Fruit Salad Containing Cantaloupe Recalled

JARD Marketing of Lawrenceville, MA has recalled some of its cut fruit products that contain cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano of Honduras. The cantaloupe had been supplied to JARD by T.M. Kovacevich International, which issued its own recall notice last week.

The products being recalled by JARD were distributed to food service operations and sold at retail. The retail products are sold under several different brand names, including Frosty Fresh, Fresh Hand Cut, Fruit On The Go, Highland Park, Bruegger’s Bagels, Sid Wainer & Son, Hannaford Brothers and Garden Highway Plant # P-005, and are labeled with a sell-by date of 3/29/08 or earlier.

The cut fruit products were shipped to several northeastern US states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them. Please consult the recall notice for additional details and for photographs of some of the recalled salads.

Honduran Cantaloupe - Beyond The Western Hemisphere

The European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection provides a weekly notification report on-line that summarizes all food and feed safety health alerts in and between EU member countries. According to last week's report (Week 13), a Netherlands company withdrew fruit salad containing Honduran cantaloupe from the market on suspicion that the cantaloupe was contaminated with Salmonella.

How many more countries might have imported cantaloupes from the Honduran grower/packer Agropecuaria Montelibano?

China's Latest Food Poisoning Outbreak

USA Today reported yesterday morning that more than 100 children in southeast China were sickened by milk that was contaminated with staphylococcal enterotoxin. According to the Xinhua news agency release, Chinese food safety authorities have issued a public warning and have seized more than 4,100 boxes of milk from the dairy. In addition, the Zhuhai Weiwei Daheng Dairy Co. in Guangdong has recalled more than 2,700 boxes of milk that were not seized by the government.

It's interesting that none of this information appeared during the weekend on "People's Daily Online", "Shanghai Daily.com" or "english.eastday.com", all of which are China-based English-language news web sites. This is not for lack of interest in food-safety related stories on the part of these news sites. A search of the People's Daily Online archives, using the key words "food" and "Salmonella", produced four pages of links to stories about food safety – all pointing to food problems in other countries.

China is trying very hard to present a positive image to the world in advance of the Olympic games. Let's hope – for the sake of Chinese citizens and visitors alike – that there is substance behind the image.

Packaged, Prepared Raw Poultry - A Salmonella Smorgasbord

Two Minnesotans were hit with Salmonella Enteritidis gastroenteritis this winter traced to raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken entrées. The Milford Valley Farms Chicken Cordon Bleu implicated in the illnesses carries a package code of C8021. The entrées were sold in grocery store chains under several different brand names in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Investigators suspect that the teenager and young adult – both hospitalized as a result of their illness – simply heated the entrées, without cooking them thoroughly. The state lab was able to find the same strain of Salmonella from three unopened packages of the chicken entrée as was recovered from the two victims.

The USDA has issued a public health alert, reminding consumers to cook this type of product to an internal temperature of 165ºF. Since the government does not consider Salmonella to be an adulterant in raw poultry, the entrées will not be recalled.

This is the fifth outbreak of this kind in Minnesota in the last 10 years. As a result of previous outbreaks, most products of this type are no longer marketed as "microwave-able" in the state. Nevertheless, some consumers continue to treat these raw entrées as "pre-cooked", and simply heat them in the microwave.

Coincidentally, an Ohio processor has just initiated a small recall (1,420 pounds) of raw, frozen chicken breast products due to mislabeling. The packaging describes these products as "fully cooked". The recalled products were shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and were intended for use by food service institutions. They are not sold in stores.

Please remember – and remind your teenagers – that many individually-packaged servings of foods are not pre-cooked. It is essential to follow package directions, especially for meals containing poultry, in order to ensure the destruction of any Salmonella that might be present. Microwave cooking is not reliable; it heats food unevenly and cannot be depended upon to kill Salmonella. There is nothing more inconvenient than a convenience food that makes someone ill.

Restaurants: When Your Dinner Comes Back To Haunt You

An Easter Sunday buffet meal at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, KY has felled more than 137 patrons and caused the restaurant to close for several days.

According to a report in the Louisville Courier-Journal, customers complained of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms began appearing within a few hours of the meal, and were consistent with Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning. Initial suspicions fell on the pit ham, which was served as part of the Easter Sunday buffet, but that theory has not yet been confirmed by laboratory tests.

Fortunately for customers of Claudia Sanders Dinner House, staphylococcal food poisoning is short-lived and rarely dangerous. All of the victims recovered within a few days.

Bacillus cereus is another food-borne pathogen that has often been associated with restaurant meals. Last year, an 81 year old Australian man died after contracting Bacillus cereus food poisoning from a cream asparagus sauce served at a restaurant in New South Wales.

According to testimony given at the inquest being held into his death, Mr. Hodgins began to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea within an hour after dining with his wife at the restaurant. Unbeknown to his wife, Mr. Hodgins continued to vomit during the night. She found him the following morning – dead.

Witnesses at the inquest alleged that the sauce was at least 48 hours old at the time that it was served to Mr. Hodgins. Lab tests revealed that the sauce was heavily contaminated with Bacillus cereus.

Restaurant patrons may be excused for sometimes feeling that they are navigating a microbial minefield. But they are not powerless. A growing number of local and regional health departments – including Alabama, which initiated its information program on March 28th – either post the results of restaurant inspections on the Internet or require restaurants to post a conspicuous notice showing the outcome of their most recent inspection.

Unfortunately, one important source of information is often neglected. Food poisoning is a grossly under-reported illness. If you have eaten at a restaurant, in a cafeteria or at a catered affair and have experienced what you think is a bout of food poisoning, please notify your local health authorities.

Dole Recalls Honduran Cantaloupe

The Dole Fresh Fruit Company has announced a recall of Honduran cantaloupes grown and packed by Agropecuaria Montelibano. This is just the latest in a series of recalls of cantaloupes from the Honduran grower/packer.

The Dole cantaloupes were distributed – packed in cartons labeled "Dole" and "Product of Honduras" – across the United States and in parts of Canada. Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano have been implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield illnesses in the US and Canada. I fully expect a similar recall announcement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will appear shortly.

On March 25th, I mentioned that another food safety blog site had posted a warning about Dole cantaloupe imported from Costa Rica. I pointed out that Dole had recalled Costa Rican cantaloupe in February 2007, but that last year's recall had nothing to do with the Honduran cantaloupe alerts. In my post, I said, "There is no recall of Dole cantaloupes in progress at this time." That statement is now obsolete.

But please do not confuse this year's recall of Honduran cantaloupe with last year's recall of Costa Rican cantaloupe. To the best of my knowledge, based on information provided by CDC, there is no link between the two recalls, and no evidence that implicates Costa Rican cantaloupe in the Salmonella Litchfield outbreak.

Consumers across the United States and Canada should remain wary of purchasing cantaloupes without verifying the country of origin until this outbreak has been put to bed and the "all clear" has been sounded.

Another Recall of Cut Cantaloupe Products

In the on-going saga of the Honduran cantaloupes, Spokane Produce, Inc. is recalling several varieties of fruit salads under the Garden Patch, Yokes, and Rosauers Classic labels. These salads contain pieces of cantaloupe from the Honduran grower/packer Agropecuaria Montelibano, and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The salads were distributed in stores in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming, and carry "Best used by" dates up to and including 03/26/08.

If you have purchased any of the products mentioned in the recall notice, please return them to the store.

A Cantaloupe Recap

The number of cantaloupe recalls is mounting, both in the United States and Canada. In case you've missed the story, here is a recap, including a linked list of all the relevant recalls and alerts announced so far.

The story broke on March 22nd, when FDA issued an import alert to its field officers and to importers and distributors of cantaloupes. The alert followed an investigation that implicated Honduran cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano in an international outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield illnesses. According to the CDC, 50 people in the United States and 9 in Canada were victims of the contaminated cantaloupes.

Here is a list of the cantaloupe recall notices issued so far in the United States.

• Charlie's Produce Spokane Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk
• Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Honduran Cantaloupes grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras
• T.M. Kovacevich International, Inc. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk
• Tropifresh, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Health Risk
• Bounty Fresh, LLC. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk
• Simply Fresh Fruit Announces Nationwide Recall of Some Fresh Cut Fruit Products Containing Cantaloupe Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
• Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes Grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, Honduras, Due to Possible Health Risk

And here is the list of Canadian recall notices as of today.

• Cantaloupes From Agropecuaria Montelibano May Be Contaminated With Salmonella Bacteria
• SUN RICH brand and A&P brand cut cantaloupe products may contain Salmonella bacteria
• Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria

In a related story, the New York Times reported today that the FDA's actions have caused Agropecuaria Montelibano to lay off 1,800 workers. The Honduran government is protesting the FDA decision to deny entry into the US of cantaloupes produced by the grower/packer, and claims that the cantaloupes are safe to eat.

One of the reasons for the large number of separate recall notices is that the cantaloupes are distributed through a variety of networks. Some find their way to stores as whole melons, while others are processed into fresh fruit salads for food service operations and restaurants. It takes time for the news to filter through the distribution chain. Until an end has been declared to this outbreak and series of recalls, it would be a good idea to avoid any cantaloupe that is not clearly labeled with its country of origin.

Cantaloupe Again

Simply Fresh Fruit of Los Angeles, CA has recalled some of its cut fruit products, which may contain Salmonella-contaminated cantaloupe from Honduras.

Please see the FDA recall notice for details.

Extreme Diet

FDA is warning consumers to avoid buying or consuming "Total Body Formula" in the flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, or "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor. Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, GA, the distributor of these supplements, is recalling the products due to reports of severe adverse reactions.

The symptoms, which begin 7-10 days following ingestion of the dietary supplement, include significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, and are consistent with an excess of selenium in the diet. FDA labs are analyzing samples of the products to determine the cause of the adverse reactions.

FDA was alerted to the problem by the Florida Department of Health, which has received 23 reports of illness so far. FDA is also investigating reports of adverse reactions received from consumers in Tennessee who used these products.

The recalled products were distributed in 15 states – Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. FDA is advising consumers to discard the recalled product.

If you have used this product and are experience any of the described symptoms, consult your health care professional and mention this recall. You or your doctor can also report an adverse reaction directly to FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088.

Sesame Seeds Recalled In Scotland - Salmonella

The UK Food Standards Agency is alerting consumers in Scotland to a recall of sesame seeds, due to the presence of Salmonella. The seeds are being recalled by Gama Import/Export Ltd.

Gama is recalling several different package sizes with date codes between 11/04/08 and 02/07/08. Please see the advisory for any additional details.

Yet Another Cantaloupe Recall

FDA is advising consumers that T.M. Kovacevich International of Philadelphia is recalling Honduran cantaloupes that it had purchased from Agropecuaria Montelibano. The recalled melons were distributed to wholesalers and processors in Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey, and might be for sale in some stores in those states.

The recall is part of the fallout from the Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada that has been linked to cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower/packer. Melons that are part of this recall carry a "Mike's Melons" sticker. Unlabelled cantaloupes should be viewed with suspicion, because the sticker can fall off.

If you have purchased cantaloupes recently, please contact the store to find out their origin. If the melons are part of this series of recalls, they should be destroyed.

Black Pepper Powder From Pakistan Recalled

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is alerting consumers in Alberta and British Columbia to a recall of 50-gram packages of "National Black Pepper Powder" bearing UPC 6 20514 00077 0 and B.B. END MAY. 2010.

The black pepper was imported from Pakistan and is being recalled by the importer, Pak National Foods Limited, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. There have been no illnesses specifically associated with this product.

At the moment, there is no indication of any wider alert, but other spices from Pakistan have been refused entry into the United States from time to time. In December 2007, a shipment of curry powder from National Foods Limited was denied entry at the port of New York due to Salmonella contamination.

The Cantaloupe Recalls Continue...

As part of the fallout from the Honduran cantaloupe investigation, Tropifresh, Inc. of Los Angeles has recalled Agrolibano’s Produce Brand whole cantaloupes, due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. The cantaloupes were distributed through wholesalers in southern California, Canada and Pennsylvania.

The melons, which were supplied to Tropifresh by Agropecuaria Montelibano, may carry the label "Mike's Melon", or – if the labels have fallen off – may be unlabelled. Customers who have purchased these melons should return them to the store for a refund.

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge Can't Escape Norovirus

In an update to its investigation of the gastroenteritis outbreak linked to Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, the New York Department of Health reported today that the tally of victims has reached 435.

The outbreak, which is now confirmed to have been caused by Norovirus, began earlier this month, and peaked on the weekend of March 15th. The state is maintaining a full time presence at the facility to ensure that all cleaning and disinfection measures are being carried out properly and that the resort is in full compliance with state health regulations.

If you were a visitor to the resort complex and wish to report an illness, please contact the New York State Department of Health Call Center at 1-800-278-2965.

Salmonella Confirmed in Alamosa Tap Water

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed the presence of Salmonella in the municipal drinking water of the City of Alamosa. Five out of six samples drawn from various areas served by the municipal water system have tested positive for Salmonella.

As of March 24th, 217 cases of suspected Salmonella illness have been reported to the public health authorities; 68 have been confirmed by lab tests.

The origin of the Salmonella contamination is unknown, but investigations are continuing. A three-stage flushing and disinfection of the entire water system was scheduled to begin yesterday. In the meantime, residents of the area are still under a "bottled water" order.

More Fallout From The Honduran Cantaloupe Recall

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is alerting consumers in Quebec and Ontario to a recall of fruit salads containing cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, the Honduran grower/packer whose cantaloupes have been implicated in a Salmonella outbreak in Canada and the United States.

The fruit salads are being recalled by the manufacturer, Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc., of Brampton, Ontario. They have been distributed at retail in Quebec and Ontario, and to food service establishments in Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. No illnesses have been linked to these products.

For more information on this recall, please read the CFIA notice, or visit the Sun Rich web site to download a copy of their news release.

Importer Recalls Honduran Cantaloupes

In the latest development in the case of the contaminated cantaloupes, Central American Produce, Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL has announced a recall of cantaloupes grown and packed by Agropecuaria Montelibano.

The recalled cantaloupes have been implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield that has sickened at least 50 people in the United States and 9 in Canada since the beginning of 2008. FDA first alerted consumers to the health hazard on March 22nd, when the agency issued an Import Alert. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency followed suit later the same day.

Melons have been shipped under various brand names, including "Mayan Pride" and "Mikes Melons". Some have been incorporated into fruit salads.

Charlie's Produce of Spokane, WA recalled several of its cut cantaloupe products on the weekend. While the recall notice stated that no illnesses have been associated with the company's products, The Washington Department of Health has reported 9 cases of Salmonella Litchfield infection.

If you have purchased cantaloupes and are unsure of their country of origin, check with the store. If you are experiencing any symptoms of Salmonella infection and have eaten cantaloupe recently, consult your family physician and be sure to mention the cantaloupe.

Don't Believe Everything You Read

As I was browsing news items this morning, I came across the following headline on the "Food Poisoning Blog", a site sponsored and maintained by the law firm of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP.

"Dole Cantaloupe Recall"

Wondering how I could have missed this time, I immediate Google'd the topic and found the original news release – dated February 16, 2007 – on the Dole web site archive. This is old news. There is no recall of Dole cantaloupes in progress at this time.

The internet is notorious for the quantity of inaccurate information it carries. Nevertheless, I would have hoped that a law firm would have carried out at least a modicum of due diligence before posting such a potentially damaging item.

Shredded Mozzarella Recalled in Australia

Alba Cheese Manufacturing Pty. Ltd. is recalling a batch of shredded mozzarella cheese labelled with a Best Before date of 25/4/08. The cheese is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The shredded mozzarella is packaged in 3 kg. plastic bags and was distributed through delis, corner stores and pizza shops in the state of Victoria, Australia. Purchasers of the recalled cheese should return it to the store for a full refund.

Healthy adults usually suffer no more than a mild flu-like illness or mild gastroenteritis if infected with Listeria monocytogenes, but this microbe can be very dangerous to the elderly, the very young, the immunocompromised, and pregnant women. If you live in Victoria and have purchased shredded mozzarella, please check the packaging to determine whether or not your cheese has been recalled. If in doubt, throw it out.

Taking Safe Water For Granted

It's easy for those of us who live in "developed" countries to assume that our drinking water is safe. But the Salmonella outbreak in Alamosa, CO has reminded us – yet again – that we cannot take the safety of our tap water for granted.

The Salmonella outbreak in Alamosa continues to grow. The tally of reported cases has reached 216, of which 68 have been confirmed by lab test results. While municipal health authorities haven't recovered Salmonella from the tap water, they have found some bacterial contamination, and are taking no chances. The town is under a "bottled water" order, and the entire municipal water system is scheduled to be flushed and disinfected beginning tomorrow morning. The process will take several days.

Alamosa is only the most recent municipality to experience an outbreak resulting from contaminated drinking water. In 1993, residents of Milwaukee, WI were the victims of a massive outbreak of watery diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium contamination in the municipal drinking water supply. More than 400,000 people are thought to have been infected by this protozoan pathogen.

The most appalling outbreak of gastrointestinal disease caused by contaminated drinking water took place in Walkerton, Ontario in 2000. This outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 occurred as the result of a convergence of environmental conditions (heavy rains), incompetence, government cost-cutting, and outright fraud. The events leading up to the Walkerton outbreak were investigated in a formal Commission of Inquiry, which issued a multi-volume report.

Walkerton residents became inadvertent guinea pigs in a study of the long-term effects of E. coli O157:H7 on a population. This small Ontario town has been the object of a prospective health study, which is entering its final year. Health care workers have been monitoring residents for kidney function, blood pressure, and other tests for the last seven years.

According to the CDC, 30 waterborne disease outbreaks were reported in 2003 and 2004. Seven of the 30 outbreaks – resulting in 1,830 cases of illness – were traced to improperly treated or untreated drinking water. The 30 outbreaks produced a total of 2,760 illnesses, and 4 deaths.

The United States and Canada aren't the only "developed" countries that have experienced outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease due to contaminated drinking water. Incidents have also been reported in recent years in numerous countries, including Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.

For more information on water safety issues, please see the CDC report "Tap Water - Where Does It Come From and Is It Safe to Drink?"

Honduran Cantaloupe - Let The Recalls Begin!

On Saturday, FDA issued an "Import Alert" on cantaloupes from the Honduran grower/packer Agropecuaria Montelibano. The cantaloupes have been implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield in 16 US states and in Canada.

Over the next few days, we can expect to hear about retail-level recalls of the suspect cantaloupes. The first one appeared this morning.

Charlie's Produce of Spokane, WA has announced a precautionary recall of "Charlie's Produce Brand Cut Cantaloupe Products". The products were distributed to retail stores and food service establishments in Montana, eastern Washington and Idaho. While no illnesses have been associated with these cut fruit salads, several of the recalled items may contain cut cantaloupe from Agropecuaria. Customers should return any of the items listed in the recall notice to the store for a full refund.

Please consult the FDA notice for a list of the recalled items, or call Mike Ruff, Charlie's Food Safety Director, at 206-625-1412 for details.

World Water Day - March 22, 2008

Yesterday was World Water Day, so today seems like a good time for a few reminders of the importance of good sanitation and a safe drinking water supply. Here are some relevant news items from the last several days.

International Society for Infectious Diseases: Cholera, Diarrhea & Dysentery Update
On March 20th, this weekly update reported on an outbreak of acute, watery diarrhea in Somalia and on cholera outbreaks in Viet Nam, Namibia, Angola and Somalia. Most of the outbreaks are linked to contaminated drinking water and poor hygiene.

People's Daily OnLine: "Provision of safe water 'top priority' "
On March 18th, Xu Wenhai, director of the Gansu water resources bureau, said, ". . . providing drinking water for every person is a social welfare concern that comes even before food." Xu was addressing the issue of water shortages and conservation programs in his province.

Washington State Department of Health - March 21st: "Low-cost loans help communities deliver better, safer water"

Washington State Department of Health - March 21st: "Ryderwood residents asked to boil water"

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - March 21st: "Officials Provide Update on Bottled Water Order"
Alamosa, CO has been experiencing a Salmonella outbreak due to a contaminated municipal water supply. As of March 21st, 138 cases of Salmonella illness have been reported; 47 have been confirmed by lab testing. The youngest victim is less than one year old; the oldest is 89. Seven of the victims have been hospitalized so far. A "bottled water" order is in effect until the municipal water supply has been flushed, disinfected, and confirmed to be safe.

World Health Organization - March 20th: "Poor sanitation threatens public health"
As part of the publicity build-up to World Water Day, the WHO has reminded us that 6 in 10 Africans lack access to a proper toilet. Of course, this problem isn't limited to Africa. We encountered some rather primitive toilet facilities in our travels through Myanmar.


Access to safe drinking water is especially critical – and extremely difficult – following natural or man-made disasters. Several solutions have been proposed to minimize the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

• The Kisii Filter bucket uses a ceramic filter in an upper bucket to purify water, draining into a lower storage bucket, which is equipped with a spigot for convenient dispensing.
• LifeStraw is a personal drinking "straw" that is filled with a filtering bed. The filtering material incorporates a disinfectant that kills 99.999% of waterborne bacteria and nearly 99% of waterborne viruses - but not protozoan parasites such as Cryptosporidium. It has a total effective capacity of approximately 700 liters of water. A higher-capacity LifeStraw can filter 15,000 liters of water.
• Finally, a simple and inexpensive emergency stop-gap solution is to fold a finely-woven cloth (such as a sari) and filter water through the cloth. It's far less effective than either of the other two filtration methods, but is better than nothing. In a study carried out in Bangladesh, this simple technique cut the number of cholera cases in half.

An assured access to clean water is an essential human need. The warnings issued in Colorado and Washington States are reminders that safe water should never be taken for granted, even in highly developed countries.

Honduran Cantaloupe Update

Further to yesterday's announcement of the Honduran Cantaloupe recall due to a Salmonella outbreak, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has now posted a "Health Hazard Alert" on its web site. Canadian consumers who have purchased cantaloupes since the beginning of 2008 should read this notice.

For US consumers, please check the FDA "Import Alert" notice, which was posted yesterday.

Salmonella Hitches Ride On Honduran Cantaloupes

FDA has issued an import alert on cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer. The cantaloupes are suspected of being the source of a Salmonella outbreak in the US and Canada.

Notices have been sent to all FDA field offices that cantaloupes from this company are to be detained at the port of entry. Importers, produce processors, grocers and food service operators in the US have been notified to remove from stock any cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano. FDA is advising consumers who have purchased cantaloupes to call the store and ask about the country of origin and the name of the grower/packer.

According to the FDA notice, these cantaloupes are associated with an outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield that has sickened 50 people in 16 states and an additional 9 people in Canada. Fourteen of the victims have been hospitalized. If you have experienced symptoms of Salmonella infection and have eaten cantaloupe recently, contact your doctor. Please navigate to the FDA news release link (above) for additional details.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has also issued a health alert. According to the agency's email notice, the cantaloupes were sold in the following provinces:

- Federated Co-Op in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Western Ontario, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon;
- Canada Safeway stores in the province of British Columbia only.

It's possible that the cantaloupes were distributed more widely in Canada. Illnesses tied to this outbreak have been reported in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Canadian consumers can obtain more information by calling Canada Safeway Limited at 1-800-SAFEWAY and CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735. CFIA offices will be closed on Easter Monday, March 24th, but will reopen at 8:00am EDT Tuesday.

Contaminated PediaCol Recalled In Canada

Health Canada is warning parents to check the batch number of their PediaCol colic drops. Euro-Pharm International Canada has issued a recall of PediaCol drops, Lot No. PDC701 after Health Canada informed the company that this lot was contaminated with yeast.

PediaCol is used to treat the symptoms of colic in infants and young children. The agency warns that the contaminated yeast could cause severe reactions – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, lethargy, coughing, or decreased appetite – especially in immunocompromised children.

If you have purchased this product, return it to the store for a full refund and discard and bottles used to store or administer the product. To report a suspected adverse reaction, contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345

Norovirus Visits Six Flags In Queensbury, NY?

The New York State Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis among visitors to the Six Flag Resort in Queensbury, NY. The outbreak, which has sickened nearly 200 people so far, is believed to be caused by Norovirus.

The resort and indoor water park are undergoing extensive cleaning and sanitation, and two restaurants that are part of the resort complex – Trappers Buffet and the Tall Tale restaurant – have closed temporarily.

If you visited the result between March 7th and March 19th and need more information, please consult the Department of Health news release. To report an illness, contact the Department's call center at 1-800-278-2965.

Leafy Greens And Foodborne Illness

Atlanta, GA has been hosting the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases this week. In a March 17th presentation at the conference, CDC researcher Michael Lynch reported that leafy green vegetables have been increasingly associated with food-borne disease over the last 35 years.

Lynch and his colleagues compared the increased incidence of food-borne diseases associated with leafy greens against the change in per capita consumption of these vegetables for the periods 1986-1995 and 1996-2005. They discovered that the magnitude of the increase is far greater than can be explained by the increase in consumption.

Lynch reported that food-borne disease tied to leafy greens rose by 60% in 1986-1995 compared to the previous decade, while consumption rose by only 17%. Similarly, the incidence of leafy green-associated food-borne disease outbreaks rose by 39% in 1996-2005 compared to the decade before, while consumption increased by 9%. According to Lynch, the widespread nature of some of the outbreaks suggested that contamination occurred early in the production/distribution chain – maybe even at harvest.

There are several possible explanations for this spectacular increase in contamination of leafy green vegetables with Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7. In my opinion, one important reason is the juxtaposition of irrigated lettuce and spinach cropland and cattle feedlot operations.

The December 2007 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases contained a report on the source of the large 2006 spinach-associated E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The contaminated spinach was traced to a single farm in Central California. According to the investigation report, the pathogen was most likely carried to the spinach field from a nearby cattle pasture by feral swine.

There are, of course, other contributing factors to the rise in lettuce and spinach-associated outbreaks. A recent congressional oversight investigation into FDA's fresh spinach inspection activities found several serious problems, some of which may be due to chronic underfunding of the agency's food regulatory activities:

• FDA only inspects spinach fields when conducting a food poisoning outbreak investigation;
• FDA inspects spinach processors, on average, once every 2.4 years, far less than the agency's stated program goal of annual inspections;
• FDA relies too heavily on voluntary compliance, even after observing and documenting repeated violations; and
• FDA lacks the authority to insist that processors make their records available for review during an inspection.

New packaging technologies also contribute to changes in the pattern of food-borne disease outbreaks. USDA researchers reported this month in the Journal of Food Science that modified atmosphere packaging can favor the development of acid-resistant E. coli O157:H7 in lettuce if the packaged produce is stored above 15ºC (59ºF). Acid-resistance increases the ability of the microbe to survive stomach acid and initiate an infection.

Many food industry representatives, as well as some scientists and consumer advocates, have urged the FDA to approve irradiation of fresh produce as a solution to the problem of contaminated lettuce and spinach. While irradiated fresh produce might some day be as commonplace as pasteurized milk, I hope that regulators think long and hard before moving in this direction.

We've already see the Law of Unintended Consequences in operation with the use of modified atmosphere packaging of produce. Let's not create tomorrow's food safety hazard in the effort to resolve today's problem.

It's A Dog's Breakfast - Some Answers

Several readers of my five-part series have raised substantive issues in their comments, some of which required additional research of the scientific literature in order to answer accurately. Here is the first installment of answers to readers' questions and comments.


Salmonella in kibble and pet treats
Anonymous (who posted on March 15, 2008 10:32 AM) is correct in pointing out that there have been recalls of kibble and pet treats due to Salmonella contamination. The following products were recalled because of Salmonella in 2007.

• Eight-in-One, Inc. recalled chicken jerky treats for dogs, cats and ferrets. There was one confirmed case of salmonellosis in a dog that was traced to these treats.
• Doane Pet Care recalled a single lot of 55 lb. bags of kibble after FDA found Salmonella in the product.
• Mars Petcare US, Inc. recalled a single lot consisting of 1620 5-lb. bags of kibble and three 50-lb. bags after FDA found Salmonella in the product. The recalled product was distributed in five states.
• Bravo recalled 18,000 pounds of its raw, frozen dog food due to Salmonella contamination.

In 2003, approximately $5.4 billion dollars of dry dog food were sold in the US. Even assuming a premium price of $1.75/lb., this translates to more than 3 billion pounds of kibble. The total amount of kibble recalled in 2007 for Salmonella was 72,930 pounds (based on the information contained in the recall announcements and in the FDA enforcement reports dated August 1st and October 31st). Therefore, the recalled kibble represents less than 0.002% of the annual US sales of dry dog food.


Diet and Dental Disease
More than one reader stated that 80% of dogs develop periodontal disease by age 3. The only source for that statistic that I was able to find is the web site of Merial, a manufacturer of veterinary plaque-preventative gel.

I've identified several articles in scientific journals that address diet and its effect on the development of periodontal disease. I have quoted the main conclusions of these articles. The findings in these research studies show that a hard diet is better at preventing gingivitis and periodontal diseases than a soft diet, and that the most effective preventative of periodontal disease is regular brushing of the teeth and gums. Just as in humans, the mechanical brushing action stimulates and strengthens the gums.

Gorrel, C. 1998. Periodontal Disease and Diet in Domestic Pets. The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 128 No. 12, pp. 2712S-2714S.
"Daily toothbrushing remains the single most effective way of maintaining clinically healthy gingivae."

Gawor, J.P., et al. 2006. Influence of Diet on Oral Health in Cats and Dogs. The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 136, pp. 2021S-2023S.
"These results indicate that feeding a dry food diet has a positive influence on oral health, decreasing the occurrence of mandibular lymphadenopathy, dental deposits, and periodontal disease in cats and dogs."

Clarke, D.E. and A. Cameron. 1998. Relationship between diet, dental calculus and periodontal disease in domestic and feral cats in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal. Vol. 76 No. 10, pp. 690-693.
The following is the complete Abstract of the journal article. I do not have access to the full article:
"OBJECTIVE: To compare the dental calculus scores and prevalence of periodontal disease in domestic cats eating commercially available canned and dry foods with those in feral cats consuming a diet consisting of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. ANIMALS: Twenty-nine feral cats and 20 domestic cats were included in the study. PROCEDURE: A dental chart and dental calculus scores were recorded using the maxillary canine, maxillary third and fourth premolar, mandibular canine, mandibular fourth premolar and first molar teeth on both sides. Periodontal disease was recorded using gingival recession, increased periodontal pocket formation, radiographic alveolar bone loss, osteomyelitis, furcation and root exposure, and the presence of calculus as indicators. RESULTS: Dental calculus scores were significantly higher in domestic cats than in feral cats. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of periodontal disease between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: It can be inferred that diet may play a role in the accumulation of calculus, but a diet based on live prey does not protect cats against periodontal disease."

Giardia
One commenter, referencing a 1995 article, questioned whether humans and animals shared the same species of Giardia. I have responded to this already, but will repeat my reply here for the convenience of those who might have missed it.

The 1995 reference has been superseded by more recent research. Please see the following direct quotations from the article Abstracts:

Eligio-García L., et al. 2005. Genotype of Giardia intestinalis isolates from children and dogs and its relationship to host. Parasitology Research, Vol. 97, No. 1, pp. 1-6.
"In this study, genotype A was associated with samples from children and dogs, and, therefore, we could infer zoonotic transmission as a way of getting the disease."

Lalle, M., et al. 2005. Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis from humans and dogs from Mexico using a beta-giardin nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Journal of Parasitology Vol.91, No. 1, pp. 203-205.
"The presence of cysts of the A1 and A3 genotypes in isolates from pet dogs is consistent with their role as reservoirs for human infection, although further studies are needed to confirm the occurrence of zoonotic transmission."

Thompson, R.C. 2004. The zoonotic significance and molecular epidemiology of Giardia and giardiasis. Veterinary Parasitology Vol. 126, No. 1-2, pp.15-35.
"The greatest risk of zoonotic transmission appears to be from companion animals such as dogs and cats, although further studies are required in different endemic foci in order to determine the frequency of such transmission."

Traub, R.J., et al. 2003. Humans, dogs and parasitic zoonoses – unravelling the relationships in a remote endemic community in northeast India using molecular tools. Parasitology Research, Vol. 90, Suppl. 3, pp. S156-7.
"The zoonotic potential of canine Giardia was also investigated by characterising Giardia duodenalis recovered from humans and dogs living in the same locality and households, at three different loci. Phylogenetic and epidemiological analysis provided compelling evidence to support the zoonotic transmission of canine Giardia."

These references make it clear that humans and dogs can and do share some of the same species of Giardia. Furthermore, the articles provide strong epidemiological evidence that dogs and cats can transmit Giardia to humans. The main outstanding question appears to be the frequency of such transmission.

Prevalence of bacterial pathogens in the human food supply
Several "Anonymous" comments mentioned – without providing any supporting evidence – that 80% of food for human consumption is contaminated with Salmonella. That number is grossly overstated. Except for raw poultry, no food products – not even other raw foods – come even close to that incidence of contamination.

It might sometimes seem, as a result of the all too frequent occurrence of pathogen-related food recalls, that our food supply is highly contaminated with Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7. But this is a false impression. Here are some examples of data from research reports. Please click on the live links to access the reports directly.

Consumer Reports published the results of a survey of raw poultry for bacterial pathogens. They found that 83% of fresh, whole broiler chickens purchased at retail stores in the United States were contaminated with Salmonella or Campylobacter, the two leading causes of food poisoning.

The incidence of Salmonella in US shell eggs is estimated at one in 20,000 eggs, or 0.005%, according to a research report published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology in 2000.

A survey of raw domestic and imported seafood published in 2000 in the Journal of Food Protection found that 10% of imported raw seafood contained Salmonella; the incidence in domestic raw seafood was 2.8%.

Several more questions and comments posted by readers remain to be answered. I am working on those answers and will post more information in the next few days.

Alfalfa Seeds Sprout Salmonella in Los Angeles

The California Department of Health is advising consumers that Kowalke Family brand alfalfa sprout products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Kowalke recalled its alfalfa, onion/alfalfa mix, cauliflower/alfalfa mix and dinner salad mix products after Salmonella was detected in seeds used to produce the sprouts. The recalled products are labeled with "Sell By" dates of March 4 through March 26 and are sold in Farmer’s Markets food chain stores, Whole Foods Markets and Gelson’s Supermarkets.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled sprout products should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Waterborne Salmonella Outbreak - Alamosa, CO

The Valley Courier reported yesterday that health officials were searching for a common source of a week-long Salmonella outbreak in Alamosa. Late yesterday, Alamosa City residents were told by the Colorado Department of Health to stop using their tap water for drinking and cooking.

The first indications of the Salmonella outbreak appeared last Wednesday. As of yesterday, 33 confirmed cases of salmonellosis have been logged and an additional 46 are under investigation. Residents of Alamosa – and any recent visitors – who experience symptoms of Salmonella illness should consult their health care providers.

Alamosa County is located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, an agricultural and recreational area of the state. Health officials don't yet know – and may never discover – the origin of the municipal water supply's contamination. The municipality will be flushing its entire potable water system to remove the contaminant. The "bottled water" advisory will remain in effect until the flushing is complete and testing confirms that the tap water is once more safe to drink.

Details of the bottled water advisory can be found in the Colorado Department of Health news release.

Salmonella-Contaminated Dog Treats: Follow-Up

The Calgary Herald printed an interview today with Brandon Jacklin, the 13-year old boy who fell victim to the Salmonella-contaminated Rollover pet treats that were recalled last week.

About six weeks ago, according to the newspaper article, Brandon suddenly came down with a high fever, severe diarrhea and vomiting. His symptoms were so severe that his parents took him to a local urgent-care center. He was rehydrated and then sent home (with instructions to return if his condition worsened) after the initial tests did not reveal the cause of his symptoms. The next day, Brandon was worse, and doctors ordered more tests.

Later that same week, Brandon's parents received an urgent call from the Calgary Health Region. The official advised them that Brandon was infected with two different – and rare – strains of Salmonella. The family's two dogs were also showing symptoms. The source of the Salmonella proved to be Rollover Pork Tenders Premium Dog Treats.

It's unclear exactly how Brandon became infected – by handling the treats or by handling the dogs. The article doesn't mention whether Brandon or the dogs became ill first. Either way, this incident highlights the importance of washing one's hands – and teaching children to do so correctly – after handling our dogs, their food and their treats.

The manufacturer has posted a recall notice on its web site, along with telephone numbers and an email address to obtain additional information about the recall.

Cruel And Unusual Punishment - A Captive Audience

Last month, 31 inmates of the Alternative Sentencing Unit of the Larimer County jail in Colorado were hit with an unexpected additional punishment – diarrhea, cramps and nausea. Now we know why.

According to a report in The Coloradoan, state health officials have determined that the food poisoning outbreak was due to Clostridium perfringens. The perpetrator was a batch of chili that was cooled too slowly after it had been cooked, allowing the Clostridium perfringens spores to germinate and grow in the food.

The outbreak has resulted in a shake-up at the jail kitchen. Aramark, the food service contractor for the jail has replaced its on-site manager. The kitchen is now equipped with shallow pans for rapid cooling of large batches of foods, and digital thermometers to verify that foods are being held at safe temperatures.

Protracted cooling or unsafe storage of cooked foods – especially meat-based meals such as chili – is the most common trigger for Clostridium perfringens food poisoning, such as the St. Patrick's Day corned beef outbreaks of 1993. This microbe produces a spore that easily survives normal cooking temperatures. Unless food is cooled quickly, the spores revive and grow to levels that can cause illness.

Contrary to what our grandmothers have taught us, cooked food should never be allowed to cool to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator. For safety's sake, it should be cooled as quickly as possible to 4ºF or less. Otherwise, Clostridium perfringens might be an uninvited guest at the dinner table.

Salmonella In Santa Fe

The Flying Tortilla restaurant in Santa Fe, NM is the focus of a joint investigation by the New Mexico Department of Health and the state's Environment Department. Four patrons of the restaurant who ate there between mid-January and mid-February have been diagnosed with salmonellosis.

The strain of Salmonella responsible for the illnesses was not mentioned in the state's news release; it was described as a "rare strain". An inspection of the Flying Tortilla revealed that it was in compliance with all food hygiene rules and procedures.

A fifth individual also was diagnosed with Salmonella gastroenteritis in the same time frame, but had not eaten at the restaurant.Health authorities have not ruled out other sources of the mini-outbreak, but are continuing to investigate all possible explanations of the outbreak.

Philippines Hit With Typhoid Again

Channel NewsAsia reported this morning that residents of the island of Zumarraga in the central Philippines are suffering from an outbreak of typhoid. About 150 people have been hospitalized so far. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported.

This is the second typhoid outbreak in the Philippines so far this year. In February, the town of Calamba, south of Manila, experienced an outbreak that hospitalized nearly 1,500 people.

Health authorities suspect that the current typhoid outbreak is being spread through contaminated water. According to the Channel NewsAsia report, heavy rains carried raw sewage into the area's drinking water wells.

Typhoid, like cholera, can break out in areas hit by natural or man-made disasters – earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, war – that disrupt the supply of safe drinking water. I'm looking into some devices that can be used in these types of situations to provide a safer water supply, and will be reporting in the next few days on what I find.

Smoked Deli Meats Recalled In Australia

The Australian government has alerted consumers to two recalls of smoked delicatessen meats due to the possibility of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The recalled products are:

• Farmwood Delicatessen Smoked Chicken Breast, Use By 10/04/08 (distributed in NSW, VIC, ACT)
• Courtway Continental Double Smoked Leg Ham, Deli Style Slices, Use by 04/04/08 (distributed in NSW, VIC, ACT, QLD)

Both products are sold through ALDI stores, and should be returned to the place of purchase for full refunds.

Myanmar Sushi, Anyone?

According to this week's edition of The Myanmar Times, Yangon visitors and residents can now indulge in their craving for sushi and sashimi Thursdays through Sundays. The Shiki Tei restaurant, located in Yangon's Parkroyal Hotel, is offering an all-you-can-eat buffet for US$22.00.

If you want to take full advantage, though, you might want to avoid taking a walk through Yangon's city center fish market before you go.

It’s A Dog’s Breakfast - Part 5: One Company’s Approach

While I was gathering information for this series of articles, a reader pointed me towards Stella and Chewy's, of Muskego, WI, a small company that has adopted some innovative technology to produce its raw pet foods.

The founders of Stella and Chewy's, Marie Moody and Doug Siegal, consulted Dr. James Marsden of Kansas State University, who developed the company’s food safety processes. With Dr. Marsden’s guidance, Stella and Chewy’s have put in place a series of firewalls to help ensure the quality and safety of its products.

Human Grade Ingredients
All of the meat and poultry that goes into the company’s products comes from USDA-inspected plants, and are fit for human consumption.

Hygienic Operating Conditions
Devices that continuously produce an oxidizing vapor are located strategically in the processing area and freeze-dryers. The oxidizing vapor, which kills bacteria but is non-toxic to people, prevents a build-up of contaminants in the air and on work surfaces. In addition, the surfaces of incoming raw materials – especially the meat – are disinfected by exposure to ultraviolet light before further processing.
High Pressure Processing
This technology takes advantage of the relative sensitivity of bacteria and viruses to high pressure, such as is found in the depths of the ocean. High pressure processing kills microbes without using either heat or irradiation, leaving heat-sensitive nutrients intact.

HACCP
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs have been a mandatory part of many food processing operations for at least two decades. USDA has required the meat and poultry industry to develop and implement HACCP in federally inspected plants since the 1990s; this program, however is not mandatory for pet food manufacturers, which come under FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Under HACCP, a processor must identify every microbiological or chemical hazard that may be associated with each product (Hazard Analysis), determine when and how that hazard can be eliminated or controlled (Critical Control Points), and establish ways to document that the hazard has been controlled in every production batch.


Stella and Chewy’s “4-H” approach is supplemented by a sampling program that includes microbiological testing of every production batch for Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 by an independent lab. The test results for each production batch are posted on the company’s web site. According to Dr. Marsden, who wrote Stella and Chewy’s HACCP program and developed their food safety processes, the company’s program “...is one of the most innovative and well designed in the nation.”

I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Stella and Chewy’s pet food facility. And, since I no longer have a microbiology lab, I can’t test their products for microbiological contamination myself. Nevertheless, I believe this company is trying hard to produce raw pet food products that are microbiologically safe.

But microbiologically safe raw food is expensive. A 6-ounce package of 12 freeze-dried “steaks” sells for approximately $11.00 (the price varies to a minor degree, depending on the retailer). A one-pound package, which contains 32 “steaks”, costs almost $26.00.

According to Stella and Chewy’s, the recommended daily portion for a 60-pound dog is 12 steaks. This translates to nearly $70.00 per week to feed one dog about the size of a Labrador retriever. Based on US government statistics, that’s enough to feed two five-year old children for a full week. That same dog can be fed a top-quality kibble for less than $50.00 per month.

Pet owners who are trying to choose a healthy diet for their four-legged companions are confronted with a confusing smorgasbord of competing claims and dogmas. Canned food or kibble? Raw food or cooked? White rice or brown? How much fat? How much fiber? How to decide?

In presenting this series of articles, I have tried to help clarify some of the confusion over the nutritional and safety issues surrounding raw pet food diets. I welcome your questions and comments, and will be happy to answer them in follow-up articles.

The Stage Goes Dark Again

For the second time in two years, New York's Stage Delicatessen has been closed temporarily for health violations. According to the New York City Health Department, "multiple violations" – including a "severe vermin infestation" – were found during an inspection of the restaurant on Wednesday, March 12th. The Stage was allowed to remain open for 48 hours while it corrected the infractions. But upon reinspection on March 14th, several violations remained, and the restaurant was closed.

The Stage Deli, a New York icon, had a previous run-in with City health authorities in 2006. The restaurant was cited for several violations, including live roaches, a malfunctioning refrigerator, inadequate garbage storage and food stored at improper temperatures.

Increasingly, consumers have the ability to vote with their feet on restaurant sanitation issues. New York City maintains a web site for consumers to search for the latest inspection scores of their favorite restaurants. Harris County, TX (Houston area) instituted a similar service last month.

Many municipal and county health offices in the US and Canada require restaurants to post their inspection score in a conspicuous place in the establishment. And the UK's Food Standards Agency is moving in the direction of a nationwide "Scores on Doors" scheme to make inspection scores easily available to restaurant patrons.

The Stage Deli will likely reopen on Monday, if it can deal with the remaining health violations. In the meantime, corned beef and pastrami afficionados will find Carnegie's – which was last closed for health violations in 2004 – just a block or so away.

It's A Dog's Breakfast - Part 4: What's In It For Fido?

We hear a lot of claims from promoters of raw meat diets about the nasty ingredients in kibble and canned pet foods – binders, stabilizers, meat from diseased animals, corn and other grain fillers. In fact, many dog foods, especially the lower-priced products, leave much to be desired. But what, exactly, is in a “raw food diet”? Is it more nutritious than the best commercial “cooked” diets? Is it safe?

The BARF Diet
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is a pioneer in the field of raw pet foods. He published his first book, "Give Your Dog a Bone: The Practical Commonsense Way to Feed Dogs for a Healthy Life" in 1993.

Dr. Billinghurst's book introduced many pet owners to the concept of the "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food" diet, which was an attempt to mimic the natural diet of the dog's wild ancestor – the wolf. The original BARF diet comprised raw meaty bones (usually chicken wings and backs, but sometimes beef, lamb or wild game, including venison), raw eggs, pureed raw fruits and vegetables, and the occasional dollop of yogurt.

The BARF diet, while embraced by some dog owners, was daunting to others. Several years ago, Dr. Billinghurst simplified BARF by introducing a commercial product line, consisting of frozen patties, which is sold through a web site named BARFWorld. The line of products includes "Beef Offal", "Beef Tripe", and "Chicken and Bone Mince" patties. BarfWorld also sells nutritional supplements and "Fruit and Veggies Nuggets".

In 2004, BARFWorld announced that it would be conducting nutritional research “...on the best possible means of feeding our companion animals,” and asked for volunteers to participate in the study. Twenty-eight dog years later, we’re still waiting for the first word on this study.

Raw Meaty Bones Diets
Dr. Billinghurst isn’t the only advocate of raw feeding. At about the same time that he introduced the BARF diet, another group of Australian veterinarians began to promote a different Raw Meaty Bones (RMB) diet. Other raw diet disciples have chimed in with their own variations. All of the diets are built on a foundation of raw poultry or raw meaty bones.

A Balanced Diet?
A supporter of homemade (raw or cooked) diets said in 2003,

“... feeding home-prepared cooked or raw diets has not been proven to control medical problems, based upon prospective, double-blind, statistically significant clinical trials.”

This is still true in 2008. I have searched the scientific journals using PubMed, a search engine service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and have not found a single report of even a small, prospective feeding trial.

One study, published in 2001, attempted to address the nutritional content of raw diets. It compared three homemade and two commercial raw diets against the guidelines recommended by the Association Of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The study was inconclusive for several reasons:

• calculation errors, especially of the levels of vitamin D in the diets, forced the authors to publish a correction;
• the study comprised just a single sample of five different diets - not enough to account for day-to-day variation, especially of the homemade diets; and
• its conclusions relied strictly on lab analysis, which cannot predict the extent to which the nutrients can be digested and absorbed.

RMB = Really Microbiologically Bad?
Many pet owners who are considering switching to a raw diet, especially one based on poultry, worry about Salmonella and other food poisoning bacteria. And they have good cause for concern. According to the USDA, 45% of raw ground chicken and 11.4% of whole broiler carcasses in the US are contaminated with Salmonella.

I searched the scientific literature and found three articles that specifically analyzed raw meat diets for bacterial contamination. These studies were limited in size and scope, but the results were consistent.

1. Joffe, D.J. and D.P. Schlesinger. 2002. Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets. Canadian Veterinary Journal, vol. 43 (June), pp. 441-442.
In this preliminary study, the authors tested 10 samples of homemade BARF diets for Salmonella. Eight of the 10 samples contained Salmonella, as did the feces of 3 of the 10 dogs that had been fed the BARF diet.

2. Weese, J.S., et al. 2005. Bacteriological evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets. Canadian Veterinary Journal, vol. 46 (June), pp. 513-516.
This study examined samples from 25 commercial raw diets. Fifteen of the 25 samples contained Escherichia coli (but not E. coli O157:H7), 5 samples (20%) contained Salmonella, and 5 contained Clostridium perfringens, another food poisoning bacterium.

3. Strohmeyer, R.A., et al. 2006. Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs. American Veterinary Medicine Association Journal, vol. 228, no. 4, pp. 537-542.
In this yearlong study, 240 samples of commercial raw meat diets were examined for E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter. The researchers did not find any Campylobacter, but detected E. coli in just about every sample, and Salmonella in 17 of the 240 samples.


Many producers of commercial raw food diets acknowledge that their products may contain harmful bacteria. Some, such as Nature's Variety, provide their customers with handling instructions to minimize the risk of transmission.

But one raw pet food company has gone several steps farther. To find out more, watch for Part 5 of this series, “One Company’s Approach”, which will appear on Monday, March 17th.

Raw Milk Contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes - Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is warning consumers against drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk from Fisher's Dairy farm in Portersville, PA. A sample of the raw milk was tested by the Department of Agriculture and was found to contain Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the Pennsylvania news release, Fisher's Dairy gave up its state permit to sell unpasteurized milk in 2006. Recently, though, it has begun to sell raw milk again – without a permit.

If you have purchased raw milk from this dairy, please discard it. If you develop any flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms in the next several weeks and have consumed raw milk from this dairy, please inform your doctor. Listeria monocytogenes can be a very serious – and sometimes fatal – pathogen, especially for the elderly, the immunocompromised, young children and pregnant women.

Icybay Cooked Langostinos Recalled - Listeria monocytogenes

FDA has alerted consumers to a batch of cooked, ready to eat, frozen Langostinos that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Slade Gorton & Co is recalling the "Icybay" langostinos, which are labeled with a UPC of 0-73129-61672-8 and an expiration date of June 2009. No illnesses have been reported. Wholesale packaging with production dates of July 18, 2007 through August 13, 2007 or Julian dates of 199 through 232 are also affected.

The recall was triggered by a report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that a sample tested by that agency appeared to contain L. monocytogenes. FDA is investigating, and Slade Gorton is submitting samples of the production batch to an independent lab in the US to verify the Canadian finding.

The recalled product has been distributed to wholesalers in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin and to retail stores in Maryland and Massachusetts.

Please refer to the FDA news release for further details.

It’s A Dog’s Breakfast - Part 3: Getting Down To Cases

Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni are the two most common known causes of food-borne human gastrointestinal disease. Both of these microbes are often present in raw meats – especially in raw poultry.

Dogs and cats can carry these bacteria – often without showing any symptoms – and can pass these pathogens along to their human companions. To illustrate, the following is just a very small sampling of reported cases.


1. Wright, J.G., et al. 2005. Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium in four animal facilities. Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 1235-1241.
Salmonella-infected dogs and cats in 3 veterinary hospitals and in one animal shelter transmitted the infection to their handlers. Thirty-six out of 200+ animals and 18 out of 19 people (employees and clients of these facilities) were infected with Salmonella.

2. Sato, Y., and R. Kuwamoto. 1999. A case of canine salmonellosis due to Salmonella infantis. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 71-72.
A dog with watery diarrhea was diagnosed as being infected with Salmonella infantis. Soil samples taken from the garden in which the dog had been housed before it became ill also contained Salmonella infantis. The dog was treated with antibiotics and recovered.

3. Sato, Y., et al. 2000. Salmonella virchow infection in an infant infected by household dogs. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, vol. 62, no. 7, pp. 767-769.
A 4 month-old infant, who was suffering from diarrhea, was diagnosed with salmonellosis. Salmonella virchow was found in the infant’s stool and in the feces of two of the three dogs that were living in the same house.

4. Cantor, G.H., et al. 1997. Salmonella shedding in racing sled dogs. Journal of Veterinary Diagnosis and Investigation, vol. 9, pp. 447-448.
Dogs can carry Salmonella without showing any signs of illness. In this study, Salmonella was found in the feces of 19 out of 30 sled dogs that were suffering from diarrhea, and from 18 out of 26 sled dogs that appeared perfectly healthy.

5. Koene, M.G.J., et al. 2004. Simultaneous presence of multiple Campylobacter species in dogs. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 819-821.
Campylobacter jejuni, a human pathogen, was found in the feces of 12 dogs out of a group of thirty. Most of the 30 dogs showed no symptoms of infection.

6. Damborg, P., et al. 2004. Occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni in pets living with human patients infected with C. jejuni. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 1363-1364.
Forty-five pet owners who were suffering from Campylobacter jejuni infection participated in a study of their pets. Eight of their pets - 4 dogs and 4 cats - were carriers of the same species of Campylobacter. In one case, the DNA fingerprint of the Campylobacter isolated from the human patient and the pet were identical.

7. Morse, E.V., et al. 1976. Canine salmonellosis: a review and report of dog to child transmission of Salmonella enteritidis. American Journal of Public Health, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 82-84.
A dog became infected with Salmonella after drinking contaminated chicken broth, and experienced vomiting and diarrhea. A 16-month old child came into contact with the sick dog and developed a severe case of salmonellosis, requiring hospital treatment.


Reports such as these show conclusively that dogs and cats are able to carry and transmit harmful bacteria. Sometimes, the animals suffer from diarrhea or vomiting; sometimes, they show no apparent signs of illness. Either way, the Salmonella or Campylobacter that may be in your dog or cat’s feces or vomit can end up infecting you, a family member, or a friend.


Watch for Part 4 of this series, “What’s In It For Fido?”, which will appear on Saturday, March 15th.

Canadian Dog Treat Recalled - Salmonella

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has alerted consumers to the presence of Salmonella in Rollover Pork Tenders Premium Dog Treats. One illness has been associated with this product.

