Unfortunate Disconnect Between Supplier and Retailer Leads to Death Due to Undeclared Peanuts

Tragic stories bring home the importance of preventing simple errors such as getting proper labels on packages.  In a most recent case, a 25 year old world-class dancer "tragically lost her life due to anaphylactic shock resulting from a severe allergic reaction to a cookie manufactured by Cookies United and sold by the supermarket chain Stew Leonard's. The FDA and Stew Leonard's issued a recall of the Vanilla Florentine Cookies that were sold at Stew Leonard's in Danbury and Newington, CT from November 6 – December 31, 2023.  The cookie contained peanuts which were not listed as part of the ingredients."

Unfortunately for Steward Leonards, they were made aware of the inclusion of peanuts earlier in the year, but failed to update their label.  From Cookies United Press Release "Stew Leonard’s claimed in an earlier press release that “The cookies contain peanuts, which was an ingredient not disclosed to Stew Leonard’s by the manufacturer.” [bold is ours]  Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonard’s was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly.  This product is sold under the Stew Leonard’s brand and repackaged at their facilities.  The incorrect label was created by, and applied to, their product by Stew Leonard’s."

A very unfortunate disconnect between the supplier and the retailer.

Update on Lead Contamination in Applesauce Pouches (1/30/24)

FDA and CDC provided updates (1/30/24 and 1/26/24 respectfully) on the lead contamination issue in apple cinnamon fruit pouches.  CDC has received reports of 98 confirmed cases, 269 probable cases, and 37 suspected cases for a total of 404 cases from 43 different states through their reporting structure.  (FDA is reporting 90 reported cases).  This number of reported cases is up 88 cases from the Jan 5, 2024 update.

"FDA has no indication that this issue extends beyond these recalled products and does not have any confirmed reports of illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon.  As of January 29, 2024, FDA has not received any additional confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled product."

FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses


https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Investigation of Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023)
Current Update
January 30, 2024

FDA has no indication that this issue extends beyond these recalled products and does not have any confirmed reports of illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon.

Favorite Research Paper Award Discusses Salmonella and Wild Birds

What is your favorite clinical microbiology research paper form 2023? Not a question I have ever been asked or even thought about. Favorite movie or favorite restaurant visit, sure, but can't say I have a favorite clinical microbiology paper. Well some microbiology geeks picked a paper authored by one of our favorite Penn State microbiology geeks, Dr. Ed Dudley's research paper as their favorite paper. Awesome. Congrats to him and his collaborators. And to the editors point, it has a lot going for it ....Salmonella, wild birds, evolution, and One Health.  We can think about this as it relates to food in that wild birds are a source of Salmonella within the food supply chain.

The selection by Editors in Conversation, Journal of Clinical Microbiology
https://lnkd.in/eHd4hZwz

Starting around minute 39
So what is this paper...

Whole-Genome Subtyping Reveals Population Structure and Host Adaptation of Salmonella Typhimurium from Wild Birds
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jcm.01847-22

ABSTRACT

Within-host evolution of bacterial pathogens can lead to host-associated variants of the same species or serovar. Identification and characterization of closely related variants from diverse host species are crucial to public health and host-pathogen adaptation research. However, the work remained largely underexplored at a strain level until the advent of whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Here, we performed WGS-based subtyping and analyses of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (n = 787) from different wild birds across 18 countries over a 75-year period. We revealed seven avian host-associated S. Typhimurium variants/lineages. These lineages emerged globally over short timescales and presented genetic features distinct from S. Typhimurium lineages circulating among humans and domestic animals. We further showed that, in terms of virulence, host adaptation of these variants was driven by genome degradation. Our results provide a snapshot of the population structure and genetic diversity of S. Typhimurium within avian hosts. We also demonstrate the value of WGS-based subtyping and analyses in unravelling closely related variants at the strain level.

An selected items from the paper as it impacts food.

"As indicated in this study, wild animals such as wild birds represent remarkable but less studied reservoirs for emerging variants of bacterial pathogens. Epidemiologic studies have also revealed a correlation between some human and avian salmonellosis outbreaks, suggesting transmission of bacterial pathogens between wild birds and humans (55–59). Although such transmission is rare relative to transmission between humans and humans or between humans and domestic animals (72, 73), they can still have a substantial impact on global health as avian hosts are highly mobile and possibly carry and spread bacterial pathogens over large distances (44, 45). In a One Health framework, current surveillance of bacterial pathogens needs to be focused not only on clinical isolates or isolates from domestic animals but also on those originating from wild animals."

CDC - Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Cantaloupes is Over, 407 Reported Cases

CDC released notice that the 2023 Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes is over.  Cases were first identified in October 2023, with recalls being issued in November, 2023 by SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC, of Nogales, Arizona which does business under the name “Trufresh”.

