Over 30 Ill and 2 Deaths Linked to MT Restaurant, Mushrooms Potential Source

Montana Dept of Health has reported an outbreak that has affected over 30 people with at least two deaths after eating at Dave's Sushi in Bozeman MT. "The manner and cause of death for these two individuals will remain pending until autopsy and toxicology results are available. The pattern of illness identified through case investigation, to date, indicates individuals became sick within 30 minutes to 4.5 hours after their meal. Preliminary investigative findings indicate that food containing morel mushrooms may be the exposure of concern. Currently, no pathogen/toxin has been identified, and both state and federal partners continue to test clinical and food samples."

Montana State Health Department
https://dphhs.mt.gov/News/2023/May/GallatinCity-CountyHealthDepartment,DPHHSContinuetoInvestigateFoodborneOutbreak
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 03 2023
Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, jebelt@mt.gov
Holly Whaley, Communications Specialist, Gallatin City-County Health Department, holly.whaley@gallatin.mt.gov
Gallatin City-County Health Department, DPHHS Continue to Investigate Foodborne Outbreak

The Gallatin City-County Health Department, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), other local health departments, and federal agencies continue to investigate the foodborne illness outbreak linked to eating food at Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman.

The investigational activities are ongoing, and DPHHS and the Gallatin City-County Health Department acknowledge that the investigation may not be able to identify a specific pathogen as the source of this outbreak. This outbreak appears to be isolated to people who ate at Dave’s Sushi between March 31 and April 17, 2023. The restaurant remains closed, and there does not appear to be any further risk to the public.

USDA Released Guidance Document on RTE Fermented, Salt-Cured and Dried Products

USDA-FSIS issued a draft guidance document for the safe processing of RTE Meat products, specifically those that are fermented, salt-cured, and dried.   

FSIS-GD-2023-0002: FSIS Ready-to-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline (usda.gov)  https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/FSIS-GD-2023-0002.pdf

• Fermented Genoa salami, hard salami, pepperoni, turkey pepperoni, summer sausage, Abruzzese, Lebanon bologna, sopressata, thuringer, mettwurst, saucisson, chorizo, chourico, soudjouk (sujuk or soujouk), pickled pigs’ feet, bologna in vinegar, landjager 15 
• Salt-cured Prosciutto ham, Parma ham, Westphalian ham, Bayonne ham, Serrano ham, Black Forest ham, country ham, pancetta, coppa, capocolla, bresaola, beef prosciutto, basturma, duck prosciutto, linguica, salchichon 18 
• Dried dried beef, beef jerky1, beef nuggets, steak tenders, kippered beef, meat sticks, turkey jerky, tasajo, pemmican, pipi kaula, droëwors, biltong, jamon (jambon), longanisa, (some) saucisson, (some) chorizo, dried soup mixes/soup bases, freeze-dried entrees, fried pork skins/rinds/cracklings/chicharrones, lard

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/federal-register-rulemaking/federal-register-notices/availability-fsis-ready-eat-fermented
Availability of FSIS Ready-To-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Guideline

DOCKET NUMBER
Docket No. FSIS-2022-0011
FEDERAL REGISTER STATUS
Notice of availability and request for comments
PROPOSED DATE
May 05, 2023
Summary
FSIS is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on a guidance document for small and very small meat and poultry establishments manufacturing ready-to-eat (RTE), shelf-stable, fermented, salt-cured, and dried meat and poultry products, that do not use cooking as the primary lethality step. This guideline addresses many commonly asked questions concerning the food safety hazards associated with these products and the key steps in each process needed to ensure safety. This guideline replaces and expands upon information previously found in other guidance documents addressing the safe production of RTE fermented meat and poultry products.

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for CA Establishment's Frozen Meatloaf Due to Undeclared Milk

USDA issued a Public Health Alert for frozen ready-to-cook meatloaf entrée products produced by A.J. SONS, INC. of Laguna Beach, CA for undeclared milk.  These items were shipped to organizations serving the senior population in Southern California and were further distributed through home-delivery meal service programs.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a routine label verification task. FSIS inspectors observed that the meatloaf contained milk, but the establishment did not list milk as an ingredient on the case label. The individual trays delivered to consumers do not include an ingredient statement. Consumers should be aware that in addition to milk, this product also contains the allergens egg, soy, and wheat.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-meatloaf-entree-products-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Meatloaf Entree Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that frozen ready-to-cook meatloaf entrée products may contain undeclared milk, a known allergen. These entrees are removed from their master carton and delivered to consumers in ready to prepare trays that do not bear an ingredient statement. While egg, soy, and wheat are declared in the ingredient list that appears on the carton, milk is not. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to egg, milk, soy, and wheat are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for distribution to consumers.

