Typhoid Outbreak Strikes Quezon

Last month, the British Columbia (Canada) Centre for Disease Control published a Health Alert to warn travelers about the risk of acquiring typhoid while visiting certain South Asian countries, including India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The warning should have extended beyond South Asia to the Philippines.

The Philippines Department of Health reported earlier today that it is investigating 150 cases of typhoid in the towns of Infanta and Real in Quezon province. Residents have been told to boil their water until further notice.

The BCCDC recommended that individuals who are planning to travel to areas where typhoid occurs should be vaccinated before their trip. The typhoid vaccine is only 70-90% effective against Salmonella Typhi, and offers no protection whatsoever against other food-borne or water-borne diseases. Travelers, therefore, must still take all the usual precautions – drinking only bottled water (or other bottled beverages), and avoiding ice, raw vegetables, raw fruit and foods prepared by street vendors.

Typhoid is spread in contaminated food or water. Individuals may become infected without experiencing any symptoms, or may continue to shed the pathogen periodically in their stool even years after their symptoms have disappeared. These carriers can contaminate food or serving utensils, and pass the pathogen to unsuspecting consumers.

Traveling in less developed countries can be fascinating and educational. And sampling local cuisine is part of the fun. It's a wise traveler, though, who thinks twice before tasting.

Food Safety Deserves Seat At Presidential Table

In 1993, US Vice President Gore recommended that the nation's food industry and regulators move towards a preventative system for ensuring food safety. 

In 1994, USDA established the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety. 

In 1995, FDA introduced a compulsory HACCP program for the seafood industry. 

In 1996, USDA introduced a compulsory HACCP program (the "MegaReg") for the meat and poultry industry. CDC introduced the FoodNet surveillance system, and President Clinton signed both the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Food Quality Protection Act. 

In 1997, the Clinton Administration introduced its National Food Safety Initiative, the "Food Safety from Farm to Table" program, and the "Partnership for Food Safety Education." And approved the irradiation of meat.

In 1998, PulseNet knitted together a network of public health laboratories to speed the detection and identification of disease outbreaks. The Joint Institute for Food Safety Research sought to bring together expertise from government, academia and industry to coordinate research activities. The Administration established the President's Food Safety Council.

In 1999, FDA and the Treasury Department began to tackle the problem of unsafe imported foods. 

In 2000, George W. Bush took office. 

The President's Council on Food Safety issued its Food Safety Strategic Plan in January 2001. The Plan contained the following recommendations:

• The Council recommends the development of near-term legislative proposals to strengthen the existing food safety statutes enabling stronger prevention, enforcement, and record keeping activities.
  
• The Council recommends near-term efforts to strengthen agency coordination to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal food safety activities.
  
• The Council recommends the development of comprehensive, unifying legislation, followed by the development of a corresponding organizational reform plan that protects the public's health by allowing risk-based allocation of resources and utilization of science-based regulation, enforcement, and education. This comprehensive framework should address food safety standard setting, inspection, enforcement, research, and education.
  

Earlier today, the Produce Safety Project at Georgetown University – a Pew Charitable Trusts initiative – issued its assessment of the government's response to this year's outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. The report highlights:

• the failure of federal and state agencies to communicate clearly with the public during the outbreak; 
  
• the lack of organization, capacity and coordination in the government's response to the outbreak;
  
• and the failure of the federal government (i.e., the FDA) to establish and implement mandatory preventative safety standards for fresh product, even though the agency has the statutory authority to implement those standards.
  

What happened to all of the Clinton initiatives?

President-Elect Obama is inheriting a full plate from the Bush Administration. But he cannot afford to ignore the pent up problems in our food safety system. Reactivating the President's Council on Food Safety might be a good place to start.

Cholera Runs Rampant in Africa

Another month, another cholera outbreak. Or two. Or three.

November has seen its share of disasters in Africa. And cholera – the ultimate "disease of disaster" – is taking its usual toll on the continent's devastated population.

Foremost on the list of disaster areas is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting in the eastern part of the country has displaced more than 800,000 people. The World Health Organization reports that cholera cases in Kivu province have tripled since the beginning of October, with more than 1,800 cases having been logged in the province. WHO is working with non-governmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the International Red Cross to furnish food, clean water, and medicines to the refugee camps, in an attempt to contain disease outbreaks.

Zimbabwe, too, is a man-made disaster that has become a breeding ground for cholera. The dysfunctional political situation in this once-prosperous British colony has resulted in a collapse of the existing water and sewage treatment systems. And the cholera bacteria that are endemic in the region have spread through the population. 

According to WHO, more than 2,800 Zimbabweans have become infected with cholera since August. There have been 115 reported deaths. At least some of those deaths could have been prevented if the country's hospitals had been adequately stocked and staffed.  

Finally, cholera has killed at least 53 people in a remote area of Mozambique, and has sickened as many as 180. The area is in one of four provinces that experienced severe flooding earlier this year. It's a fairly safe bet that the floodwaters contaminated the lake and river water used – without treatment – by the local population for drinking, cooking and washing. 

Whether the disaster that triggers an outbreak of cholera is man-made or natural, the outcome is the same – death and devastation for the innocent population. It takes an adequate supply of clean drinking water and a safe means of disposing of human waste to avoid adding disease on top of disaster.

Norovirus Can Be Deadly

We usually think of Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks as messy and inconvenient. It's easy to forget that the dehydration that results from a bout of this illness can prove deadly.

Fifty-one of the 200 guests at a wedding held in Aberdeenshire (United Kingdom) on November 1st came away with more than just a piece of wedding cake. They received a dose of Norovirus. For most of the 51 victims, this was no more than the usual "winter vomiting bug" – uncomfortable, inconvenient, and soon over. But for one elderly guest, the encounter with Norovirus proved to be a killer.

Fortunately, most encounters with this highly infectious virus produce a happier ending. Staff members in hospitals and retirement homes, where the population tends to be more susceptible to severe dehydration, have learned to impose extraordinary isolation and sanitation measures immediately in response to even a single suspect case. 

In the last 2-3 weeks, Norovirus outbreaks have prompted ward closures and restrictions on visitors in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. Earlier this fall – between mid-September and mid-October – nine clusters of Norovirus reported in the Netherlands, Italy, France and Ireland even struck down travelers who had become infected while visiting Lourdes.

Cruise ships are another favorite venue. In recent weeks, the virus struck 60 passengers on the Diamond Princess during its cruise of the Orient. And more than 14% of the 1,820 passengers on Holland America's Zuiderdam fell sick with Norovirus during a 17-day cruise that reached port on November 9th. Seventeen of the 794 crew members on that ship also were infected.

In short, Norovirus thrives on a captive audience – especially wherever a relatively large number of people are clustered in close quarters. The best defense against this highly infectious and very rugged virus is to pay extremely close attention to frequent and thorough hand washing, and to all other elements of personal hygiene. And as a friend discovered on a recent cruise, you might want to avoid the buffet. Think of how many different hands have touched the serving utensils.

Allergy Alert: Fresh 2 Go Tortellini Recalled in Ontario

AFC Food Group (Woodbridge, Ontario) is recalling all date codes of Fresh 2 Go brand Beef Tortellini due to the presence of undeclared milk. One reported illness has been associated with the recalled product.

Both package sizes of Fresh 2 Go brand Beef Tortellini are covered by this recall notice. The 350g package bears UPC 0 59749 87838 8, and the 700g package bears UPC 0 59749 87841 8. The tortellini was sold through A&P, Dominion, Loeb, Metro, The Barn and Ultra stores in the province of Ontario.

Individuals who are allergic to milk may suffer a severe reaction upon consuming the recalled product. CFIA and AFC Food Group urge anyone who has purchased Fresh 2 Go brand Beef Tortellini to return it to the store for a refund.

For more information on the recall, contact AFC Food Group's Customer Care line, toll-free, at 1-877-233-0040.

Allergy Alert: Seattle's Favorite Muffin Tops Recalled

Seattle's Favorite Gourmet Cookies & Dessert Co. (Tukwila, WA) has recalled Orange Cranberry Muffin Tops and Banana Nut Muffin Tops due to the presence of undeclared milk. The omission was discovered during a routine FDA inspection.

All packages of both varieties are included in the recall, regardless of production code. The Muffin Tops are individually wrapped in clear plastic, with a black product card that may or may not carry an expiry date or "best before" date. The recalled items were distributed nationally through coffee shops, espresso stands, and retail outlets.

Individuals who are allergic to milk may experience a severe reaction as a result of consuming a food item that contains even a small amount of milk. Consumers who purchased this product are urged to return it to the point of sale for a refund.

For more information on this recall, please contact Seattle's Favorite, toll-free, at 1-866-203-5588.

Southern Ontario E. coli O157:H7 - Is Lettuce The Link?

The Ontario Ministry of Health reported today that Southern Ontario's E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is responsible for as many as 148 illnesses in four health districts. These include:

• 56 cases in Niagara - 14 confirmed
  
• 31 cases in Halton - 6 confirmed
  
• 58 cases in Guelph - 7 confirmed
  
• 3 cases in Waterloo - 2 confirmed
  

By definition, a confirmed case is one in which the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 was recovered from the patient. Unconfirmed cases are either still under investigation, or match the epidemiological profile (time frame, location, symptoms) without the specific outbreak strain having been found.

As is often the case in this type of investigation, the MOH totals vary somewhat from those reported by the individual districts – probably because of the time lag involved in transmitting updates to the province. Halton reported yesterday that they were investigating as many as 73 cases, including the six cases that have been lab-confirmed.

The geographic scope and size of the outbreak, while adding to the regulatory complexity, is a boon to the investigation. Epidemiologists can look for common elements, not only among the victims, but also among the food service establishments linked to the outbreak. And, based on a news release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, suspicion appears to have fallen on lettuce.

CFIA has not specified the type of lettuce, but a finger has been pointed at romaine. The federal agency is working on its traceback investigation while the provincial and district health authorities continue to follow up on interviews and lab confirmation of possible victims.

First Listeria monocytogenes, then E. coli O157:H7. Now all Canadians need is another Salmonella outbreak. Wonder whatever happened to the unexplained cases of Salmonella Poona that the Public Health Agency of Canada was worried about a few weeks ago?

The China Syndrome: Melamine Still Turning Up In US

UPDATED November 14, 2008

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture alerted consumers last Friday that Wonderfarm brand "Successful" biscuits may contain excessive levels of melamine and should be discarded.

The warning came after MDA detected more than 2.5ppm melamine in several samples of the biscuits, as part of an ongoing federal-state testing program.

The biscuits – manufactured by Interfood Shareholding Company in Vietnam – were being sold at Rochester Oriental Food and Jewelry in Rochester, MN.

Minnesota officials have advised FDA of their finding, and are investigating to determine whether the biscuits are available for sale elsewhere in the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has learned that these biscuits have been shipped to at least two Asian specialty markets in that state, and may be available for sale in various locations around the state. Wisconsin is advising consumers to check their pantries for the melamine-contaminated product. Added Nov 14th.

UK Dairy Company Recalls Rubbery Spread

The UK Food Standards Agency advised consumers yesterday that Dairy Crest Ltd. has recalled two batches of Country Life Spreadable after finding that some packs might contain pieces of white rubber.

The recall notice covers 250g and 500g package sizes of Country Life Spreadable, labeled with Best Before dates of 20 December 2008 and 21 December 2008 (batch codes 8285 and 8286, respectively).

According to Dairy Crest, the problem affected a small proportion of batch 8285. Nevertheless, the company took the precaution of recalling the entire production batch as well as the following day's production.

Dairy Crest is requesting consumers who purchased the recalled batches of Spreadable to contact the company at 0800 328 5344.

Allergy Alert: Amy's Kitchen Recalls Tofu Sandwich

UPDATED November 14, 2008

Amy's Kitchen Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA) has recalled a single production lot of its Tofu Scramble in a Pocket Sandwich, after determining that the product, which is labeled as non-dairy, contains milk. The problem was discovered as a result of a reported allergic reaction.

The recalled item is described as follows:

Amy’s Kitchen Pocket Sandwich Tofu Scramble
UPC No. 0-42272-00116-3
Amy’s Item No. 000116
Lot 10-H148 A,B,C, or D

The 4-ounce pocket sandwich is sold frozen, in an easy-open zipper package. The lot number is printed in white on the zipper end.

Individuals who are allergic to milk may experience a severe reaction as a result of eating the mislabeled sandwich. People who have purchased one of the recalled sandwiches and who are not allergic to milk can consume the sandwiches safely. Nevertheless, Amy's is inviting any consumer who purchased the recalled product to return it for an exchange or a refund.

