Food Safety News

The Food and Drug Administration continues using import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.

Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed below. 

Click here to go to the FDA page with links to details on specific alerts.

Click on table to enlarge. Use link above to go to the FDA page with links to specific alerts.

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The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat multiple varieties of Shamshad Food’s jarred food items because they were produced outside of the department’s Cannery Program oversight, making them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum. 

Ingestion of botulism toxin from improperly processed jarred and canned foods may lead to quick serious illness and death.

The following varieties of Shemshad Food jarred products should not be consumed:

• Litteh Pickle
• Pickled Diced Vegetables (all lot codes except SD31123125)
• Pickled Eggplants (all lot codes)
• Pickled Garlic (all lot codes except SG31223125)
• Pickled HaftBijar (all lot codes)

The food products were sold at grocery stores in southern California including Woodland Hills Market in Woodland Hills, Q Market in Van Nuys, and Wholesome Choice Market in Irvine. Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the health department toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.

The department issued a Notice of Violation to Shemshad in January 2024 and the result of the ongoing investigation may subject the firm to further action up to and including license revocation.

At this time, Shemshad, based in Los Angeles, is voluntarily recalling its Litteh Pickle and Pickeled Diced Vegetables, Eggplant, Garlic, and HaftBijar products. These products are under the Shemshad brand name in 16 ounce glass jars with screw-on metal lids. Click here to view photographs.

Botulism toxin is odorless and colorless, so consumers will be unable to determine if their product is affected. Consumers who have any of this product or any foods made with this product should discard them immediately. Double bag the jars in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Consumers should wear rubber or latex gloves if possible, when handling these products or wash your hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes after handling any food or containers that may be contaminated.

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The initial symptoms frequently experienced are double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and dry or sore throat. Progressive descending paralysis, usually symmetrical, may follow. Additional symptoms may include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, inability of the neck muscles to support the head, paralysis of the extremities and respiratory muscles may occur. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, have a weak cry, and poor muscle tone. 

The health department recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming these products should immediately consult their health care provider or go to an emergency room. 

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The FDA and CDC continue investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to unpasteurized, raw milk cheese from RAW FARM LLC, formerly known as Organic Pasteurs.

As this investigation continues, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to recommend that people not eat, sell, or serve RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC, of Fresno, CA. It is against federal law to sell unpasteurized milk across state lines, but that prohibition does not apply to cheese. 

State and local public health officials have interviewed outbreak patients about the foods they ate the week before they became sick. Seven of the nine patients interviewed so far reported eating RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese, which continues to show the cheese is the likely source of this outbreak, according to a Feb. 28 outbreak update from the FDA. 

As of Feb. 28, 11 confirmed patients have been reported from five states: California with 4, Colorado with 3, New Jersey with 1, Texas with 1, and Utah with 2. 

Whole genome sequencing analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that people in this outbreak likely share a common source of infection. Five patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

Health officials in Colorado, California, and Utah have collected various RAW FARM-brand products for testing, including Raw Milk, Butter, Cheddar cheese, and Kefir. So far, no product samples have detected E. coli. While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM LLC is the likely source of this outbreak. Additional testing is ongoing.   

In response to this investigation, on Feb. 16, RAW FARM LLC initiated a recall of lots of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese currently within shelf life. On Feb. 26, the company withdrew its recall even though epidemiologic evidence shows the cheese was the likely cause of the outbreak.

Previous outbreaks and recalls related to unpasteurized dairy products sold by RAW FARM, formerly known as Organic Pasteurs, include:

RAW FARM LLC recalls and outbreaks
May 2023 Campylobacter Raw Milk Recall
August 2023 Salmonella Cheese Recall 
 October 2023 Salmonella Raw Milk Outbreak
San Diego County—12 illnesses 
Orange County—7 illnesses 

Organic Pastures Dairy Company recalls and outbreaks:
September 2006 Raw Milk E.coli Outbreak: 6 ill/2 HUS 
September 2007 Raw Cream Listeria Recall
December 2007 Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak: 8 ill 
September 2008 Raw Cream Campylobacter Recall
November 2011 Raw Milk E.coli Outbreak: 5 ill/3 HUS 
May 2012 Campylobacter Raw Milk/Cream Outbreak: 10 ill, reported illnesses from Jan. thru April
October 2015 Campylobacter Raw Milk Recall
January 2016 E.coli Raw Milk Outbreak: 9 ill/2 HUS

Court action related to Organic Pasteurs

This past summer, U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston for Eastern California signed a Consent Decree agreed upon by attorneys for the United States and Organic Pastures and owner Mark McAfee.

It continues a 15-year-old jurisdiction of the Eastern District Court over a civil matter involving the concern over RAW FARM LLC, Organic Pasture’s new legal name.

In March 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice raised possible civil contempt allegations against RAW FARM, Mark McAfee, and Arron McAfee. An evidentiary hearing on that issue was set for Aug. 9, 2023, but was canceled by the Consent Decree.

That means the court’s jurisdiction continues over the dairy operation and its owners, and an April 2010 Order remains in effect for all the directors, officers, agents, representatives, attorneys, and others involved.

The RAW FARM defendants, after 60 months, can petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for “relief  from this Decree.”  In the meantime, they must “abide by the decisions of the FDA.”

Under the agreement, the FDA gets the power to inspect without prior notice. The Decree spells out specific requirements for audits and labeling that must be followed. It includes hiring an independent “labeling expert.”

The Department of Justice reopened a 2008 litigation last in March 2023, claiming Organic Pastures, known now as RAW FARM LLC, was violating an April 2010 Permanent Injunction, which imposed restrictions from distributing in interstate commerce unapproved drugs, misbranded food and raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption.

The production and sale of raw milk by Organic Pastures within California, where it is legal, was not impacted by the April 2010 order. It’s estimated that the dairy operation has 60,000  retail customers of raw milk in the Golden State.

In re-opening the case, DOJ said a raw cheese claiming it can cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent human disease, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and viral infections, violates the April 2010 order.  

The Court previously agreed with the DOJ that RAW FARM and the McAfee parties violated the Permanent Injunction Order issued on April 20, 2010.  Before any new testimony was taken, the Defendants agreed to the Consent Decree.

The government also takes issue with RAW FARM’s claim that its raw milk, labeled as “pet food,” is safe for human consumption.

