Food Safety News

That Arctic blast in Nebraska last week that caused a congressman to write the Secretary of Agriculture about whether a local Tyson pork plant was left without  USDA inspectors did prompt a response  from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

“All FSIS in-plant personnel understand their essential role in providing inspection services to protect public health,” an FSIS spokesman said. “However, FSIS firmly believes that the health, safety, and welfare of our inspection personnel is paramount and must be considered together with production needs during severe weather events.”

“ FSIS routinely coordinates with establishments, including in this instance, in advance of any severe weather situations to establish a plan that considers both the safety of establishment and FSIS in-plant personnel and inspection needs,” the spokesman continued. “FSIS and the establishment were in communication and agreed that on Jan. 15, FSIS would provide an inspector for the processing side of the establishment, but no slaughter operations would occur due to hazardous driving conditions.”

The Tyson pork plant in Madison, NE, returned to full operations on Jan. 16.

Local news coverage has clarified the severity and impact of the recent snowstorm in Eastern Nebraska, including the Madison area, with the storm creating “life-threatening blizzard weather conditions.” 

In response to the extreme conditions created by the storm, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency and urged Nebraskans to stay home. Roads in northeast Nebraska were still largely closed Monday morning, creating challenges for employees to get to work.

On Jan. 15,  U.S. Congressman Mike Flood, R-NE, wrote Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about what he said were “troubling reports” about USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel not reporting for work at the Tyson Pork Plant in Madison, NE.

“Let me be clear,” Flood wrote. “This is unacceptable and must be remedied immediately.” 

Flood’s letter did not mention any complaints or communication he might have received from Tyson managers about any missing USDA inspectors — still, no pork for human consumption may be produced without  USDA inspectors being present.

Still, the weather was not bothering Flood nearly as much as shift-missing inspectors.

“If our communities can show up to work, the USDA can too,” he wrote. “Our pork producers are ready and waiting; our plant wants to operate; the USDA must step up to the plate and fulfill its mission to serve rural America.”

Flood did say the safety of Nebraskans is his “top priority,” and he understands “taking necessary steps” in light of “challenging weather.”

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Public health officials in Sweden are investigating an outbreak of Cryptosporidium infections.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) said it was trying to find the source of the outbreak caused by the parasite cryptosporidiosis.

Since mid-December 2023, 68 people from 14 regions have been infected. The majority of patients are from Halland and Jönköping.

Of cases, 72 percent are women, the average age is 41 and 79 percent are in the age group 21 to 60 years old. Data shows the latest case of illness onset was early January.

Typing of some samples showed that 13 of 18 belonged to the same type of Cryptosporidium, which indicates that patients have a common source of infection, said health officials.

Hoping interviews give a clue

Livsmedelsverket (the Swedish Food Agency) and affected local infection control units are also attempting to find the source, which is suspected to be some type of fresh food.

Information about what outbreak cases ate before becoming ill is gathered via interviews and the collection of questionnaires. Answers will be compared to what people in a healthy comparison group have eaten to assess whether there are foods that outbreak cases have consumed to a greater extent than the comparison group.

In October 2023, goat milk cheese was suspected to be the source of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Sweden that sickened seven people. The incidents are not thought to be linked.

In 2022, 716 cryptosporidiosis cases were reported in the country. A peak in infections is usually seen in late summer and autumn. The majority of reported cases were infected in Sweden and 146 people were infected abroad.

Six cryptosporidium epidemics sickened 208 people. Epidemiological investigations in one outbreak pointed towards contaminated lettuce in ready-to-eat green leaf-mixes as the probable cause of infection.

The incubation period varies from two to 12 days. Symptoms, which normally last for up to two weeks, include moderate to severe watery diarrhea, low-grade fever, cramping abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

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— OPINION —

As of January 17, 2024, a total of 47 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 22 states – Arizona 2, Colorado 1, Connecticut 1, Idaho 1, Illinois 1, Kentucky 1, Maryland 1, Michigan 1, Minnesota 1, Missouri 1, Nebraska 3, New Jersey 1, New York 4, Ohio 11, Oregon 1, Pennsylvania 3, Texas 3, Utah 1, Vermont 1, Virginia 1, Washington 5, Wisconsin 2. Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 20, 2023, to January 1, 2024. Of 38 people with information available, 10 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 26 people interviewed, 19 (73%) reported eating a variety of charcuterie meats.

Fratelli Barretta recalled a single lot of the Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler because of testing by Minnesota that identified Salmonella in the product.

While the outbreak is ongoing, CDC is advising not to eat, serve, or sell any lot of Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler from Sam’s Club or Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta from Costco.

Sam’s Club and Costco have removed these products from their stores.

The Salmonella outbreak traced to cantaloupe that sickened more than 400 and killed six in the Unites States has been declared over.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closed its investigation today, as did the Food and Drug Administration. The outbreak stretched across 44 states and sickened 407 people. Six deaths were reported. The CDC first reported the outbreak on Nov. 17.