The treats, which are manufactured by Rollover Premium Pet Food Ltd. of High River, Alberta, are sold in 50 gram packages labeled with UPC 0 60766 88138 1. All packages dated up to and including 07 MAR 10 are being recalled. Further details can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer directly at info@rolloverpetfood.com or by telephone at 1-800-616-9267.

There's not much detail available officially. Rollover has not posted any information on its web site. I "Google'd" the product and found a question on Yahoo Answers that might have been posted by the one confirmed victim. The author of the post became seriously ill with Salmonella, resulting in a three-day hospital stay. According to the posting, the victim did not taste the treat, but was infected either by handling it or as a result of being licked by his dog.

These treats are sold across Canada. If you have purchased this product, please discard it or return it to the store for a refund. I'll post more information as it becomes available.

People, Pets And MRSA

MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – has been making news recently. A particularly virulent strain of this common bacterium is credited with turning relatively minor cuts and abrasions into difficult-to-cure pimples, boils and abscesses.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common microbe. According to the CDC, approximately 32% of the population carry S. aureus without ill effect, usually in the nasal passages or on the skin; roughly 0.8% carry MRSA.

Most transmission of MRSA is person-to-person, either by direct contact or by touching a surface that has been contaminated by someone else. Careful cleaning and frequent hand-washing are usually the best ways to break the infection chain. In the last few years, however, another possible mode of MRSA transmission has raised its head – the family pet.

Today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine describes just such a situation. An otherwise healthy adult woman was suffering from recurring MRSA-infected abscesses. Her husband and two of her three children were carriers of MRSA, but had no active infections. To remove the likely source of the woman's recurring infections, her husband and all three children were treated with nasal ointments and antiseptic washes.

But, even though her family members no longer carried MRSA, the patient continued to experience repeated infections. So her doctors decided to test the three apparently-healthy family cats. One of the cats proved to be carrying the offending MRSA strain.

All three cats were subjected to an antimicrobial treatment, which eliminated the MRSA. Four weeks later, the woman's abscesses had cleared up permanently. She, her husband, and her three children were retested and were all negative for MRSA. The family declined to retest the cats.

This is not the first time that a family pet has been reported to carry MRSA. In 2005, Dutch researchers reported a similar situation involving a family and their dog. And a 2006 report described the transmission of a strain of MRSA between animals and veterinary staff at a clinic in the UK.

Transmission of MRSA from family pets to their human companions is uncommon, but not unheard of. If you are struggling with a mysterious recurring MRSA infection, it might be worth testing the family pets.

Raw Goat Milk Recall In Australia

The Australian government has alerted consumers in the state of Queensland to a recall of unpasteurized frozen goat milk by Gaybill's Goat Dairy. The milk is contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled milk was sold in two locations only, and has been on the market for three weeks. If you purchased unpasteurized frozen goat milk with a "Use By" date of 28/05/08 at either Ironwood Cottage Sandgate or Four Seasons Samford, please return the milk to the place of purchase for a refund.

Hallmark Meat - Finally, The Truth

Yesterday, I noted that Steve Mendell's written testimony to Congress stated that the downer cows never entered the food supply. I ended my post with a question:

"So, if Mendell is being truthful with the House Sub-Committee, why did the company recall 143 million pounds of beef?"

Now, we know the answer - Mendell lied in his written testimony.

According to a New York Times report, Mendell's initial oral testimony supported his written submission. Then he was asked to watch a video that clearly showed a downer cow being shot with a bolt gun and dragged to the kill box. And he admitted that this cow, at least, had entered the food supply.

Mendell claimed that he has asked for, but had been denied a copy of this video. According to the Humane Society, however, the video had been available on the Society's web site since February 19th.

Thanks, Steve Mendell, for answering my question.

Hallmark Meat Story: Curiouser and Curiouser

Steve Mendell, the President of Hallmark/Westland Meat Company, testified today – under subpoena – before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that is looking into "downer cow" debacle.

In his written testimony, Mendell admitted that the cows seen in the Humane Society undercover video were not treated humanely. But he said that these cows were euthanized, rather than slaughtered. An Associated Press report published on Yahoo News quotes Mendell as saying that the downer cows "...were not slaughtered, ground or sold. They were euthanized and removed."

According to the AP report, Mendell also stated in his written testimony that

"While these cows should be treated humanely and they were not, these cows were not harvested and they did not enter the food supply."

So, if Mendell is being truthful with the House Sub-Committee, why did the company recall 143 million pounds of beef?

Sekiya Customers Can Smile Again

Sekiya's Restaurant, which was closed late last month by the Hawai'i Department of Health following an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, has reopened. The DOH reinstated Sekiya's operating permit after the restaurant passed final inspection on March 10th.

Contaminated Pear Juice - Arsenic Alert

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety have issued a health hazard alert to consumers. The notices warn consumers to avoid consuming two brands of pear juice for toddlers that may contain arsenic.

The products being recalled in both Canada and Hong Kong are "President’s Choice Organics Pear Juice from Concentrate for Toddlers" and "Beech Nut Pear Juice from concentrate with Vitamin C added". The pear juice is sold in Canada through Loblaw's supermarkets. There is no mention of the product's country of origin

Please refer to the health hazard alert notices for details of lot code and expiration date. Do not consume these products.

It's A Dog's Breakfast - Part 2: Common Misconceptions

It’s time to set the record straight on some of the most common rationalizations used by people to justify the safety of feeding raw meat and poultry to their dogs.


Misconception #1. A dog’s stomach acid is stronger than a human’s. Therefore, all harmful bacteria will be killed in the dog’s stomach.

Stomach acid is an important defense against food-borne infection. The normal stomach pH* in humans while fasting (that is, with no food in the stomach) is approximately 2. Stomach pH rises (becomes less acid) for a period of time after a meal, because the stomach acid is diluted and buffered by food, then falls again.

The stomach’s digestive juices, which contain a combination of hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin, will kill bacteria within 15 minutes when the pH in the stomach is lower (more acid) than 3. But if the pH rises above 4 for any reason, bacteria can survive – and even multiply – in the stomach.

The pH of digestive juices in the empty canine stomach – as in the human stomach – is approximately 2 at its most acid. As with humans, feeding alters the pH in a dog’s stomach, causing it to shift between strong acid and weak acid or even neutral conditions. But there is one difference.

In dogs, some of the contents of the small intestine are “burped” back into the empty stomach from time to time. This periodic “burp” raises the dog’s stomach pH to nearly 7 (the neutral point) – an ideal pH for bacteria to multiply.

Think about it. Dogs carry bacteria in their intestines, and dog poop is full of bacteria. There is only one way for bacteria to get into the intestines, and that is via the dog’s mouth and stomach.

*Acidity is measured by pH, which ranges over a scale of zero to 14, with zero being the most acid, 14 being the most alkaline, and 7 being exactly neutral.


Misconception #2. A dog’s intestinal tract is short. Stuff passes through too fast for bacteria to take hold.

The essential first step to infection - attachment to the cells that line the intestine wall - is very rapid. Salmonella and other pathogens can attach irreversibly to a susceptible cell immediately upon contact. It doesn’t matter how quickly the food passes through an animal’s intestine. Once attached to its target cell, the pathogen will stick like Krazy Glue and invade the cell at its leisure - usually, within one hour after adhering to the cell.


Misconception #3. A dog’s saliva contains lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys bacteria. Therefore, the bacteria get killed before they are swallowed.

Dog saliva and human saliva both contain lysozyme, an antibacterial enzyme, which is also present in some other body fluids, including tears.

Bacteria are divided into two major groupings – Gram-positive and Gram-negative – based on the chemical structure of their cell walls. Lysozyme destroys the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, but cannot harm Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter.


Misconception #4. Dogs don’t get sick from bacteria and, therefore, can’t infect their human companions.

Dog may be less susceptible than humans to becoming sick from Salmonella, but they are not immune. And, just like Typhoid Mary, apparently healthy dogs can shed Salmonella in their feces. Furthermore, Salmonella isn’t the only pathogenic microbe that can infect dogs. Campylobacter, which is prevalent in raw poultry, can also be carried by dogs. Parasites such as Giardia can be spread from dogs to humans, too. I'll provide specific examples in Part 3 of this series.


Sorting through conflicting statements about health and safety issues can be both confusing and frustrating, especially when those statements are not backed up by independent scientific evidence. If you’d like to delve more deeply into the technical details, the links I’ve provided will give you a place to start.


Watch for Part 3 of this series, “Getting Down To Cases”, which will appear on Friday, March 14th.

I Beg To Differ!

In the last few days, food safety bloggers Bill Marler and Amy Derby have suggested that meat from the 143 million pound Hallmark/Westland "downer cow" recall should be tested. In my opinion, the only ones who would benefit from that idea would be the testing labs.

Marler suggests that the meat could be tested for mad cow, Salmonella and E. coli. Screening for mad cow prions is most effective when carried out on brain or nerve tissue, where the prions are most heavily concentrated. It would be far easier to find a needle in a haystack than to find a random few mad cow prions in 143 million pounds of meat. And a "negative" result for Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7 would be equally meaningless.

As Marler pointed out, there is an ethical dilemma here. Is it appropriate to discard meat that is likely safe to eat because some unknown fraction of it came from "downer" cows? I don't know the answer to that question. But I am certain of one thing. The answer won't come from testing.

Yet Another Sesame Seed Recall

The UK Food Standards Agency has issued another consumer alert regarding hulled sesame seeds. TRS Wholesale Co. Limited has announced the recall of one batch of its sesame seeds due to Salmonella contamination.

The 100g packages of seeds carry Batch Code No. L7192, and a Best Before date of July 2009.

Crying Over Spilt Eggs

This is a story that just won't go away. At the end of January, we learned about an outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis in the Tasmania, Australia. The outbreak was linked to one or more sauces made using raw eggs. Victims included patrons of the Venus, and mourners at two separate funerals where the catered food had been provided by Venus.

About three weeks later, the Tasmanian health authorities announced that they had traced the source of the raw eggs to Pitt Poultry. According to the news releases, Pitt had been a source of Salmonella-contaminated eggs in the past, but had recently cleaned up its act. Nevertheless, under pressure from the Green Party and others to act, Tasmania decided to require that Pitt apply a safety warning label to its packages of raw eggs. No other egg producer was required to use a warning label.

Nicholas Pitt, the owner of Pitt Poultry, claims that he has been the victim of a smear campaign. In an interview published on March 9th in the Sunday Tasmanian, Pitt insisted that animal rights activists and the Green Party have been making political hay out of the Salmonella incident. He pointed out that the health authorities did not find any Salmonella on his farm.

Now a former member of the Tasmanian Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (RSPCA) has come forward with the claim that Pitt was "tipped off" about a snap inspection intended to investigate animal welfare issues. According to a report carried by the "Mercury", Angela Ayling learned about the tip-off from Rick Butler, the CEO of the RSPCA. But Mr. Butler later changed his story.

