In the news

The CDC report (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6816a2.htm?s_cid=mm6816a2_w) shows that during 2018, FoodNet identified 25,606 infections, 5,893 hospitalizations, and 120 deaths. The incidence of most infections is increasing, including those caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella, which might be partially attributable to the increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs). The incidence of infections with Salmonella Enteritidis, the most common Salmonella serotype, has not declined in over ten years. The incidence of Cyclospora infections increased markedly compared with 2015–2017, in part related to large outbreaks associated with produce. During 2018, romaine lettuce was linked to two multistate outbreaks of STEC O157 infections. According to the report, Campylobacter has been the most commonly identified infection in FoodNet sites since 2013, and the incidence appears to be increasing. Poultry is a major source of Campylobacter bacteria, the agency noted. More targeted prevention measures are needed on produce farms, food animal farms, and in meat and poultry processing establishments to make food safer and decrease human illness.

On April 24 the FDA and CDC updated their investigation of Salmonella Carrau illnesses linked to pre-cut melon products. The contaminated products include cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon, or maybe mixes of some or all of these melons and other pre-cut fruit. On April 12, 2019, Caito Foods, LLC, of Indianapolis, Ind., recalled products containing pre-cut melons because they are potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Additionally, Caito Foods, LLC temporarily suspended producing and distributing these products. Salmonella Carrau is a rare type of Salmonella but has been historically seen in imported melons. Reports from Caito Foods, LLC indicate that imported melons were used in the suspect pre-cut melon products. The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The products were sold in Kroger, Target, Trader Joe, Walmart, and Amazon. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm635949.htm?utm_campaign=Outbreak%20Salmonella%20Carrau%20Pre-cut%20Melons&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Grant Park Packing, from Franklin Park, Ill. Recalled approximately 53,200 pounds of raw ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. The bulk raw ground beef was produced on October 30-31, 2018 and November 1, 2018. 40-lb. bulk cardboard boxes of “North Star Imports & Sales, LLC. 100% GROUND BEEF BULK 80% LEAN/ 20% FAT” marked “FOR INSTITUTIONAL USE ONLY”. These items were shipped to Minnesota for further distribution and Kentucky for institutional use. FSIS and its public health partners have been investigating an outbreak of E. coli O103. Unopened, intact, packages of ground beef collected as part of the ongoing investigation tested positive for E. coli O103 at an FSIS laboratory. The sample was collected at a point of service where multiple case-patients ate. At this time, there is no definitive link between this positive product and the ongoing E. coli O103 outbreak. Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103 because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-048-2019-release

The FDA released a report on its results from inspections and environmental sampling for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella at 89 ice cream production facilities in 32 states from Sept. 12, 2016, to Aug. 30, 2017. The sampling began following 16 recalls of ice cream products due to pathogens, and an outbreak of listeriosis linked to ice cream, that occurred from 2013 to 2015. The sampling was intended to find the extent to which Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella may be in the manufacturing environment. In nearly ½ of the ice cream production facilities inspected no objectionable conditions were found. The FDA did detect Listeria monocytogenes in 19 of the facilities; however, only one of them was found to have the pathogen on a food-contact surface. The FDA also detected Salmonella in one facility. As a result of FDA inspections, three voluntary recalls were conducted in 2017 and 2018. These include two recalls of Working Cow Homemade Inc. ice creams due to Listeria monocytogenes, and a Nelson’s Creamery LLC recall due to undeclared soy lecithin in one of their products. The FDA also suspended Working Cow Homemade Inc.’s food facility registration in 2018. The FDA lifted the suspension earlier this year after the firm changed its business model to cease making ice cream and only distribute product made by other manufacturers. Companies that follow the rule and employ robust environmental monitoring programs will likely occasionally detect environmental pathogens, but how an establishment responds to a pathogen finding is critical. @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm636563.htm?utm_campaign=042419_FIB_FDA%20takes%20steps%20to%20improve%20ice%20cream%20production%20facility%20safety&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua