CDC - Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour - Investigation Notice 3-30-23

CDC and State partners are investigating a Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to raw flour. As of March 30, 2023, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 11 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 6, 2022, to February 13, 2023 (see timeline).

While an exact source is yet to be identified, it is important to follow proper practices when handling raw flour.

• Do not eat raw dough or batter.
• Clean surfaces and utensils that have residual raw flour with warm water or soap.
• Wash hands after handling raw flour, dough, or batter.
• Handle raw flour in a way that prevents it from cross contaminating surfaces that will not be cleaned immediately.
• Store raw flour properly, preventing it from getting over other surfaces or food.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/infantis-03-23/index.html
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 12
Hospitalizations: 3
Deaths: 0
States: 11
Recall: No
Investigation status: Active

FDA Issues Warning Letter to CA Seafood Processor for Salmonella Contamination

FDA issued a Warning Letter to a CA seafood processing operation after an inspection was initiated as part of a multistate foodborne outbreak investigation of Salmonella Litchfield (S. Litchfield) infections linked to seafood, including fresh, raw salmon, supplied by the facility.  "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 39 people from 4 states were infected with the outbreak strain of S. Litchfield. "

"FDA laboratory analyses found the presence of the outbreak strain of S. Litchfield and two additional Salmonella strains, Salmonella Mbandaka (S. Mbandaka) and Salmonella Oranienburg (S. Oranienburg), which are human pathogens, in [the] facility. On October 20, 2022, [the] firm recalled various types of fresh fish processed at [the] facility and distributed between June 14, 2022 and October 17, 2022, because they had the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella. FDA and CDC have determined, based upon the epidemiologic, traceback evidence, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) matches between clinical and FDA environmental samples, that fresh salmon processed at [the]  facility was the likely source of this multistate S. Litchfield outbreak"

Salmonella was found throughout the facility, which indicates poor sanitation among other poor practices.  Even though this is raw fish, Salmonella should not be present.

"Salmonella species are not endemic to seafood; therefore, FDA expects zero or non-detectable levels of Salmonella in seafood regardless of whether it is intended to be cooked before consumption or it is ready-to-eat (RTE). Salmonella in seafood is the result of human or animal fecal contamination of the harvest waters and/or fecal contamination during post-harvest handling and processing. The contamination can also be exacerbated by temperature abuse. Raw RTE seafood must have appropriate controls from harvest to consumption."

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/mariscos-bahia-inc-646401-02072023
WARNING LETTER

Mariscos Bahia, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 646401 — FEBRUARY 07, 2023

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Salad Dressing Bottler After Recall for Mislabeling

FDA issues a Warning Letter to Vanlaw Food Products after their Whole Foods 365 Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing sold in 10 fl. oz. clear glass bottles was mislabeled with the finished product back label having Classic Ranch Dressing and Dip and thus not declaring major food allergens, wheat and soy.
The company had similar recalls.  

• One being on September 19, 2022, where the expanded this recall after being notified by the customer of another lot of 365 Organic Creamy Caesar mislabeled with 365 Organic Classic Ranch Dressing and Dip back panel ingredient labels that do not declare wheat and soy. 
• On April 4, 2022, 365 Organic Creamy Caesar Dressing was recalled because of an incorrect back panel for Whole Foods Market Organic Blue Cheese applied to the product, which did not declare the allergens of wheat and soy

This is a pretty easy problem to fix if utilizing a properly designed Allergen Preventive Control for label application.

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/vanlaw-food-products-inc-641010-01052023

Vanlaw Food Products, Inc
MARCS-CMS 641010 — JANUARY 05, 2023
Recipient:
Mr. Pablo Gallo Llorente
President
Vanlaw Food Products, Inc
1851 North Delilah St.
Corona, CA 93879
United States

CR - 10 Risky Recalled Foods

Consumer Reports lists the 10 Foods Linked to Serious Recalls and Outbreaks and provides an explanation why each ended up there. They also provide some practical handling procedures

1. Leafy Greens
2. Cheeses and Deli Meat
3. Ground Meat 
4. Onions
5. Turkey
6. Chicken
7. Papayas
8. Peaches
9. Cantaloupe
10. Flour

While we can argue about what should be in the Top Ten, the information provided in this report is okay. 

The danger of any list like this is that people will avoid products because it is on 'the list'.   Onions for example...one should not avoid using onions, but follow practical handling procedures.  On the avoidance of pre-cut fruit...certainly if you are extremely risk averse, you would want to avoid pre-but fruit, otherwise, the overall risk is small when purchasing from a reputable producer.

A much better write-up than done in the past by this organization.

10 Risky Recalled Foods You Should Know About - Consumer Reports

Chocolate Bars From Costco Recalled Due to Undeclared Tree Nuts - Cashews

Wellness Natural USA Inc. of Wilmington, DE is voluntarily recalling a single lot of its SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar in the United States, which is sold in a 15-count variety pack that contains two other flavors, because it may contain an undeclared trace of tree nuts (cashews).   The recalled products were distributed in the United States in limited Costco stores in Arkansas, California, Washington DC, Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.  The recall was voluntarily initiated due to a consumer complaint, which is the only reported reaction to date, and a determination that the lot may have the potential to contain trace levels of undeclared cashew. The cause of the contamination is being investigated.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wellness-natural-usa-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-cashews-simplyproteinr-peanut-butter
Wellness Natural USA Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Cashews in SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bars
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 31, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  April 03, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared tree nuts (cashew)
Company Name:  Wellness Natural USA Inc.
Brand Name:  SimplyProtein
Product Description:  Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar

FL Company Recalls Smoked Salmon After State Testing Finds Listeria

Seven Seas International USA, LLC of St. Petersburg, Florida is voluntarily recalling 295 cases of Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon with production lot R4058 because Listeria monocytogenes may be present in some product. The issue was discovered through routine regulatory testing conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  This product was distributed through Publix Supermarket.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seven-seas-international-usa-llc-voluntarily-recalling-biltmore-smoked-sockeye-salmon-because
Seven Seas International USA, LLC is Voluntarily Recalling Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 14, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 31, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Fish
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness/Listeria
Company Name:  Seven Seas International USA, LLC.
Brand Name:  Biltmore
Product Description:  Biltmore Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon
Company Announcement  Date: March 14, 2023

Illinois Food Company Recalls Hamburger Skillet Meal After Mispacking Results in Undeclared Milk

Gilster Mary Lee, an  Illinois food company, is recalling one lot of HyVee Hamburger Chili Macaroni Skillet Meal, UPC 75450-08552 at the consumer level because it may contain undeclared milk.  Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. became aware of the mispackaging after receiving an email from a customer. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gilster-mary-lee-corp-issues-recall-undeclared-milk-allergen-hyvee-hamburger-chili-macaroni-skillet
Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. Issues a Recall for Undeclared Milk Allergen in HyVee Hamburger Chili Macaroni Skillet Meal
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 28, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk Allergen
Company Name:  Gilster-Mary Lee Corp.
Brand Name:  HyVee
Product Description:  Hamburger Chili Macaroni Skillet Meal

CA Distributor Recalls Sauces Due to Undeclared Soy

A California food distributor is recalling imported Worcester Sauce and Chuno Sauce due to undeclared soy on the label. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Soy was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Soy allergen

It seems that the Fermented Seasoning would be the source of the soy.





https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/north-american-food-distributing-company-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-169-fl-oz-kagome
North American Food Distributing Company, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in 16.9 Fl Oz of Kagome Worcester Sauce and 16.9 Fl Oz of Kagome Chuno Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 28, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2023
Product Type: Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy
Company Name:  North American Food Distributing Company, Inc.
Brand Name:  Kagome
Product Description:  Worcester Sauce; Chuno Sauce

FL Company Recalls Dark Chocolate Bites for Undeclared Milk

Salento Organics of West Palm Beach, Florida is recalling its 4 ounce packages of Dark Chocolate Pitaya Bites, Dark Chocolate Goldenberry Bites, Dark Chocolate Mango Bites, Dark Chocolate Banana Bites, Dark Chocolate Pineapple Bites and Dark Chocolate Peanut Bites because they may contain undeclared milk.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the milk-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.  Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/salento-organics-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-dark-chocolate-fruit-and-peanut-bites
Salento Organics Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Dark Chocolate Fruit and Peanut Bites
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  March 29, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  March 29, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages   Snack Food Item
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Milk
Company Name:  Salento Organics
Brand Name:  Salento Organics
Product Description:  Various Dark Chocolate Fruit and Peanut Bites

Seafood Related Toxins and Scombrotoxin - US Cases

FDA released its updated table on Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses. The table shows "natural toxin illness and outbreak incidents that are no longer active. These incidents have been reported to and managed by the FDA."

What a great opportunity to review these toxins and introduce a new one (at least for me) Haff disease.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP)

• Commonly related to the consumption of subtropical and tropical reef fish which can accumulate naturally occurring ciguatoxins through their diet  Fish can include - barracuda; grouper; snapper; jacks and trevally; wrasse; mackerel; tang; moray eels; and parrotfish
• The onset of symptoms typically occurs within 6 hours after consuming toxic fish and may persist from several days to weeks. In severe cases, some neurological symptoms may persist for months and can recur for years.
• The neurological symptoms are what sets this apart as foodborne illness - Numbness and tingling of the lips and extremities; Itching of the hands and feet; Joint pain; Muscle pain; Muscle weakness; 
• Reversal and sensitivity to temperature; Dizziness; and Vertigo;

Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning (SFP)

• Caused by histamine formation as a result of time and temperature abuse such as improper storage/refrigeration of certain types of fish can cause consumer illness. 
• Primarily associated with the consumption of tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, and bluefish, among other species when those species have been temperature abused somewhere in the supply chain (from the point of catch to the point of cooking.
• Symptoms usually occur within a few minutes to a few hours of consumption and last from 12 hours to a few days. Symptoms of SFP include: Tingling or burning in or around the mouth or throat; Rash or hives on the upper body; Drop in blood pressure; Headache; Dizziness; Itching of the skin; Nausea; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Asthmatic-like constriction of the air passage; Heart palpitations; and Respiratory distress  (basically a allergic-type response)

Puffer Fish Poisoning (PFP)

• Caused by naturally occurring tetrodotoxin is associated with the consumption of puffer fish from waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Regions, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California, and specific areas on the Atlantic coast of Florida
• Symptoms usually develop within 3 hours after consumption of contaminated fish and may last from 24 – 48 hours. Death commonly occurs due to muscle paralysis resulting in respiratory failure when ventilatory support is not accessible.

Seafood-associated Rhabdomyolysis or Haff disease  (HAFF)

• Linked to the consumption of buffalo fish in the United States although other fish species such as burbot, crayfish, eel, pike and salmon have been associated with the disease worldwide.  Buffalo fish are these carp like fish that can be easily confused with carp.
• Results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis), with a risk of acute kidney failure that develops within 24 hours after consuming certain fish. Initial symptoms include muscle tenderness and weakness, sometimes with tea-colored urine.
• It is suspected that it is  caused by a bioaccumulation of a new, heat-stable freshwater and/or brackish/saltwater algal toxin, similar to palytoxin but primarily myotoxic and not neurotoxic.

Table continues - How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses | FDA