Of the 362 patients with information available, 158 were hospitalized. This 44 percent hospitalization rate is higher than in most Salmonella outbreaks, suggesting a particularly virulent strain of the pathogen.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 15, 2023, to Dec. 25, 2023. State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 197 people interviewed, 135 reported eating cantaloupe.

The patients ranged from less than 1 year old to to 100 years, with a median age of 60. An unusually high percentage of the patients were 5 years or younger, with 26 percent of patients reported in that age group. Forty-seven percent of the patients were 65 years old or older.

The CDC reports that many more people were likely part of the outbreak but are not reflected in the official patient count. This is because many people do not seek medical attention and those who do are often not specifically tested for Salmonella infection. For every person confirmed as a patient in a Salmonella outbreak, the CDC says another 29 patients go unidentified. This means as many as 11,800 patients or more could have been part of this outbreak.

It was determined that Rudy and Malichita whole cantaloupe from Mexico were the problem. They were recalled.

Numerous cantaloupe and cantaloupe products were recalled in relation to the outbreak. There is a list of those products on FDA’s cantaloupe recall website

There is some concern that some consumers may have frozen cantaloupe pieces for future use. The CDC recommends that any cantaloup of unknown origin be thrown away.

Canadian outbreak
A simultaneous outbreak in Canada had sickened 164 people as of the most recent update on Dec. 22. Sixty-one of the patients have required hospitalization and seven have died.

The same brand of cantaloupe in Canada as in the United States has been implicated in the outbreak, Rudy and Malichita whole cantaloupe. As was the case in the United States, numerous freshcut cantaloupe products have been recalled because they were made with the recalled cantaloupe.

The outbreak strain of Salmonella from patients in Canada matches samples taken from patients in the United States. In Canada most of the patients were younger than 5 years or 65 and older.

The outbreak investigation in Canada is ongoing.

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Salmonella illnesses associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) charcuterie meat products in Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler and Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta have the federal government out with dual alerts.

Both USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overnight warned about the Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta was sold at Costco in a 24-oz. twin-pack (two 12-oz. trays) and the Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler was sold at Sam’s Club in an 18-oz. twin-pack (two 9-oz. trays). 

An investigation since Jan. 5 has identified 47 Salmonella illnesses in 22 states, with 10 reported hospitalizations associated with these products.  New additions to the report include 23 illnesses in eight more states with five new hospitalizations.

Any lot code associated with either product is potentially contaminated. The products are no longer available at Costco and Sam’s Club but could be in-home freezers.

The products of concern bear establishment numbers “EST. 7543B” and “EST. #47967” inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package. FSIS is working with the CDC and state public health partners to investigate the multi-state outbreak. Onset dates ranging from November 20, 2023, through January 1, 2024, were found by the ongoing outbreak investigation, 

Minnesota identified the outbreak strain from an unopened Busseto brand charcuterie sampler, which led to recall 01-2024 on January 3, 2024. 

About Salmonella

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 recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning 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 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 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.

 Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Investigators are working to determine if any additional products may be contaminated.

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Consumer exposure to inorganic arsenic in food raises health concerns such as skin cancer, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

In a risk assessment, EFSA considered the increase in skin cancers associated with inorganic arsenic exposure as the most relevant harmful effect. Experts concluded that ensuring protection against skin cancer will also be protective against other potential effects.

EFSA calculates a margin of exposure (MOE) for consumers when assessing genotoxic and carcinogenic substances unintentionally in the food chain. This is a ratio of the dose at which a small but measurable adverse effect is observed and the level of exposure to a substance for a given population. A low MOE represents a greater risk than a higher one.

Based on data from human studies, an MOE of 1 or less would correspond to an exposure level to inorganic arsenic that might be associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. In adults, the MOEs are low – ranging between 2 and 0.4 for average consumers and between 0.9 and 0.2 for high consumers. Experts said they were 69 percent certain that high consumers of inorganic arsenic may have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Arsenic is a contaminant that is present naturally and as a result of human activity. Food is the main source of exposure to inorganic arsenic for people in Europe. The main contributors to dietary exposure are rice, rice-based products, and grains and grain-based products. Drinking water also contributes, although levels are usually low in Europe.

Association with certain cancers

Findings confirm results from EFSA’s previous assessment of the risks linked to inorganic arsenic in food from 2009. EFSA’s Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) concluded the minimum amount of inorganic arsenic that produced a low-level health risk lied between 0.3 and 8 µg/kg of body weight (bw) per day.

The European Commission asked EFSA for an update considering new studies on toxic effects. EFSA consulted with stakeholders on its draft opinion and considered comments.

In the latest work, the CONTAM Panel concluded that low to moderate exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause some cancers and other issues such as stillbirth, congenital heart disease, neurodevelopmental effects, respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, decreased birth weight, and skin lesions.

Epidemiological studies showed the chronic intake of inorganic arsenic via diet or drinking water was associated with an increased risk of cancers of the skin, bladder, and lungs. 

EFSA’s assessment established a reference point of 0.06 µg/kg bw per day based on a case-control study on skin cancer. This is an estimate of the lowest dose that could be associated with increased induction of skin cancer after exposure to inorganic arsenic and is lower than the 2009 figure.

Dietary exposure estimates for inorganic arsenic were 0.03 to 0.15 μg/kg bw per day for average and 0.07 to 0.33 μg/kg bw per day for European high-level adult consumers.

A risk assessment of combined exposure to inorganic and organic arsenic will be available by 2025.

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Health officials in Israel have sanctioned the sale of cultivated beef made by Aleph Farms.

Israel’s Ministry of Health has issued regulatory approval for Aleph Cuts in the form of a “No Questions” letter.

The first Aleph Cut to be introduced to diners in Israel — the cultivated Petit Steak — will be made of non-modified, non-immortalized cells of a Black Angus cow and a plant protein matrix from soy and wheat. Aleph Farms did not say when the product would be available.

While “cell-based,” “cultivated,” and “cultured” are preferred terminologies, other terms such as “in vitro,” “artificial,” “fake,” “clean,” and “lab-grown” have been used.

In December 2020, chicken nuggets were approved in Singapore using Eat Just’s cultivated chicken. However, Italy has banned cell-based meat. In June 2023, Upside Foods and Good Meat received backing from the USDA to sell cultivated chicken products.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) published a report in 2023 on the food safety aspects of cell-based food.

First cultivated beef approval

Didier Toubia, CEO and co-founder of Aleph Farms, praised Israel’s approach to cellular agriculture.

“We believe that addressing joint challenges like food security is the best way to ensure the prosperity of the Middle East and other parts of the world that rely heavily on massive food imports, especially in Asia,” he said.

Aleph Farms said no antibiotics are used in production. A controlled and traceable process, including an aseptic production environment, increases transparency and reduces the risk of contamination. 

Yifat Gavriel, chief of regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and product safety at Aleph Farms, said 2024 could be a landmark year in regulating and commercializing cultivated meat.

“This approval grants us permission to produce and market our product in Israel, subject to specific directions for labeling and marketing provided by the Israeli Ministry of Health and the completion of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection for our pilot production facility.”

Cultured meat is a novel food that must be approved to protect public health. Each application is examined individually since companies have different technologies, production processes, and products.

Dr. Ziva Hamama, food risk management department director at Israel’s Ministry of Health, said the regulatory approval of bovine cell-based food boosts the country’s position in cellular agriculture.

“This regulatory milestone…reflects a comprehensive assessment of crucial factors, from toxicology and allergens to nutritional composition, microbiological safety, and chemical safety throughout the entire production process – from the initial cell isolation to processing and packaging.”

Bruce Friedrich, founder, and president of the Good Food Institute, said: “This announcement marks a critical leap in the global race to make the meat that people love in a way that’s better for our climate, biodiversity, and food security. We’re thrilled that consumers in Israel will soon be able, like those in the U.S. and Singapore, to purchase these delicious products.”

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Wayne Hsiung is a well-known California animal activist and himself a lawyer, but he won’t have a fool for a client in his appeal of a felony conviction and 90-day jail term.

That’s because Hsiung won’t be representing himself but will be represented by the University of Denver Law School attorneys involved in the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project.

Hsiung co-founded Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), the activist organization heavily involved in the events subject to the litigation.

The DU campus unit may be best known for bringing down dozens of state laws that tried to make private undercover investigations of animal abuse illegal. Their federal court victories resulted in virtually all those laws being found unconstitutional.

Hsiung was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 24 months of probation after being convicted of felony conspiracy and misdemeanor trespass charges in November, following an 8-week trial including six days of jury deliberation.

“Substantial prejudicial and reversible error occurred in Hsiung’s trial,” said Animal Activist Legal Defense Project Staff Attorney Chris Carraway, who is representing Hsiung on appeal.  “Stunningly, Judge Passaglia prohibited the jury from knowing the full scope of animal cruelty at these companies as well as the activists’ extensive efforts to obtain law enforcement of animal cruelty laws. Thus, Hsiung could not explain the intent behind his actions–a crucial element of the alleged crimes. Likewise, Judge Passaglia improperly prohibited Hsiung from mounting a necessity defense, though nothing in California law prohibits the applicability of necessity to animal rescue. We are optimistic about the reversal on appeal.”

Carraway also noted that trial participants were unconstitutionally gagged from the beginning of the trial, and press access was significantly curtailed.

California’s “Right to Rescue Act” allows anyone to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal from “circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.”  DxE’s rescues and Hsiung’s defense are part of a broad effort to extend the “Right to Rescue” beyond vehicles to allow rescue from commercial industrial facilities.