The following retail chains have advised their customers of this recall:

• Kroger, King Soopers, Smith's, QFC, Ralphs and Dillons (The Kroger Company)
  
• Wegmans
• Price Chopper

For more information, please call Amy's Customer Service department (collect) at 707-568-4500, ext. 4571.

Mr Smoked Meat Recall Expanded in Québec

The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is advising consumers in the province that last week's recall of old fashioned smoked meat has been expanded to include additional production lots and formats.

All packages of Mr. Smoked Meat brand  sliced smoked meat bearing Best Before dates up to and including November 28, 2008 are being recalled due to the risk of contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. The smoked meat is sold in an unspecified number of retail outlets in the Montreal region.

Listeria monocytogenes typically causes mild flu-like or gastrointestinal illness in otherwise health adults. But it can be lethal to the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and young children. Pregnant women, if infected, can pass the infection to their unborn child, resulting in stillbirth, premature birth, or an infected newborn infant.

Anyone in the Montreal region who has purchased the recalled smoked meat should discard it out of reach of children or return it to the store. For more information on this recall, contact MAPAQ at 1-800-483-5023.

Allergy Alert: Canadian Recall of "Half & Half" Cream

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan that certain 1L cartons of Lucerne 10% Half & Half Cream may contain undeclared egg.

The Lucerne Foods division of Canada Safeway Limited (Calgary, AB) has recalled 1L cartons of its Half & Half, bearing a Best Before date of NO26 and UPC number 0 58200 07825 1. The affected cartons of 10% cream were distributed in Canada's three westernmost provinces, only.

Individuals who are allergic to egg proteins may experience a severe – possibly life-threatening – reaction upon consuming even a small amount of the egg-containing cream. Consumers who purchased the recalled product should return it to the store for a refund or exchange.

For more information about this recall, contact Bruce Bowman, Canada Safeway Limited at 403-730-3508.

Harvey's Reopens In North Bay

The North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit gave Harvey's the green light yesterday, and the restaurant has reopened for business. According to the North Bay Nugget, customers of the fast food outlet were standing in line by the time the restaurant opened its doors this morning.

Harvey's was ordered to close on October 12th, after it was linked to an outbreak of E. coli o157:H7 that sickened 251 individuals (50 lab-confirmed) in North Bay, 10 other Ontario health districts, Québec (1 case) and British Columbia (1 case). One of the victims, a seven-year old boy, is still hospitalized with in Toronto with hemolytic uremic syndrome. The source of the E. coli O157:H7 still has not been determined.

In what may be a coincidence – or perhaps a spurt of secondary infections – the district is investigating four possible cases of E. coli illness among four children in one Senior Kindergarten classroom at Sunset Park Public School. Children from that classroom have been asked to stay home while the classroom is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The Senior Kindergarten classes will resume tomorrow, but parents have been reminded to keep sick children at home.

While the District Health Unit says that its investigation into the Harvey's E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is continuing, chances are very slender that the source will ever be found – unless the same strain pops up again, either in North Bay or elsewhere.

UK Infused Oil Recall: Botulism Risk

The UK Food Standards Agency has alerted consumers to a recall of several infused olive oil products. The infused oils, manufactured by Seymours of Norfolk Ltd., are thought to be susceptible to the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

The recall includes all "best before" date codes up to and including March 2009. Both 250mL bottles and "oil from cask" are part of this recall. The following infused oil flavors are affected:

Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Garlic, Lime, Lemon, Chili

The company offered the following explanation:

A technical fault in the production of these products has led to a situation where some of the above products may contain a small amount of water which could lead to the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria.

Clostridium botulinum is capable of producing a deadly neurotoxin. Symptoms of botulism may include lassitude, weakness, vertigo, double vision and progressive difficulty in speaking and swallowing. If left untreated, the progressive paralysis can be fatal.

Under no circumstances should the recalled items be consumed. Seymours is requesting that consumers return the items to the store for refund or exchange for another product. If you have consumed one of the recalled oils and think that you may be experiencing one or more symptoms of botulism, seek medical attention immediately.

For answers to any questions about this recall, consumers are invited to call the Seymours Customer Careline at 01603 446522.

Allergy Alert: Frozen Shrimp From China

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is alerting consumers to the presence of undeclared sulfites in frozen shrimp imported from China.

The sulfites were detected in Sea Best brand "10 Raw Shrimp Skewers", distributed by Beaver Street Fisheries Inc. (Jacksonville, FL). The problem was found as a result of routine sampling on the part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

While sulfites are not allergens, they can provoke an allergic type response in sensitive individuals. People who are sensitive to sulfites should not consume this seafood product.

The state has alerted FDA to their findings, and state sanitarians are making the rounds of retailers to ensure that the mislabeled shrimp are removed from sale.

E. coli O157:H7 - Tying Outbreaks Together

The E. coli O157:H7 cases in four southern Ontario regions may be linked to some cases in the United States after all – just not the ones we thought.

Bill Marler reported this morning that some isolates of E. coli o157:H7 that were reported in southern California, New Jersey and South Dakota appear to be the same genetic strain as the one that has infected individuals in Niagara, Halton, Waterloo and Guelph.

The Ontario Ministry of Health, which is coordinating the results from the affected regions, has recognized a total of 88 cases as of this evening, 24 of which have been lab-confirmed. The totals reported by each health unit are somewhat different:

• Niagara (as of November 7): 55 cases, including 13 confirmed, 38 probable and 4 under investigation
  
• Halton (as of November 10, 12:00pm): 69 cases under investigation, including 4 confirmed
  
• Guelph (as of November 10): 5 cases, all of which are lab-confirmed
  
• Waterloo (as of November 7): 2 cases, both lab-confirmed
  

The same genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 has been isolated from at least one patient in each of these regional outbreaks. This outbreak strain is different from the strain isolated in the North Bay outbreak, as well as being different from the strain isolated earlier in the Chatham-Kent outbreak. The Chatham-Kent strain was identical to the outbreak strain associated with Aunt Mid's bagged iceberg lettuce.

With the attention now focused on the southern Ontario outbreak, it's easy to overlook the North Bay situation. But the victims of the North Bay outbreak deserve our attention – especially the family of Carter MacDonald, the seven-year old boy who suffered severe complications from his brush with E. coli O157:H7.

Carter developed hemolytic uremic syndrome as a result of his infection. He was airlifted to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children on October 24, and placed into intensive care in "critical" condition. His condition has improved, but Carter remains hospitalized – his family at his side.

Carter's family has been depleting its savings in order to remain in Toronto with him. A fund-raising effort has begun in North Bay to help the family. The first to donate was the president of Harvey's Restaurant – the fast-food eatery that was linked to the outbreak.

Our thoughts this evening are with Carter and his family, and with all of the other victims of these outbreaks. 

Nestlé Withdraws Brazilian Made Cereal

UPDATED November 10, 2008

Nestlé has announced a voluntary withdrawal from the US market of Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal, made in Brazil, after the state of Connecticut reported finding traces of the pesticide pirimiphos-methyl in a sample of the cereal. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection investigated the product after an inspector noticed the absence of English labeling.

Pirimiphos-methyl is a grain fumigant that is used in some countries, but is not permitted for use on wheat in the United States. 

The cereal is sold mainly in Portuguese language communities in the United States. Certain Price Chopper store locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut stocked the recalled item, which bears UPC number 789100025260:

• Store 148 (221-223 Park Ave., Worcester, MA)
  
• Store 162 (240 East Main Street, Marlborough, MA)
  
• Store 179 (50 Cambridge Street, Worcester, MA)
  
• Store 203 (410 Queen Street, Southington, CT)
  
• Store 205 (35 Talcottville Road, Tri City Shopping, Vernon, CT)
  

All production codes, dates and package sizes of Nestlé Farinha Lactea have been withdrawn as a precaution. Consumers who purchased the product are asked to return it to the store for a refund.

Nesquik Strawberry Powder Recalled - Metal Particles

Nestlé has announced a voluntary recall of two production lots of Nesquik Strawberry Powder (21.8-ounce size) after it was discovered that some of the product may contain small fragments of aluminum.

The recall is specific to production codes 82255880 and 82265880, with a best by date of August 2010. The two recalled lots were manufactured on August 12 and 13, respectively, and were distributed in the United States (including Hawaii) and Puerto Rico through supermarket chains and other retail outlets.

National and regional chains that sold the two recalled production lots include, but are not limited to:

Smiths, Walmart, and Wegmans.

Anyone who purchased one of the recalled production lots should return it to the store for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers can contact the Nestlé Consumer Services Center at 888-637-4345.

Allergy Alert: Milk in Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers who are allergic to milk that certain non-dairy coffee creamers and mixes imported from Korea may contain milk that is not declared on the package label.

The affected products, listed below, were distributed in Alberta and British Columbia. All production codes of these products have been recalled by the importer.

• Dongsuh Frima brand Coffee Creamer, 500 g, UPC 8 801037 000559
  
• Dongsuh Frima brand Coffee Creamer, 1 kg, UPC 8 801037 000627
  
• Maxim brand Original Coffee Mix, 240 g (12 g x 20), UPC 8 801037 010732
  
• Maxim brand Decaffeinated Coffee Mix, 240 g (12 g x 20), UPC 8 801037 010824
  
• Nescafé brand Coffee Mix, 240 g (12 g x 20), UPC 8 801055 161096
  

Individuals who are allergic to milk may experience a severe reaction after consuming one of these items. Anyone who has purchased one of these products should return it to the store for a refund.

E. coli O157:H7 Tours Ontario

Not content with wreaking havoc in North Bay, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Welland and Burlington, our old friend has also put in an appearance in Waterloo, Ontario. And, just for good measure, he has granted an encore at the University of Guelph.

Based on information released by the Ontario Ministry of Health, the illnesses in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Welland, Burlington and Waterloo all are due to the identical strain of E. coli O157:H7. So far, this multi-city outbreak comprises 91 cases, 20 of which have been confirmed. 

The two Waterloo victims are both described as "older children"; one has been hospitalized. Both of the Waterloo cases have been lab-confirmed.

The Little Red Rooster restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and M.T. Bellies in Welland, both of which closed for the outbreak investigation, have reopened after being given a go-ahead by the Niagara regional health authority. Johnathan's Family Restaurant in Burlington (Halton region) remains closed.

The University of Guelph outbreak may be completely unrelated to the other southern Ontario cases. It's still too early to tell. So far, four UoG students have fallen ill with E. coli O157; all of them ate at the Pita Pit in the University Centre. The University has closed the Pita Pit while the investigation into this outbreak is carried out.

The UoG campus was the scene of another E. coli O157 outbreak last July, when a group of international students was infected by the microbe. At least seven – possibly as many as 22 – of the Italian students became infected after eating food supplied by University Food Services. The source of that outbreak was never determined.

As for North Bay, that outbreak appears to be winding down. The last report, issued on Wednesday, indicated that no new lab-confirmed cases had been uncovered. And the source of the largest of the Ontario E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks remains a mystery.

Québec Recalls Improperly Processed Sauce

Espaces Gourmands Boutique "Pepperonata" sauce has been recalled after the Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) determined that it had not been processed in a way that rendered it safe for human consumption.

All lots of the Pepperonata sauce, packed in 500mL and 1L glass jars, are included in this recall. The items were sold only at Espaces Gourmands Boutique, 424, boulevard Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC.

This product is not safe for human consumption. Anyone who purchased a 500mL or 1L jar of Espaces Gourmands Boutique Pepperonata sauce should return it to the store for a full refund.

Québec Recalls Old Fashioned Smoked Meat

The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is advising consumers not to eat Mr. Smoked Meat brand Old Fashioned Smoked Meat, due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The contaminated meat, produced by Monsieur Smoked Meat Inc., 1053A rue Bernard Ouest, Outremont, QC, was sold in various retail stores in the province of Québec. The sliced smoked meat is distributed in 225g packages bearing an expiration date of 12 novembre 2008.

This has been a rough week for Old Fashioned Smoked Meat aficionados. Just two days ago, Les Salaisons Desco announced a second recall of Dunn's Famous brand Smoked Meat, sold in Costco stores in certain British Columbia locations.

Consumers are asked to return the recalled smoked meat packages to the store for a refund. For additional information, please call the Centre québécois d'inspection des aliments et de santé animale, toll free, at 1-800-463-5023.

