Food Safety News

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems.

Kyawkhin Inc.
Fort Wayne, IN

A food firm in Indiana is on notice from the FDA for not having FSVPs for several imported food products.

In a Sept. 20, 2023, warning letter, the FDA described an Aug. 15-17, 2023, Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) inspection of Kyawkhin Inc. in Fort Wayne, IN.

The FDA’s inspection revealed that the firm was not in compliance with FSVP regulations and resulted in the issuance of an FDA Form 483a. The significant violations are as follows:

The firm did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP. Specifically, they did not develop an FSVP for each of the following foods:

• Balachong fried chili paste imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)
• Peanut snack imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)
• Cypro tone beverage base imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)

The full warning letter can be viewed here.

Distribuidora Jocorena Inc.
Deer Park, NY

A food firm in New York is on notice from the FDA for not having FSVPs for several imported food products.

In a Nov. 30, 2023, warning letter, the FDA described an Aug. 21 through Sept. 8, 2023, Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) inspection of Distribuidora Jocorena Inc. in Deer Park, NY.

The FDA’s inspection revealed that the firm was not in compliance with FSVP regulations and resulted in the issuance of an FDA Form 483a. The significant violations are as follows:

The firm did not develop, maintain, and follow an FSVP. Specifically, they did not develop an FSVP for each of the following foods:

• Pinole (corn flour) imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)
• Frozen corn tamale imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)
• Dry red beans (kidney beans) imported from (redacted), located in (redacted)

The full warning letter can be viewed here.

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Almost 1,000 people fell ill in a Campylobacter and Sapovirus outbreak in China in 2021, according to a recently released study.

The outbreak involved 996 patients and had two peaks over a 17 day period. Through case-control studies, scientists identified exposure to water from a secondary water supply system as a significant risk factor.

Among 83 patients, 49 samples tested positive for Campylobacter coli, 39 tested positive for human Sapovirus, and 27 were positive for both pathogens.

Details on the first reported outbreak in China with infection by Campylobacter coli and Sapovirus were published in the journal China CDC Weekly.

In July 2021, a hospital in Beijing identified 13 patients with acute gastroenteritis in the same school. Epidemiological investigations later revealed 996 patients, including 958 students and 38 staff members. 

The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. A total of 828 questionnaires were completed, including 341 gastroenteritis cases and 487 controls.

Water contamination source
One direct drinking water (DDW) system supplied by a secondary water supply system (WSS-S) was identified in the school building. This DDW system offered unboiled direct drinking water (UDDW) and boiled. The water source for WSS-S is a groundwater source well (WSW) within the campus. One hotel on the same campus also has its own secondary water supply system (WSS-H), which uses the WSW as its water source.

Both WSS-H and WSS-S have separate facilities including a water storage tank, water pump, and pipeline. The WSS-H conducted disinfection using chlorine dioxide and the storage tank and pump were inside the hotel. The water quality from WSS-H was supervised effectively.

However, the water storage tank and pump of WSS-S was not inside the school and lacked effective management. The sewage well was uncovered and did not have protective facilities during rainfall, said researchers.

Based on findings from case-control studies, exposure to unboiled direct drinking water from the contaminated secondary water supply system increased the risk of illness. The nearby garbage station and sewage well were likely sources of contamination.

After a rainstorm, some students reported the water in the school appeared turbid and had an unpleasant odor. After drinking water was replaced with commercially bottled water, the number of patients decreased significantly. 

The antibiotic resistance profile of 17 Campylobacter coli isolates showed co-resistance to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and tetracycline.

“Results of aerobic plate counting and coliform detection indicated that the water samples from the WSS-S were of poor quality. But neither Campylobacter coli nor human Sapovirus were identified in the water samples. Waterborne outbreaks often occur on a large scale and involve complex processes of pathogen examination and tracing. This report emphasizes the significance of ensuring the safety of drinking water, particularly in secondary supply systems,” said scientists.

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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 FDA page with links to specific alerts.

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An outbreak of norovirus infections has spurred a warning from the Food and Drug Administration about certain oysters from Mexico.

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 Dec. 18 , 2023, or Dec. 27, 2023 because they may be contaminated with norovirus.

On Jan. 10, the California Department of Public Health notified the FDA of an outbreak of norovirus in San Diego County, CA, that has been linked to consumption of oysters tracing back to the harvest location in Mexico. 

An investigation is ongoing and the number of illnesses is being tracked.

Mexican Shellfish Authorities have initiated an investigation into the source of the illnesses and closed the Bahia Salina growing area to harvest on Jan. 12.

The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction.

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 any 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 product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
• Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

About norovirus
Symptoms of norovirus infection may include vomiting and/or diarrhea, nausea, muscle aches, fever, and headache, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms typically start 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last for one to three days. Most people recover without treatment, however some may need medical attention for dehydration.

People with norovirus infections can spread the infection easily to others. The virus can live o n surfaces for long periods of time.

To prevent others from getting sick always wash hands carefully with soap and warm water after using the bathroom or changing diapers.

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Quaker Canada is recalling various Quaker and Cap’n Crunch brand products because of Salmonella contamination.

This recall follows multiple recalls in the U.S. of Quaker brand products.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the recalled products were distributed nationally in Canada and online.

