In the news

Along with CDC and state and local partners, the FDA is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. The FDA’s traceback investigation has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho, as a source of contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. ProSource Inc. has agreed to recall red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 27, 2021. The CDC reported 652 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg from 37 states. Ill people from the following states: Alabama 3, Arkansas 12, California 9, Colorado 1, Connecticut 4, Florida 5, Georgia 2, Illinois 37, Indiana 1, Iowa 3, Kansas 14, Kentucky 9, Louisiana 5, Maryland 48, Massachusetts 12, Michigan 9, Minnesota 23, Mississippi 2, Missouri 21, Nebraska 8, New Jersey 5, New Mexico 8, New York 12, North Carolina 14, North Dakota 4, Ohio 7, Oklahoma 98, Oregon 2, Pennsylvania 7, South Carolina 3, South Dakota 8, Tennessee 10, Texas 158, Utah 3, Virginia 59, West Virginia 1 and Wisconsin 25. There were 129 hospitalizations reported. The CDC and state and local partners identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg was found in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none were left in the cup when it was tested. Because multiple food items were present in the container and the tested sample, it is impossible to know which food item was contaminated. Descriptions of these onion types include but are not limited to jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet onions. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-october-2021

The FDA has issued its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring program report FY 2019. FDA tested for 812 pesticides and industrial chemicals across 4,692 total samples, and the majority of samples had pesticide residues below the limits set by the EPA. These results are consistent with the trend of low pesticide residue violations over the past 8 years. The FDA found that 98.7% of the 1,258 domestic and 89.1% of the 3,069 imported samples complied with federal pesticide residue standards. They found no pesticide chemical residues in 42.4% of domestic and 49.4% of imported human food samples. From 365 animal food samples, the FDA found that 98.4% of the 127 domestic and 95.4% of the 238 imported samples complied. They also found no pesticide chemical residues in 40.9% of the domestic and 43.7% of the imported animal food samples. The FDA also analyzed 153 samples of domestic milk, shell eggs, honey, and game meat for pesticides. None of the samples had a pesticide residue violation except for honey, where we found 2 violative samples out of the 62 samples collected. Overall, 88.9% of the samples from this focused assignment contained no residues. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fy-2019-pesticide-report-consistent-trends-over-past-8-years-pesticide-residue-levels-remain-low?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A study published in J Food Protection determined the frequency and numbers of Listeria species and L. monocytogenes on raw produce arriving at frozen food facilities. Five raw vegetables were selected: corn, carrots, green beans, peas, and spinach after arrival at the facilities. A total of 290 samples were collected. 33.1% were positive for Listeria spp, and 5.9% for L. monocytogenes. Enumeration of the positive samples showed that 85% had >100 MPN of Listeria spp. per g. The prevalence of Listeria spp. varied by commodity: spinach (66.7%), peas (50%), corn (32.2%), green beans (22.2%), and carrots (13%). L. monocytogenes prevalence was determined in corn (13.6%), peas (6.3%), and green beans (4.2%). @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/84/11/1898/466694/Prevalence-of-Listeria-Species-and-Listeria

The USDA and FSIS announced the initiation of a more robust and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency initiates several vital activities to gather the necessary data and information to support future action and move closer to a 25% reduction in Salmonella illnesses. Despite consistent reductions in the occurrence of Salmonella in poultry products, more than 1 million consumer illnesses due to Salmonella occur annually. Over 23% of those illnesses are due to the consumption of chicken and turkey. USDA seeks stakeholder feedback on specific Salmonella control and measurement strategies in poultry slaughter and processing establishments. The USDA/FSIS is encouraging preharvest controls to reduce Salmonella contamination coming into the slaughterhouse. The National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria of Foods will be asked to advise how FSIS can build on the latest science to improve its approach to Salmonella control. The FSIS will examine how quantification can be incorporated into this approach. @ https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/19/usda-launches-new-effort-reduce-salmonella-illnesses-linked-poultry