CDC Goes Public On Salmonella-Contaminated Rodents (Update)

Frozen rodents sold as reptile food blamed for 34 illnesses in US and more than 400 in the UK

Frozen rodents supplied by MiceDirect (Cleveland, GA) have been associated with 34 Salmonella (serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-) illnesses in 17 US states since December 2009. Half of the victims are children less than 12 years old.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of salmonellosis caused by the outbreak strain have been confirmed in Alabama (1), Arizona (1), Colorado (1), Georgia (7), Iowa (1), Illinois (3), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), Nevada (1), New York (2), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (1). Only one person has been hospitalized.

The Wyoming victim – a Natrona County child – became ill in December 2009, but was not hospitalized. It's not known whether or not the child had direct contact with MiceDirect frozen rodents. Neither of the two New York victims were hospitalized.

North Carolina's three victims included two boys – one of them just 2 years old – and a 63-year old man. One of the three was hospitalized. Tennessee's lone victim was a boy.

Biggers & Callaham LLC. (doing business as MiceDirect) recalled its frozen rodent products on July 23, 2010 (recall notice is dated July 26, 2010) – after FDA found the outbreak strain in the production plant environment and in samples of the frozen rodents. The company also announced that, beginning on July 24, 2010, all of its frozen rodents would be irradiated to ensure microbiological safety.

This outbreak should be viewed simply as the continuation of an outbreak that began in the United Kingdom in August 2008 and lasted well into 2009. More than 400 people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium that was transmitted through contact with frozen rodents used as reptile food. The frozen rodents were exported to the UK by MiceDirect. The strain responsible for the UK outbreak – though given a somewhat different name than in the United States – was indistinguishable from the US outbreak strain, according to CDC.

According to the New York Times, the UK Health Protection Agency advised CDC of the British outbreak, and its association with MiceDirect's frozen rodents, in May 2009. At that time, there were no cases reported in the United States that matched the British outbreak strain.

The most recent illness included in the tally of 34 cases occurred on June 9th. As the contaminated rodents were only recalled on July 23rd, it is likely that more cases will be reported. It is even more probable – given the relatively low hospitalization rate (only one case so far) – that the number of unreported cases far exceeds the official tally of 34 illnesses.

CDC has posted the following Advice To Consumers who keep reptiles as pets:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling frozen rodents used as food for reptiles, or anything in the area where they are stored, thawed, prepared, and fed to reptiles.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling live rodents and reptiles, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
• Running water and soap are best. Use hand sanitizers if running water and soap are not available. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water as soon as a sink is available.
• Keep frozen rodents away from areas where food and drink are stored, prepared, served, or consumed.
• Avoid using microwave ovens or kitchen utensils used for human food to thaw frozen rodents used for reptile feed. Any kitchen surfaces that come in contact with frozen rodents should be disinfected afterwards.
• Do not let children younger than 5 years of age or people with weakened immune systems handle frozen rodents.
• Use soap or a disinfectant to thoroughly clean any surfaces that have been in contact with frozen rodents. Children older than 5 years old should perform this task only under adult supervision.
• Recalled frozen rodents used as food for reptiles may still be in stores and in consumers' homes, including in the freezer. Any recalled product should be thrown away to prevent Salmonella infections in humans, pets, or other animals. This product should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can to prevent people or animals, including wild animals, from eating it.

Reptiles and amphibians – snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, etc. – can carry Salmonella without displaying any symptoms or signs of illness. These animals should always be considered as high risk sources of Salmonella, whether or not they have been fed the frozen rodents that are behind this outbreak. These are not suitable pets for young children to handle without direct adult supervision.

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Of Mice and Men . . . And Snakes and Salmonella

Frozen reptile feed fingered in multiple Salmonella outbreaks

People who keep pet snakes are a special breed. It takes a certain kind of person to use live critters as pet food.

Fortunately for many reptile owners, a couple of companies discovered that there was a market for frozen or freeze-dried reptile feed, in the form of mice, rats and chicks. Unfortunately, the entrepreneurs that filled this niche market have since learned what any microbiologist could have told them in a heartbeat.

Freezing does not kill Salmonella.

The latest company to find this out is MiceDirect (Cleveland, GA), whose "frozen reptile feed" has been linked to 30 or more cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infections in 17 states, including two victims in New York State. MiceDirect recalled the implicated frozen critters and has announced that "Products shipped after 07/24/2010, will be irradiated in a similar manner as raw food for human consumption in order to address the Salmonella issue associated with these products."