Hsiung’s prosecution stemmed from two open rescues at Sonoma County farms–major egg producer Sunrise Farms and Reichardt Duck Farm, California’s largest duck farm. Activists returned with 37 chickens and 32 ducks, getting them veterinary care and “rehoming” them to sanctuaries. While both farms market themselves as “humane,” DxE did not think so and claimed systemic violations of animal cruelty laws. 

 After Hsiung’s sentencing in November,  three more activists were arrested on multiple felonies and misdemeanors while attempting to report once again evidence of unlawful animal cruelty at Sonoma County farms.

“California proudly enacted the strongest animal welfare law in the country, and its Right to Rescue Act allows literal breaking to rescue dogs,” said Hsiung. “But billions of animals suffer while animal cruelty laws go unenforced and the state prosecutes rescuers for giving aid to animals who are on the brink of death. We are working to ensure that all animals are protected from suffering and have the right to be safe, happy, and free.”

The Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at DU’s Sturm College of Law works to empower and defend animal advocates through activist defense, affirmative litigation, and training law students to join and transform the field of animal law. 

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Late Thursday, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for the Dim Sum Factory Inc. in Flushing, N.Y., which produced and distributed raw, frozen pork dumpling products without the benefit of federal inspection.

A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available.

The raw, frozen pork wonton dumpling products were produced on various dates since September 6, 2023, and have a shelf life of 18 months. The following product is subject to the public health alert.

• 1.5-lb. vacuum-packed packages containing “GOGO DUMPLING Pork & Shepherd’s Purse Wontons (Handmade).”

The products bear the establishment number “EST. 1656” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a distributor in New York and sold online nationwide.

The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities. FSIS determined that the location where the pork wonton products were being produced was not on the official premises of the establishment and, therefore, was not inspected.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

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Biery Cheese Company of Louisville, OH, is recalling Member’s Mark – Mild Cheddar Fancy (Fine) Shredded Cheese because of foreign material in the product, specifically glove remnants. 

According to the details posted by the FDA, the recall was initiated on Dec. 18, 2023, and is ongoing.

The recalled products were distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio.

Recalled products:

• Member’s Mark – Mild Cheddar Fancy (Fine) Shredded Cheese 
• Packaged in 5lbs, 8 packages per case
• Product Quantity: 320 cases
• Code Information: Run # 36699681 Lot # 0506242331218 Product # 15401 Catalog # 980225088 Manufacturer # 39-211 
• Best By 06 May 2024

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to their place of purchase.

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The Fillo Factory Inc. of Northvale, NJ, is recalling Wellsley Farms Assorted Mini Quiches because of possible foreign material in the product, specifically aluminum.

According to the details posted by the FDA, the recall was initiated on Dec. 28, 2023, and is ongoing.

The recalled products were sent to distribution centers in Florida and Connecticut and then further distributed to retail stores in New York, Florida, Maine, South Carolina, Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Recalled products:

• Wellsley Farms Assorted Mini Quiches NET WT 36 OZ (2LB 4 OZ) 1.02kb Keep Frozen 
• UPC: 8867002630. 
• Packaged in plastic trays in a cardboard box. 2 sealed trays in a box, 10 boxes per case
• Product Quantity: approximately 3412 retail units
• Code Information: 3483 BEST BY: 06/14/2025

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to their place of purchase.

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The FAO is attempting to raise awareness and understanding of early warning tools and systems in food safety to support their wider use.

Early warning systems play a role in reducing the potential risks from various hazards, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a recent report.

The capability to identify emerging food safety risks and to provide timely warnings to allow for mitigation measures to be taken is useful for national and international authorities dealing with food safety.

There has been a shift from reactive to proactive systems for issues that may require targeted monitoring, surveillance, research, and regulation. Modern digital warning tools are fed by numerous, real-time, and diverse data and use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques.

Example tools and issues to overcome

The report covers Big Data, AI applications, biosensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain technologies, and machine learning. Gaps and barriers to the uptake of such tools and technical and socioeconomic challenges are also addressed.

The document was developed by FAO and Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR). Work included a literature review, an online survey with 83 responses from 59 countries and virtual workshops.

Issues with AI were the long training time, plus ethical and policy challenges. For Big Data, there was insufficient data quality and quantity in food safety and limited data from the private sector. Blockchain has a high implementation cost, while crowdsourcing could lead to poor data quality caused by inaccurate information. For remote sensing, there are user difficulties in understanding the collected data, and there can be a lot of irrelevant data with text mining.

Findings from the online survey and workshops found other barriers for low and middle-income countries were the absence of financial, human, and material resources. Challenges included insufficient monitoring of foodborne hazards and a lack of technologies and databases to traceback pathogens. Participants mentioned a lack of coordination between agencies and limited financial support.

From a technical perspective, there is a need for infrastructure and facilities for data collection, storage, and processing. Reliable internet access and wireless connectivity in LMICs is often a problem. Also, in most cases, an extensive computational infrastructure capable of processing large volumes of diverse datasets is necessary.

WHO workshop

Meanwhile, outcomes from an event for some Asian nations on the rapid exchange of information through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) have been published.

WHO, FAO and INFOSAN organized the workshop for Central Asian countries in Kazakhstan in May 2023.  Central Asian countries‎ have experienced significant economic shifts in the past two decades, leading to reduced dependence on domestic agriculture and increased reliance on food imports.

Past evaluations have highlighted the need to strengthen the region’s incident and emergency response systems, including risk communication and participation in INFOSAN.

Participants said barriers to information sharing during food safety emergencies were the absence of a coordinating agency and mutually recognized standard operating procedures, a reluctance to share information, confidentiality concerns, the lack of specialist training, language barriers, poor internet connectivity, and cultural differences.

Speakers gave perspectives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

In Kazakhstan, efforts are underway to improve the risk management system, introduce early warning and response programs, upgrade the laboratory service, and train and certify staff.

Kyrgyzstan does not currently have specific regulations for responding to food safety emergencies. The country has piloted an automated system for epidemiological surveillance. One example of incident response covered food poisoning traced to contaminated sushi. Salmonella Enteritidis was detected in raw salmon, which caused illness in more than 350 people. Prompt action was taken domestically, but neighboring countries were not informed.

Foodborne diseases are a recurring issue in Tajikistan, primarily due to a lack of awareness by consumers about the precautions to take when consuming food. There is a need to enhance the surveillance system in the country, monitor public catering networks, and improve compliance with sanitary standards throughout the supply chain.

Turkmenistan has a monitoring and surveillance system to ensure food safety. Data related to foodborne illnesses, outbreaks, and other incidents are collected and analyzed using a standardized reporting form. In Uzbekistan, instructions around food poisoning incidents have been revised to align with the requirements of the International Health Regulations, while hygiene standards have also been reviewed and updated. Laws are in place to regulate labs involved in food safety.

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This past Monday brought Nebraska’s coldest snap in three years, with frigid temperatures and enough snow and sleet to make roads dangerous.  Staying home was the best defense from the bitter Arctic cold.

But USDA meat inspectors who opted not to go to work on one of those dangerous winter days were quick to hear about.    It was hard to miss that the local Congressman wrote the Secretary of Agriculture about their absences.

On the same Monday, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood, R-NE, wrote Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about what he said were “troubling reports” about USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel not reporting for work at the Tyson Pork Plant in Madison, NE.

“Let me be clear,” Flood wrote.  “This is unacceptable and must be remedied immediately. 

Flood’s letter does not mention any complaints he might have received from Tyson managers about any missing USDA inspectors. Still, no pork from human consumption could be produced unless USDA inspectors are present.

Still, the weather was not bothering Flood nearly as much as shift-missing inspectors.

“If our communities can show up to work, the USDA can too, “ he wrote.  “Our pork producers are ready and waiting; our plant wants to operate; the USDA must step up to the plate and fulfill its mission to serve rural America.”

Flood also wrote, “FSIS inspectors are essential employees; they are integral to ensuring consumer safety and disease prevention” and that the inspectors are required to operate meat and poultry processing facilities across the country, and without them, the plant shuts down.”

The last time filling inspector shifts became an issue was early in the pandemic.

Flood did say the safety of Nebraskans is his “top priority,” and he understands “taking necessary steps” in light of “challenging weather.”

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Contaminated lamb meat caused a Salmonella outbreak in a minority ethnic community in Wales, according to researchers.

In July 2021, Public Health Wales received two notifications of Salmonella. Both patients had attended a barbecue in a park in Cardiff to celebrate Eid al–Adha, two days earlier. Other cases related to the barbecue were found and an outbreak investigation was started.

The barbecue was attended by members of the North African community. On the same day, smaller lunches were held in three homes. Many people went to both a lunch and the barbecue.

A traditional raw liver dish called marara, served at the barbecue, was the likely vehicle for infection. Marara is made from raw liver, usually cut into strips, washed in lemon juice and vinegar, and marinated in herbs, spices, and peanut butter. Meat and offal came from two local butchers with the same supplier and samples had identical whole genome sequences as cases.

In total, 22 cases were identified in the outbreak, of which five were confirmed and 17 were probable Salmonella Typhimurium cases, according to the study published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection.  

Cross contamination factor

Five people developed symptoms in the eight days following the barbecue, which suggests person-to-person transmission since some of them had attended the barbecue but did not become unwell until after the incubation period for salmonellosis.

Many cases were severely unwell, with 12 seeking emergency hospital care and six being admitted overnight. One patient needed treatment in an intensive care unit.

One respondent noted gastrointestinal sickness in a barbecue attendee and resident in their household, with symptoms starting before the barbecue. The barbecue food was prepared at home by eight people. It was transported, not chilled, to consume at the evening barbecue, and included marinated uncooked lamb, several side dishes, and a number of traditional dishes.

The religious practice involving animal slaughter for Eid al-Adha is called Qurbani. The day of the barbecue was very hot, plus the raw liver and lamb was left unchilled for a long period.

Questionnaire responses indicated that some lamb cooked on the barbecue was pink inside and that marinade from the raw liver was used as a dip for other food. One person used the plate the raw liver was served on to eat their meal. All of this offers multiple opportunities for cross-contamination, said scientists.

Sequences from 11 samples of leftover raw lamb were genetically indistinguishable from one another, and from those in the five human isolates from barbecue attendees.

Three people had more than one pathogen in their stool sample including two co-infections with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and one with Campylobacter. Identical E. coli sequences to those in patients were found from samples taken from the butchers and supplying abattoir.

Wider ongoing outbreak

Microbiological evidence suggests there was widespread contamination of sheep meat consumed at the barbecue, and that cross-contamination with other dishes occurred. However, it was not possible to establish where contamination occurred in the food chain.

The five sequenced cases are part of a larger ongoing cluster with cases since 2018. They are spread across Wales, Scotland, London, and the South West and Midlands of England. At least two cases in the wider cluster were people with occupational contact with sheep farms, suggesting a possible transmission chain with a farm origin. Investigations are ongoing to find the source.

An educational session was held during the Eid al-Adha festival which included members of the community that eat the traditional marara dish and others that celebrate Eid al-Adha. Key food safety and hygiene messages were presented followed by a conversation. The session received positive feedback from participants. A communication campaign, noting different cultural practices, was developed with the affected community.

“Future outbreak investigations should be relevant to the community affected by considering dishes beyond those found in routine questionnaires,” said scientists.

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Selinsgrove, PA-based BrightFarms has announced the recall of spinach grown by its supplier Element Farms in their Pompton Plains, New Jersey farm and distributed under the BrightFarms brand because the spinach has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Due to potential cross-contamination, BrightFarms also recalls a limited quantity of four salad kit products from its Selinsgrove, PA, facility.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause severe and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The recalled products were distributed to retailers in seven states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The products come in 4-oz, clear plastic containers. Information about the “best by” date, UPC, and facility code can be found at the bottom of the package. Pictures to assist customers in identifying the recalled products are found at the end of this announcement.

ProductOunceUPC
CodesFacility
CodeBest-By DateBrightFarms Baby Spinach3.5oz8-57062-00492-3PEN81/11/2024,
1/13/2024,
1/18/2024,
1/20/2024BrightFarms Mediterranean
Crunch Kit6.35oz8-50051-82501-1PEN41/15/2024,
1/20/2024BrightFarms Chickpea Caesar
Crunch Kit6.50oz8-57062-00415-2PEN41/15/2024,
1/20/2024BrightFarms Bacon Ranch
Crunch Kit6.70oz8-57062-00416-9PEN41/15/2024BrightFarms Southwest
Chipotle5.85oz8-50051-82500-4PEN41/15/2024

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The spinach recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by Element Farms yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes. Due to potential cross-contamination at BrightFarms’s Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facility, BrightFarms recalls a limited quantity of four select salad kit products. No positive test results or reported illness have been received on those products.

As a result of today’s recall, the company has temporarily suspended the distribution of Element Farms-grown spinach.

Retailers have been instructed to remove all recalled products from store shelves. Consumers who have purchased the affected products should not consume the products and discard them or present a photo of the product or receipt to their place of purchase for a full refund and then discard them.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning restaurants and food retailers in California that have recently purchased oysters from Sociedad Acuicola GolPac (MX 06 SP) harvested from Bahia Salina, Sonora, Mexico on 12/18/2023 or 12/27/2023.

The FDA alert is also for consumers in California who have recently consumed oysters in San Diego or Los Angeles County restaurants sourced from Sociedad Acuicola GolPac (MX 06 SP) harvested from Bahia Salina, Sonora, Mexico on 12/18/2023 or 12/27/2023.

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Sociedad Acuicola GolPac (MX 06 SP) harvested from Bahia Salina, Sonora, Mexico on 12/18/2023 or 12/27/2023 because they may be contaminated with norovirus.

Oysters contaminated with norovirus can cause illness if eaten raw, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department. Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever may be associated with gastroenteritis infections caused by this organism.

People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after exposure to norovirus. 

Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Dehydrated children may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

Anyone who becomes severely dehydrated should call a healthcare provider.

The California Department of Public Health on Jan 10 notified the FDA of an outbreak of Norovirus in San Diego County that has been linked to the consumption of oysters traced back to a specific harvest location in Mexico. 

An investigation is ongoing, and the number of illnesses is being tracked. Mexican Shellfish Authorities have investigated the source of the illnesses and closed the Bahia Salina growing area to harvest on 1/12/2024.

