAN’s safety surveillance program. Since 2004, the FDA’s CAERS data has received 41 reports related to Lucky Charms. However, only 3 Adverse Event Reports in 2021 with only 1 of those reports appearing to be related to the complaints listed in IWasPoisoned.com. Furthermore, the agency has received no calls at the FDA’s Food and Cosmetic Information Centerrelated to Lucky Charms.”

NY Post
FDA investigating illnesses linked to Lucky Charms (nypost.com)
FDA investigating illnesses linked to Lucky Charms
By Lisa Fickenscher
April 5, 2022 3:02pm Updated

Article Summary - Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora cayetanensis

Food Safety Magazine features an article on Cyclospora cayetanensis and the challenges it poses to the produce industry as the incidence has increased over the past decade.
Here is a summary of that article.

• C. cayetanensis is a parasite that infects the small intestine, causing watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. The organism is "transmitted when feces from an infected individual contaminates food or water; however, it is not transmitted directly from person to person because after being shed, the parasite needs time (estimated one to two weeks, at least) in the environment to become infective."
• While the organism is more commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, "outbreaks of C. cayetanensis infections have been documented since the mid-1990s in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, and have been associated with the consumption of fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, mesclun, lettuce, snow peas, cilantro, and green onions." Note that these are produce items that are generally more delicate, and thus more difficult to thoroughly wash.

• Outbreak numbers of the past 3 years tend to be large. [data in report goes back to 2013]

2018

Salad Mix - 511 cases in 15 states

Basil - 16 cases in 2 states

Vegetable trays - 250 cases in states

Cilantro - 53 cases in 3 states

2019

Basil - 241 cases in 11 states

2020

Bagged salad - 701 cases in 14 states

• A huge challenge has been difficulty in determining clusters of cases that can be used to identify the source.
• "WGS [whole genome sequencing] is impractical for routine use in cyclosporiasis outbreak investigations for a number of reasons. One reason is that the C. cayetanensis genome is approximately tenfold larger than a bacterial genome; rarely is enough quality DNA obtained from clinical stool specimens or produce samples to sequence the entire parasite genome. Also, unlike bacterial pathogens, this parasite cannot be propagated in the laboratory." However, "FDA has developed multi-laboratory validated methodologies that detect intact oocysts of C. cayetanensis on food matrices such as basil, cilantro, and romaine lettuce, and in agricultural water."
• Identifying the specific food can be difficult. For one, there is generally a 14 day lag between consumption and symptoms. And then diagnosis can be difficult.
• Taking these two factors into account, coupled with the difficulty of finding the organism within the environment or the food, traceback is difficult.
• C. cayetanensis is resistant to most common disinfectants used in the food industry and, therefore, also poses a challenge across the food supply to prevent and eliminate contamination.
• FDA has been conducting increased surveillance of imported produce, especially herbs such as basil and cilantro. FDA has also sampled and tested domestically grown romaine for C. cayetanensis.
• "While additional prevention and control measures are being researched and developed, basic handwashing and hygiene remain critically important in preventing the spread of cyclosporiasis. FDA recently published the "Cyclospora Prevention, Response, and Research Action Plan," which outlines actions necessary to improve prevention, enhance response activities, and fill knowledge gaps to help prevent Cyclospora contamination of foods and prepare for responding to future outbreaks."

Food Safety Magazine  (April / May 2022)
https://digitaledition.food-safety.com/april-may-2022/feature-regreport
Outbreak Investigations of Cyclospora cayetanensis Infections 2013–2020: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining
Recurring outbreaks of cyclosporiasis underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of how Cyclospora cayetanensis contaminates water and produce

By Stelios Viazis, Ph.D., Fazila K. Shakir, M.H.S., Anne Straily, D.V.M., Adrienne Goodrich-Doctor, Ph.D., Jeffery L. Sumter, Dr.P.H., and Socrates Trujillo, Ph.D.

EU - 125 Cases of Salmonella Infection Linked to Belgium Chocolate Operation

In Europe, 125 cases of salmonella food poisoning across several countries are being linked to chocolate eggs made at a Ferrero factory in Belgium.  "The 125 cases are spread across France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and Sweden, with the BBC reporting 63 cases in the U.K. alone, mostly in young children."

Politico
https://www.politico.eu/article/125-salmonella-cases-ferrero-factory-belgium/
125 salmonella cases linked to Ferrero chocolate factory in Belgium
Multiple countries have asked for Kinder products to be recalled pending further probes.

FDA Warns About Oysters from Canada Potentially Contaminated with Norovirus

The FDA is advising to avoid oysters harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia because they have been linked to a norovirus outbreak in Canada.  FDA has confirmed that these potentially contaminated raw oysters  were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX, and WA. It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution within the U.S.