“Organic Pastures and its principals, Mark and Aaron McAfee, have thus continued their pattern of distributing their products in interstate commerce with unproven claims about the ‘wonders’ of raw milk and its associated products,” said the DOJ petition.

In that March 2023 petition, the government wanted to hold  RAW FARM/Organic Pastures and McAfee in contempt with contempt sanctions.

While the 2008 civil case was pending, Organic Pastures, 15 years ago, also faced similar charges in a criminal action involving similar conduct. The criminal matter concluded in settlement by plea agreement on Dec. 22, 2008, and was approved by Magistrate Judge Sandra M. Snyder on Jan. 9, 2009. 

 Under the plea agreement, Organic Pastures pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor introduction and delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded food. McAfee entered into a deferred prosecution agreement whereby he agreed to the filing of a two-count information charging him and Organic Pastures with the same violations. 

In these agreements, both defendants admitted that: (1) on two separate occasions, “one or more of defendant Organic Pastures’ agents or employees, with the knowledge and consent of Organic Pastures, caused [a] box of raw milk and dairy products, labeled as or otherwise represented to be ‘pet food,’ to be sent by defendant Organic Pastures” into interstate commerce, “knowing that the intended use of such foods and/or dietary supplements was for human consumption;” and (2) Organic Pastures’ raw milk and raw milk products “were foods and/or dietary supplements, and were misbranded when so introduced into or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, in that they were falsely and misleadingly labeled as, or otherwise represented.

In the April 2010 order, Organic  Pastures and McAfee acknowledged violating federal food safety law by introducing and/or distributing raw milk into interstate commerce in 2007. They also conceded that they violated the “unapproved raw drugs” provision of the FDA. They did oppose the order as inconsistent with the State of California’s regulation of the raw milk industry.

Editor Dan Flynn contributed to this article.

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— OPINION —

In the aftermath of the groundbreaking plea agreement with Family Dollar Stores LLC, entailing a fine and forfeiture totaling $41.675 million for storing food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in unsanitary conditions, we are starkly reminded of the imperative for stringent regulatory enforcement within the domain of food safety. This agreement, representing the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in the context of food safety, serves as a vivid indicator of the justice system’s intensifying resolve in addressing such transgressions. This occasion necessitates reflection on historical incidents where the lack of such decisive actions had catastrophic outcomes, emphasizing the critical need for prompt and determined interventions.

The 1993 E.coli outbreak linked to Jack in the Box restaurants stands as a harrowing instance. This tragedy, which resulted in the death of my son, Riley, along with three other children and afflicted more than 700 individuals across several states, was a direct result of the company’s non-compliance with state-mandated minimum cooking temperature regulations. Astonishingly, the incident led to no state or criminal charges against the company for these fatalities. Had the judiciary imposed penalties comparable to those seen today, it might have sent a formidable message to the industry, potentially preventing subsequent food safety failures.

In recent years, we have witnessed significant legal actions, including:

·       In 2023, Kerry Inc. agreed to a $19.228 million fine and forfeiture for manufacturing ready-to-eat breakfast cereal under unsanitary conditions. 

·       In 2020, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. agreed to pay $25 million to settle criminal charges related to at least five foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018.

·       Also in 2020, Blue Bell Creameries L.P. agreed to pay a total of $19.35 after having pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products– stemming from their shipping of contaminated products linked to a 2015 listeriosis outbreak.

·        In 2015, ConAgra Grocery Products agreed to a plea agreement totaling $11.2 million after having pled guilty in the salmonella case involving Peter Pan peanut butter in a 2006-2007 salmonella outbreak.

These cases and others illustrate a trend toward acknowledging the severe nature of these violations and the paramount importance of public health. The evolution of legal and regulatory responses reflects a growing recognition of the necessity for accountability and the efficacy of punitive measures in averting future violations.

The sentencing of officials from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) in 2015, where I witnessed the proceedings, represents a milestone in judicial responses to food safety infractions. The severe penalties imposed in this case (a sentence length far greater than the three-month sentencing seen in the trial of the owners of DeCosters Eggs) testify to the judiciary’s potential to instigate significant industry-wide changes, ensuring that consumer health and safety are prioritized. 

The prison sentences in the PCA case, along with the large settlements and fines in recent cases, serve not merely as a deterrent but as a catalyst for establishing comprehensive food safety cultures within organizations. The escalating fines highlight the increasing financial, operational, and reputational risks companies face that disregard their fundamental obligation to ensure product safety. This trend toward harsher penalties mirrors a broader societal call for corporate accountability, especially concerning public health.

This shift is a clarion call to the industry: lapses in food safety, propelled by negligence or disregard for established protocols, will not be tolerated. For companies that have embarked on rigorous efforts to safeguard consumer health, these developments affirm their endeavors to protect every plate. For others, it should serve as a wake-up call, compelling them to evaluate the costs of doing nothing. ALL food industry entities must prioritize implementing exhaustive safety measures, engage in vigilant oversight, and cultivate a culture that places consumer safety at its core.

While the recent legal actions signify substantial progress in the crusade for food safety, they also serve as poignant reminders of the tragedies that could have been averted through earlier and more decisive interventions. The movement toward more severe penalties for food safety violations is a positive evolution, signaling a commitment to holding companies accountable and preventing future outbreaks. This momentum must be sustained, ensuring that the lessons learned from past incidents propel continuous improvement in food safety standards and practices across the industry, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of the public.

About the author: Darin Detwiler is a food safety academic, advisor, advocate, and author.  For more than 30 years, he has played a unique role in controlling foodborne illness, including service on the USDA’s National Advisory Board on Meat and Poultry Inspection, representing consumers at NGOs, serving on Conference for Food Protection councils, and supporting the FDA’s implementation of FSMA.  Detwiler is a Professor of food policy and corporate social responsibility whose research and insights have appeared on television, such as Netflix’s 2023 documentary “Poisoned,” and in print, including his book “Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions.” In addition to his current role as the Chair of NEHA’s Food Safety Program Committee, his leadership capacities include the FDA Foods Coalition and numerous advisory and editorial boards, and he has long consulted on food safety issues with industry in the U.S. and abroad. Detwiler is the recipient of the International Association for Food Protection’s 2022 Ewen C.D. Todd Control of Foodborne Illness Award and their 2018 Distinguished Service Award for dedicated and exceptional contributions to reducing risks of foodborne illness.

Kicking deadlines down the road over government shutdowns is much like those punt kicks in the NFL playoffs.  They don’t generally win the game, but the skill involved is appreciated.

Without another short-term deal; a partial federal government shutdown will commence at 12:01 a.m. Saturday for some government agencies. Government shutdowns are usually short or postponed to some time down the road.

On Thursday, the punt kicker of the hour looked like House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was floating a deal to push the shutdown deadline to March 8 for some government agencies and March 22 for others.

Only money appropriated by Congress can be spent, and when new funding has not been approved, government agencies have to turn out the lights.

The Saturday shutdowns would involve about 20 percent of the government, including the USDA. The department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) personnel will continue to report to establishments requiring the inspection of the nation’s meat, poultry, eggs, and catfish.

The USDA provides inspections at nearly 10,000 locations throughout the country.

According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), “Most USDA employees will be placed on furlough because their position is not designated as “excepted” or “exempt.” If your position is not designated as “excepted” or “exempt,” then you will be furloughed. Employees placed on furlough may not perform any work except “minimal activities necessary to execute an orderly shutdown.”

Supervisors are charged with informing USDA employees of their “furlough status.”

USDA programs with contingency funds — like the Supplemental Nutrition  Assistance Program or SNAP — will run until the money is gone

Without another kick down the road, the other 80 percent of the government would cease on March 9 at 12:01 a.m.

The FDA’s food safety programs are included in the second group as is its parent agency the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

The Speaker’s punt is intended to leave enough time for individual spending bills to be worked out for each group of government programs. There are 12 annual spending bills for the annual budget to come together.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, also expressed optimism after Congressional leaders met at the White House earlier in the week. He said “good progress” was made on the agreement to avoid the March 2 government shutdown.

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Researchers in Germany have provided an initial evaluation into the microbial quality of plant-based “meat.”

The microbiological status of 10 raw plant-based ground meat products was assessed. Items produced by different companies made from soy, pea, oats, or wheat were obtained in 2021 from Kiel, northern Germany stores.

Total bacterial counts at the end of the best-before dates varied. No Listeria monocytogenes colonies were obtained, but other Listeria species were detected and found in the Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety study.

The increased consumption of plant-based products is an ongoing consumer trend. Plant-based meat analogs generally have lower microbial loads than their meat equivalents, but they are not sterile products, so refrigerated storage is essential to limit microbial growth.

Meat analogs are produced from plant-based protein raw materials, amongst which products made from soy, wheat, or pea currently dominate. Plant-based meat analogs are high in protein and water activity with weakly acidic pH, so they are at risk of microbial spoilage by various microorganisms, depending on storage conditions.

Production of meat alternatives includes raw materials, food additives, and/or processing aids, as well as processes such as extrusion, which involves a heating step.

The study detected low levels of enterobacteria, enterococci, presumptive Bacillus cereus, Listeria spp., and Staphylococcus aureus.

Survival and recontamination issues
Spore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens, from the raw materials may survive heating during the extrusion process and germinate in the extruded product.

Most of the bacteria that comprised the total aerobic plate count in the frozen product were presumably Bacillus cereus.

“Assuming that the product was immediately frozen after production and a heating step was employed during production, this may imply that spores of these bacteria possibly survived the heating step,” said scientists.

Scientists said the detected Listeria and presumptive Staphylococcus aureus probably stemmed from recontamination and highlighted the need for adequate processing hygiene.

Vegan ground meat analogs are not intended to be eaten raw. However, it is not easy for consumers to judge whether they have been sufficiently heated, as unlike meat, the color of products does not change.

Results showed contamination of vegan ground meat products by pathogenic bacteria can be a potential safety concern.

“The detection of presumptive Bacillus cereus and the isolation of various Clostridium species from these products indicates that spore-formers may have survived the food processing and, therefore, could pose a safety concern, which should be assessed in further studies,” according to the report.

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Updated data in Europe shows resistance to commonly used antimicrobials was frequent in Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates from humans. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said findings and trends were consistent with previous years.

When antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs in bacteria present in animals and food that cause human infections, it can also compromise the effectiveness of treatment of infectious diseases in people. The ECDC analyzed data on isolates from human cases. Data were provided by the 27 EU member states and Northern Ireland, Iceland, Norway, North Macedonia, and Switzerland.

The report covers 2021 to 2022 AMR monitoring in Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Campylobacter coli from humans and food-producing animals such as broiler chickens, laying hens and fattening turkeys, fattening pigs, and cattle under one year of age and their meat.

EFSA and ECDC said that while there had been positive results from actions to reduce AMR, continued joint efforts were essential to tackle the threat. 

Salmonella situation
Combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials for human medicine remains very low, except in certain types of Salmonella and Campylobacter coli in some countries.

For Salmonella, resistance to carbapenems was found in isolates from humans but not from food-producing animals. Detection of resistant Salmonella isolates varied based on their animal origins, serovars and reporting countries.

In Salmonella from human cases in 2022, resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines was observed at overall high levels, while resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was at very low to low levels for cefotaxime and ceftazidime.

A moderate occurrence of resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed in human cases in 2022; however, an extremely high proportion of resistant isolates was noted in Salmonella, Kentucky.

Combined resistance to ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime, categorized as the highest priority critically important antimicrobials, was meager in Salmonella isolates from humans. Salmonella Kentucky and Salmonella Infantis from humans had higher levels of combined resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) was overall high for Salmonella reported in humans in the EU, ranging from low levels for Salmonella Enteritidis to very high among Salmonella Kentucky and monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium.

Campylobacter findings
Data from 2021 to 2022 from Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from human and animal origins showed high levels of resistance to fluoroquinolones. The report said they can no longer be recommended to treat Campylobacter infections in humans.

Resistance to erythromycin, representing the macrolide class, a critically important antimicrobial for treating human Campylobacter infections, was detected at shallow levels in Campylobacter jejuni from humans. However, higher resistance levels were found in Campylobacter coli isolates from people. Resistance to tetracycline was high in Campylobacter jejuni and extremely high in Campylobacter coli from humans.

Combined resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin in Campylobacter is highly relevant to public health. Resistance to these antimicrobials was lower in Campylobacter jejuni isolates than in Campylobacter coli isolates from humans.

Multidrug resistance levels were generally very low for Campylobacter jejuni isolated from humans but higher for Campylobacter coli.