The recall encompasses product codes M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25, R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10 and whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags. Recalled products were distributed in 49 states (none were shipped to Hawaii) through pet stores and by mail order and direct delivery.

In contrast to the official recall notice, the explanation that is posted on the MiceDirect web site makes no mention whatsoever of the Salmonella outbreak that triggered the company's action. Instead, it gives the following explanation:

This is to inform you that MiceDirect has issued a voluntary recall. Over the years we have regularly tested our rodents for any potential issues. During one of these recent tests it was detected that a portion of our rodents may be potentially carrying Salmonella. Because of this we are offering a voluntary recall option to our customers.

Facts:

This particular type of Salmonella cannot be passed to your reptile. Reptiles carry other specific strains.

• Salmonella is common in almost all groups of both domestic and wild animals
• Salmonella can make you sick, small children and frail or elderly people are more susceptible.
• Washing your hands prevents this risk of illness from Salmonella. Please wash your hands when handling.

When handling raw product, such as rodents, chicken, pork, beef or any dead animal, it is very important to thoroughly wash your hands. Washing your hands should keep you from becoming sick in the event you come into contact with Salmonella.

Really?!?!

Where did MiceDirect uncover the "Fact" that this strain of Salmonella Typhimurium cannot be passed to reptiles? And what difference does that make, anyway? It clearly can be – and has been – passed to humans.

Indeed, according to an article in the New York Times, frozen reptile food supplied by MiceDirect was responsible for a large and enduring outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses in the United Kingdom that has sickened more than 400 people – two-thirds of them children less than 10 years old – since August 2008.

The UK's Health Protection Agency detected the appearance of the outbreak strain in December 2008, and followed its progress across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Patient interviews unearthed a link between the illnesses and exposure to pet reptiles – especially snakes. In most cases, the snakes had been fed frozen mice that had been imported from a single US company. And, notwithstanding MiceDirect's assurances, the outbreak strain was recovered from two snakes that belonged to outbreak victims.

The New York Times reports that, in May 2009, UK authorities advised the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the outbreak and of its link to MiceDirect. CDC, upon checking its database, found no matching US cases but says that it advised FDA of the British report.

The first US case was reported to CDC in January 2010. The agency realized in the spring that something was brewing, and began its investigation. In May, CDC notified FDA that an outbreak was in progress, but only established a link to MiceDirect at the beginning of July. FDA and CDC visited the MiceDirect facility on July 6th to inspect the location and take samples of the environment and the rodents. On July 21st, FDA notified MiceDirect that the agency had found Salmonella in the company's products and facility.

CDC has not yet posted an investigation report on its web site, but expects to do so in the near future. At that time, we'll learn the scope of the outbreak and more about the victims and the investigation.

The MiceDirect outbreak is not the first time that Salmonella-contaminated rodents were linked to an outbreak of human disease. Between December 2003 and September 2004, 28 people in 10 states were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium after being exposed to pet rodents, including mice and hamsters. Nor is it the first outbreak that has been linked to frozen reptile food.

From December 2005 to August 2006, 21 people in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wyoming developed infections with Salmonella Typhimurium. Most of the victims reported exposure to snakes. Nineteen of the 21 outbreak victims were interviewed and seven of the 19 reported contact with frozen vacuum-packed rodents from a single Internet-based supplier located in Texas. Upon investigation, the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service traced the rodents to a single, unlicensed facility in the central part of the state. Inspection of the facility revealed numerous problems, including rodents that were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium.

The authors of the 2005/06 outbreak investigation report had this to say:

This outbreak, along with the previously reported outbreak, demonstrate the need for more detailed oversight of the commercially distributed rodent industry. We recommend that states assess the feed rodent facilities in their states and require that proper infection control procedures be maintained. Efforts need to be made to educate rodent breeders and distributors about proper infection control and biosecurity practices, and to develop regulations of this industry that will facilitate control of zoonotic diseases in rodents. Public education regarding the risk of salmonellosis after handling rodents, especially in vulnerable populations at risk for severe complications, is another key component in preventing such outbreaks in the future.

Thoughtful recommendations, but was anybody listening? Obviously not MiceDirect or the company's home state of Georgia.

