CDC Report - Diseases Transmitted by Ticks and Mosquitoes on the Rise

In a recent article in MMWR on tick, flea and mosquito transmitted diseases from bacteria, viruses and parasites,  CDC reports an increasing number of cases in the years analyzed, 2014 to 2016.  These are categorized as vectorborne diseases.  Vectors are blood-feeding insects and ticks capable of transmitting pathogens between hosts.  From the report:

• Nearly 650,000 cases of vectorborne disease were reported during 2004–2016 
• There were 16 diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas were reported 
• Ticks - Tickborne diseases more than doubled in 13 years and were 77% of all vectorborne disease reports. Lyme disease accounted for 82% of all tickborne cases, but spotted fever rickettsioses, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis/ehrlichiosis cases also increased. 
• Mosquitoes - West Nile Virus (WNV) was the most commonly transmitted mosquitoborne disease in the continental United States. Its most notable epidemic during 2004–2016 occurred in 2012, especially in Texas. [Overall however, the cases of WNV have remained steady.]  Epidemics of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses were mostly confined to the U.S. territories
• Fleas - the plague, average about 7 cases per year.
• The data indicates persistent, locality-specific risks and a rising threat from emerging vectorborne diseases

As the NY Times article on the report states, "Farewell, carefree days of summer."

So you may be thinking....what about drinking alcohol, perhaps that will ward off bloodsuckers.  Unfortunately, alcohol may be an attractant for bloodsuckers.  In a study in the Journal of  the American Mosquito Control Association - "Our study demonstrated that percent mosquito landing on volunteers significantly increased after beer ingestion compared with before ingestion, showing clearly that drinking alcohol stimulates mosquito attraction. However, ethanol content in sweat and skin temperature did not show any correlation between alcohol ingestion and mosquito landings."

CDC MMWR
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6717e1.htm?s_cid=mm6717e1_e
Vital Signs: Trends in Reported Vectorborne Disease Cases — United States and Territories, 2004–2016

FDA Issues Warning Letters on Sale of E-cigarette Liquids Made to Look Like Candy

FDA issued warning letters against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who are selling e-cigarette liquid that was made to look like candy products.  According to the report, "This use by children and teens is especially concerning to the FDA because of evidence that youth exposure to nicotine affects the developing brain and may rewire it to be more susceptible to nicotine addiction in the future."

So one wonders whether manufacturers make this product attractive to kids because it looks 'fun', or is it more attractive to teens because it is easier for them to carry in public without detection.  A teen has to have the a vap pen before they can buy the liquid.

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm605507.htm
FDA, FTC take action against companies misleading kids with e-liquids that resemble children’s juice boxes, candies and cookies
Warning letters are part of joint effort to protect youth from dangers of nicotine and tobacco products and part of FDA’s new Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2018

E. coli Outbreak in Romaine - 121 Now Ill, One Farm Identified for Alaska Cases, but FDA Still Investigating Entire Distribution Chain

There are now 121 cases of E. coli infection from romaine lettuce with 52 hospitalizations and one death. Cases have occurred in 25 different state throughout the country.

FDA has identified one farm linked to whole head romaine lettuce involved with cases in Alaska, but have not yet identified where the contamination occurred. "The FDA has identified one farm as the source of the whole-head romaine lettuce that sickened several people at a correctional facility in Alaska. However, the agency has not determined where in the supply chain the contamination occurred. The agency is examining all possibilities, including that contamination may have occurred at any point along the growing, harvesting, packaging, and distribution chain before reaching the Alaska correctional facility where it was served." The farm was identified as Harrison Farms of Yuma AZ.

FDA further states that harvesting of romaine lettuce from Yuma is done and product would not be past its shelf-life. "All of the lettuce in question from this farm was harvested during March 5-16 and is past its 21-day shelf life. Because the growing season in the Yuma region is at its end, the farm is not growing any lettuce at this time."

CDC Outbreak Update
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
Posted May 2, 2018 2:30 PM EST

At A Glance
Case Count: 121   (https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/epi.html)
States: 25    (https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/map.html)
Deaths: 1
Hospitalizations: 52
Recall: No

CA Health Warns Consumers about Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Canadian Raw Oysters

There is an ongoing norovirus outbreak associated with raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada. "In California, as of April 27, approximately 100 individuals have reported illness after they consumed raw British Columbian oysters sold by restaurants and retailers throughout the state. 