WHO Europe on AMR
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe office has published an AMR guidance document for food safety agencies.

The publication overviews the current context and recent developments around foodborne antimicrobial resistance. It looks at the role of food safety authorities in reducing AMR. It provides updated advice on preventing and controlling AMR at the animal–human–environment interface using the One Health approach.

Antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, are essential to treat some human and animal diseases. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in food-producing animals have contributed to the challenge of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens being passed on to people through the food chain and the environment.

Growing resistance to the most commonly used antimicrobials and last-resort antimicrobials is observed in foodborne pathogens. International trade and travel have also expanded, leading to an increased risk of the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in food.

The role of food safety authorities in tackling AMR includes improving the policy and legal framework, strengthening One Health governance structures and coordination across sectors, performing a risk analysis of foodborne AMR, and monitoring AMR in priority foodborne pathogens in the food chain. They also promote risk communication and education.

The document includes examples of interventions and programs by member states in the region to prevent and contain antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens.

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Roland Foods LLC of New York City is recalling a specific production code of Roland Tahini 100 percent Ground Sesame Seeds in 16-ounce bottles because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

“The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which revealed that the product tested positive for Salmonella. The company has ceased distribution of the product and has initiated an investigation in partnership with the manufacturer as to the root cause of the problem,” according to the company’s recall notice.

The product was distributed to many states through retail stores and foodservice outlets, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. The product was distributed by Roland Foods from September 2023 through January 2024.

This recall only applies to Roland Tahini (100% Ground Sesame Seeds) 16 oz., Batch Number P024581, Production Code X0419, UPC Number 10041224701509, with a Best By Date of October 19, 2024. The product can be identified by the UPC, found under the barcode on the back of the product, or by the Production Code and Best Buy Date printed in black ink on the label near the top of the bottle.

As of Feb. 24, Roland Foods had not received any reports of illness related to the recalled product.

Consumers who have purchased Roland Tahini 100 percent Ground Sesame Seeds in 16-ounce bottles are urged to discard any affected product. Consumers with questions may contact the company’s Recall Hotline at 800-622-1823.

About Salmonella infections

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever and usually develop within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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Amos Miller makes his first state court appearance tomorrow since the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture searched his farm under a court-issued warrant.

Miller, who claimed so-called “Sovereign Citizen” status as a defense in federal court, must appear at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 29 before Judge Thomas B. Sponaugle in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania.  

The civil action, brought by Attorney General Michelle Henry, is for Miller to sell raw and raw milk products outside the State of Pennsylvania, all without acquiring the necessary licenses and permits. 

Miller’s long run in federal court, dating back to 2016, resulted in him and his attorney signing a lengthy Consent Decree, promising to complete food safety regulations governed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Miller’s supporters depicted the Jan. 4 search of Miller’s Organic Farm as a “raid.”   It brought Miller even more celebrity than his long tiff with USDA. Since Jan. 4, he has raised about $245,000 in web-based fundraising.

Several national Republicans have also depicted Miller as a victim of government overreach. However, it should be noted that the federal action occurred under both the Trump and  Biden administrations.

Before tomorrow’s state court appearance, Miller was ordered to refrain from selling unpasteurized, raw milk or raw milk products. Pennsylvania agricultural officials say they are just trying to persuade Miller to follow the state food safety regulations that the state’s other farmers do so willingly. Miller says on his farm’s website, “It breaks our hearts that the state of Pennsylvania is forcing us to turn so many of you away when you beg us for the food you depend on for your health.”

Miller says the injunction “will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars with multiple attorneys and legal researchers.”

Tomorrow’s hearing will tell whether the current temporary injunction will be made permanent, which Miller’s attorney claims is the state’s goal.  Whether food seized from Miller on Jan. 4 was linked to human illnesses in Michigan and New York State should also be made clear. 

Illness investigations in those states triggered the search warrant on Miller’s farm.

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More children have been identified as patients in an outbreak of lead poisonings traced to certain cinnamon applesauce products.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are now 468 patients spread across 44 states. That’s up from the 422 patients identified in the previous update on Feb. 13.

The implicated cinnamon applesauce products — Wanabana, Schnucks and Weis — were recalled in the fall of 2023.

“Cases are reported to the CDC through state health departments. State health departments receive reports of potential cases from various sources, and then follow up to determine whether the case definition is met. In order to be considered in CDC’s case count, the person must have had a blood lead level of 3.5 ug/dL or higher measured within 3 months after consuming a recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis brand fruit purée product after November 2022,” according to the CDC’s outbreak update.

The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating the outbreak. As of Feb. 27 the FDA was reporting that its patient count was holding steady at 90. The FDA and CDC use different ways of tracking patients, so there may be some overlap with the counts. The FDA reports that the vast majority of the patients are 1 year old or younger.

The investigation
The FDA and officials in Ecuador — where the applesauce was produced — continue to investigate the situation. Some of the tests of cinnamon used to make the implicated applesauce showed 2,000 times the amount of lead considered safe.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed the name of the company that supplied tainted cinnamon used to make applesauce marketed for young children in the United States. On Feb. 6, officials in Ecuador reported to the FDA that Carlos Aguilera of Ecuador was the processor of ground cinnamon used in making applesauce sold in pouches in the United States.

The cinnamon supplier sold the tainted spice to Negasmart, which sold the cinnamon to Austrofoods, the end producer of the applesauce. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the cinnamon supplier is currently not in business. The FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones, has said he believes the cinnamon was intentionally contaminated. Adding lead to spices and other products can increase the product’s weight and, therefore, its value.

“The FDA has limited authority over foreign ingredient suppliers who do not directly ship product to the U.S. This is because their food undergoes further manufacturing/processing before export. Thus, the FDA cannot take direct action with Negasmart or Carlos Aguilera,” according to a statement from the agency.

“FDA does not indicate 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.”

According to health officials in Ecuador, unprocessed cinnamon sticks used in recalled products were sourced from Sri Lanka. They were sampled by Ecuadoran officials and found to have no lead contamination.

About lead poisoning
Parents and caretakers should consult a healthcare provider and ask for blood tests if they suspect a child may have been exposed to the recalled cinnamon applesauce products. 

Short-term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms: headache, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting, and anemia. 

Longer-term exposure could result in additional symptoms: irritability, lethargy, fatigue, muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning, constipation, difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness, tremors, and weight loss. 

Permanent consequences can lead to developmental delays and brain damage.

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A European court has backed a decision by Greek authorities not to approve a product designed to prevent Listeria in certain products.

The case involves Listex P100, a product from Dutch company Micreos, intended for use against Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food of animal origin. The court ruled that the EU Commission must approve such a product.

A Greek court requested a preliminary ruling in late 2022 in the case between Micreos Food Safety and the Hellenic Food Authority (EFET).

EFET refused to authorize Listex P100 for the Greek market, as the EU Commission has not approved. The phage-based product is a spray designed to prevent the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) food of animal origin, such as fish, dairy, and meat products.

Long-running case
Following informal contact since 2007, Micreos Food Safety applied to the EU Commission in 2015 to have Listex P100 approved as a decontaminant for RTE food of animal origin.

A draft regulation authorizing use was prepared but never approved. Because of a lack of support from the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, the EU Commission formally informed Micreos in February 2018 that it did not intend to pursue the approval process. In the same month, Micreos said Listex was not a decontaminant but was a processing aid under EU regulation. In April, the EU Commission restated its position of not continuing the approval process. 

A complaint by Micreos to the European Ombudsman was rejected in March 2019. In August, Micreos went to the General Court of the European Union, but an application for interim measures was dismissed.

In April 2020, Micreos applied for approval to place Listex P100 on the Greek market as a processing aid for RTE food of animal origin. EFET dismissed the application in June 2020 because of the absence of a clear legal framework regarding processing aids and reservations noted in a 2016 EFSA scientific opinion on the classification and safe use of Listex P100. In September, Micreos brought an action to annul this decision at the referring court.

Listex has been confirmed as GRAS (generally considered safe) by the FDA and USDA. It can be used as a processing aid in several foods in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

EU Commission approval required
Micreos said Listex is for use outside slaughterhouses in the final stages of the production process, after the thermal processing of food, once it has been decontaminated and is ready for cutting and packaging. The product is not intended to remove contamination but to prevent it if Listeria monocytogenes exceeds the permitted thresholds.

The referring court believed Micreos Food Safety’s action must be dismissed but asked the EU Court of Justice to help interpret EU regulations.

In the EU, food businesses cannot use any substance other than water to remove surface contamination from products of animal origin unless the EU Commission has approved it.

The EU court said the regulation must be interpreted as requiring the EU Commission to approve the use of a product, such as Listex P100, intended to prevent Listeria monocytogenes in RTE food of animal origin.

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The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has released its outbreak report for fiscal year 2023 and detailed the six investigations carried out during that time.

The report covers Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 2023 and provides information about outbreaks that sickened more than 100 people with more than 30 hospitalizations.

“While investigating outbreaks is crucial to protect public health, it is important to note that outbreak-associated illnesses represent a tiny proportion of all foodborne illnesses. Consumers who are sick with a foodborne illness may not seek medical care or be tested for foodborne pathogens. Those that are tested may not be linked to other similar illnesses to initiate an outbreak investigation,” according to the annual report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that for every confirmed Salmonella infection, 29 go undetected. For E. coli O157:H7, the multiplier is 26.

Of the six outbreaks investigated, three were caused by various types of Salmonella and two by E. coli O157:H7. The sixth investigation involved a report of botulism that included commercially canned potted meat containing chicken and pork as a potential source. It was later found that the botulism cases were unrelated to food products.

Of the six outbreaks investigated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), five were reported to the agency by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A state agency reported the sixth outbreak. Five of the outbreaks involved patients in more than one state.

Beef products were the food products of interest for the five Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks investigated in the fiscal year 2023.

The FSIS reports that none of the outbreak investigations in fiscal year 2023 led to any recalls or Public Health Advisories. FSIS may ask an establishment to voluntarily recall a product from commerce to protect public health when the product is found to be associated with an outbreak.

FSIS may issue a Public Health Advisory when the agency determines that a meat, poultry, or egg product may be associated with human illness. However, no adulterated product remains in commerce. FSIS may also issue a PHA when the agency cannot determine what specific regulated product is implicated by the illnesses and thus adulterated.

In fiscal year 2023, FSIS investigated several outbreaks potentially associated with ground beef, including beef ground and packaged at retail stores. Ground beef produced in retail stores can complicate investigations if retail records do not identify the specific suppliers of beef that were ground and later purchased by ill people. 

Retailers that grind their beef are required to keep records of all ground beef produced in-store. According to the FSIS report, these records are crucial for investigators to identify potentially contaminated products that may be linked to an outbreak and for FSIS to take action to prevent additional illnesses.

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Scientists have suggested making Streptococcus suis infections reportable in Europe to improve surveillance, given the severity of the disease.

Researchers surveyed seven reference laboratories and reviewed the scientific literature to increase insight into the epidemiology of human Streptococcus suis infections in Europe.

They identified 236 such infections and an additional 87 by scanning the literature. The team performed genome sequencing of type 46 isolates and combined them with 28 publicly available genomes. Findings were published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

Streptococcus suis infections occur through direct contact with infected pigs and consumption of undercooked contaminated pork. Human infections have become endemic in Thailand and Vietnam, driven by eating traditional raw pork dishes. In Thailand, Streptococcus suis is a reportable disease.

European situation
In Europe, infections are considered an occupational hazard, mainly occurring among people with skin lesions working with pigs or pork products. Carriage in healthy people or human-to-human transmission has not been reported to date. Incidence is likely underestimated because Streptococcus suis infections are not a notifiable disease.

Reference labs in Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, and the United Kingdom reported 107 cases of human Streptococcus suis infections from 1990 to 2018.

Scientists got data from 129 Streptococcus suis infections reported in 69 research articles. Combining both sources, 236 European cases from 1990 to 2022 were identified.

Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, the top pig-rearing countries in Europe, reported 114 of the 236 cases.

Most patients were middle-aged men. Meningitis was the primary clinical syndrome, followed by sepsis. Additional signs and symptoms included hearing loss, endocarditis, and spondylodiscitis; 11 people died. Patient occupation was described as a potential risk factor in 19 cases in the survey and 72 cases in the systematic review. Scientists said European educational campaigns should be tailored to the different at-risk populations.

Underestimation of cases
Although France has one of the largest pig populations in Europe, only seven human cases have been reported. However, despite having smaller pig populations, the Czech Republic reported 18 and Poland 22 instances. Scientists also found evidence of underreporting in the Netherlands.

Differences in exposure routes have led to differences in epidemiology; multiple foodborne Streptococcus suis outbreaks with high levels of illness and death have occurred in southeastern Asia in the past two decades. In Thailand, educational campaigns targeting at-risk populations have reduced the incidence of infections.

The UK was the only country that included human Streptococcus suis infections in official government reports. From 1991 to 2017, 61 infections were recorded. These reports contained ten times as many cases within the same timeframe as UK cases from the survey and systematic review combined because these did not capture many unpublished cases. This suggests the number of cases seen in other countries through the survey might also be underestimated, said scientists.

There was an increase in reported cases after 1999; however, this could have been caused by heightened awareness after a severe outbreak in China in 2005 and by more precise bacterial identification techniques.

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— COMMENTARY —

By  Steven Grossman, executive director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA

On Sept. 29, 2023, I fell asleep — certain that the government would shutdown at midnight the next day. The threat was real. The Alliance for a Stronger FDA had already circulated a shutdown toolkit for FDA stakeholders. 

Fortunately, we dodged a shutdown then and again on Nov. 19 and on Jan. 19. The current Continuing Resolution runs out at midnight on March 1. Once again, a shutdown is a possibility.

What happens this week is both uncertain and consequential. Here are five things to know: 

• Time is running out. 
• There is no path to completion that is not encumbered by seemingly unsolvable political and procedural problems. 
• A shutdown (of unknown duration) is possible.
• FDA still faces a range of outcomes from a modest increase to a devastating cut.
• Serious action on FY 25 is unlikely before the Fall 2024 election.

All of this will be discussed in greater detail today (Feb. 28) at 2 p.m. EDT at an Alliance webinar on “FDA Funding and the Appropriations Process.” Register here.

The Alliance webinar will describe FDA’s multiple sources of revenue, explain how the FDA’s budget is put together, and examine the endgame for fiscal year 2024 appropriations and the rollout of the fiscal year 2025 budget request. 

Certain to be discussed throughout the webinar will be the potential for a shutdown and what happens at FDA if one occurs. 

We hope you can join us for this budget and shutdown discussion. 

We also have another webinar on March 8 at noon EDT that should be of interest to FSN readers. The presenter will be Jim Jones, FDA’s new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. His topic is: FDA’s priorities and plans in food chemical safety. For that event, Register here.

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Largest ever monetary criminal penalty in food safety matter

Family Dollar Stores LLC pleaded guilty Monday to holding food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics under unsanitary conditions related to a rodent infestation at the company’s West Memphis, AR, distribution center.

At the same time, criminal information unsealed in federal court in Little Rock, AR, charged Family Dollar with one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions.

The company, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree Inc., entered into a plea agreement that includes a sentence of a fine and forfeiture amount totaling $41.675 million, the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case. The plea agreement also requires Family Dollar and Dollar Tree to meet robust corporate compliance and reporting requirements for the next three years. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney presided over the company’s guilty plea and sentencing at Monday’s hearing.

“When consumers go to the store, they have the right to expect that the food and drugs on the shelves have been kept in clean, uncontaminated conditions,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer.  “When companies violate that trust and the laws designed to keep consumers safe, the public should rest assured: The Justice Department will hold those companies accountable.”

“Companies distributing and selling food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics must ensure that these products are being held in safe and sanitary conditions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with the FDA to investigate and prosecute those who put public health at risk by failing to meet this important obligation.”

“Consumers trust that products purchased from retail stores such as Family Dollar are safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “It is incomprehensible that Family Dollar knew about the rodent and pest issues at its distribution center in Arkansas but continued to ship unsafe and unsanitary products. Knowingly selling these types of products places the public’s health at risk and erodes the trust consumers have in the products they purchase. Products shipped and sold are required to be safe for consumers, and the safety of Arkansans and others is extremely important to this office. Let me be clear, if you conduct business in Arkansas and allow the shipment or sale of unsafe and insanitary products, you will be held accountable.”

“U.S. consumers rely on the FDA to ensure that their food is safe and wholesome,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “When companies put themselves above the law and distribute food that has been held under extremely unsanitary conditions, putting the public’s health at risk, we will see that they are brought to justice.” 

In pleading guilty, the company admitted that its Arkansas distribution center shipped FDA-regulated products to more than 400 Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. According to the plea agreement, the company began receiving reports in August 2020 of mouse and pest issues with deliveries to stores. By the end of 2020, certain stores reported receiving rodents and rodent-damaged products from the warehouse. The company admitted that by no later than January 2021, some of its employees were aware that the unsanitary conditions caused FDA-regulated products held at the warehouse to become adulterated in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

According to the plea agreement, the company continued to ship FDA-regulated products from the warehouse until January 2022, when an FDA inspection revealed live rodents, dead and decaying rodents, rodent feces, urine, and odors, and evidence of gnawing and nesting throughout the facility. According to the plea agreement, subsequent fumigation of the facility resulted in the reported extermination of 1,270 rodents. On Feb. 18, 2022, the company voluntarily recalled all drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and human and animal food products sold since Jan. 1, 2021, in the 404 stores serviced by the warehouse.

The FDA-OCI investigated the case.

Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Runkle, Trial Attorney Alisha Crovetto of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Peters and Cameron McCree for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

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Outcomes from a workshop have shown that people don’t want diverging food safety standards between nations in the United Kingdom, according to research published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Reasons given for these views include thinking it would mean additional complications for businesses and consumers, impact trade, and lead to mistakes in food production and manufacturing. However, there was some support for regulatory divergence- both from the EU and across UK nations- if it reduced prices.

Research was conducted with 78 people from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who participated in four online workshops in January and February 2023.

Participants were surprised when told that food regulations could be devolved across the UK. This stemmed from a belief that food safety is unlikely to require national variation.  

Views toward regulatory divergence from EU legislation differed depending on attitudes toward the UK leaving the European Union. Those more optimistic about the exit focused on the potential benefits of reducing bureaucracy and lowering consumer costs. Those more pessimistic about it felt any changes could lead to increased costs, more significant confusion, and business complications.

People’s main concerns
People did not always understand the need for regulatory divergence and questioned the motivations behind different approaches. They worried trust in the FSA could be eroded if the public was not clear as to why regulations differed, and it could lead to suggestions that the UK was not prioritizing food safety in the same way as the EU. 