From the Canadian Public Health agency - "As of March 30, 2022, there have been 279 cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness linked to consumption of B.C. oysters reported in the following provinces: B.C. (262), Alberta (1), Saskatchewan (1), and Ontario (15). Individuals became sick between mid-January and late March 2022, and no deaths have been reported. Although not all cases of illness have been tested, testing of several cases has confirmed the presence of a norovirus infection."

Oysters are filter feeds and is Norovirus gets into the water, it can be picked up by the oysters.  Eating contaminated oysters can result in illness, especially when eaten raw.


https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-potentially-contaminated-raw-oysters-canada
FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters from Canada (April 2022)

FDA Closes the Book on the Listeria Outbreak Linked to Salad - December 2021

FDA said the the December 2021 Listeria outbreak linked to Dole vegetable salad products is officially over.  In this outbreak, there were a "total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states".  

The "investigation conducted by Dole detected the presence of Listeria on a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ, facility. FDA conducted WGS analysis of an isolate shared by Dole, and the results confirmed that this isolate of Listeria matched the strain causing illness in this outbreak and also matched the strain of Listeria found in a positive product sample collected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported on December 23, 2021. Dole decommissioned and later dismantled this piece of equipment."

Additionally, as "reported on February 1, 2022, following the initial voluntary recall issued by Dole on December 22, 2021, Dole detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on equipment used in the harvesting of the iceberg lettuce that was also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. This finding prompted a subsequent voluntary recall on January 7, 2022"

"FDA analyzed the positive samples collected by Dole from the harvesting equipment. Results from FDA’s Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that the strain of Listeria found on the harvesting equipment matched the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak. Dole decommissioned the harvester and it was later dismantled. Product on hold that was included in the December 2021 recall was later tested by Dole and tested positive for the strain of Listeria monocytogenes that caused illnesses in this outbreak."


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-dole-packaged-salad-december-2021
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Dole Packaged Salad (December 2021)

FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over.

CT Dairy Recalls Milk After Sanitizer-tainted Milk Sickens School Children

A Connecticut dairy issued a recall for cartons of milk after 45 students and one staff member  from a NJ school were sent to hospitals for evaluation after consuming sanitizer-tainted milk.
"The investigation started Wednesday after an early childhood development center in Camden County, NJ called 911 to report that 25 children had ingested milk that had an "antiseptic-like odor," according to county officials. A similar report was made by another early childhood development center in New Jersey."

Cases like this are good reminders of the importance of evaluating processes as part of the Hazard Analysis for residual sanitizers, especially where CIP systems are used and where there are opportunities for residual to remain in piping/tank systems.  These cases are also useful in training sanitation staff and line operators.

https://patch.com/connecticut/across-ct/guidas-dairy-investigated-over-contaminated-milk-incident

Guida's Dairy Investigated Over Contaminated Milk Incident

Connecticut-based Guida's Dairy is being investigated after children in New Jersey ingested milk that contained diluted sanitizer.

Rich Scinto,

Patch Staff

|

Updated Thu, Mar 31, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET

USDA FSIS Issues Health Alert for Chicken Meal Kits With Wrong Spice Blend

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due for salad kits produced by Taylor Farms New England.  The alert was issued to concerns that the chicken breast component of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast meal kits may contain wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product labels.  The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that they observed different seasonings than usual on the product labeled as grilled chicken breast while preparing the chicken meal kits.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-chicken-meal-kits-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-Eat Chicken Meal Kits Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
TAYLOR FARMS NEW ENGLAND INC

USDA FSIS Issue Warning for Salad items For Undeclared Allergens Due to Incorrect Salad Dressing Packets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for salad items produced by an Alaska company.  This was due to concerns that the salad dressing component of ready-to-eat (RTE) salad products containing meat and poultry may contain egg, milk, peanut or wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product labels.  The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that incorrect salad dressing was included in the salad packaging.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-salad-containing-meat-and-poultry-products
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Salad Containing Meat and Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Cheese Crackers Recalled After Co-packer Mistakenly Fills the Boxes with Animal Crackers

B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling 1,855 cases of a single date code of 6 oz. Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers, with a “best by” date of SEP 05 2022, after learning that a limited number of the cracker boxes were inadvertently filled with foil wrapped pouches of animal shaped crackers, which contain egg and milk, allergens that are not declared on the box label.  B&G Foods discovered this issue when it received a consumer complaint that a foil pouch within a single box of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers contained animal shaped crackers. The third-party co-packer that produces the product inadvertently filled a limited number of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers product boxes with another food company’s animal shaped crackers.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bg-foods-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-and-milk-limited-number-boxes-back-naturer
B&G Foods Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert for Undeclared Egg and Milk in a Limited Number of Boxes of Back to Nature® Cheddalicious® Cheese Flavored Crackers Mistakenly Containing Animal Shaped Crackers
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 02, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 02, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk and Egg
Company Name:  B&G Foods
Brand Name:  Back to Nature
Product Description:  Cheese Flavored Crackers