Did Salmonella Cause the Collapse of the Aztec Empire?

An interesting read for the foodborne illness historians in Nature - Collapse of Aztec society linked to catastrophic salmonella outbreak.  Europeans brought many diseases to the New World including bubonic plague, chicken pox, pneumonic plague, cholera, diphtheria, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, smallpox, typhus, tuberculosis, and whooping cough.  This study which looked at  DNA of the stomach bacterium from burials in Mexico and discovered Salmonella Paratyphi C which causes a typhoid-like illness.  I think it is important to point out that the method will not pick up viruses (smallpox, influenza,and measles),   Is it likely that it was just one of a number diseases brought from Europe?


Nature
http://www.nature.com/news/collapse-of-aztec-society-linked-to-catastrophic-salmonella-outbreak-1.21485

Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature Collapse of Aztec society linked to catastrophic salmonella outbreak, copyright 2017
Collapse of Aztec society linked to catastrophic salmonella outbreak
DNA of 500-year-old bacteria is first direct evidence of an epidemic — one of humanity's deadliest — that occurred after Spanish conquest.
Ewen Callaway
16 February 2017

Spiral-Cut Vegetable Product Recalled After Sample Tests Positive for Listeria

A Texas firm is recalling Butternut Spirals (a vegetable noodle) after testing found that a sample was positive for Listeria.  This product was distributed through Whole Foods in 9 different states.

Basically, this product is just vegetables that are shredded into noodles.  The label indicates that it could be cooked, but also can be eater raw.  It is sold as a refrigerated item with an stated Enjoy By date listed, and in this case, February 23rd.  So one would guess that the shelf-life to be at least 10 days, but probably longer because of wide distribution.

This is an excellent of example of a Listeria prone product...refrigerated, ready-to-eat, long distribution chain, vegetables with neutral pH,  no preservatives. and finely cut (so equipment that is more difficult to clean along with more surface areas on the product). 

While this is the only lot currently being recalled, there may be a good chance that additional production lots will be recalled.  Of course it may not be the case if a point source of contamination can be identified that would limit contamination to this one day.

Here is the company website http://veggienoodleco.com/.   Organic.  Fresh.  Some cool dude.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm541997.htm
Veggie Noodle Co. Recalls Butternut Spirals Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 15, 2017

More Cheese Products Recalled Due to Supplier of Colby Cheese Recall

Two firms are calling cheese-stuffed mushroom products for the potential to be contaminated by Listeria.  All traces back to the recall by the Indiana supplier, Deutsch Kase Haus, after their Colby cheese product was found to be positive for Listeria.


FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm541436.htm
Country Fresh Recalls Various Cooking And Snacking Products Due To Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2017

FDA Updated Testing on Cucumbers and Hot Peppers Indicates Risk of Salmonella Contamination

FDA published an update of their cucumber and hot pepper testing.  "FDA has tested 1,328 cucumber samples (352 domestic, 976 imports), and 1,387 hot pepper samples (287 domestic, 1,100 imports). Of the cucumber samples, 27 tested positive for Salmonella (11 domestic, 16 imports), while the rest tested negative for the targeted pathogens. Of the hot pepper samples, 42 tested positive for Salmonella (1 domestic, 41 imports), and 1 tested positive for a strain of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli "
                                                       Salmonella
Cucumbers             Sampled          Positive               Percent Pos

Total                        1,328                    27                   2.03

Domestic                    352                    11                   3.12

Imported                     976                    16                   1.64

Peppers

Total                        1.387                    42                   3.03

Domestic                    287                     1                    0.35

Imported                  1,100                    41                   3.73

These numbers show that cucumbers and peppers are subject to contamination.  Grown at ground level, it is easy for these items to become contaminated, and that contamination can spread through post-harvest procedures.

For consumers, this is a reminder that it is important to wash these items, especially if they are going to be eaten raw.

FDA Constituent Update
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm529552.htm
FDA Shares Data from Ongoing Sampling Program
Constituent Update
What’s New
February 13, 2017

Canadian Firm Expands Recall of Baby Food After Reported Illness

A Canadian firm is expanding its recall of baby food.  The initial recall posted on February 3, 2017 for one product type.  Since that time, there have been reported illness(es), so the company has expanded the recall.  According to the news release, the issue was a " manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers".   As an example of what could have happened, the acid component was over diluted with water and then when added, there was insufficient acid to lower pH to a safe range.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) News Release
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2017-02-08/eng/1486618317290/1486618321366
Updated Food Recall Warning - PC Organics brand baby food pouches recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria

Recall date:February 8, 2017 

Reason for recall:Microbiological - Clostridium botulinum 

Hazard classification: Class 1 

Company / Firm:Loblaw Companies 

Limited Distribution:National Extent of the distribution:

Retail Reference number:11182

Chicken and Pork Salad Products Recalled Due to Potentially Listeria Contaminated Cheese Ingredient

Taylor Farms is recalling its Chicken and Pork Salad products after they were notified by the supplier of the cheese ingredients, Sargento, that the cheese has the potential to have Listeria contamination. This recall is part of the Colby Cheese recall which originated with the recall by the supplier of Colby cheese to Sargento.

USDA News Release
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/recall-012-2017-release
Taylor Farms Recalls Chicken and Pork Salad Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 012-2017
Health Risk: High
Feb 11, 2017

Sargento, Mijer and Sara Lee Recall Colby Cheese Products After Supplier Discovers Listeria Contamination Issue

Sargento, Meijer and Sara Lee are recalling their branded Colby cheese products after their Indiana-based supplier of  Colby, Deutsch Kase Haus, notified them of a potential Listeria contamination issue. There have not been any reported illnesses.

The recall began when the Tennessee Department of Agriculture sampled one of brands where the source was from Deutsch Kase Haus, but went through a middleman packaging operation,  MDS Food manufacturing facility in Tennessee.  It will be interesting to see if this contamination originated at teh MDS facility.  At the least, this MDS facility would need to worry about the fact that cross contamination could be an issue in that facility.  And while they recalled the Colby cheese product produced on the same line, to what degree do they need to worry about other cheese packed in that facility.

In general, the more post-process handling and processing that occurs,such as wtih slicing and packaging, the more opportunity there is for Listeria contamination.

Indianapolis Star

http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2017/02/10/sargento-recalls-cheese-indiana-based-supplier/97769292/
Sargento, Meijer recall cheese from Indiana-based manufacturer
Holly V. Hays , holly.hays@indystar.com Published 8:35 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2017 | Updated 6:57 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2017

Pork BBQ Prepared by Volunteer is the Source of Staph Enterotoxin at Florida Science Fair

In Florida, a college sponsored science fair was the site of a foodborne illness outbreak with 32 reported cases of Staphylococcus aureus intoxication. Most of the cases were children. The source of the contamination was pork BBQ which was made by a volunteer.

Probably in this case, one could see the pork BBQ being prepared the day before, partially cooled, pulled, and then cooled and stored. A few factors that could be problematic if not done properly: 1) not cooling product temperature down to refrigeration temperature within the recommended amount of time, 2) not storing the product at refrigeration temperature, some time between after it was cooked and when it was served at the event and 3) pulling the meat in unsanitary fashion such as not using gloves. The cooling could be made difficult if the amount of product is large, going beyond the capacity of the volunteer's system. Contamination of the meat after cooking could come from a number of sources, but one concern would be from the volunteers themselves, especially if they were not using gloves.

This is a reminder of the need for volunteer food safety training. Preparing and handling large quantities of food can be difficult especially for the size of this event.   

As for organizations sponsoring these types of events, in the case a college in Florida, they need to have rules in place for how food can be sourced.

News 4 Jax
http://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/columbia-county/lake-city/cause-of-science-fair-food-poisining-uncovered-it-was-the-pork
Cause of science fair food poisoning uncovered; it was the pork
Nearly 30 minors, some adults taken to hospital
By Scott Johnson - Reporter , News4Jax.com Staff
Posted: 11:29 AM, February 09, 2017Updated: 11:29 AM, February 09, 2017

NC Firm Expands Recall of Spreads Potentially Contaminated with Listeria

A North Carolina company is expanding its recall of spreads due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  Ruth's Salad posted the initial recall on February 2nd for 5 lots of product after NC Department of Agriculture sampled and found Listeria in one lot of product.  But like many other Listeria related recalls, there is good chance of expansion, primarily when the company discovers they may not have as good control as the thought (or they never knew).

Listeria monocytogenes is an environmental pathogen.  It can become persistent if it finds niches that are not adequately cleaned and sanitized.  These niches can be on equipment, or can be on floors, drains, etc.  It moves throughout the facility via a number of vectors including water, personnel, and movable equipment.  

Finding it in a product means the facility either had an ingredient with the organism (where that ingredient was added with no further kill step such as heating) or the organism made its way to a product contact area (located downstream from a kill step) such as piping, filling equipment, etc.. Recently, we saw where an ingredient supplier had an issue in their facility (cookie dough).  But in many of these cases where product is positive, it is within the facility's own environment.  In these cases, and especially when the facility does not have an active Listeria control program, it is hard to know the extent of the risk, and with that, are forced to expand the recall.

FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm540897.htm
Ruth’s Salad Charlotte NC Expands Recall of Ruth’s Salads Pimento Spreads due to Possible Health Risk. May Contain Listeria monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
February 9, 2017