Recalled products:

BrandProductSizeUPCCodesQuakerHarvest Crunch Original Granola Cereal475 g0 55577 10540 5All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond Granola Cereal470 g0 55577 10541 2All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Raisin Almond Granola Cereal 510 g0 55577 10542 9All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Light and Crisp Honey Nut Granola Cereal400 g0 55577 10543 6All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Light & Crisp Raisin Almond Granola Cereal425 g0 55577 10544 3All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Apple Crumble Granola Cereal470 g0 55577 10549 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Original Granola Cereal1.8 kg0 55577 31255 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Original Granola Cereal1.4 kg0 55577 10550 4All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Canadian Maple Cereal475 g0 55577 10551 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerHarvest Crunch Cereal Light and Crisp Honey Nut Value Pack1.2 kg0 55577 10552 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024  QuakerChewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12010 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy S’mores Granola Bars120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12011 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy Rocky Road Granola Bars 120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12012 5All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy Apple Fruit Crumble Granola Bars 120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12014 9All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy Fruit Crumble Peach Granola Bars120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12015 6All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerChewy Caramel Chocolate Granola Bars120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12017 0All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerChewy Fruit Crumble Strawberry Granola Bars120 g (5 bars)0 55577 12019 4All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerChewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars960 g (40 bars)0 55577 12020 0All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy Smore’s Granola Bars960 g (40 bars)0 55577 12021 7All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerChewy Chocolatey Fun Granola Bars960 g (40 bars)0 55577 12023 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024  QuakerChewy Fruity Fun Granola Bars960 g (40 bars)0 55577 12024 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerChewy Fruity Fun Granola Bars1.15 g (48 bars)0 55577 33107 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 QuakerChewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars36 bars x 26 g0 55577 78177 7All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including September 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Caramel Nut Granola Bars156 g (5 bars)0 55577 10970 0All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Chocolate Chip Granola Bars 156 g (5 bars)0 55577 10971 7All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Rainbow Chip Granola Bars150 g (5 bars)0 55577 10972 4All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Chocolate Fudge Granola Bars150 g (5 bars)0 55577 10973 1All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Peanut Butter Granola Bars156 g (5 bars)0 55577 10974 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Cookies and Cream Granola Bars150 g (5 bars)0 55577 10979 3All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Salted Butterscotch Crunch Granola Bars155 g (5 bars)0 55577 10980 9All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024  BrandProductSizeUPCCodesQuakerDipps Granola Bars Variety Pack935 g (30 bars)0 55577 31253 7All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerDipps Granola Bars1.12 kg (36 bars)0 55577 31222 3All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerYogurt Strawberry Granola Bars175 g (5 bars)0 55577 10743 0All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerYogurt Vanilla Granola Bars175 g (5 bars)0 55577 10744 7All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerYogurt Blueberry Granola Bars175 g (5 bars)0 55577 10757 4All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerYogurt Variety Pack – Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Granola Bars1.05 kg (30 bars)0 55577 31131 8All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 QuakerYogurt Variety Pack Granola Bars1.19 kg (34 bars)0 55577 31221 6All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including October 07, 2024 Cap’n CrunchTreat Bars – Berry Bar110 g (5 bars)0 55577 11041 6All best before dates from January 11, 2024 up to and including July 09, 2024 

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. They are also verifying that industry is removing recalled products from the marketplace.

Consumers should not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute recalled products.

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 of the recalled granola 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 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.

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The Quaker Oats Company is expanding their Dec. 15, 2023, recall to include additional cereals, bars and snacks because of potential Salmonella contamination. 

The products listed below are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. 

This recall applies to the specific products listed below, in addition to the products announced on Dec. 15, 2023. A combined list of recalled products is available on www.QuakerRecallUSA.com.