There was concern that regulatory divergence could impact how much the UK exports to the EU and other countries. Imports could also be affected, resulting in shortages if food produced elsewhere did not meet changed UK regulations.

After discussing four hypothetical scenarios, participants were most open to regulatory divergence on products and activities seen as low risk or having little impact on perceived safety. Product types deemed low risk included fruit and vegetables. Participants felt that divergence concerning meat or fish was riskier.

Changes to temperature were seen as less significant than other examples, including those related to inspection, animal welfare, or foodborne disease.

Participants had greater concerns if divergence impacted the contents of food rather than the way it was processed or stored. Changes to regulations involving adding ingredients to food or releasing chemicals within packaging were widely seen as more concerning. 

Meat sector focus
An earlier project looked at regulatory divergence in the meat sector. Seventy-six participants from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland participated in 14 online focus groups in July and August 2022. They believed meat needed to be more stringently regulated than vegetables because of perceived higher health risks if something went wrong.

Participants had not considered the extent to which the FSA is involved in the official control process. They were surprised at the scale of the meat industry in the UK, both in terms of the number of animals slaughtered and the hours spent on inspection each year.

Participants were largely unaware of the continuous presence of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) at abattoirs. They found this reassuring, and it led to initial resistance to potential changes that regulatory divergence might bring. 

Respondents were skeptical about the motivations for regulatory divergence and were against it if changes were to save business costs. There were also concerns that changes were being made for political reasons to show the UK had left the EU rather than to support companies or consumers. People were more accepting if they felt divergence could reduce the burden on food businesses.

Participants did not understand why there would be a need or desire for rules to differ between UK nations. They said having a consistent regulatory regime would be less confusing and reduce complexity for consumers, businesses, and the FSA. Some feared regulatory divergence was an ongoing process that could result in a gradual lowering of standards. 

Respondents said it was important the FSA informed the public about proposed changes to the regulatory framework but said it was down to individuals to research the specific details. 

When introduced to examples, participants argued that lower water temperatures for washing tools were a small change compared to trained plant staff or artificial intelligence replacing the inspection role of OVs in abattoirs.

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Norovirus, the highly contagious illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea, has surged in the Northeast region of the United States in the past few weeks, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC statistics show that food is the most common transmission vehicle for noroviruses.

While surveillance data show an increase in positive test results nationwide—as is typical for norovirus during the winter months—northeastern states have been hit especially hard, with a three-week average of 13.7 percent for positive norovirus tests. Those tests have held above a 10 percent positive rate since December 2023.

Other U.S. regions have also seen an uptick in norovirus illnesses at lower rates. For the past three weeks, southern states have seen a positive test rate of about 9.4 percent, the Midwest is at 10 percent, and western states have seen a 12.6 percent positive rate.

What is norovirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that noroviruses cause nearly 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis annually, making noroviruses the leading cause of gastroenteritis in adults in the United States. 

Nature has created an ingenious bug in norovirus. Norovirus’s round blue ball structure is a protein surrounding the virus’s genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine and then transfers its genetic material into those cells. Once the genetic material has been transferred, norovirus reproduces, finally killing the human cells and releasing new copies of itself that attach to more cells of the intestine’s lining.

Humans are the only host of norovirus, which has several mechanisms that allow it to spread quickly and easily. Norovirus infects humans in a pathway similar to the influenza virus’ mode of infection. In addition to their similar infective pathways, norovirus and influenza also evolve to avoid the immune system similarly. Both viruses are driven by heavy immune selection pressure and antigenic drift, allowing evasion of the immune system, which results in outbreaks. Norovirus can survive a wide range of temperatures and in many different environments. Moreover, the viruses can spread quickly, especially in places where people are close, such as cruise ships and airline flights, even those of short duration. 

How is norovirus transmitted?

Norovirus causes nearly 60 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks. Norovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route, with fewer than 100 microscopic norovirus particles needed to cause infection. Transmission occurs either person-to-person or through contamination of food or water. Of 232 norovirus outbreaks between July 1997 and June 2000, 57 percent were foodborne, 16 percent were spread from person to person, and 3 percent were waterborne. When food is the vehicle of transmission, contamination occurs most often through a food handler improperly handling food directly before it is eaten.

Infected individuals shed the virus in large numbers in their vomit and stool, shedding the most viral particles while ill. Aerosolized vomit has also been implicated as a mode of norovirus transmission. Previously, it was thought that viral shedding ceased approximately 100 hours after infection; however, some individuals continue to shed norovirus long after they have recovered from it, in some cases up to 28 days after experiencing symptoms. Viral shedding can also precede symptoms, which occur in approximately 30 percent of cases. Often, an infected food handler may not even show symptoms.

What are the symptoms and risks of a norovirus infection?

Norovirus illness usually develops 24 to 48 hours after ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically last a relatively short time, approximately 24 to 48 hours. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  Headache and low-grade fever may also accompany this illness. People infected with norovirus usually recover in two to three days without serious or long-term health effects. 

Although symptoms usually only last one to two days in healthy individuals, norovirus infection can become serious in children, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals. In some cases, severe dehydration, malnutrition, and even death can result from norovirus infection, especially among children and among older and immune-compromised adults in hospitals and nursing homes.

How do you diagnose a norovirus Infection?

Diagnosis of norovirus illness is based on the combination of symptoms, particularly the prominence of vomiting, little fever, and the short duration of illness.  If a known norovirus outbreak is in progress, public health officials may obtain specimens from ill individuals for testing in a lab. These lab tests consist of identifying norovirus under an electron microscope. 

How do you treat a norovirus infection?

There is no specific treatment available for norovirus. In most healthy people, the illness is self-limiting and resolves in a few days; however, outbreaks among infants, children, elderly, and immune-compromised populations may result in severe complications among those affected. Death may result without prompt measures. Replacing fluids and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium – otherwise known as electrolytes – lost due to persistent diarrhea is vital. This can be done either by drinking large amounts of liquids or intravenously.

How do you prevent a norovirus infection?

Common settings for norovirus outbreaks include restaurants and events with catered meals (36 percent), nursing homes (23 percent), schools (13 percent), and vacation settings or cruise ships (10 percent). Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus. 

Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) pose the most significant risk. Any serving may be contaminated with norovirus; there is no way to detect a contaminated oyster, clam, or mussel from a safe one.  Shellfish become contaminated when their waters become contaminated—e.g. when raw sewage is dumped overboard by recreational or commercial boaters). Shellfish are filter feeders and will concentrate virus particles present in their environment. With shellfish, only complete cooking offers reliable protection; steaming does not kill the virus or prevent its transmission. 

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JBS SA will have to wait until later this year for listings on the Brazilian and New York stock exchanges.

The Brazilian-based JBS SA is the parent company of JBS USA, which it acquired in 2007 when it purchased the assets of Swift & Co and became one of the dominant players in the North American meat and poultry industry. 

JBS SA is the largest meat processing enterprise in the world, producing factory-processed beef, chicken, salmon and pork and selling by-products from processing these meats. It is headquartered in São Paulo. It was founded in 1953 in Anápolis, Goiás. As of 2023, the company had about 500 industrial plants and commercial representations in 24 countries, and its products reach consumers in 180 countries.

The latest delay is the second since JBS SA sought “dual” listing status on the NYSE and its place on the São Paulo-based Brazil Stock Market (BOVESPA).

The delay is to give holders of American depository receipts sufficient time to vote on the “dual” listing transaction.

JBS’s financial plans are opposed by environmental activist organizations like Oxfam, Greenpeace, and the Rainforest Action Network for mostly non-financial reasons.  Those groups have, in turn, been pressuring elected officials who’ve questioned the “dual” listing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In 2007, JBS purchased Swift & Company in a U.S. $1.5-billion, all-cash deal. The acquisition made the newly consolidated JBS Swift Group the largest beef processor in the world. Additional assets were added a year later when  JBS purchased Smithfield Foods’ beef operations for $565 million. Also, they announced in 2008 its intention to buy National Beef Packing Company for $560 million. In 2009, JBSW USA acquired 63 percent of Pilgrim’s Pride poultry.

Access to U.S. equity markets by JBS SA has been anticipated since its dramatic entry into the North American market.

JBS USA is headquartered in Greeley, CO.

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The Belgian food agency officers have investigated more than 450 complaints about websites or social media profiles selling food in the past two years.

Inspectors at the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) found that, in most cases, the seller was not registered. Authorization from the agency is required as people who sell food online are part of the food chain and are responsible for the safety of their products.

There were 240 complaints recorded in 2022 and more than 210 in 2023. This is up from 170 in 2021. Some complaints involved homemade food products, such as baked goods and prepared meals, sold through social networks such as Facebook Marketplace.

Consumers often asked if the person or company offering food online was known to FASFC. Over the past two years, a third of complaints related to this issue. In the majority of cases, it was found that sellers were not registered with FASFC.

Food is increasingly offered via the internet and social media, which is why FASFC has inspectors specializing in e-commerce.

Ensure the seller is registered
As well as it being legally necessary to make FASFC aware of online food-selling activities, it also helps the agency react quickly to an incident. If consumers become ill or have an allergic reaction, FASFC must be able to determine where the problem is in the food chain so it can be contained as much as possible.

It is not prohibited to sell food through Facebook Marketplace or other platforms, but specific steps must be followed. These include registering as a self-employed person to be given two numbers and then registering operations with FASFC. Depending on planned activities, a visit from FASFC may be required before approval is granted. There is a fee, and other services may be invoiced, such as visits linked to a re-inspection.

FASFC, also known as AFSCA and FAVV, said consumers should be able to find sufficient information about a company, such as its name and address, contact details, and operating number on its online website or social media page.

The agency added that suspicious sellers often only want to communicate via private channels like Messenger or WhatsApp. The company number is the best way to ensure the seller is known to Belgian authorities.

David Clarinval, Minister of Agriculture, said: “It is essential to ensure that food sold online is as safe and compliant as products offered through traditional channels. Online sales are gaining importance and food safety must always be guaranteed. In addition, effective controls contribute to fairer competition between different suppliers.”

Food safety culture
FASFC also recently held a meeting with its scientific and advisory committees. The annual event’s theme focused on the concept of food safety culture.

Several professors from the University of Ghent, Rebeca Fernandez, a representative of FoodDrinkEurope, and three Belgian companies presented at the meeting.

Belgium holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2024. Food safety culture will also be the theme of a meeting of the Heads of Food Safety Agencies in June and of the international symposium of FASFC’s scientific committee.

Herman Diricks, FASFC CEO, said the importance of food safety culture should not be underestimated.

“It is not just a list to check off, but an intrinsic element of corporate culture. For each employee, whatever their function, but also whatever the size of the company. I am convinced that a good corporate culture can limit incidents as much as possible and prevent them from turning into a crisis.”

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— COMMENTARY —

I think I’ll talk about Salmonella in my next few posts. Wondering why? Well, I recently discovered that the search volume — or the number of monthly searches — for “Salmonella” is nine times greater than that of “foodborne illness.” The more you know.

Of the 165,000 monthly Google searches related to Salmonella, one of the most frequently asked questions is, “Are Salmonella symptoms immediate?” A question worth exploring.

Let me introduce you to a key phrase in my world — the world of food safety: incubation period. The incubation period is the time it takes for a person to become ill (i.e., develop symptoms) after consuming a contaminated food product. Different pathogens have different incubation periods.

For Salmonella, the incubation period typically ranges from 12 to 36 hours, though it can be as short as 6 hours or as long as one or two weeks. This relatively short incubation period stands in contrast to Listeria, another bacterium, which has an extremely variable incubation period spanning from 3 to 70 days. Hence why I often advise my clients that what made them sick might not be the last thing they ate before symptoms appeared; it is more likely something they consumed 12+ hours, or even a few days, ago, unless it’s Staph food poisoning.

To give you all a better understanding of incubation periods, I’ve created a handy table. I hope you find it helpful.

PathogenBacteria, virus, or parasite?Typical incubation periodBotulism (C. botulinum)Bacteria12 to 36 hoursCampylobacterBacteria2 to 5 daysCyclosporaParasite~1 weekC. perfringensBacteria6 to 24 hoursEscherichia coli (E. coli)Bacteria3 to 4 daysHepatitis AVirus2 to 4 weeksListeriaBacteria3 to 70 daysNorovirusVirus12 to 48 hoursSalmonellaBacteria12 to 36 hoursShigellaBacteria1 to 2 daysStaphylococcus aureusBacteria30 minutes to 6 hoursVibrio spp.Bacteria1 to 3 days

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