FDA testing did link the company to the outbreak, but little additional information from the investigation was found.





https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes
January 19, 2024
This outbreak is over

Fast Facts
Illnesses: 407
Hospitalizations: 158
Deaths: 6
States: 44
Recall: Yes

PA Distributor Recalls Dried Mango for Undeclared Sulfites

TRUONG GIANG DISTRIBUTOR CORP of Philadelphia, PA is recalling Golden Owl Dried Mango, because it may contain undeclared sulfites.   The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets found sulfites in the product which was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sulfites. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the supplier’s labeling processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/truong-giang-distributor-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sulfites-dried-mango
Truong Giang Distributor Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Dried Mango
Summary
Company Announcement Date: January 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 29, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sulfites.
Company Name:  TRUONG GIANG DISTRIBUTOR CORP
Brand Name:  Golden Owl
Product Description:  Dried mango

Can Kiwifruit Improve Your Mood?

Can Kiwifruit improve your mood?  "In a study, published in The British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found the furry fruit improved vitality and mood in as little as four days."  Just two kiwifruit per day was better than the vitamin C placebo. 

"Vitamin C intake has been associated with improved mood, vitality, well-being, and lower depression, while vitamin C deficiency is associated with higher depression and cognitive impairment.  Participants took daily either a vitamin C supplement, placebo, or two kiwifruit. They then reported their vitality, mood, flourishing, sleep quality, sleep quantity, and physical activity using smartphone surveys.  The researchers found kiwifruit supplementation improved vitality and mood within four days, peaking around 14–16 days, and improved flourishing from day 14. Vitamin C, on the other hand, marginally improved mood until day 12."

This research was funded by the University of Otago [New Zealand University] and Zespri International [a kiwifruit grower cooperative].

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/furry-fruit-improves-mental-health-fast
Furry fruit improves mental health – fast
25 January 2024

Kiwifruit has proven itself as a powerful mood booster and new research from the University of Otago has shown just how fast its effects can be.

France - Gourmet Christmas Party Source for 700 Cases of Norovirus Infection

Many of us do not get the opportunity to attend those fancy company Holiday parties where gourmet food is served.  Well, here is one party you should be happy you were left off the invite list.  In France, Airbus held a Christmas party for its employees where 700 of them came down with Norovirus infection

"Jean-Claude Iribarren, the secretary of the Airbus Atlantic works committee, told the paper the food had been prepared by the company’s canteen. “As we do every year, we organised a Christmas dinner for 2,600 people with a lot of local suppliers,” he said."

Unfortunately, for 700 of them, they became sick with vomiting and diarrhea. "The affected workers showed “clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhoea” after the seasonal dinner on 14 December. Most fell ill within 24 to 48 hours after the meal.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/23/airbus-atlantic-staff-christmas-dinner-gastroenteritis-outbreak
‘Worse than giving birth’: 700 fall sick after Airbus staff Christmas dinner

French health authorities investigating mass gastroenteritis outbreak after company restaurant served foie gras and lobster

Potato Chip Manufacturer Recalls Mis-bagged Chips Resulting in Allergen Recall

Utz Quality Foods, LLC., is issuing a voluntary recall for 88 cases of Utz® 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall was initiated after Utz learned that approximately 1200 single-serve bags contained Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips flavored with seasoning instead of plain Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips.  The items subject to this voluntary recall were distributed to retail outlets only in New York State and primarily within New York City

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/utz-quality-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-utzr-wavy-original-potato-chips-metro-new
Utz Quality Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips in Metro New York Area
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 25, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 26, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name:  UTZ Quality Foods
Brand Name:  UTZ
Product Description:  Utz 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips

Company Announcement

HANOVER, PA. (BUSINESS WIRE) – Utz Quality Foods, LLC., is issuing a voluntary recall for 88 cases of Utz® 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips due to an undeclared milk allergen. This recall was initiated after Utz learned that approximately 1200 single-serve bags contained Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips flavored with seasoning instead of plain Utz® Wavy Original Potato Chips. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may run the risk of an allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Oregon Firm Recalls Yogurt Yogurt Product for Undeclared Allergens

Al Amir Fresh Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon is recalling Al Amir brand hummus dip products due to undeclared sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt due to undeclared milk.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Al Amir hummus labels declare tahini but do not declare sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt label declares sour cream & yogurt but does not declare milk. 

I guess the company never got the memo that allergen labeling was required on food products.

htps://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/al-amir-fresh-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-hummus-dip-products-and-undeclared-milk
Al Amir Fresh Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Hummus Dip Products and Undeclared Milk in Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 19, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 20, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Sesame & Milk
Company Name:  Al Amir Fresh Foods
Brand Name:  Al Amir Fresh Foods
Product Description:  Hummus Dip & Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt