CDC Report on Persistent Strain of Salmonella Linked to Multiple Outbreaks

CDC issued a report on A strain of Salmonella infantis labeled REPJFX01 that has been responsible for multiple outbreaks in the US and abroad.  First identified in 2012, information from more than 2,900 cases have been reported to PulseNet as of December, 2022.  The source of food identified in two of 7 outbreak was raw chicken meat.

"This strain of Salmonella Infantis is relatively diverse genetically. Bacteria in the strain are within 82 allele differences of one another by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). This is more genetically diverse than typical multistate foodborne outbreaks, in which bacteria generally fall within 10 allele differences of one another."

What is a persistent strain?

CDC uses “persistent” to describe some strains of bacteria that have caused illness for years. The strains continue to cause illness, even though the number of illnesses they cause might vary over time. The strains are sometimes linked to more than one source, making them harder to control.

Fast Facts
Bacteria Salmonella enterica  Serotype Infantis
Antimicrobial Resistance Profile Multidrug resistant (details below)
Persistent Strain REPJFX01
First Detection June 2012
Illnesses Reported in PulseNet 2,900
Outbreaks Investigated 7
Identified outbreak sources*  

• Raw chicken products (confirmed): 1 outbreak
• Mechanically separated chicken (suspected): 1 outbreak

*Confirmed sources were implicated by epidemiologic plus traceback or laboratory data. Suspected sources were implicated by epidemiologic data only. More info

https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dfwed/outbreak-response/rep-strains/repjfx01.html
Persistent Strain of Salmonella Infantis (REPJFX01) Linked to Chicken
Posted July 21, 2023

REPJFX01

REPJFX01 is a persistent, multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Infantis bacteria that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the United States and globally.

Europe- Salmonella Outbreak Possibly Linked to Cherry Tomatoes

In Europe, from August 2022 to July 2023, there have been 92 cases of Salmonella Senftenberg reported with cases in Austria (5), Belgium (4), Czechia (4), Estonia (1), Finland (12), France (16), Germany (26), Ireland (1), the Netherlands (5), Norway (1), Sweden (11), the United Kingdom (4), and the United States (2).    Investigators believe cherry tomatoes as the source, but this has not been confirmed.

From the EFSA report, "The outbreak strain was detected in France from a mixed salad dish, containing cherry tomatoes and green leafy vegetables, prepared on 17 August 2022 but not served. Tomatoes from the salad in France and tomatoes in Austria were suspected as the vehicle of infections by national authorities and were traced back to wholesalers in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and to growers in the Netherlands, Spain and Morocco. In the absence of microbiological evidence from the tomatoes, the source of the infections could not be established."

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/pub/en-8211
Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg ST14 infections possibly linked to cherry like tomatoes
Published: 27 July 2023
Adopted: 27 July 2023

NY Establishment Recalls Products Produced in "Back Room" (Not-USDA-Inspected) Areas

Kingsland Food Processing Corp., a Maspeth, N.Y. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various frozen meat and poultry products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection (USDA).  The problem was discovered when FSIS inspection personnel observed various meat and poultry products being produced in rooms that are not within the official premises of the establishment and, therefore, were not inspected.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kingsland-food-processing-corp--recalls-various-frozen-meat-and-poultry-products
Kingsland Food Processing Corp. Recalls Various Frozen Meat and Poultry Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2023 – Kingsland Food Processing Corp., a Maspeth, N.Y. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various frozen meat and poultry 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.

Recall of Imported Canned Pork and Beef Stew Products Produced by Ineligible Brazilian Food Company

 E B Express Provisions, a distributor and importer of record located in Newark, N.J. is recalling approximately 622 pounds of the pork and beef bean stew products that were imported from an establishment in Brazil that is not eligible to export meat products to the United States.   The problem was discovered when FSIS conducted recall effectiveness checks for Recall 027-2023 and identified ineligible pork and beef bean stew products from Brazil imported by E B Express Provisions.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/e-b-express-provisions-recalls-ineligible-canned-pork-and-beef-bean-stew-products
E B Express Provisions Recalls Ineligible Canned Pork and Beef Bean Stew Products Imported From Brazil

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2023 – E B Express Provisions, a distributor and importer of record located in Newark, N.J. is recalling approximately 622 pounds of the pork and beef bean stew products that were imported from an establishment in Brazil that is not eligible to export meat products to the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

NY Firm Recalls Mozzarella Sticks for Undeclared Allergens After Ingredient Addition Error

Rich Products of Buffalo, NY is recalling 15 cases of Member’s Mark Breaded Mozzarella Sticks because they may contain undeclared egg and soy.  The recall was initiated after Rich’s discovered that an incorrect raw material was used during the manufacturing process that introduced egg and soy to the product. Egg and soy do not appear in the ingredient listing on the package.

