FDA Updates the Trace Back Areas for the E. coli Contaminated Romaine Lettuce

FDA provided an update on 11/28/19 to detail the counties that are involved in the trace back analysis.  According to the report, "current evidence indicates this romaine was harvested in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California.
The specific California counties FDA is including in this region are:

• Monterey
• San Benito
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Cruz
• Ventura

There have not been any new cases since the last update on 11/26/18.

https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626330.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Likely Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grown in California

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 43
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: October 31, 2018
States with Cases: CA (11), CT (1), IL (2), MA (2), MD (1), MI (7), NH (2), NJ (9), NY (5), OH (1), RI (1), WI (1)

NY Cheese Producer Issues Recall After Listeria Found in Environment

Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, New York is recalling 4 wheels of “Kinkead” cheese, raw semi-firm, washed natural rind cheese, made on 5-10-18, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The issue was discovered as part of the corrective action when Listeria monocytogenes was discovered during routine testing earlier this month. "Sprout Creek Farm voluntarily ceased all production of cheese immediately following that recall initiated on November 6. Additionally since the November 6 recall, there has been no production or distribution of any cheese by the farm.

The same firm had issued a recall on 11/7/18 for 132 wheels of cheese after product tested positive.  NY regulators also issued an alert on 10/8/18 after issues with pasteurization were discovered.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627077.htm

Sprout Creek Farm Recalls “Kinkead” Cheese due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2018

Hawaii - Restaurant Closed After Video Goes Viral of Employee Cooking Rat on Grill

A burger restaurant in Hawaii was shut down after employees posted a video where they appeared to be cooking a rat on the restaurant grill.

Corrective Action - Fire employees, replace equipment, schedule pest control operator, hire lawyer to recover costs from employees.
Will that be sufficient to recover sales?

https://www.mynbc5.com/article/burger-joint-closes-after-video-appears-to-show-rat-cooking-on-grill/25303833
Burger joint closes after video appears to show rat cooking on grill
Associated Press  Nov 26, 2018

Dry Dog Food Recalled Due to High Vitamin D Levels

Updated 11/29/18
Sunshine Mills is recalling 7 different packs of dry dog food due to the potential for high Vitamin D levels. High Vitamin D levels can lead to symptoms including vomiting and weight loss to renal dysfunction.

ELM Pet Foods, Inc is issuing a voluntary recall of Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe dog food because the products could contain elevated levels of Vitamin D.

ANF, Inc. is also recalling select products of ANF Pet Lamb and Rice Dog Food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627087.htm
ANF Pet Inc. Issues Voluntary Precautionary Recall of Dry Dog Food Due to Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2018

FDA Now Advises to Avoid Romaine Lettuce from Northern and Central CA

Updated 11/27/18
FDA updated its recommendation on Romaine lettuce - "If romaine lettuce does have this labeling information, we advise avoiding any product from the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. Romaine lettuce from outside those regions need not be avoided.  Romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these sources."

Of course, it is important to make sure that packages of Romaine indicate harvest information, including the date and location.  The industry has agreed to voluntary labeling to ensure compliance.

There are now 43 cases with 16 hospitalizations across 12 states.

FDA News Release
https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626330.htm
FDA Investigating Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Likely Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grown in California
Update: November 26, 2018

CDC MMWR Report - 2017 Norovirus Outbreak During Thanksgiving Holidays

CDC released a report on a 2017 norovirus outbreak associated with a vomiting event in a restaurant.  Thirty-six cases were identified  with individuals suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps occurring 2.5 to 54 hours after visiting the restaurant.  Symptoms lasted about 3 days.  Those most likely to become ill were in the restaurant close to the time of the vomiting event.

Basically, an ill patron vomits in the restaurant.  Although an employee applied spray disinfectant, 36 patrons still contracted the virus.  "A point-source norovirus outbreak occurred after an infected patron vomited in a restaurant. Transmission near the vomiting event likely occurred by aerosol or fomite. Norovirus spread throughout the restaurant could have occurred by aerosol, person-to-person, fomite, or foodborne routes. Inadequate employee handwashing likely facilitated foodborne transmission through servings of pecan pie."  Norovirus is highly infectious and transmits easily in the environment.

So if you are in an eating establishment and someone vomits, consider leaving immediately.  For the food establishment, move people away from event, clean like heck following established protocol, and consider giving the cleaner the rest of the night off.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/pdfs/mm6746a4-H.pdf
Notes from the Field: Multiple Modes of Transmission During a Thanksgiving Day Norovirus Outbreak — Tennessee, 2017
Weekly / November 23, 2018 / 67(46);1300–1301

CDC Advises To Avoid ALL Romaine Lettuce After E.coli Cases Reported

UPDATE ISSUED - 11/26/18 GO TO LINK

CDC is advising that people not eat romaine lettuce after an outbreak of E. coli has been identified.  There have been thirty-two people infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states with thirteen people hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The illnesses are listed with dates ranging from October 8, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

The reason for warning against all romaine lettuce is that the source is not known yet.  Until more information is gathered, CDC is taking a precautionary stance.

While this strain is linked to past outbreaks, it is not linked to the recent E.coli outbreak in Yuma AZ, but it is linked to the 2017 E. coli outbreak.    "Whole genome sequencing (WGS) results showed that the E. coli O157:H7 strain isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the E. coli strain isolated from ill people in a 2017 outbreak linked to leafy greens in the United States and to romaine lettuce in Canada. The current outbreak is not related to a recent multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce. People in the spring outbreak were infected with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria with a different DNA fingerprint."

In the 2017 outbreak of the same strain, the source was not definitively found, although it was said to be leafy greens. In that outbreak, CDC and FDA were criticized for not stating it was Romaine lettuce.

CDC News Release
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html
Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Posted November 20, 2018 at 2:30 PM ET

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) infections linked to romaine lettuce.

At A Glance

• Reported Cases: 32

• States: 11

•Hospitalizations: 13

•Deaths: 0

•Recall: No

Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers

CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak. This investigation is ongoing and the advice will be updated as more information is available.

Stew Source of C. perfringens Outbreak at NC Church BBQ

Hundreds of attendees of a church BBQ in North Carolina were stricken with C. perfringens.  Tests indicate that it was the Brunswick stew.  This would indicate that the stew was not held at proper temperatures between the time it was made and the time it was served, allowing the C. perfringens to grow to high number.  Symptoms, including watery diarrhea and mild abdominal cramps occur about 16 hours after consumption of foods containing large numbers (>106 live vegetative cells or >106 spores) of enterotoxin-producing C. perfringens and will last 12 to 24 hours.

Cabarrus Health Alliance

https://www.cabarrushealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=108
UPDATE: Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church BBQ
New Update
Update: November 16, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Ending November 19, 2018

Marinade Label Missing Soy and Wheat - Deleite Foods Enterprises, Inc., a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 11,000 pounds of marinated raw poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the products contain wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. The problem was discovered during routine label verification activities by an FSIS inspector, who found that the product did not include an ingredient statement nor declare soy and wheat.

Wrong Package for Chocolate Cherries - Chukar Cherries of Prosser, WA is recalling 7.5oz Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries because they may contain undeclared milk. One allergic reaction has been reported to date. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Amaretto Rainier Chocolate Cherries containing milk was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.

Issue with Label Control - Jay Robb Enterprises is recalling Jay Robb Unflavored Egg White Protein Product,manufactured by Agropur MSI, LLC of La Crosse, Wisconsin, because it may contain undeclared milk allergen. "The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Agropur MSI, LLC packaged whey protein powder into Unflavored Egg White Protein pouches that did not reveal the presence of milk allergen. The product was intended to be packaged into Jay Robb Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate packages. The company is requesting return of all Unflavored Egg White Protein with the listed lot dates in order to fully account for product recovery. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the manufacturer’s label control policies."

Now Defunct Co-Packer Mislabeled Product -  Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC of Auburn, CA is announcing a recall of 567 cases of Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade, manufactured by Purveyors Kitchen, because it contains an undeclared tree nut (walnut). The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Purveyors Kitchen – Pumpkin Pesto Tapenade containing tree nuts (walnuts) was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the tree nut (walnut). At present, the source of this problem is unknown as Purveyors Kitchen is no longer in operation. The owners of Purveyors Kitchen are not participants in Nor Cal Food Solutions, LLC.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-115-2018-release
Deleite Foods Enterprises, Inc. Recalls Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Class II Recall
115-2018
Health Risk: Low
Nov 19, 2018