Recommendations 

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

• Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
• Retailers that have sold bulk products should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
• Regularly cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Consumers should not eat the potentially contaminated oysters. Consumers should contact their healthcare provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

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The CDC is reporting that more than 350 children are now involved in an outbreak of lead poisoning traced to pouches of cinnamon applesauce.

The outbreak was first announced in October after the Food and Drug Administration received information from North Carolina officials in September about children with elevated levels of lead in their blood. Traceback work showed a common source — cinnamon applesauce sold in pouches.

The implicated applesauce was made in Ecuador by Austrofoods. Negasmart supplied the cinnamon in the applesauce pouches to Austrofoods. Officials found the lead in the cinnamon was 2,000 times the amount considered safe. Elevated levels of chromium were also found in the product.

In an update last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported it is investigating 354 cases of lead poisoning: Confirmed cases 93, probable cases 233, and suspect cases 28. The patients are spread across 41 states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting that it is investigating 89 cases with patients ranging in age from less than one to 53 years old, with the median age being one year old. There could be some overlap so the CDC and FDA numbers should not be added together.

Three brands of cinnamon applesauce pouches have been recalled. They are Wanabana, Schnucks and Weis. The pouches were sold individually nationwide. Some of the Schnucks pouches were sold in variety packs. All dates and lots of the products are subject to recall. (see photos above).

The FDA and CDC recommend that parents not use the applesauce and throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. The applesauce has a very long shelf life, so consumers urge the public to check their homes for the recalled products.

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.

About chromium exposure
Symptoms of chromium exposure from eating contaminated food may be nonspecific. Some people might not experience any symptoms. Ingestion of chromium exceeding dietary recommendations may result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and renal and hepatic dysfunction.

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 The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a single Certificate of Appealability (COA) on Jan. 10 in the Motion 2255 Habeas Petition sought by former peanut broker Michael Parnell.

The order by the Atlanta-based appellate court sets Feb.20, 2024, as the deadline for Parnell’s attorney to file an appellant’s brief.  The government’s response is due 30 days later.

Michael Parnell, 65, is a resident of the low-security federal lockup located at Butner, NC.   He’s been in federal custody since 2015 after a jury convicted him of 31 charges related to the submission of false salmonella testing results to the FDA in his role as a peanut broker for the production plant located in Blakely, GA. 

Peanuts produced at that plant were linked in 2008-09 to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. Hundreds were sickened and several patients died. His company, P.P. Sales, shipped peanut products from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) to Kellogg’s.

Parnell filed a Motion 2255 Habeas Petition in 2019 seeking to overturn his convictions and 240-month sentence. In 2021, he was granted an evidentiary hearing in open court before the Magistrate Judge for Georgia’s Middle District Court.

The former peanut broker claimed he received ineffective assistance when his trial attorneys failed to seek a change of venue for his 2014 jury trial, and his defense attorneys failed to rebut loss and victim calculations and risk of injury enhancement put forth by the government.

After the District Court judges denied Parnell’s petition, the appellate court required one or more COAs to be reviewed.

“To obtain a COA, a movant must make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right,” according to the Jan 10 order.

“If the District Court denied a constitutional claim on the merits, the movant must demonstrate that ‘reasonable jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong’ or that the issues ‘deserve encouragement to proceed further,’ ” the order continues.

The 11th Circuit said it had granted COAs for the Motion 2255 Habeas Petition filed by 69-year-old Stewart Parnell, the former CEO of the now defunct PCA, who is Michael’s brother.  

Stewart Parnell’s attorney could argue issues involving pretrial publicity and jury prejudice. The order for Michael Parnell grants a COA for the first issue involving jury prejudice based on adverse pre-trial publicity, but “a COA is DENIED as to Ground 2 because reasonable jurists would not debate its denial,”  according to the order.

The order says the District Court found Parnell’s attorneys “were not deficient and any deficiency did not prejudice (Stewart) Parnell.”

The federal prison at Hazelton, WV, is the current home of Stewart Parnell, whose release date is July 26, 2038.

According to attorney Ann Fitz, who practices federal criminal and appellate law in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals,  2255 habeas petitions are a post-conviction remedy (also known as a Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct a Sentence). They are available to defendants convicted in federal court and currently in custody — either in prison or supervised release.

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, a defendant may seek relief because “the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States,” according to Fitz.

2255 habeas petitions are most commonly used to argue ineffective counsel assistance in violating the 6th Amendment.

To warrant relief under § 2255, the errors of which the movant complains must amount to a fundamental miscarriage of justice.

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Whole genome sequencing (WGS) by companies in Norway will likely be used for certain samples or in particular situations instead of all the time, according to a report.

The report looks at the legal rules that may affect WGS implementation of bacterial pathogens in the food industry, using Listeria monocytogenes as a case study.

Work was part of the PathoSeq project that began in 2019 and ended in 2023. It involved Nofima, the University of Oslo, the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria and companies in the meat and salmon sector.