California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR18-027.aspx
CDPH Warns Californians about the Risk of Norovirus Infections from Raw British Columbian Oysters
Date: May 1, 2018
Number: 18-027

Jars of Dried Beef Recalled Due to Processing Deviation

A Fort Madison, Iowa establishment, is recalling approximately 32,479 pounds of heat-treated, shelf stable beef products due to a possible processing deviation that may have led to staphylococcal enterotoxin and clostridial toxin contamination.   Products include 2.25 oz.  and 4.5oz glass jars containing ARMOUR GROUND & FORMED SLICED Dried Beef.  The problem was discovered during a USDA food safety assessment at the establishment, but the specific issue was not provided.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-034-2018-release
Pinnacle Foods Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Processing Deviation 
Class I Recall 
034-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Apr 28, 2018 

Cold Smoked Salmon Recalled for Clostridium botulinum Concern Due to Insufficient Salt Concentration

Seabear Company of Anacortes, Washington is  recalling 1,225/ 3 oz. units of Cold Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Lox, Gerard & Dominique Seafoods brand because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.  "The recall was initiated because the product's water phase salt testing below 3.5%. Labeling instructions state to freeze or refrigerate, once thawed they can be kept unopened in the fridge for up to 30 days. Because the water phase salt is under 3.5% the product must remain frozen until ready to consume. Keeping in the refrigerator after thawing in a reduced oxygen package has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum."

The FDA Seafood Guidance Chapter 13 document provides information on this detailing a critical limit of 3.5.   Applicable sections below:

ERS Publishes Report on Recall Trends from 2004 to 2014

The USDA Economic Resource Service published their report, Trends in Food Recalls 2004-13,that summarizes the reasons for recalls from 2004 to 2013.

A few of the conclusions:

The number of food recalls has increased each year.  While the risk of food has [most probably] NOT increased, the number of recalls has increased, according to the report, due to:

• An increasingly complex food supply system
• Technology improvements in health risk detection,
• Increased regulatory oversight and enforcement, and the passing of two major food policy laws (FALCPA and FSMA)

       But these also need to be considered as primary drivers for increased recalls:

• Increased testing by companies 
• Increased testing by state laboratories (this may be considered part of increased regulatory oversight]
• A lower tolerance for issues by consumers  - primarily foreign materials
• The increased willingness of companies to recall food if an ingredient was recalled, even though that company's process would have eliminated the hazard

"The second major insight from the analysis is the significant increase in the number of recalls due to undeclared allergens. From 2004 through 2013, undeclared allergens were a leading cause of food recalls, accounting for 27.4 percent of all recall events."

There is a lot of information in the report, but I find that summaries are not as useful as the more detailed information for the particular industries.  These tables showing total number for the decade may be misleading because so much has changed during that time, and continues to change after that time. 

Meth in a Mango Shipment - Was That Listed in the Hazard Analysis?

US Customs confiscated 270 of meth from a tractor trailer loaded with mangoes that were crossing into the US.  Hopefully don't get to a point when we need to consider illicit chemicals such as meth in our incoming produce shipment,  but it does make you wonder about the impact of some of that substance leaking out onto the produce.

The Produce News

http://theproducenews.com/the-produce-news-today-s-headlines/23973-800k-of-meth-in-mango-shipment

$800K of meth in mango shipment 

April 27, 2018

This Week in Mislabeled Product - Week ending 4/27/18

Incorrect Formula Results in Egg Missing from Label - A Houston, TX, nutrition company is recalling specific lots of its "LeanPro8" Protein Powder because they may contain undeclared egg protein. The recall was initiated after it was discovered during a state inspection that the egg-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an incorrect version of the formula being used during production. [Processing error - mismatch between formula and label]

State Laboratory Finds Peanut Allergen in Product - Ethnic Foods Inc. of 76 South Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050, is recalling its 19 ounce package of Bhavnagri Mix snack mix because they may contain undeclared peanuts. "The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food laboratory personnel revealed that the peanut-containing product was distributed in packages that did not reveal the presence of peanuts."

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm605564.htm
Labrada Nutrition Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in "Leanpro8" Protein Powder
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2018