Update on E. coli Outbreak Linked to Slivered Onions on Burgers - October 30, 2024

On October 30, 2024 FDA and CDC updated information on E. coli STEC linked to slivered onions used on McDonald Quarter Pounders. There are now 90 cases with 27 hospitalizations and 1 death.  2 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.  There are 15 more cases than reported in the October 25th update.

"On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions that were supplied to McDonald’s and other food service customers. FDA is working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. According to available information, it is unlikely that recalled yellow onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers. Food service customers who received recalled onions were contacted and should no longer be using or serving recalled onions. These customers should also ensure that they did not freeze recalled onions or foods containing recalled onions."

Fast Facts
Cases: 90 (15 new)
Hospitalizations: 27 (5 new)
Deaths: 1 (0 new)
States: 13 (0 new)

FDA

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024)

FDA is investigating slivered onions served at McDonald’s as the likely source of this outbreak. Onions have been recalled and are no longer being used.

Florida Firm Recalls Frozen Croquette Produced Without Inspection and Failure to List Allergens

A Tu Gusto, LLC, a Lehigh Acres, Fla. firm, is recalling approximately 7,630 pounds of frozen meat and poultry croquette products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and may contain undeclared allergens - the product contains soy, sesame seed and wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was performing surveillance activities at a retailer and observed labeling irregularities. After further investigation it was determined that the items were produced at a facility that does not have a grant of inspection and contained allergens not declared on the product label. Therefore, the items were produced without the benefit of FSIS inspection and are mislabeled.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/a-tu-gusto-llc-recalls-frozen-croquette-products-produced-without-benefit-inspection
A Tu Gusto, LLC Recalls Frozen Croquette Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection and Undeclared Allergens
FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 – A Tu Gusto, LLC, a Lehigh Acres, Fla. firm, is recalling approximately 7,630 pounds of frozen meat and poultry croquette products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and may contain undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains soy, sesame seed and wheat, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.

Seafood Salad Recalled for Undeclared Soy After Label Printer Ships Wrong Labels

Danvers, Massachusetts. R. Walters LLC dba Elevation Foods is recalling 1,668 units of mislabeled Hannaford Seafood Salad 12oz because it contains an undeclared Soy allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the printer of the labels for Hannaford Seafood Salad had provided Elevation Foods with labels that did not match the current product formulation. These labels were created for an upcoming formulation change and were shipped to Elevation Foods in error.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/elevation-foods-issues-recall-due-undeclared-soy-hannaford-seafood-salad
Elevation Foods Issues Recall Due to Undeclared Soy in Hannaford Seafood Salad
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 31, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 31, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains an undeclared soy allergen.
Company Name:  R. Walters LLC dba Elevation Foods
Brand Name:   Hannaford
Product Description:  Seafood Salad

Baby Powder with Talc Recalled Due to Potential Asbestos Contamination

Dynarex Corporation is expanding the recall initiated on September 19, 2024 to include an additional 373 cases of item number 4875, Dynacare Baby Powder, 14 oz., as well as 647 cases of item number 4874, Dynacare Baby Powder, 4 oz., because they have the potential to be contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is often found near talc, an ingredient in many cosmetic products. Asbestos, however, is a known carcinogen and its health risks are well-documented. If talc mining sites are not carefully chosen or if proper steps are not taken to adequately purify the talc ore, it may contain asbestos.

From the American Cancer Society:

• Talc is mined from the earth. In this natural form, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled.
• In 1976, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA), the trade association representing the cosmetic and personal care products industry, issued voluntary guidelines stating that all talc used in cosmetic products in the United States should be free from detectable amounts of asbestos according to their standards.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dynarex-corporation-expands-recall-include-additional-products-due-possible-health-risk
Dynarex Corporation Expands Recall to Include Additional Products Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 28, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Metal or Chemical Contaminant
Company Name:  Dynarex Corporation
Brand Name:  dynacare
Product Description:  Baby Powder