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Recall Roundup: January 1, 2010

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

• Food Safety Alert: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warns consumers to avoid purchasing or eating Ticorindo candy imported from Mexico, because the candy contains excessive lead. The candy was manufactured in Mexico by Pabsa and distributed in Southern California by Vernon Sales. The candy was sold in Dollar Max Stores in Southern California. CDPH is working with the distributor to remove the candy from retail stores, and has instructed consumers to discard any uneaten candy.
• Food Safety Alert: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warns consumers to avoid purchasing or eating Chen PiMei Candy imported from China, because the candy contains excessive lead. Chen PiMei Candy is manufactured in China and imported by Next Generation Products, Inc. CDPH is working with the importer to remove the candy from the retail marketplace. Consumers should discard any uneaten candy.
• Food Safety Recall: Nutty Guys, an on-line retailer located in Salt Lake City, UT, recalls all Butter Toffee Peanuts and Yogurt Covered Peanuts with sell by dates before March 15th 2010 after insects were discovered in some of these products.
• Veterinary Pharmaceutical Product Recall: Teva Animal Health, Inc. expands an earlier nationwide voluntary recall of Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection, USP CIII 100mg/mL in 10mL vials to include all lot numbers within their expiration dates to the Veterinary Level.

Canada

• Meat Company Fined: JBK Meat Products Inc. convicted of offences under the Meat Inspection Act and fined $15,000 as a result of shipping meat across provincial boundaries without being a federally registered meat establishment.

Asia, Africa & The Pacific

• Food Safety Recall (Peoples Republic of China): Shanghai officials shut down Shanghai Panda Dairy Co Ltd for producing milk powder and condensed milk containing unacceptably high levels of melamine. The tainted batches have been seized by authorities and will be destroyed. The dairy's operating licenses have been revoked and three of its senior officials have been arrested. A sister company, Ningxia Panda Dairy Co Ltd, is also under investigation.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.

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Recall Roundup: December 31, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

• Allergy Alert: Publix recalls Publix Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Pie due to undeclared pecans.
• Food Recall: Food City alerts customer to recall of Valu Time Light Ranch Dressing 16 oz. No details given.
• Consumer Product (Toy) Recall: Kendamaspot LLC (Redmond, WA) recalls Japan-made Oozora and Shin-Fuji Kendama Japanese wooden skill toy balls because the surface paint coating contains excessive lead.

Canada

• Veterinary Drug Recall: Vétoquinol N.-A. Inc. recalls Lot # 9224 of Longisil, a prescription form of penicillin that is administered by injection and used to treat various infections in large animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs and horses and sometimes in cats and dogs. The recall was initiated after 14 dogs and possibly one cat that developed swelling and hives within minutes or hours of receiving an injection. All animals were treated immediately and fully recovered.

Europe

• Food Seizure (Italy): Italian authorities have seized 500 tons of bad seafood believed to be destined for New Year's Eve dinners, according to press reports.
• Food Safety Recall (UK): Morrisons supermarket recalls its own brand Ready to Eat Chilled Sweet Chilli Chicken Pieces (120g) after becoming aware that some packs labeled with a use-by date of 2 January 2010 may contain chicken that has been undercooked. The recalled chicken entrée was processes in the Republic of Ireland and may have been distributed to stores in that country also.
• Food Safety Notification (EU#2009.1787): Escherichia coli O157:H7 (presence in 3 out of 4 samples) in frozen bovine meat from Germany, via the Netherlands; distributed in France.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1788): Mercury in smoked swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from Spain; distributed in Italy.
• Dietary Supplement Safety Notification (EU #2009.1789): Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in food supplements from the United States; distributed in Cyprus.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1790): Mercury in smoked swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from Spain; distributed in Italy.
• Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1791): Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in smoked salmon from Poland; distributed in Italy.

Australia & New Zealand

• Food Safety Recall: European Foods Wholesalers (Perth, WA), an importer and distributor of specialty products, recalls Bonsoy Soy Milk, as part of national recall.

Asia, Africa & The Pacific

• Food Safety Recall (Singapore): The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority has mandated a recall of Bonsoy Soy Milk, 1L tetra pack (all Best Before dates up to and including 03.11.11) after confirming independently the presence of elevated levels of iodine in the soy milk.

Latin America

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

• A&P
• Big Y® World Class Market®
  
• BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
  
• Bloom
  
• Brookshire's
  
• Costco Wholesale Corporation (US stores)
  
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
  
• EDEKA (Germany)
• Food City
  
• Food Lion
  
• Giant Food LLC
• Gros Cidac (Italy)
• Hannaford Brothers Co.
  
• Harris Teeter
  
• Harvey's Supermarket
  
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Company*
  
• Price Chopper
  
• Raley's
• Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.
  
• Sainsbury's
  
• ShopRite
  
• Stop & Shop
• Sweetbay Supermarkets
• Target
  
• Tops Friendly Markets
  
• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  
• Wegmans
  
• Whole Foods Market
  
• Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
  

*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.