RECALLED PRODUCTS: Product DescriptionSizeUPC“Best Before” Date Between:GRANOLA BARSQuaker Chewy Granola Bars (Fruity Fun) Amazing Apple0.84 oz 6 Count030000571750Jan-11-24 and Sep-01-24Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (Fruity Fun) Splendid Strawberry0.84 oz 6 Count030000571767Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-24Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (Fruity Fun) Amazing Apple and Splendid Strawberry Variety Pack0.84 oz 48 Count030000572979Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-24Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Yogurt Strawberry Flavor1.23 oz 12 Count030000315675Jan-11-24 and Oct-01-241.23 oz 5 Count0300003128031.23 oz 1 count030000000410Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Yogurt Blueberry Flavor1.23 oz 1 Count030000000465Jan-11-24 and Oct-01-241.23 oz 5 Count030000312827Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Yogurt Variety Packs1.23 oz 10 Count030000575741Jan-11-24 and Oct-01-241.23 OZ 21 Count03000056908541.8 oz 34 Count0300005762361.23 oz 14 Count030000321362CEREAL BARSCap’n Crunch Treats Crunch Berries Cereal Bar0.84 oz 8 Count030000572726 OR 030000574065Jan-11-24 and Oct-31-242.11 oz 1 Count0300000041111.79 oz 12 Count0300005727880.84 oz 16 Count030000572764Cap’n Crunch Treats Bars Variety Pack0.84 oz 32 Count030000572849Jan-11-24 and Oct-01-24Cap’n Crunch Treats Peanut Butter Crunch Cereal Bar0.84 oz 8 Count030000574072 OR 030000572740Jan-11-24 and Oct-01-242.11 oz 1 Count0300000041282.11 oz 12 Count030000572801Cap’n Crunch Treats Original Crunch Cereal Bars0.84 oz 8 Count030000576601Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-240.84 oz 16 Count030000576618CEREALSQuaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Chocolate & Strawberry Variety Pack12.6 oz 2 Pack030000577578Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-24Quaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Chocolate12.6 oz030000576922Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-2412.6 oz 2 Pack030000578209Quaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Strawberry13.6 oz030000576939Jan-11-24 and Jul-03-24Quaker Oatmeal Squares Cinnamon14.5 oz030000061534Jan-11-24 and Oct-1-2421 oz03000032073043.5 oz 3 Pack030000577707 OR 030000566497Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar14.5 oz030000064412Jan-11-24 and Oct-1-2421 oz03000006403029 oz 2 Count03000044061243.5 oz 3 Pack030000566480Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut14.5 oz030000313282Jan-11-24 and Oct-1-24Cap’n Crunch OOPS! All Berries Cereal10.3 oz030000573235Jan-11-24 H and Oct-1-24 H (Best Before Date must include “H” after dateCap’n Crunch Cinnamon Crunch Cereal11.2 oz030000578124Jan-11-24 and Jul-3-2419.3 oz030000578131Cap’n Crunch Sea Berry Crunch Cereal15.5 oz030000578186Jan-11-24 and Jul-3-24Gamesa Marias Cereal11.4 oz030000576946Jan-11-24 and Jul-3-2411.4 oz 2 Count030000577172 OR 030000577400CAP’N CRUNCH INSTANT OATMEALCap’n Crunch Instant Oatmeal8.5 oz030000577103Jan-11-24 and Oct-1-24Cap’n Crunch OOPS! All Berries Instant Oatmeal8.5 oz030000577110Jan-11-24 and Oct-1-24GATORADE PROTEIN PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE BARSGatorade Protein Bar Peanut Butter Chocolate2.8 oz052000010121JAN 11 24 through APR 10 242.8 oz 6 Count0520000411322.8 oz 12 Count052000010138SNACK MIXMunchies Snack Mix (Munch Mix)0.875 oz 104 Count028400672405JAN 11 24 through May 7 24

Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Additionally, consumers with any product noted below can contact Quaker Consumer Relations (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-800-492-9322 or visit www.QuakerRecallUSA.com  for additional information or product reimbursement.

Consumers can scan the SmartLabel QR code on the product package to determine if it has been recalled. Click here for information on how to use SmartLabel.

Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. 

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 of the recalled granola 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 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.

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

U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is recalling Dragonfly jelly bars because they contain konjac powder and may present a choking hazard.

Konjac powder’s texture and consistency could pose a choking hazard to small children as well as adults with functional and/or anatomic abnormalities.

The recall was initiated after New York State Agriculture Department of Agriculture and Markets collected a sample of the jelly containing konjac powder. Based upon the products containing the ingredient konjac powder and the dimensions, FDA has determined that the products present a choking hazard.

The recalled jelly bars were distributed to retailers nationwide.

The jelly bars are individually packed in small handbags and small backpacks. 

Recalled products:

BrandProduct NameSizeUPCDragonflyJelly Handbag11.64oz721557357156DragonflyJelly Handbag17.63oz721557357163DragonflyJelly Backpack7.93oz721557357170DragonflyJelly Backpack28.22oz721557357187

As of the posting of this recall, no incidents of consumers choking have been reported.

Consumers who have purchased these products should return them to the store of purchase for a refund.

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— OPINION —

As 2024 unfolds, there are ongoing stories that will continue to take shape, including one that impacts everyone’s daily life in the United States.

The reorganization of the Food and Drug Administration’s human foods program began in 2023 with the appointment of Jim Jones to be the agency’s first-ever deputy commissioner for human foods. Jones is a 30-year veteran of the Environmental Protection Agency.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf created the new deputy commissioner post after internal and external reviews showed the food side of the FDA had no transparent chain of command and other deficiencies. The FDA began studying those deficiencies in May 2022 after Califf was grilled by a congressional committee investigating the infant formula debacle.

This year, Jones will continue to review the problems under his jurisdiction. He has begun to address them by changing the names and responsibilities of some offices — the Office of Regulatory Affairs is now the Office of Inspections and Investigations. He says that will strengthen the FDA’s field-based oversight program. 

The proposed reorganization of the FDA also includes creating new offices and shifting responsibilities from some offices to others.

While the changes may sound like Jones and Califf are merely shuffling the deck of bureaucracy within the agency’s food operations, I am hopeful that the changes will make a difference. 

Jones has consolidated some operations and established a clear chain of command so that office directors under his purview will no longer have to look sideways to finish their work. 

Hopefully, Jones will also address problems that seem like small details but, in actuality, can cause big problems. One issue that came to light during the infant formula crisis of 2022 was that a crucial whistleblower document was caught up in a mailroom snafu and didn’t reach the appropriate people until months later. That document outlined significant breaches of food safety protocols and regulations at an infant formula production plant that later caused the plant’s closure and recall of millions of pounds of powdered formula.

Also expected in 2024
The 24th year of the 21st Century also holds food safety dangers that have plagued U.S. residents since the beginning of the 20th Century and longer.