Today, the Tasmanian Green Party was planning to introduce a Bill in the State parliament to ban battery-hen farming in the state. If passed, this would limit Tasmanian hen farming to free-range. The Bill is expected to fail.

This story seems to be an intertwined soap opera of Salmonella and animal welfare issues. While free-range hens might be "happier", they are not Salmonella-free. There is no easy or quick solution to Salmonella in poultry and eggs. In my opinion, confusing the issues of animal welfare and Salmonella will only delay progress on both fronts.

Hartz Recalls Second Lot Of "Vitamin Care for Cats"

FDA is alerting cat owners to the recall of a second production lot of Hartz Mountain Corporation's "Vitamin Care For Cats". Recent testing by FDA revealed Salmonella in bottles of product labelled with lot code SZ 22771.

Cats are susceptible to Salmonella and – just like humans – can suffer from symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea and abdominal pain. Please discontinue use of this batch of "Vitamin Care For Cats", and contact your veterinarian if your cat is exhibiting any of these symptoms. If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella, please contact your doctor.

It's A Dog's Breakfast - Part 1

The unprecedented 2007 pet food scandal sent a large number of dog owners on a search for a nutritious, safe alternative to dried or canned pet food. One option that many people investigated, and some people switched to, was a raw meat diet.

Feeding raw meat - either a commercial product or direct from the supermarket meat counter - has become increasingly popular in the last several years. Advocates of “raw feeding” claim that their pets are healthier, live longer, and are free from allergies and chronic diseases.

Poultry is a major component of most noncommercial raw food diets. Dogs are fed chicken wings, breasts, legs, backs and necks - all “on the bone”. Beef and lamb may also be part of a “raw meaty bone” diet, as is venison (especially in deer-hunting season) and other types of meat.

An indication of the increased popularity of raw meat pet diets is the availability of a very large selection of commercial “raw” products - typically in the form of frozen or freeze-dried patties. These are more convenient than do-it-yourself diets, and freeze-dried patties are much more practical when either boarding or traveling with a pet. There’s also comfort in feeding a commercial product - the feeling that the product is consistent in quality and is safe to use. After all, aren’t commercial pet foods regulated?

Unfortunately, in the United States, there are no regulations - other than the usual “truth in labeling” laws and the prohibition against knowingly selling adulterated products - that govern the safety of commercial raw pet foods. All that exists is Guideline #122, a Guidance Document issued in 2004 by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). In this document, the FDA states that it “... does not believe raw meat foods for animals are consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks, particularly when such products are brought into the home and/or used to feed domestic pets."

The CVM hasn’t proposed a formal set of regulations to govern the safety and quality of commercial raw pet food. With just two people within CVM assigned to the entire pet food sector, the agency has neither the money nor the manpower to enforce any new mandates. But there is a much larger problem than the lack of FDA regulation of these products. Raw food diets, whether commercial or homemade, may make your pet and your family ill.

Watch for Part 2 of this series, “Common Misconceptions”, which will appear on Wednesday, March 12th.

The Beijing Olympic Games: China's Potemkin Village?

In 2001, after China was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, some people questioned whether China's human rights record should have disqualified the country from hosting the Olympics. Little did anyone expect that the focus of China's Olympic preparations would shift to food safety.

That shift began last year, following several incidents of contaminated foods and other Chinese-manufactured products, including melamine in wheat gluten, diethylene glycol in toothpaste, antibiotic residues in seafood, and lead paint in toys.

China reacted in late June 2007 to the series of reports and recalls by announcing a crackdown on contaminated foods. The following month China also blocked the importation of "unsafe" foods from several countries, including the US, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Since last summer, there has been a steady stream of news out of Beijing, all intended to reassure the world community that the 2008 Summer Olympics will be a food-safe venue. In August, the government announced a US$1.2 billion investment to improve China's food safety system over a 3-5 year period. In October, Beijing reported that, during a four-month food safety campaign, it had identified and destroyed 667 tons of "inferior and/or shoddy" food, and had ordered the removal of an additional 446 tons from the market.

But is this progress real, or is it a mirage – a Potemkin village for the benefit of the outside world? Athletes from several countries are holding their pre-Olympic training camps in Japan instead of China. And to Beijing's dismay, the US Olympic Committee announced last month that it has arranged to have much of the food for the US athletes to be shipped to China from the United States.

Since the February announcement by the US Olympic Committee, China has redoubled its public relations efforts. Both the BBC and CNN News have carried reports recently about greenhouse produce growers that have been certified as suppliers for the Olympics. On March 7th, the head of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, told ShanghaiDaily.com that "The safety of Olympic food will be fully guaranteed."

This guarantee, however, likely does not extend to food outside of the Olympic venues. Even some of the "bottled water" might be unsafe, in spite of the Chinese government's recent efforts to crack down on unlicensed vendors. I'll be watching the news between now and August to see how far China's food safety "great leap forward" goes – and where it lands.

Meandering Through Myanmar Markets

As we walked through markets in the different towns and cities, we were struck by both the similarities and the regional differences in the selection of food. Here are a few of the things we encountered.

We saw meat trimmings in just about every market. They are used in soups, stews and curries.

We only saw this blood sausage in Mandalay

I'm happy to report that the only market where dried rat was on sale was in Bagan. Once was enough!

These young monks, begging for their daily food in the Bagan market, were happy to receive whatever was offered.

I'll leave this Bagan image to your imagination. Would anyone care to hazard a guess?

The Yangon city center market was the only place we saw live poultry.

Did these chickens have any premonition of their fate?

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison Alert In Texas

An algal bloom in three bays has caused the Texas Department of State Health Services to close those bays to shellfish harvesting and to issue a recall of oysters, clams and mussels taken from Aransas, Corpus Christi and Copano bays.

Shellfish taken from these areas look, smell and taste normal, but may contain levels of a heat-stable chemical, okadaic acid that exceed federal guidelines for this naturally occurring toxin. Okadaic acid can cause vomiting, nausea, cramps and diarrhea.

Symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning can appear from 30 minutes to 12 hours after eating the toxic shellfish, and may last 2-3 days.

Diseases of Disaster - Another Installment

War and famine aren't the only triggers for outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery. The People's Daily On-Line reported this morning that 20 Bhutanese refugees in a camp in eastern Nepal are suffering from pneumonia and dysentery. The refugees were forced to leave their homes 320 km east of Kathmandu after a fire destroyed the entire village.

Earlier this week, the International Society for Infectious Diseases posted its regular weekly update of cholera, dysentery and diarrhea outbreaks – five cholera outbreaks (4 in Africa and one in Asia) and one outbreak of watery diarrhea.

• Katanga, Congo: There were 5483 cases of cholera and 120 deaths in the first seven weeks of 2008. The outbreak is continuing, but the epicenter appears to be shifting.
• Harare, Zimbabwe: Fourteen cases of cholera have been diagnosed in the last two weeks in and around Harare. Another nine cases, and one death, were reported in the area of Mashonaland Central during February.
• Mandera Province, Kenya: This area has seen 392 suspected cases of cholera, and has reported 7 deaths from the disease.
• Belet Hawo, Somalia: The people living in and around this town in southwestern Somalia have experienced 263 cases of "acute watery diarrhea" since the end of January 2008. The outbreak, which has caused 11 deaths so far, may have been triggered by the cholera outbreak just across the border in Mandera Province, Kenya. The spread of the disease is believed to be due to a severe water shortage, which has forced people to drink unsafe water. The district government has responded by chlorinating all of the wells and is warning residents to avoid drinking unchlorinated water.
• Cunene Province, Angola: Flooding has forced people from their homes in this region, and a cholera outbreak is in progress amongst the displaced population. Five to seven new cases are being reported each day; 82 people have died so far.
• Mon State, Myanmar: 61 people in eastern Myanmar are suffering from cholera; 2 victims have died so far. The affected village is near the Thai border, and is in an area controlled by the New Mon State Party under a cease-fire agreement with the Myanmar government. Local authorities are asking a Thai government hospital in nearby Sangkhlaburi to provide emergency assistance.

Cholera and dysentery spread rapidly in the absence of safe water for drinking, washing and cooking. Recently, a Swiss company introduced the LifeStraw which, according to the device's developer, can be used to decontaminate water "on the spot". I'll review LifeStraw and other approaches to achieving safe drinking water soon.

Philippines Typhoid Outbreak – An Update

According to a report in USA Today, the number of victims of the typhoid outbreak near Manila has risen to 1,477. The authorities have declared a "state of calamity" to facility emergency funding for antibiotics and intravenous fluids.

The outbreak appears to have slowed – at least for now. The number of new cases peaked in late February, and has been dropping in recent days. While the source of the outbreak has not been determined, health officials suspect the bacteria are being spread via contaminated water.

People planning to travel to the Philippines, especially to Calamba, the apparent epicenter of the outbreak, should take all appropriate precautions.

Myanmar Village Scenes

The first village that we visited in Bagan was on the "tourist trail". In fact, we encountered two groups of tourists arriving at this village as we were leaving. Villagers make at least part of their income demonstrating local crafts.

This young woman makes cheroots and demonstrates their use. Notice the deft use of the ashtray.

Villagers dry fruit such as these small plums in the sun, and sell them in the local market.

Peanuts and sesame seeds are also sun-dried, and then pressed to extract cooking oil. The oil press is turned using a "one-ox-power" engine, which was happy to pose for this picture.

The day we visited, peanut oil was on the production schedule.

The oil drizzles out of the bottom of the press and collects in the small container just beside the mill operator's left foot. The peanut meal that remains after grinding is fed to the chickens and oxen.

Peanut oil wasn't the only liquid being produced while we watched. The ox took advantage of a break in the action to engage in some production of its own.

The second village we visited in the area didn't have an oil press, but it boasted both a primary school and a general store. The family that owns the general store is considered "middle class" by Bagan standards, and is the wealthiest family in the village.

We met the proprietor and his wife.

The shelves were well-stocked with a wide variety of packaged foods and other goods.

This was a full-service store. It even had a paint department.

In Myanmar, tourists are not usually permitted to visit the schools. But the day we stopped by this village was a "festival" day and school wasn't in session. We were able to tour the school house, which is divided into five open classrooms. There is just one teacher, and she is responsible for the entire student body (grades one through five).

This is one of the classrooms.

The Myanmar government provides the school building and pays the teacher's (small) salary. It's up to the villagers to pay for school supplies and to find the money to maintain the building. When we visited, the village was gradually accumulating a supply of bricks to repair and enlarge the school.

Discover Cuisine - Strike Three

USDA has alerted consumers to a third recall involving Discover Cuisine "Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice". This time, Inovata Foods of Edmonton, Alberta has issued the recall notice, which covers 3,780 pounds of entrées.

The entrées were exported to the US by Inovata Foods and distributed nationwide. Please check the USDA recall notice for details.

The recalled product carries a risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. If you have purchased Discover Cuisine's "Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice", please check the "Best By" date on the package. If it reads "12 18 08", return the package to the store for a refund.

