EU Salmonella Outbreak in Chocolate Believed to be Due to Bad Buttermilk?

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) reports that there have been 150 cases (119 confirmed, 31 probable) of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in 9 different countries.   "Most cases are below 10 years of age and many children have been hospitalised."  As reported in an AP article, "Officials said “the processing step involving buttermilk” was identified by the company as the point of contamination for two products, chocolate eggs that normally have a surprise toy inside and bite-sized praline chocolates. National authorities have previously named the involved company as the Italian chocolate firm Ferrero."

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/rapid-outbreak-assessment-multi-country-salmonella-outbreak-linked-chocolate-productsEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Rapid outbreak assessment: Multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to chocolate products

On 12 April 2022, ECDC and EFSA published a rapid outbreak assessment on a multi-country outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium linked to chocolate products made at a factory in Arlon, Belgium.

The assessment outlines the rapid evolvement of the outbreak. Most cases are children under 10 years of age, with many being hospitalised.

Update - Ferrero Includes Additional Products to Chocolate Recall for Salmonella

Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. of Parsippany, New Jersey updated their recall of Kinder® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder® Mix Chocolate Treats basket due to potential Salmonella contamination.   The initial US recall was issued on April 7, 2022.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ferrero-voluntarily-recalls-kinderr-happy-moments-chocolate-assortment-and-kinderr-mix-chocolate
Ferrero Voluntarily Recalls Kinder® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder® Mix Chocolate Treats Basket Because of Possible Health Risk and Advises Consumers to Dispose of Certain Kinder Products Not Intended for U.S. Distribution Due to Recall of Products Made in Belgium
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 12, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Ferrero USA, Inc.
Brand Name:  Kinder
Product Description:  Multiple Products

Organic Popcorn Recalled for Undeclared Milk Allergen After Cross Contact

Snak King is voluntarily recalling 5-ounce packages of “O Organics Sea Salt Organic Popcorn” with “best if used by” dates of 9/24/2022 and 9/25/2022 due to the potential presence of an undeclared milk allergen. This product is being recalled due to cross contamination with a milk allergen.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/snak-king-corporation-issues-recall-and-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-allergen-o-organics-sea-salt
Snak King Corporation Issues Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Allergen in O Organics Sea Salt Organic Popcorn
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 12, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 12, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Snak King Corporation
Brand Name:  O Organics
Product Description:  Sea Salt Organic Popcorn

France - E. coli Outbreak Linked to Frozen Pizza

In France, health inspectors have found a link between a brand of frozen pizza and an outbreak of pathogenic E.coli.  There have been 75 E. coli infections with 2 deaths of children (although not all cases have yet been linked).  

As you may remember, in 2007 there was an E.coli outbreak in the US that was associated with frozen pizza.  In this case, it was the pepperoni topping that was an issue.  In that outbreak, 21 were infected.  Another E. coli outbreak linked to frozen foods including frozen pizza occurred in 2013

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20220331-frozen-pizza-blamed-for-some-e-coli-infections-sweeping-through-france-children-nestle
Frozen pizza blamed for deadly E coli infections sweeping France
Issued on: 31/03/2022 - 12:44Modified: 31/03/2022

Manufacturer of Raw Pet Food Being Forced to Shut Down

Federal regulators are temporarily shutting down Bravo Packaging of Carney's Point NJ after ongoing issues with the products containing Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.  Last year, product from this facility was recalled after FDA testing found Salmonella and Listeria.  This company also recalled product in 2013 and 2014 and 2015

NJ.com
https://www.nj.com/salem/2022/04/nj-pet-food-maker-must-shut-down-correct-health-violations.html
N.J. pet food maker must shut down, correct health violations

Published: Apr. 06, 2022, 11:31 a.m.

By Matt Gray | For NJ.com

A South Jersey pet food company must temporarily shut down its operations and recall products after inspectors repeatedly found food samples contaminated with harmful bacteria, according to federal regulators.

Imported Chocolate Products Recalled That Were Linked to Facility Responsible for European Salmonella Outbreak

Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. of Parsippany, New Jersey is voluntarily recalling its Kinder ® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder ® Mix Chocolate Treats basket, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. The products are being recalled because they were manufactured in a facility where Salmonella typhimurium was detected. While there are no reports of illness in the United States to date, Ferrero is voluntarily recalling the products out of an abundance of caution due to reported cases of Salmonella in consumers that consumed products in Europe that were manufactured at the same facility.  In Europe, there has been 125 cases linked to the chocolate egg products from Ferrero.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ferrero-voluntarily-recalls-kinderr-happy-moments-chocolate-assortment-and-kinderr-mix-chocolate
Ferrero Voluntarily Recalls Kinder® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder® Mix Chocolate Treats Basket Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 07, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Ferrero USA, Inc.
Brand Name:  Kinder
Product Description:  Happy Moments Milk Chocolate and Crispy Wafers Assortment & Mix Chocolate Treats Basket

KY Company Recalls Chocolate Cake in-a-Mug Product After Chocolate Has Undeclared Milk Allergen

Tova Industries; LLC of Louisville, KY is voluntarily recalling Carbquik Mug Cake Double Chocolate Chunk OU-Dairy (Water and Butter Prep), because it contains an undeclared milk. "During an allergen review, our company found that the Chocolate Chips contained in the product had a small percentage (<1%) of a milk allergen, it was determined that the packaging was missing the required Milk Allergen warning, and all product was immediately removed from circulation on February 23, 2022. There is no health risk associated with this product for person who do not have a milk allergy."

Tova Industries; LLC. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Carbquik Mug Cake Double Chocolate Chunk OU-Dairy | FDA
Tova Industries; LLC. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Carbquik Mug Cake Double Chocolate Chunk OU-Dairy
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 01, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Tova Industries, LLC
Brand Name:  Carbquik
Product Description:  Double Chocolate Chunk Mug Cake

Creamy Caesar Dressing Recalled for Undeclared Allergens After Wrong Back Label Applied

Van Law Food Products Inc of Fullerton, California is issuing a voluntary recall of Whole Foods Market 365 Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing because it may contain undeclared Soy and Wheat allergens.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Soy and Wheat allergen. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in Van Law Food Product’s labeling and packaging processes.    In this case, based upon the pictures posted on the FDA website, the wrong back label was applied...while the front label states Creamy Caesar, the back label is for Chunky Blue Cheese.   A difficulty may be that the product title back label has very small lettering placed near the bottom of the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/van-law-food-products-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-and-wheat-product
Van Law Food Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 06, 2022
FDA Publish Date:  April 07, 2022
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy and wheat
Company Name:  Van Law Food Products, Inc.
Brand Name:  Whole Foods Market 365
Product Description:  Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing

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