Foodborne illness outbreaks will continue — full stop. There is no doubt more people will become ill, and some will die merely because they ate food. This is a fact. Pathogens contaminate everything from meat to produce to ice cream.

The good news is that food producers can mitigate contamination. The bad news is that most of them won’t take steps to protect consumers. For example, food producers could initiate test and hold procedures to help avoid selling contaminated food. Most producers don’t want to do this because time is money, and illnesses are less likely to break the bank.

Traceability measures could also be put into place. Modern technology makes this a mere detail of operating a business, but most food producers and sellers just haven’t taken the time or money to put traceable information on their products. They would, of course, have to have a computer to track that information, but who doesn’t have computers in their business operations at this point? Better traceability could help decrease the number of sick people in outbreaks and help reduce the number of products in recalls.

Food producers and handlers could also make sure their physical operations are clean. If this sounds like a no-brainer, it is. But, money again rears its ugly head, and operators too often cut corners when keeping things clean. 

Some consumers believe that government inspections take care of such things. Still, the simple truth is that public health operations from the local level up to the top federal agencies don’t have enough people to do the job. For example, in many local health jurisdictions, the goal is to inspect each food facility once every three years. All too often, that goal is not met because of staff shortages.

Another given for 2024 is that more people will fall ill because they drink unpasteurized, raw milk. And more children will become sick because their parents gave them unpasteurized milk.

This is fact, not fiction. The fiction comes into the equation when raw milk proponents say raw milk is not contaminated and that it cannot possibly harm you because people have been drinking raw milk for centuries.

The fact is that the advent of pasteurization has been saving lives for a century. With today’s product testing and whole genome sequencing of pathogens, it has been proven that raw milk is more often than not contaminated with dangerous bacteria and viruses.

Many states have laws against selling raw milk, and there is a federal ban on selling it across state lines. These are examples of how the government works to protect people, including the most vulnerable people — children.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that the number of outbreaks linked to raw milk has increased. From 1998 through 2018, 202 outbreaks and 2,645 outbreak-associated illnesses occurred from drinking raw milk. Areas where raw milk was legally sold had 3.2 times more outbreaks than areas where the sale of raw milk was illegal.

Once again, there is good news. All that is needed for illnesses traced to raw milk to end is for people to stop drinking it. Unlike food, people can live without raw milk, so the consumer has as much burden as the producer.

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

— OPINION —

Late last year, I felt like the Amos Miller saga must be finally over. 

Maybe it was my sparring partner David Gumpert, the author of books like “The
Raw Milk Revolution” putting his blog mostly on ice, or maybe it was the untimely death last Nov. 27 of federal Judge Edward G. Smith of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who presided over United States v. Amos Miller cases for seven years.

Indeed, the signing of the “Third Consent Decree” by Miller’s new attorney finally ended the federal court litigation after all these years. It would have ended sooner had Miller not gone through his “sovereign citizen” phase, which even the ever-patient Judge Smith would not put up with.

The Consent Decrees Miller accepted are long and complicated, but essentially mean laws and regulations enforced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service must be obeyed.   

In the main, Miller is “precluded from conducting livestock/poultry slaughter and processing intended for sale, resale, offer for sale, transportation, donation, or distribution”  to any of his customers or anywhere else.

While it ended the federal litigation, all the accepted Consent Decree language remains legally enforced under federal law.

However, as the new year dawned, Amos Miller was back in the news after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant on the Miller farm on Jan. 4.

With Pennsylvania State Troopers providing security, serving the search warrant at the Miller farm left some blow-back to answer. The state ag officials went through Miller’s coolers, taking some foods away and detaining others that could not be moved or sold.

It was left to Russell C. Redding, the long-serving Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, to express the department’s frustration with Miller. He told Rep. David Zimmerman in a Pennsylvania Farm Show interview that the department has “really worked hard to bring Mr. Miller along.”

But he said when other state health departments are making contact about foodborne illnesses, “it’s not a good look for Pennsylvania.” Miller is not permitted to sell raw milk, nor is his retail operation registered with Pennsylvania.

Miller apparently does know how to sign up for online fundraising campaigns. Lancaster Online News reports that Miller raised “well over” $500,000 in six campaigns during the federal litigation when fines and costs totaled about $85,000.   Since being subject to the search warrant on Jan.4, he has raised another $126,638 toward a $150,000 goal.

The co-defendant in the federal case was “Miller’s Organic Farm,” the name Miller uses on websites, Facebook, and at other locations. USDA’s National Organic Program participants say the Miller farm is not certified organic. Maybe NOP wants to take him to court?

One of Miller’s customers contacted Food Safety News to argue that since he and his family eat the food sold by the farm and they’ve not become ill over several months, the products must be safe to eat.

It’s been one week since Pennsylvania ag officials visited Miller’s farm, and it’s been longer than that since health departments in New York and Michigan found people with E. Coli illnesses that show signs they may be linked to the farm. All three states should, with all due speed, report their findings.  There should not be any wait for a final report or any other such nonsense

Amos Miller is a farmer in multiple states who owns a “buyer’s club” with the reach to distribute food across state lines. The public has a right to know if he is responsible for the current outbreak. If he isn’t, Pennsylvania must issue fines and get him licensed for whatever business he does.

