In the news

In the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events as of October 26, 2022, a new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (reference #1121) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table and traceback has been initiated. For the outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield in seafood, (reference #1105), FDA issued an outbreak advisory on 10/19/2022. Based on CDC epidemiological data of two large multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora cayetanensis (reference #1080 and #1084), ill people reported eating a variety of leafy greens before becoming sick. However, all samples collected were reported as negative for Cyclospora. Due to the lack of additional detail in the epidemiological data and the absence of supporting evidence collected from traceback and sample collection, FDA could not identify a specific product as the source of either outbreak. For the outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg (reference #1087) in a not identified product, one additional case was reported, the outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation has closed. For the adverse illness event in frozen food (reference #1076), the outbreak has ended, and the FDA investigation has closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns consumers to immediately discard whole raw milk or chocolate milk sold in Dauphin County and other southcentral Pennsylvania retail stores under the BeiHollow label between October 12 and 21. BeiHollow pasteurized cheese melt and cup cheese sold between September 20 and October 21 should also be discarded due to possible contamination due to Listeria monocytogenes. Raw whole and chocolate milk were sold in half- and three-quarter gallons plastic at BeiHollow Farm stores in Elizabethville and Lykens, Dauphin County. Cheese melts and cup cheeses of various sizes were sold in the same stores. The producer would not supply a list of other locations where the products were sold. No reported illnesses have been attributed to the product. @ https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1263

The investigation by the FDA, CDC, and local partners on consumer complaints of gastrointestinal illness and abnormal liver function that may be attributable to eating Daily Harvest French Lentil & Leek Crumbles frozen product is no longer being handled by FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network. On June 17, 2022, in response to consumer complaints submitted to the company, Daily Harvest voluntarily initiated a recall of Daily Harvest French Lentil & Leek Crumbles frozen product. In response to CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) and Consumer Complaints submitted to the FDA, the FDA has initiated an investigation, including an inspection and sample collection, to determine the cause of illnesses. As of October 21, 2022, the FDA has received 393 CAERS reports and Consumer Complaints related to the product.133 hospitalization were reported. States with Adverse Illness Events: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MI, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, and WI. The response to this incident is no longer being handled by FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network. FDA’s research and investigation will evaluate which components of this product may have caused these illnesses is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-adverse-event-reports-french-lentil-leek-crumbles-june-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and local partners are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield outbreak linked to fresh, raw salmon supplied to restaurants in California and Arizona by Mariscos Bahia, Inc. Based on epidemiologic information provided by the CDC and interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, of 16 people interviewed, 12 reported eating sushi, sashimi, or poke. Of those interviewed, 11 people remembered details about the type of fish consumed, and nine reported eating raw salmon before getting sick. The FDA’s investigation traced the distribution of fresh, raw salmon back to Mariscos Bahia, Inc. In addition, the FDA collected an environmental sample that included multiple swabs at Mariscos Bahia, Inc. (Pico Rivera, CA). Multiple environmental swabs collected at the facility are positive for Salmonella. The WGS completed to date indicates the Salmonella detected in at least one of the swabs from the facility matches the outbreak strain. Epidemiological evidence indicates that ill people consumed fresh, raw salmon processed at the facility. Additional types of fish processed in the same area of the facility could also be contaminated. The firm initiated a voluntary recall on October 20, 2022. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-seafood-october-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery