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CORE update of May 01, 2024: the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes two activities. A new outbreak advisory was issued for the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1221) linked to recalled organic bulk walnuts. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing. The other activity relates to Salmonella Typhimurium in organic fresh Basil. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The following is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams.
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The FDA and CDC, state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to organic walnuts from Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California that were distributed to multiple natural food and co-op stores in AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY. Ten people were interviewed about the foods they ate the week before becoming ill. Of the ten interviewed, all 10 (100%) reported eating walnuts, and almost all reported buying organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores. On April 27, 2024, Gibson Farms, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall and contacted their distributing customers. Distributors and retailers that may have received recalled bulk organic walnuts should follow the recommendations above and contact their customers. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-bulk-organic-walnuts-april-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled organic walnuts sold in bulk bins at natural food and co-op retailers in multiple states. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
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The FDA reported that on 04/26/2024, Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts because they received information that they could be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. The Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold to distributors located in CA and WA. Gibsons Farms Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold in bulk boxes in Net Wt. 25 lbs quantities. Gibson Farms, Inc. has voluntarily recalled the product(s) after being notified by the CDC of 12 recorded illnesses allegedly linked to consuming organic halves and pieces of shelled walnuts. A full investigation is underway to determine the potential source of the contamination. The products may have been repacked from their original packaging or sold in bulk. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gibson-farms-voluntarily-recalls-organic-light-halves-and-pieces-shelled-walnuts-because-possible?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
On 04/26/2024, Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts because Gibson Farms received information that they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults c
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In Applied and Environmental Microbiology, scientists from Cornell University published an article on how weather affects key aspects of bacterial behavior on plants as a tool to assess the risk of crop contamination with human foodborne pathogens. A novel mechanistic model informed by weather factors and bacterial state was developed to predict population dynamics on leafy vegetables and tested against published data tracking Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EcO157) and Salmonella enterica populations on lettuce and cilantro plants. The model utilizes temperature, radiation, and dew point depression to characterize pathogen growth and decay rates. The model accurately predicted EcO157 and S. enterica population sizes on lettuce and cilantro leaves in the laboratory under various conditions of temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, and cycles of leaf wetness and dryness. In nearly all field trials, the model successfully predicted EcO157 population dynamics on 4-week-old romaine lettuce plants under variable weather conditions. Prediction of initial EcO157 population decay rates after inoculation of 6-week-old romaine plants in the same field study was better than that of long-term survival. @ https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.00700-23