For the record, Miller first came to the attention of the food safety system in 2016 when his raw milk was genetically linked to two cases of listeriosis.  One ended in death 

A little caution around Amos Miller goes a long way.

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

Czech controls on olive oil have found two-thirds of samples were non-compliant.

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) focused on the quality of olive oils on the domestic market.

Overall, 67 percent of evaluated samples failed to meet the requirements of European legislation. The most severe findings were olive oils that did not correspond to the extra virgin label when assessed and were of lower quality. Two samples matched the category lampante oil, which is not meant for retail sale and is intended for further processing.

The Czech Republic is not an olive oil-producing country, but it sent samples to an accredited laboratory in Slovenia. The analysis confirmed that of the 21 samples evaluated, 14 were unsatisfactory. These came from Spain, Italy, and Greece. The oils were not extra virgin for ten samples as stated on the label, but lower quality oils. In six cases, inspectors found deficiencies in the labeling.

The aim was to check whether extra virgin and virgin olive oils from different countries met EU regulations’ physical, chemical, and sensory parameters and labeling requirements.

SZPI said findings show claims on some product labels are misleading domestic consumers.

“Regular inspections of olive oils show that products imported into the Czech Republic often fail to correspond to the declared category in terms of their characteristics. The inspections also suggest that importers underestimate the ability of the supervisory authorities in the Czech Republic to assess the quality of olive oils,” said agency officials.

SZPI has ordered sellers to withdraw non-compliant lots from the market and will initiate proceedings to impose fines.

Salmonella in meat findings
SZPI also warned consumers about frozen goose meat contaminated with Salmonella.

The product, from Hungary via Germany, has lot code 231330, Tranzit-Food Kft as producer, and the best-before date is Sept. 30, 2025.

Inspectors took the sample at one of the sites of Kaufland Česká Republika in Prague. Lab analysis confirmed the presence of Salmonella Senftenberg.

SZPI has informed the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), ordered a market withdrawal and advised consumers not to eat the implicated batch.  

The agency previously reported two lots of chilled chicken meat from Ukraine via Slovakia was contaminated with Salmonella.

Two samples of Tesco chicken breast fillets from different stores were positive for Salmonella Infantis. Products had use-by dates of October and September, so they were no longer on the market, but SZPI said the warning was issued as people might have them at home in the freezers. The agency started an administrative procedure to impose a fine.

Inspectors seize meat products
In December, the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) uncovered the sale of meat products through the social media site Facebook. Prague veterinary inspectors and police confiscated more than 180 kilograms of food of unknown origin.

Inspectors made a controlled purchase after an alert about suspicious advertising in the foreign-language community on Facebook. At the arranged meeting in Prague, more than 150 kilograms of pork and 30 kilograms of other meat products were seized. These goods were not marked, and the seller did not have documents relating to proof of origin.

Proceedings will be initiated against the suspect. Placing food of unknown origin on the market can result in a fine of up to Czech Koruna 50 million ($2.2 million).

Another operation at an Asian market in Brno found violations of regulations on selling products of animal origin. This included food that may not be sold in the Czech Republic, the sale of food of unknown origin, and sausages from an illegal production plant.

In a freezer of one outlet, veterinary inspectors found four packages of frozen silkworm larvae, which are not allowed to be sold for human consumption in the European Union.

Officials found a crate of bird carcasses, but the species could not be determined. The vendor said they were quails, but there was no proof of origin. Inspectors uncovered eight kilograms of chilled sausages, also without documents. They were thought to have come from the seller’s own domestic production operation.

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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has voiced frustration at what it called “repeated, similar and fundamental” breaches of food law.

92 enforcement orders were served on businesses for violating food safety legislation in 2023, up from the 77 reported in 2022. 

FSAI expressed disappointment at the increase and urged businesses to train staff appropriately and to ensure that premises are suitable for safe food production and storage.

In 2023, 76 closure orders, three improvement orders, and 13 prohibition orders were served on food firms. Six prosecutions were taken.

Examples of violations
Environmental health officers led enforcement actions in the HSE, local authority veterinary inspectors, and officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and from the FSAI.

Issues included inadequate food storage with the risk of contamination; a lack of pest control procedures such as monitoring and pest proofing; inadequate temperature control in food storage, preparation, and distribution; and insufficient staff training in food safety, personal hygiene, and recordkeeping.

Pamela Byrne, FSAI chief executive, said she had hoped to see a reduction in the levels of enforcement needed in 2023.

“While each of these enforcement orders was necessary for the protection of consumer health concerning food safety, we should not be seeing such breaches of food law occurring in food businesses at all,” she said.

“It is a legal obligation for food businesses to adhere to food safety regulations proactively. Each month, food safety inspectors find similar, basic, and fundamental breaches of food law, which are unacceptable. As we enter 2024, we urge food businesses to always prioritize and promote a culture of food safety in their businesses.”

Recent enforcement examples
Four closure orders and one prohibition order were served on businesses during December.

Reasons for such action included blood from raw ducks dripping onto ingredient bags and containers, with water and blood-soaked cloths left on food preparation surfaces; flies on raw ducks and equipment; floor, walls, shelves, equipment, and staff uniforms contaminated with water and blood from the sink; mold growth on structural and food contact surfaces; a cockroach infestation; absence of handwashing facilities; and no evidence of temperature monitoring.