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Salmonella: In A Pig's Ear!

Third-Party Audits – Worth The Paper They're Printed On?

On June 29, 2009, Pet Carousel (Sanger, CA) achieved a 96.4% score in its Food Safety Systems and Sanitation Audit, conducted by Randolph Associates, Inc.

Wow! 96.4%! That sounds as though Randolph conducted a very thorough and detailed audit inspection. How else to account for the decimal point?

"So," as my father would have asked, "where did Pet Carousel lose the remaining 3.6%?"

Could it have anything to do with FDA's findings less than three months after the independent audit?

In September, FDA conducted routine testing of pig ear dog treat products manufactured by Pet Carousel. The agency found Salmonella in pig ears packaged under the Pet Carousel and Dentley's brand names. A follow-up inspection – carried out later in September or in October – uncovered:

1. Additional Salmonella-contaminated samples of pig ear and cow hoof pet treats
2. Salmonella-contaminated manufacturing environment
3. Manufacturing conditions that facilitated cross-contamination between products and between production batches.

Pet Carousel recalled all of its pig ear and cow hoof dog treats in early November, but chose not to advise consumers of the recall. The Company left it to retailers, such as PetSmart, to advise the public that these treats were potentially contaminated with Salmonella, and had been recalled. FDA did its share by issuing a Health Alert, advising consumers of the contamination.

On December 9th, more than one month after notifying wholesalers and retailers, Pet Carousel issued a public recall notice – "Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety..." – to advise consumers that all of its pig ear dog treats purchased after August 16, 2009 and all of its cow hoof dog treats purchased after September 16, 2009 were potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

Don't be surprised at that feeling of déjà vu. We've heard this audit song before, although the players have changed. Peanut Corporation of America "aced" its third-party audit while shipping Salmonella-contaminated peanut products to customers all across the US and Canada in 2008 and 2009.

Third party audit scores are meaningless. At best they represent a superficial snapshot of a manufacturing facility's operation. At worst, they provide a false sense of security to the manufacturer's corporate and retail customers.

Caveat emptor – Let the buyer beware.

Is That A Frog In Your Throat?

CDC Investigating Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Linked to Aquarium Frogs

African Dwarf Frogs have been associated with a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium, according to information released late yesterday by CDC. These frogs are common inhabitants of aquariums and fish tanks.

Since late June, 48 infections with the outbreak strain have been confirmed. More than three-fourths of the victims are younger than 10 years of age; the median age is four years. Twenty-five states have reported from one to six cases, each.

Many of the victims reported having contact with frogs, and the outbreak strain was recovered from aquarium frogs in the homes of three of the confirmed victims.

Salmonella often has been associated with pet reptiles – snakes, turtles, lizards. FDA considers the risk to children to be serious enough that it banned the sale of pet turtles long ago, and periodically issues updated warnings to consumers. Amphibians – frogs and toads – carry a similar risk.

CDC offers the following advice to consumers:

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any amphibian (e.g., frog) or reptile (e.g, turtle), their housing, or anything (for example, food) that comes in contact with them or their housing. Adults should assist young children with hand washing.
• Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Call your health care provider if you or a family member have any of these symptoms.
• Persons at increased risk for serious infection from salmonellosis – children <>
• Keep amphibians and reptiles out of homes with children <>
• Amphibians (e.g., frogs) and reptiles (e.g., turtles) should not be kept in child-care centers.
• Habitats containing amphibians or reptiles should not be kept in a child’s bedroom, especially children aged <>
• Do not allow amphibians or reptiles to roam freely through the house, especially in food preparation areas.
• Keep amphibians and reptiles out of kitchens and other areas where food and drink is prepared or served to prevent contamination.
• Habitats and their contents should be carefully cleaned outside of the home. Use disposable gloves when cleaning and do not dispose of water in sinks used for food preparation or for obtaining drinking water.
• Do not bathe animals or their habitats in your kitchen sink. If bathtubs are used for these purposes, they should be thoroughly cleaned afterward. Use bleach to disinfect a tub or other place where reptile or amphibian habitats are cleaned.
• Children aged <5>
• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning habitats.

The most recent confirmed victims reported falling ill on November 14th. More cases, undoubtedly, will be added to the total. If you have an aquarium in your home or office, and it contains water frogs, you should consider removing the frogs, and emptying and sanitizing the aquarium.

At the very least, keep your kids and pets (dogs and cats also are susceptible to Salmonella) away from aquariums, fish tanks and pet reptiles.