MD Produce Packing Facility Recalls Bagged Leafy Greens After NY State Lab Detects Listeria

Update May 12, 2023 - Additional product added

Lancaster Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of 3 brands of already-expired Robinson Fresh, Lancaster, and Giant brand Kale, Spinach and Collard Green products produced at the company’s Jessup, Maryland facility. This recall is due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was initiated after notification that a random sample of a single bag of Chopped Kale Greens product with a “BEST IF USED BY May 1 2023” date collected by the New York Agriculture and Markets Food Safety Division tested positive for the Listeria pathogen.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lancaster-foods-announces-voluntary-recall-various-expired-kale-spinach-and-collard-green-products

Lancaster Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Various Expired Kale, Spinach and Collard Green Products Due to Potential Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 06, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Lancaster Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Robinson Fresh, Lancaster, Giant
Product Description:  Kale, Spinach, Collard Green products

MA Sprouting Facility Recalls Bean Sprout After NY State Lab Finds Listeria

Chang Farm, 301 River Road, Whatley, MA is issuing a voluntary recall of Mung Bean Sprouts; all 10lb bags (as some bags may not have sell-by dates), as well as 12 oz retail bags, both packaged on April 23rd, 2023 (distributed on April 24th, 2023), produced by Chang Farm, with the specific sell-by date of May 7th, 2023 because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.  Sample analysis by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ (NYSDAM) Division of Food Safety and Inspection confirmed Listeria Monocytogenes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chang-farm-recalls-mung-bean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk
Chang Farm Recalls Mung Bean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 05, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Chang Farm
Brand Name:  Chang Farm, Nature’s Wonder
Product Description:  Mung bean sprouts

NH Greenhouse Facility Recalls Salad Greens After State Testing Finds E. Coli (STEC)

Update May 15 - Recall cancelled - Penn State Food Safety Blog: Recall for Product from Indoor Farm Cancelled After State Laboratory Discovers It Made Error

lēf Farms of Loudon, N.H. is voluntarily recalling a single lot of the lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens ("best by" date 5/5/23, lot number SP10723- 1RGH1, UPC 8 50439 00709 1) produced in its Loudon, New Hampshire greenhouse because they have the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) bacteria.  No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was initiated when the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture received a positive test result for E. coli 0157:H7 in a single package of lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens (4 oz) as part of routine testing.

lēf Farms, now a part of BrightFarms, is an indoor growing facility that services the New England states.  This is just another case related to the concerns of controlled environment growing facilities.  Last month, we discussed this as part of recall from a MI facility.  And there was also a recall from a GA facility.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lef-farms-recalls-spice-packaged-salad-greens-because-possible-health-risk
lēf Farms Recalls “Spice” Packaged Salad Greens Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 04, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to potential Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) contamination
Company Name:  lēf Farms
Brand Name:  lēf Farms
Product Description:  Salad greens

Potato Chips Recalled for Undeclared Milk After Complaint Issued

Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of a limited number – 146 bags – of 13 oz. and 15 5/8 oz. of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips that may contain undeclared milk ingredients from sour cream and onion potato chips. The recall is the result of an investigation following a consumer complaint.

Frito Lay has had a number of allergen related issues over the past several years.  In 2020, FDA issued a Warning Letter to the company after two allergen recalls at separate facilities.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-lays-classic-potato-chips-distributed-connecticut
Frito-Lay Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Lay’s Classic Potato Chips Distributed in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 04, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 04, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Frito-Lay
Brand Name:  Lay’s
Product Description:  Classic potato chips

Imported Tahini Recalled After State Lab Testing Finds Salmonella

Rushdi Food Industries, an Israeli based manufacturer, is voluntarily recalling their Mighty Sesame 10.9 Oz Organic Tahini (Squeezable) with the specific expiration date of 9/25/23 due t0 potential Salmonella contamination.  This recall was initiated when the company received a notification by the FDA and the Ohio Department of Health of the potential presence of Salmonella in this specific lot. The company has received no reports of illness or injury to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rushdi-foods-issues-voluntary-recall-one-lot-their-mighty-sesame-organic-tahini-109-oz-squeeze-0
Rushdi Foods Issues a Voluntary Recall on One Lot of Their Mighty Sesame Organic Tahini 10.9 oz Squeeze Bottle
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 03, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 03, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Dressing/Condiment 
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness/Salmonella
Company Name:  Rushdi Food Industries
Brand Name:  Mighty Sesame Co.
Product Description:  Organic Tahini

Nut Mix Recalled After Mislabeling Issue Leads to Undeclared Almonds

Schnuck Markets, Inc. of St Louis, MO has issued an allergy alert due to a mislabel on select containers of Culinaria Nut Mixes. The products may have mislabeled packaging, and the Culinaria Cashew & Macadamia mix may contain almonds, which is an allergen for some people. Due to the mislabel, the Culinaria Cashew & Almond Mix may not contain the correct ingredients listed on the package.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/schnucks-issues-allergy-alert-select-culinaria-nut-mixes-due-mislabel-product-may-contain-undeclared
Schnucks Issues Allergy Alert on Select Culinaria Nut Mixes Due to a Mislabel, Product May Contain Undeclared Almonds
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 29, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  May 02, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almonds
Company Name: Schnucks Markets, Inc.
Brand Name:  Culinaria
Product Description:  Nut Mixes