Ten enforcement orders were issued in November. A range of problems were found such as evidence that people were living and sleeping in the food preparation area; no evidence to prove the business operator was trained in food safety; evidence that food infested by rodent droppings was placed on the market, and an establishment operating as a meat cutting plant, also producing meat products, without approval.

In early 2024, Fish Seafood Deli was convicted of several breaches of food safety law at a district court.

Following a prosecution taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), the court imposed fines of €6,000 ($6,600).

The prosecution was taken after several inspections by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers at the firm’s premises based in Carbery Enterprise Park, Cork, between February and May 2023.

The company pleaded guilty to eight charges for offenses, including non-compliance with food traceability requirements, failure to keep premises clean and in good repair, and failure to ensure waste products were stored correctly to prevent cross-contamination.

The court heard evidence showing the actions taken and resources spent by the business to address the non-compliances identified.

“Food safety law protects consumer health and confidence in the seafood sector. Compliance with requirements for food hygiene, premises, and traceability is key to ensuring that food on the market is safe. The convictions and fines imposed by the court emphasize the seriousness of non-compliance with food safety laws. The SFPA acknowledges the significant steps the food business took to address the issues detected in this case,” said an SFPA spokesperson.

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The Hawaii State Department of Health is alerting residents of a recall of Rizo Bros. California Creamery’s Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese because tests have found Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The product was distributed nationwide.

The recall is the result of a food sampling and analysis partnership conducted by the state health department’s Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch and Food and Drug Branch.

To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events in Hawaii attributed to the recalled product.

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled cheese in their homes because it has a sell by date of May 12. The batch code and sell-by date can be found printed along the back edge of the package. 

The recalled product information is as follows:

• UPC code: 72724200043
• Batch number: 4DW-23318
• Sell by: 05/12/24
• Size: 8-ounce package

For additional information, consumers may contact Rizo Bros. California Creamery at 209-232-3700.

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

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the 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.

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Ingomar Packing Co of Los Banos, CA,  is recalling diced tomatoes because of foreign objects in the product, specifically plastic.

According to the details posted by the FDA, the recall was initiated on Aug. 3, 2023, and is ongoing.

The recalled products were distributed in the U.S. in California and Washington and distributed internationally to Japan.

Recall products:

1/2″ Diced Tomatoes in Juice packed in 55-gallon fiber drums

• Product Quantity: 4,038 drums
• Code Information: Product code 9555105DI

3/4″ Diced Tomatoes in Juice packed in 55-gallon metal drums

• Product Quantity: 178 drums
• Code Information: Product code 9777135DF

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

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With severe weather across the United States, public health officials are urging consumers to practice good food safety during power outages.

One important thing to remember is that placing perishable food outside in snow does not provide the proper cooling to keep food safe.

The Food and Drug Administration also lists the following food safety measures for those experiencing power outages.

Be Prepared and Plan Ahead

• Use a refrigerator and freezer thermometer, and check it regularly to ensure that the refrigerator temperature is at or below 40 degrees F and the freezer is at or below 0 degrees F.
• Plan for ice. Know where you can get dry or block ice. Also make ice cubes and freeze containers of water or gel packs to help keep food cold when there is a loss of power.
• Keep coolers on hand to store refrigerated food if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
• Freeze refrigerated items that you may not need immediately, and group foods close together in the freezer.
• Stock your pantry with a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods (those that can be consumed without cooking), that do not require refrigeration, frozen storage, or special preparation.

If the Power Goes Out  

Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Keeping food at safe temperatures is key to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the doors remain closed.
• Use ice (dry or block ice, or ice cubes) and frozen containers of water or gel packs to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible.

When Power is Restored

Before eating any food after a power outage, check the temperatures inside your refrigerator and freezer.

• If the power was out for 4 hours or less, refrigerated food should be safe as long as the doors were kept closed. When the power comes back on, check the temperature in the refrigerator or of the food.
  • Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers with temperatures that are 45 degrees F or below, measured with a food thermometer, should be safe but cook and consume them as soon as possible.
  • Discard any perishable food that has been at temperatures above 40 degrees F for 4 hours or more.
• If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees F or below, food is safe and may be refrozen. If you did not have a thermometer in the freezer, check each package to determine its safety; you can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Be aware that perishable foods that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause food poisoning if eaten, even after they are thoroughly cooked.

Learn more about how to keep your food and water safe during a power outage at https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods.

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The Food and Drug Administration’s CORE Network has just released its report on activities in 2022.

The report from the Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network outlines activities and actions from the work of the CORE team in 2022. It marks the first time CORE has published an annual report since its inception in 2011.

The FDA established CORE to find, stop, and aid in the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. CORE only deals with FDA-regulated human foods and does not investigate foods under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The FDA has jurisdiction over about 80 percent of the U.S. food supply.

CORE’s work is accomplished through disease surveillance, outbreak response, post-response activities, and collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health agencies.

In 2022, CORE evaluated 65 incidents, responded to 28 and issued advisories for 11. These numbers show a slight increase in the number of incidents evaluated in recent years, with 59 incidents evaluated, 19 responses, and 10 advisories issued in 2021. 

The categories for CORE activities are defined as:

Incidents Evaluated — Incidents evaluated includes potential outbreaks, confirmed outbreaks, and adverse events that were evaluated by the CORE Signals and Surveillance Team. Not all incidents evaluated by Signals are transferred to Response for follow up.

Responses Initiated — When an outbreak appears to be caused by an FDA-regulated food, this information is passed to a Response Team to coordinate FDA’s response efforts.

Advisories Issued — Public health advisories are issued to provide consumers with actionable advice about an FDA-regulated food linked to an outbreak.

In 2022 the CORE Network’s work included investigations into E. coli, Cronobacter, hepatitis A virus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella illnesses that were linked to a variety of products, including produce, dairy, and fish.

CORE investigations also resulted in numerous public health actions, including recalls, public health advisories, Warning Letters, FDA prevention strategies, a country-wide Import Alert, and a Consent Decree. 

The 2022 annual report highlights a few noteworthy outbreaks from 2022: Listeria monocytogenes linked to enoki mushrooms, Salmonella linked to cantaloupe; and Salmonella linked to peanut butter.

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A study of Salmonella in horses in Italy has uncovered an outbreak that affected 17 people.

From June to November 2021, 146 horses, five donkeys, and one mule were tested for Salmonella in cecal contents and through carcass swabs from one slaughterhouse.

Salmonella was detected three times in 152 of the cecal contents, while all 152 carcass samples were negative. According to the study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, Salmonella Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Stanleyville were identified.

Countries of horse origin were France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Germany. They were slaughtered twice a week but arrived at the slaughterhouse daily.

Outbreak identification
Salmonella was detected in June 2021 and late September 2021. Nine horses were tested in June, and two cecal samples were positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and Stanleyville. These animals came from Hungary and Italy. In September, seven were tested, and the positive one, from Italy, carried Salmonella Typhimurium.

Considering the consumption of ground horse meat called “pesto di cavallo” and dried and smoked strips named “sfilacci di cavallo” in Northern Italy, researchers investigated the link between horse meat and human salmonellosis in this area.

In July 2021, whole genome sequencing-based surveillance in Emilia-Romagna signaled a potential outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, including nine isolates across Piacenza, Parma, and Reggio-Emilia provinces. The first isolate came from May 2021, and the last came from August.

In June, a genomic match was found between the Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from horse cecal content and an outbreak of 17 cases in Emilia-Romagna.

Epidemiological investigations highlighted some cases of reported consumption of horse meat. They traced different batches of the meat, released weeks apart from each other, to the slaughter site in the study. Five of eight cases reported eating uncooked horse meat.

Horse meat associated with cases and traced to the slaughterhouse was produced in May and June 2021, while the horse carrying the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was slaughtered weeks later, in June 2021. This means meat from that animal could not have infected those cases.

Environmental contamination
Scientists said the outbreak strain was likely already present in the slaughterhouse environment before the horse arrived from Hungary and that environmental persistence could have caused contamination. The environment could have been contaminated before June and have affected meat produced in early May. 

Supporting this is the finding that the last batch of horse meat associated with cases was from a horse from France and slaughtered two weeks before the Hungarian animal in June 2021. It appears unlikely that two horses from different countries slaughtered two weeks apart carried the same WGS type of Salmonella, said researchers.

An official visit to the slaughter plant found manure on the floor, dirty troughs, and pests in the lairage area. Improvement of hygiene measures at the lairage and along the slaughter line was demanded. The company also increased the number of carcasses routinely tested for surface contamination by Salmonella.

Scientists said despite findings showing a low prevalence, Salmonella in horse meat can represent a consumer risk.

“A key lesson from the study concerns the need to maintain a high level of hygiene during the entire slaughtering process. Hygiene at lairage is crucial to avoid cross-contamination between animals and the meat. For this reason, lairage conditions should be critically evaluated, and biosecurity measures must be properly implemented.”

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JBS SA, the Brazil-based meat behemoth, was bracing for some challenging times over its plan for dual listing its stock but did not expect things to get so personal. However, a collection of United Kingdom Parliamentarians has decided to make it personal by organizing themselves as “Ban the Batistas,” which refers to the family that owns most of the JBS SA stock.

The company was in the news in recent years for, among other things, bribing food safety inspectors.

Last summer,  JBS S.A.  announced it wanted to list company shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, using Brazilian Depository Receipts (BDRs), and on the New York Stock Exchange. It said the dual listing will better reflect the company’s global presence and unlock shareholder value.

The company also said the dual listing will accelerate its capacity for diversification and growth into more branded and value-added food products, reduce its cost of capital, and generate greater returns for shareholders.

Listing on the New York Stock Exchange requires U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval. In a  letter to the SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the UK politicians are expressing their opposition to the  Initial Public Offering (IPO) sought by JBS S.A.

“JBS, the biggest meat producer globally, has a well-documented history of engaging in deforestation, violating human rights, and seizing land from Indigenous communities,” the letter to Gentler says.  “As a global food leader looking to increase its growth and influence, the company’s practices pose a significant threat to the ecosystem for global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. We believe that you are aware –through the extensive media coverage and reviews of regulators, including the SEC — of the alleged and actual corporate malpractice at JBS.”

The letter is signed by about a baker’s dozen Members of Parliament. There are 650 MPs in the UK House of Commons.

