Investigation of 2020 Salmonella Outbreak in Restaurant Finds Drain Contamination as Likely Source for Ongoing Issues

An investigative report in the Journal of Food Protection provides the approach and findings related to a 2020 Salmonella outbreak which "identified a total of 67 cases between January 1, 2020, and August 13, 2021, 66% of which were directly linked to a restaurant in the area".   Regulatory officials conducted a intensive investigation, looking at many angles, but in the end, they believe the endemic contamination was linked to the kitchen drainage system.

"Explanatory hypothesis adopted. The most plausible explanation for the origin of this outbreak remains the contamination of the drains in Restaurant A. Indeed, most of the environmental samples positive for Salmonella were found in sinks or near them (sink sprayers, drains). The presence of contaminated biofilm (Mair-Jenkins et al., 2017) in the restaurant’s kitchen drainage system may have had a role to play in the extended duration of this outbreak."

A few takeaways:

• The importance of periodic drain cleaning. This occurs in food operations, but not really discussed to any degree for foodservice operations. Depending on the location of the drain relative to operational areas and the potential for the drains backing up, the risk of contamination from drains can vary. However, a periodic cleaning regiment can reduce this risk.
• During investigations,  much focus is placed on a given food item.  In this case, an environmental niche may have been the source to many food items via contaminated equipment or hands.  These out-of-site niche areas can foster resident or endemic contamination that can be difficult to identify if only looking at given food items.

Journal of Food Protection
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068151?via%3Dihub
Research Paper
Investigation of a Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak Related to the Environmental Contamination of a Restaurant Kitchen Drainage System, Québec, Canada, 2020–2021

Animal Feed Premix Facility Issued Warning Letter for Improper Control of Vitamin D

FDA issued a Warning Letter to ADM Animal Nutrition and their  vitamin and mineral premix and preblend animal food manufacturing facility, located in Effingham, Illinois.  The inspection was done in response to the premix with high levels of Vitamin D.  Clearly a significant hazard, the chemical blending of Vitamin D was controlled through a basic prerequisite program rather than as a Preventive Control.

"Specifically, your firm manufactures a preblend that is subsequently used by other firms in the manufacture of animal food products, and your reliance on your prerequisite programs failed to reduce the probability that a vitamin D nutrient toxicity will occur in your animal food in the absence of a preventive control."

FDA Warning Letter

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/adm-animal-nutrition-657846-10232023

ADM Animal Nutrition
MARCS-CMS 657846 — OCTOBER 23, 2023

Chicken Patty Product Recalled After Complaints Received for Small Metal Pieces

Tyson Foods, Inc. a Berryville, Ark., establishment, is recalling approximately 29,819 pounds of fully cooked, breaded, shaped chicken patty product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal pieces.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received consumer complaints reporting small metal pieces in the chicken patty product. There has been one reported minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/tyson-foods-inc--recalls-chicken-patty-product-due-possible-foreign-matter
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Patty Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2023 – Tyson Foods, Inc. a Berryville, Ark., establishment, is recalling approximately 29,819 pounds of fully cooked, breaded, shaped chicken patty product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal pieces, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

MD Firm Recalls Sandwiches for Undeclared Allergens Due to Supplier Change Issue

Hearn Kirkwood of Jessup, Md., is issuing a voluntary recall of 5,895 clamshell containers of various Croissant Sandwiches because its labeling did not identify the following allergens in the product: soy and milk.  The recall was initiated after one of our firm’s ingredients suppliers failed to notify them the ingredient formulation had changed. This led to products being sent to customers without properly identifying the allergens of soy and milk.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hearn-kirkwood-issues-safety-alert-undeclared-soy-and-milk-various-croissant-sandwiches
Hearn Kirkwood Issues Safety Alert on Undeclared Soy and Milk in Various Croissant Sandwiches
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 06, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  November 07, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy and milk.
Company Name:  Hearn Kirkwood
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Sandwiches

Maine Firm Recalls Granola Product After Discovering Undeclared Coconut

Update 11/9/23 - Recall Cancelled.  See https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2023/11/recall-cancelled-for-granola-product.html

Grandy Organics of Hiram, Maine is voluntarily recalling Gluten Free Honey Oat Granola with lot code 231017-03459-1 because it may contain undeclared Coconut.  After conducting a thorough tracing exercise, Grandy Organics discovered that the product potentially containing trace levels of coconut was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of coconut.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/grandy-organics-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-coconut-gluten-free-honey-oat-granola
Grandy Organics Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Coconut in Gluten Free Honey Oat Granola
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 05, 2023
FDA Publish Date: November 05, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Coconut
Company Name:  Grandy Organics
Brand Name:  Grandy Organics
Product Description:  Gluten Free Honey Oat Granola

Canada - Sliced Mushrooms Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling President's Choice brand White Sliced Mushrooms after Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests detected Listeria monocytogenes.  There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/president-s-choice-brand-white-sliced-mushrooms-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes
Food recall warning
President's Choice brand White Sliced Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Pouches of Apple Fruit Puree with Cinnamon Recalled After 4 Children Suffer from Acute Lead Toxicity

The FDA issued a public health alert for WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree after the NC Dept of Health  identified the product as being the source of lead that caused elevated lead levels in 4 children.  "NCDHHS analyzed multiple lots of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree, detecting extremely high concentrations of lead. The FDA has reviewed and supports NCDHHS’s analytical findings and found that analytical results at this level could result in acute toxicity."

"The FDA is advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test."

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-parents-and-caregivers-not-buy-or-feed-wanabana-apple-cinnamon-fruit-puree-pouches
FDA Advises Parents and Caregivers Not to Buy or Feed WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches to Toddlers and Young Children Because of Elevated Lead Levels

Minn Establishment Recalls Frozen Spaghetti Due to Undeclared Egg Allergen Due to Supplier Change

Fairmont Foods, Inc., a Fairmont, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 147,132 pounds of frozen spaghetti loops with meat sauce entrée products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen -  the  product contains egg, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered by the producing establishment while conducting a routine ingredient label review. They notified FSIS that egg, a known allergen, was not declared on the finished product label. The problem occurred after a change in noodle formulation by the supplier.

While one would want the supplier to notify its industrial customers of formulation changes to the purchased ingredient, the manufacturing operation purchasing the product must also be checking labels of incoming ingredients.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fairmont-foods-inc--recalls-frozen-spaghetti-loops-meat-sauce-entree-products-due
Fairmont Foods, Inc., Recalls Frozen Spaghetti Loops With Meat Sauce Entree Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

FAIRMONT FOODS, INC.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2023 – Fairmont Foods, Inc., a Fairmont, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 147,132 pounds of frozen spaghetti loops with meat sauce entrée products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains egg, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

FL Establishment Recalls RTE Empanada Products Produced Without USDA Inspection

Q’Delicia, a Jacksonville, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 639 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry empanada products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.  The problem was discovered during FSIS surveillance activities when it was determined that the empanada products did not have the USDA mark of inspection and were produced in a facility that was not inspected by USDA. The products were also distributed without a list of ingredients. As a result of not receiving inspection, FSIS is concerned these products may not be safe for human consumption.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/qdelicia-recalls-ready-eat-empanada-products-produced-without-benefit-inspection
Q’Delicia Recalls Ready-To-Eat Empanada Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 – Q’Delicia, a Jacksonville, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 639 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry empanada products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.