Maryland Firm Recalls Tarts Due to Undeclared Almond

Atwater’s of Baltimore, MD, is recalling its clam shell packages of spider web tarts sold 10/19/24 and 10/20/24 because they contain undeclared almond flour.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the almond containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds, see below for photos of both the product and packaging in question. Subsequent investigation indicated the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and labeling processes.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/atwaters-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nuts-spider-web-tart
Atwater’s Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in “Spider Web Tart”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 28, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 28, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergens
Company Name:  One Roof, LLC.
Brand Name:  Atwater’s
Product Description:  Tarts

Costco Smoked Salmon Recalled Due to Listeria

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation is issuing a recall of 111 cases of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon in twin 12oz package, UPC 0 96619 25697 6, Lot# 8512801270, Best-by-Date 11/13/2024 due to laboratory testing confirming Listeria monocytogenes on October 21, 2024.   There are no illnesses reported, so it is likely this recall was issued due to testing.

Smoked salmon has a history of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, especially when it is sliced.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/acme-smoked-fish-corporation-recalls-kirkland-signature-smoked-salmon-due-listeria-monocytogenes
Acme Smoked Fish Corporation Recalls Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 25, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 26, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogens
Company Name:  Acme Smoked Fish Corporation
Brand Name:  Kirkland Signature
Product Description:  Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon

Frozen Pie Crust and Products Made With Pie Crust Recalled Due to Undeclared Eggs

Grand Central Bakery Portland, OR and Seattle, WA is recalling U- Bake frozen pie products and frozen pie dough because they may contain undeclared egg.  The recall was initiated after an employee noted that egg was added to the above pie dough products and distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/grand-central-bakery-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-u-bake-pie-crust-u-bake-apple-pie-u-bake
Grand Central Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in U-Bake Pie Crust, U-Bake Apple Pie, U-Bake Marionberry Pie, and U-Bake Chicken Pot Pie
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 25, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  October 26, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Egg
Company Name:  Grand Central Bakery
Brand Name:  Grand Central
Product Description:  U-Bake Pie Crust, U-Bake Apple Pie, U-Bake Marionberry Pie, U-Bake Chicken Pot Pie

Two Additional Recalls Linked to Recalled Chicken Product

Sprouts Farmers Market has voluntarily recalled select lots of our Chicken Street Taco kits supplied by Fresh Creative Foods on 10/11/2024, due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall follows a recall issued by a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc which is related to the recalled RTE chicken meat recalled by BrucePac, of.

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components are not impacted by this recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sprouts-farmers-market-has-voluntarily-recalled-select-lots-our-chicken-street-taco-kits-supplied
Sprouts Farmers Market has Voluntarily Recalled Select Lots of Our Chicken Street Taco Kits Supplied by Fresh Creative Foods, Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date: October 11, 2024
FDA Publish Date: October 24, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogens
Company Name: Sprouts Farmers Market
Brand Name: Sprouts
Product Description: Chicken Street Taco Meal Kit

CA Noodle Company Received FDA Warning Letter for Failure to identify Hazards and Implement Controls

FDA issues a Warning Letter to Alfred Louie Inc, a sprouting operation and noodle manufacturing facility, located in Bakersfield, CA.  The items noted in the Letter include:

• Did not conduct a hazard analysis to identify and evaluate known or reasonably foreseeable hazards for each type of food manufactured,
• Did not identify and evaluate allergens as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard to determine whether allergens are a hazard requiring a preventive control.  The company processes products containing different allergen profiles on the same equipment (e.g., bowl mixer, noodle sheet maker, sheet rollers, former/cutter, and finished product conveyor) and using shared utensils on the same production day.
• Did not identify and evaluate mycotoxins as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard to determine whether they require a preventive control. The company manufactures Pan Fry Fresh Noodles and Deep Fry Fresh Noodles products, which contain wheat flour as an ingredient. Wheat flour has been associated with mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON)
• Did not identify and evaluate metal as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard to determine whether it requires a preventive control. Product is manufactured with processing equipment (e.g., (b)(4) noodle cutters) with metal-to-metal contact. The company does not have metal detectors and are not implementing any other programs, such as visual inspection, to control the metal hazard.
• Misbranding the finished product labels fail to accurately declare major food allergens, as required by section 403(w)(1) of the Act. 

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/alfred-louie-inc-680624-09112024
Alfred Louie, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 680624 — September 11, 2024