“Rewarding JBS by declaring its IPO application effective and enabling it to access to U.S. capital bolsters the company’s ability to expand its global operations, leading to a surge in deforestation and environmental degradation. It contradicts global efforts of governments and businesses to take action to mitigate climate change, preserve essential natural habitats, and avoid jeopardizing the progress in addressing environmental challenges,” the letter continues. “JBS is also attempting to distort global public policy debate about meat consumption.

“We implore you to reject the JBS IPO application and send a clear message that the United States stands firm in its commitment to combating climate change,” the letter adds.   In a statement released with the letter, the group even says it is “monitoring” U.S. leadership on climate issues

In its statement,  Ban the Batistas claims to be “an umbrella group of organizations fighting to protect American farmers, ranchers, consumers, and investors from the risks of a U.S. stock listing by JBS S.A. and the unchecked power grab by its majority shareholders, brothers Joesley and Wesley Batista.

The Batista brothers’ financial vehicle is J&F Investments, the controlling shareholder in JBS. SA. Which employs more than 250,000 people in 190 countries, including those in North America employed by the Greeley, CO-based JBS, USA.

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Authorities in a Spanish city have suspended the permit of a company that provided catering to several schools after a large outbreak.

The outbreak affected 149 children and five teachers from four Palma schools on the Balearic Islands this past December.

The suspected food was a rice dish. Sick people had abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting but symptoms were mild with no hospitalizations.

The General Directorate of Public Health temporarily suspended the activity of the company in charge of the catering service. The move follows investigations carried out into the food poisoning incident by the Food Safety Service of the Ministry of Health which found “obvious shortcomings” in food safety management.

Investigation findings
Officials found discrepancies between declared practices and the documentation provided by the catering firm in its food safety plan. They judged that the company’s food safety management system was inconsistent with the actual processes carried out.

The version provided does not demonstrate compliance with the analysis and control of hazards and critical points where there may be food contamination, which puts public health at risk, said authorities.

As yet, the company has not provided information, analysis or data that suggests it knows the cause of the food safety failure and the measures to mitigate it, which creates uncertainty about the corrective measures that will be applied to avoid future risks.

The General Directorate of Public Health said the temporary suspension will apply until the caterer redesigns its food safety program.

Sites affected by the temporary suspension have been told about revised catering arrangements that will apply until further notice.

In 2022, Spain recorded 591 outbreaks with 7,136 patients, 233 hospitalizations and four deaths. The largest affected 266 people and was caused by Clostridium perfringens.  

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The Food and Drug Administration has warned about particular scallops harvested from prohibited water that may be contaminated.

The scallops were purchased by restaurants, distributors, and food retailers in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and may have been further distributed. According to the FDA, Intershell International Corp. received whole, live scallops from an unlicensed harvester and are believed to have been harvested from prohibited waters in Massachusetts and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514. The implicated scallops have harvest dates of Dec. 26, 2023, Dec. 27, 2023, and Jan. 4, 2024, but may still be on hand at purchasers’ locations.

“Scallops harvested from prohibited waters may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic elements or poisonous or deleterious substances and can cause illness if consumed,” according to the FDA warming. 

“Scallops are filter feeders that remove and bioaccumulate bacteria and other pathogens from the water. It is not uncommon for shellfish to be consumed raw and whole. Contaminated scallops can cause illness if eaten raw and whole or with viscera or roe attached, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Scallops contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal.”

On Jan. 9, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provided the FDA notice of recall initiated by Intershell International Corp. for certain live scallops received from an unlicensed harvester.

People can get sick with food poisoning after ingesting pathogens, toxic elements, or poisonous or deleterious substances. According to the FDA, symptoms may vary, depending on the pathogen or contaminant, and can range from mild to severe. 

The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms may start within a few hours or take a few days and can last for a few hours or several days. 

Consumers of the implicated scallops experiencing food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

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More children are in the tally of those with elevated lead levels after eating certain brands of cinnamon applesauce.

As of Jan. 8, the Food and Drug Administration has received 87 confirmed complaints in the outbreak, up from 82 on Dec. 26.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also received more reports of children with elevated lead levels in their blood. The CDC has now received reports of 86 confirmed cases, 209 probable cases, and 26 suspected cases for a total of 321 cases from 38 different states 

The FDA reports that the age range of the patients is less than one year old to 53 years old, with a median age of 1 year old.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to work with authorities in Ecuador and the producer of the cinnamon applesauce, Astrofoods, to determine how the cinnamon in the applesauce was contaminated. FDA sampling found lead at 2,000 of the proposed safe levels in the applesauce.

Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for the FDA’s human foods program, has said he believes the contamination was intentional. Lead can be added to products to increase their weight, making them more valuable.

The outbreak has been traced to three brands of cinnamon applesauce: Wanabana, Schnucks, and Weis. Astrofoods produced all three in Ecuador and used cinnamon from the supplier Negasmart. All three brands have been recalled. The products have long shelf lives, so consumers should check their homes for them and discard them.

The cinnamon used in the applesauce has also been found to have high levels of chromium, which can cause various health problems.

“People who ate recalled products, especially if they had elevated blood lead levels, may have been exposed to chromium and should inform their healthcare provider so they can monitor health and provide supportive care as needed,” according to an update from the FDA.

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.

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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