Caribbean Holiday Leaves Bad Taste

According to an Associated Press report published this morning on Canoe.ca, an Air Transat flight from the Dominican Republic destined for Edmonton was forced to make an emergency landing in Fort Lauderdale, FL at 11:00 pm yesterday (Tuesday), after eight passengers complained of sickness.

The flight was quarantined as a precaution while passengers were interviewed by the CDC. The eight ill passengers – six adults and two children – were traveling as a group and had all eaten at the same place yesterday afternoon. The ill passengers were taken to hospital and the flight continued to its destination after a delay of several hours.

The news report makes no mention of the symptoms, but the relatively short incubation period suggests the possibility of Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning, which is caused by a toxin that is produced by many strains of this bacteria when it multiplies. Symptoms – typically nausea and vomiting – usually develop within a few hours of eating a contaminated meal, and last for about 24 hours. Symptoms disappear spontaneously, once the toxin has been eliminated from the body, but dehydration can be a problem in severe cases, for young children, or the elderly.

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mixes Recalled

FDA has alerted customers today to an announcement by Quaker Oats that it is recalling a "limited number" of Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes, due to the risk of them being contaminated with Salmonella. Details of the recall – package sizes, batch numbers and pancake mix varieties – are given in the FDA recall alert and can also be found on a page of the Aunt Jemima website that is dedicated to the recall.

Most of the affected product is still in the hands of Quaker Oats, but about 2% may have already reached store shelves in 17 states, according to FDA. If you have purchased any Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes recently, please check the lot number on the package against the list posted on the Aunt Jemima web site.

The risk of Salmonella infection associated with this recall is low, as cooking kills Salmonella. But there is always a chance of cross-contamination. A drop of raw batter on a mixing spoon, a spatula, or your finger can transfer Salmonella to a cooked pancake. If you have purchased one of the recalled products, please return your package to the store for a full refund.

More Listeria In The News

Gourmet Boutique, of Jamaica, NY has recalled 6,970 pounds of meat and poultry products, according to a news release issued by USDA. The US-made products were found by USDA to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The 12 different products were manufactured on February 26th and 27th, and distributed in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

Please consult the USDA news release for additional details.

Typhoid Outbreak - The Philippines

The International Society for Infectious Diseases reported yesterday that the Philippines is experiencing an outbreak of typhoid fever. The outbreak, which is believed to have begun on February 19th, has affected at least 1,041 people so far.

As of yesterday, the outbreak appears to be confined to Calamba City, just south of Manila. Health authorities believe that the disease is being spread through contaminated water.

Hong Kong has issued a typhoid alert for people traveling to the Philippines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a typhoid vaccine for all unvaccinated travelers to the region, but has not issued a specific travel advisory. Neither has the World Health Organization.

If you have plans to travel to the Philippines, especially to the area south of Manila, drink and brush your teeth with bottled water only. Don't drink the local water – not even in the hotels – and do not allow ice to be added to your beverages. Stay vigilant to stay healthy.

Salmonella-Contaminated Seeds – UK

The Food Standards Agency has advised consumers this morning of two separate seed-related recalls.

Julian Graves Ltd., which recalled a batch of sesame seeds on February 29th due to Salmonella contamination, has expanded its recall to include 250g packages of sunflower seed kernels. The sunflower seeds packages are labeled with batch number 7353T4A, and carry a Best Before date of 30/09/08.

Suma Wholefoods has announced a recall of 12 batches of sesame seeds and mixed seeds, also due to Salmonella contamination. Please see the FSA consumer alert for details on the recalled products.

Underdone Chicken Wings - UK

The UK's Food Standards Agency has alerted consumers to a recall by Iceland Foods Ltd. The company has recalled a batch of its "Buffalo Chicken Wings" due to possible under-processing. The 410g packages of chicken wings are labeled with a "Best Before" date of 14 February 2009.

Consumers should return this product to stores for a full refund.

Discover Cuisine - At Costco

Costco has announced a recall of more than 10,000 pounds of Discover Cuisine frozen chicken entrées, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice entrées were shipped to Costco Warehouse stores in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

As I reported yesterday, Michigan-based Meijer Distribution Center has recalled more than 2,100 pounds of this same Canadian-made product. The 12-ounce packages bear an inspection stamp from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and a "Best By" date of 12 18 08.

No illnesses linked to this product have been reported to date, but Listeria monocytogenes infections can be serious – even fatal – for the elderly, the very young, the immunocompromised and for pregnant women. If you have purchased this product, please either discard it or return it to the store.

IN-Humane Society?

On February 17th, in my blog post about the Hallmark/Westland meat recall, I asked the following question.

"Why did the Humane Society wait until January 30th before releasing the results of their undercover investigation?"

Now I have my answer. Meatingplace.com reported this morning that the Humane Society has admitted having deliberately kept the results of its undercover investigation from the USDA for five weeks in order to "...build public outrage." Wayne Pacelle (the president of the Humane Society) told Janie Gabbett of Meatingplace.com in a telephone interview,

"We specifically did not give this information much in advance to the USDA... If it had been given to USDA in advance and they excused the behavior and shut them down for a half a day or a day … that would have been an unacceptable outcome."

Pacelle went on to dispute the February 29th statement issued by the San Bernardino County's District Attorney that his office encouraged the Humane Society to bring USDA into the picture. But Pacelle indicated that he might contact USDA sooner next time.

Remind me, please. Is the Humane Society's primary objective to promote animal welfare, or to promote itself?

Myanmar Restaurants and Buffets

Our first experiences with restaurant and hotel buffets in Myanmar were not very appetizing. The cooked dishes were tepid, at best, and other perishable items, such as milk and cream, were left at room temperature. The dinner and breakfast buffets at the Mandalay Hill Resort hotel were sickening – literally. Ants crawled all over the toaster and Salmonella lurked in the "roast beef".

Restaurants that were not buffet-style tended to be more appetizing – at least the problems were hidden from view. But we ate at one restaurant in Mandalay that left nothing to the imagination. We were seated at a table next to a picture window, and had a view of the restaurant's kitchen.

As I gazed into the kitchen, I could see one of the cooks preparing a sauce. I watched with interest as she mixed a few ingredients in a saucepan and stirred the mixture with a large spoon. Then she used the spoon to taste her sauce. Deciding that there was something lacking, she added another ingredient and used the same spoon to stir the extra ingredient into the mixture. At this point, she walked out of my line of sight. I can only hope that the sauce was destined to be cooked.

This was my view of the restaurant kitchen, with the cook just disappearing "stage right"

A close-up of part of the kitchen work space

Away from the major cities, kitchen duties sometimes migrated outside – where it's cooler

One of our better hotel breakfast buffet experiences was at the Japanese-managed Thiripyitsayar Sakura Hotel in Bagan. Even though the setting was outdoors, there were no ants on the toaster at this hotel!

Eggs were cooked to order

And cooked dishes were kept hot in covered chafing dishes

But the serving spoons were left out in the open air, where bacteria could multiply

Milk sat in an open jug with nothing but banana leaves to keep it cool

As much as I like yogurt, I wasn't even tempted to sample this homemade batch, also sitting uncovered and unchilled

When we returned to Yangon for one last night before leaving Myanmar behind, we realized we had reached a measure of civilization.

Was it because of the burger stand? Not likely!

Perhaps the fast food restaurant? Not a chance!

It was the butter dish on our breakfast table at the Strand Hotel

Our Myanmar adventure began and ended in Yangon. We spent a total of three nights at The Strand Hotel, a grand old British colonial lady. This establishment, which was recently refurbished, is a class act in every respect – the epitome of what a great hotel should be, but seldom is.

Discover Cuisine = Discover Listeria?

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection System (FSIS) has just posted an update to its list of recalled food products. Meijer Distribution Center, a Michigan-based company, is recalling 2,184 pounds of pre-cooked frozen chicken entrees due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Discover Cuisine brand "Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice" was prepared and packed in Canada. The recalled product bears an inspection seal from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and a "Best By" date of 12 18 08. No illnesses have been associated with this product, which was distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The contamination was detected as a result of routine microbiological sampling by FSIS.

CFIA has been silent so far, but if this product was also distributed in Canada, I wouldn't be surprised to see a corresponding Canadian recall notice in the next few days.

Siberian Stomachache

Another group of school children and their teachers have been stricken with food poisoning.

On February 29th, Novosti, the Russian News and Information Agency, reported that 86 kindergarten children had been hospitalized in East Siberia due to acute gastroenteritis. Today, Novosti reported that the total number of victims had risen to 150, including 117 children. Twenty-five adults and 85 children are in hospital; 5 of the children are in intensive care.

Authorities suspect that the outbreak is linked to meatballs made with liver imported from the Netherlands and served in a meal at the kindergarten. The investigation into the outbreak is continuing.

Here's The Beef

California's Department of Public Health has posted on its web site a long list of retailers in the state who received some of the beef recalled by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. The list is in the form of a pdf file, which can be downloaded from the site.

The list of retail outlets is sorted by zip code and will be updated periodically as additional information becomes available.

Myanmar Kitchens

As we traveled in the Bagan region of Myanmar, we had the opportunity on occasion to visit a few village homes and see what was cooking – or how.

Our first stop was at a village that was on the standard tourist route, and we received the standard tour, which I'll save for another day.

We were told that this is a typical village kitchen in the Bagan region

We visited a second village, and were invited to tour the kitchen of the wealthiest family in the village – the middle-class owners of the local general store. This family has its own private outhouse, a summer kitchen, an indoor kitchen and a separate dining area.

This is the family's cooktop. In the absence of electricity, villagers cook their food over charcoal or wood fires

The summer kitchen is outdoors, to avoid generating excessive heat inside the house during the sultry summer months

The food preparation area of the kitchen has a spice shelf and storage space for pots and pans

The family eats a hot breakfast at this table. These are the breakfast left-overs.

It's rare for villagers to have time to prepare lunch, so the breakfast left-overs are saved (covered to protect against flies) and eaten for lunch

When we arrived at Inle Lake, our next stop after Bagan, we found that the Bagan kitchens were not an anomaly.

We were given the chance to see the interior of a house like this one, built on stilts over the water

Here's the kitchen

Whenever we sat down to a restaurant meal in Southeast Asia, we found ourselves wondering what the kitchen looked like. We had a chance to satisfy our curiosity once or twice, so stay tuned for more.

Alfalfa Seeds Sprout Salmonella In California

The California Department of Public Health has warned consumers against eating three brands of alfalfa sprouts that may contain Salmonella. The sprouts, which were produced by two different companies, are sold in several western and southwestern states. No illnesses have been associated with these products.

Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts, a product of Salad Cosmo USA Corp., was distributed to wholesalers and to retail stores, including SaveMart Supermarkets, in California and Washington States. Always Fresh and Alfa One (J.H. Caldwell and Sons Inc.) are sold through wholesalers and through several retail chains, including Trader Joe's, in six states – California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Please see the CDPH Press Release for details on the lot numbers included in the recall.