While there is a focus on labeling with regard to Allergen Preventive Controls, this is an example where an argument can be made for instituting an Allergen Preventive Control at the point of formulation.  In this case, you would have monitoring and verification of ingredient addition.  Verified monitoring is an important addition provided by making a processing step a preventive control.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rich-products-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-and-soy-members-marktm-breaded-mozzarella-sticks
Rich Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg and Soy in Member’s Mark™ Breaded Mozzarella Sticks
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 25, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 25, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared egg and soy
Company Name:  Rich Products
Brand Name:  Member’s Mark
Product Description:  Member’s Mark Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Texas Establishment Recalls Pulled Pork Product Due to Undeclared Soy Associated with Use of Soy Lecithin

Nuevo Garcia Foods, LLC, a San Antonio, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 4,784 pounds of pulled pork product due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen.  The product may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  FSIS inspection personnel discovered the problem during routine label verification review and determined that soy lecithin was not listed on the pulled pork product label when it was used prior to the cooking process.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/nuevo-garcia-foods-llc-recalls-fully-cooked-pulled-pork-product-due-misbranding-and
Nuevo Garcia Foods, LLC Recalls Fully Cooked Pulled Pork Product Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 – Nuevo Garcia Foods, LLC, a San Antonio, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 4,784 pounds of pulled pork product due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

NY Cheese Produce Recalls Product After Listeria Positive Environmental Test Results

Cooperstown Cheese Company of Milford, NY, is recalling 1400 pounds of cheese purchased, sold or distributed from June 21, 2023 to July 10, 2023 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Product was distributed in New York State and reached customers through farmers markets, restaurants and retail stores.  The listeria was found through routine environmental testing by the firm and during an FDA inspection.  The company has ceased production as they and FDA continue to investigate the problem.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cooperstown-cheese-company-recalls-products-because-possible-health-risk
Cooperstown Cheese Company Recalls Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary  
Company Announcement Date:  July 21, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 21, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Cooperstown Cheese Company LLC
Brand Name:  Cooperstown Cheese Company
Product Description:  Cheese Products

Article - 2022 Canadian E.coli (STEC) Outbreak Associated with Kimchi

An article in Epidemiology and Infection, a 2021/2022 outbreak of E. coli in kimchi is discussed.  While we would think that the fermented kimchi product would not have issues with enteric pathogens, this case proves otherwise.   The E.coli (STEC) was thought to come in on the Napa cabbage which was grown in Washington state.  The second issue was that E.coli was acid tolerant, allowing it to survive in product down to pH of 4.1.  Generally, low pH and contribution of lactic acid bacterial growth (Lee, 2021) would eventually eliminate pathogens, but in this case, the product was consumed closer to the manufacturing date.

From the article, "Given that kimchi is acidic in nature, typically with a pH less than 4.5 [Reference Kim, Jang, Kim, Lee, Kim, Ryu and Rhee14], it is often assumed to be an unlikely source for foodborne outbreaks. However, the present outbreak, and those noted above from East Asia, have called this assumption into question. Interestingly, pH testing in this outbreak revealed that pH decreased over time throughout the product’s shelf life. With decreased pH thought to reduce pathogenic load, it is notable that cases in this outbreak had consumption dates closer to the beginning of the product’s shelf life, when pH was likely higher, and the product was less acidic. It is also notable that a positive result for STEC O157 in this outbreak was found in a product with a pH result of 4.1, indicating that this strain of STEC O157 may have also been acid-tolerant, surviving exposure to this pH. Research is ongoing to determine if this may have been the case. This outbreak serves as a reminder that kimchi is a potential source of foodborne outbreaks, and that mitigating measures to prevent pathogen introduction and growth should be considered in the manufacturing process."


Epidemiology and Infection
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/fermenting-a-place-in-history-the-first-outbreak-of-escherichia-coli-o157-associated-with-kimchi-in-canada/B8EC9B59037C9506D1EAE19DDD4E9AAC
Fermenting a place in history: The first outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 associated with kimchi in Canada

CA Distributor Recalls Imported Black Melon Seed Due to Undeclared Soy and Wheat

Richin Trading Inc. of Alhambra, CA is recalling its 6 ounce and 12 ounce packages of Tim Heung Yuen brand black melon seed because they may contain undeclared soy and wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the soy and wheat containing product was distributed in packaging that did not state the presence of soy and wheat.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/richin-trading-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-and-wheat-black-melon-seed
Richin Trading Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Black Melon Seed
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  July 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared soy and wheat allergens
Company Name:  Richin Trading Inc.
Brand Name:  Tim Heung Yuen
Product Description:  Black Melon Seed