The EU legal framework distinguishes between ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and food that is supposed to be cooked before consumption and between foods supporting the growth of Listeria and those that don’t. Stricter rules are applied for smoked salmon, sushi, deli meat, and soft cheeses.

Under EU law, firms are not obligated to notify the authorities upon detection of Listeria monocytogenes in their processing environments. Notification occurs mainly if foodstuff with Listeria has been sent to the market above the legal maximum levels.

Understanding findings
Detailed genomic sequences can allow companies to map the bacterial variants within their factories and discover sources and spread, enabling more informed risk assessments, control measures, and targeted responses, said experts.

Sequencing takes days or weeks, which is too long to be useful as part of daily hygiene monitoring or product release programs. Also, analyses may be too expensive for companies, especially compared to only considering the presence or absence of Listeria, which is sufficient to comply with current regulations.

From interviews, Norwegian firms generally have not yet applied WGS as part of their internal Listeria monocytogenes control programs. However, many companies were interested in the technology and the information it could provide.

Most interviewees said suppliers would not notify them upon detection of Listeria monocytogenes. Suppliers are not legally required to provide such information. Firms also don’t sample every batch of raw materials they receive. However, notice from suppliers appears common for the detection of Salmonella.

One producer of RTE fish products said it used to export to the U.S. but stopped since should any Listeria monocytogenes be detected during a control, the whole container would be returned or destroyed, presenting too high an economic risk for the business. While the U.S. has a zero-tolerance approach, EU law permits Listeria up to 100 CFU/g at the end of the shelf life in RTE products.

Data concerns
Concerns may relate to using WGS data, particularly how it may be interpreted and acted upon by regulatory authorities. Data, including metadata, needs to be assessed by experts, and there are risks of misinterpretation and overreaction. Industry interviews showed that trust in authorities’ competence and use of WGS data was low and fragile. They also worry about what other firms or customers might discover about their factories and food safety controls.

Highly similar Listeria monocytogenes may exist independently in multiple locations simultaneously, and many firms have the same supplier. Biases may arise because sampling is not performed to the same extent or equally by all parties.

Companies feared being incorrectly blamed and suffering the financial and reputational consequences if they were not the source of an outbreak.

Standards for assessing the data may also differ, for instance, regarding how many genetic differences one considers can exist between isolates while concluding that they originate from a common contamination source.

One example was given of a company requesting WGS data from Mattilsynet. Only limited data was provided, and the report said refusing to grant companies access risks increasing the divide and hindering their willingness to cooperate.

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— OPINION —

By Steven Grossman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.

What started as a crisis over the safety and supply of infant formula became a wide-ranging review of FDA’s food programs by the Reagan-Udall Foundation. In turn, those led to the creation of a new post, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, and the publication of a sweeping reorganization plan published on Dec. 13, 2023 (proposed changes and updates).

To learn more about the re-organization plan and its impact on food and nutrition programs, you are invited to a webinar on January 19 from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Register here.

Reflecting the importance of the reorganization plan — and the benefit to FDA of discussing the plan with stakeholders — the agency is providing the Alliance for a Stronger FDA with an all-star set of speakers.  

Presentations by:  

• Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock
• Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones
• Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Michael Rogers 
• Chief Scientist Namandje Bumpus (who will become Principal Deputy Commissioner in February)

Available to assist with questions will be Acting CFSAN Director Don Prater and Deputy Commissioner for Operations/COO Jim Sigg. 

The co-moderators on behalf of the Alliance will be: 

• Alliance Board member Sarah Sorscher of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and 
• John Taylor, former Acting Deputy Commissioner for Global Regulatory Operations and Policy and member of the Reagan-Udall Foundation review panel. 

The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is a multi-stakeholder coalition that advocates for increased FDA resources. We have played a key role in the doubling of FDA’s taxpayer funding.

Our other goal is to educate policymakers, media, and stakeholders about FDA’s growing mission and increased responsibilities. As part of that effort, we ran 18 webinars in 2023, all featuring senior FDA leadership. Transcripts of our webinars can be found here: www.strengthenfda.org/events.

Other Alliance webinars that are coming up soon: 

• Dr. Robert Califf, FDA Commissioner, Jan. 31 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Register here.
• Kimberlee Trzeciak, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs, Febr. 8 at 3 p.m. Register here

 Our webinars are free — all you have to do is register.  For more information, contact Steven Grossman at sgrossman@strengthenfda.org or Ben Dash at bdash@ofwlaw.com  

About the Alliance: The Alliance for a Stronger FDA, created in 2007,  is a multi-stakeholder organization with 150+ members devoted to advocating for increased appropriations for the FDA and educating policymakers and the public about the FDA’s mission and responsibilities. The Alliance’s unique coalition of patient and consumer groups and industry mirrors FDA’s unique role in public health, safety and commerce.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)