Allergy Alert: Spice Blends Recalled in Australia

Country Cuisine Pty Ltd. has recalled two varieties of Malouf's Spice Mezza due to the presence of undeclared tree nuts in the spice blends. The products were distributed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland

The recall covers 100g jars of Jordanian Za'atar and Cumin Za'atar spice blends, bearing a Best Before date of September 2010. Pictures of the recalled items can be seen on the Greg Malouf website.

Individuals who are allergic to nuts may experience a severe reaction upon consuming this product. Consumers are asked to return the mislabeled spice blends to the store for a refund. 

A Mars Petcare Postscript

It's very unusual for the CDC to identify a manufacturer by name in an outbreak investigation report. But that's exactly what CDC did in today's issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. The manufacturer was Mars Petcare, Inc.

The Mars Petcare outbreak story began in January 2006, when the first victims fell ill. It ended in October 2008, when Mars announced the permanent shutdown of its Everson, PA production facility. During the intervening 34 months, 79 people in 21 states became infected with the identical strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund. The same strain of Salmonella also was recovered from samples of pet food produced by Mars Petcare in its Everson facility.

The entire Mars Petcare episode has been an exercise in foot-dragging on the part of the company, which did its best to minimize the significance of the findings and the scope of the recalls. But all of the company's efforts could not forestall the recall, in September 2008, of more than 23,000 tons of pet food, representing 105 different brands. Nor did it prevent the eventual shutdown of the Everson plant.

FDA still has not determined how the Everson facility became contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund to begin with. The agency also has not yet figured out how the contamination popped back up after the Everson plant was shut down for cleaning, sanitizing and renovation in 2007. That investigation is on-going.

CDC has cautioned that some of the recalled pet food may still be in the hands of consumers. Anyone who has purchased a dry pet food manufactured by Mars Petcare – which includes store brands such as Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy – should check the Mars Retail Recall List to see which brands and production/date codes were recalled. Any recalled item should be returned to the store for a refund. 

Allergy Alert: Undeclared Eggs In California Sausage

Link to Retail Distribution List Added November 6th

Jolly Good Meat Products (Los Angeles, CA) has recalled 600 pounds of ready-to-eat and raw sausage rolls due to the presence of eggs, which were not declared on the label. The problem was discovered during a routine USDA inspection.

Individuals who are allergic to eggs may experience a severe reaction shortly after eating a food that contains egg as an ingredient.

This recall covers the following products, both of which bear Est. 6216 inside the USDA label on each box:

• 8.9-pound cases of ready-to-eat "Jolly Good Banger Rolls"
  
• 24-pound cases of raw "Jolly Good Banger Rolls"
  

The recalled sausage rolls were produced in September and October, and were shipped to California distributors for further distribution to restaurants and retailers. 

The retail distribution list for these recalled sausages is available on the USDA/FSIS website, under Recall #040-2008.

Please check back periodically for more information on retail distribution of the recalled sausage rolls. We'll be watching for the information and will update this post if and when a distribution list is made public.

Tahini Recalled in New Zealand

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority advised consumers yesterday that two brands of tahini have been recalled by the manufacturer due to the risk of contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

Cooks Food Group Ltd. has recalled all production batches of Sahara Tahini (350g) and Olive Grove Tahini (200g). Both brands were sold in supermarket chains throughout New Zealand.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with this recall. But the elderly, the very young, and immuno-compromised individuals are at risk of suffering severe illness if infected by Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women may pass their infection to their babies in utero, resulting in miscarriage, premature labor, or a seriously ill newborn.

Allergy Alert: Breaded Hallock Recalled in UK

The UK Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert for Asda brand Frozen 4 Breaded 100% Haddock Fillets due to a packaging error. 

Asda recalled several production date codes of the haddock fillets after discovering that battered haddock fillets were packed in breaded haddock fillets. The battered fillets contain milk, which is not declared on the breaded fillet packaging.

The following Best Before date codes of Asda brand Frozen 4 Breaded 100% Haddock Fillets, bar code #05051413368145: 19 September 2009, 20 September 2009, 21 September 2009, 24 September 2009, 25 September 2009, 4 October 2009, 5 October 2009, 8 October 2009, 17 October 2009, 10 October 2009.

Individuals who are allergic to milk or dairy components may experience a severe – possibly life-threatening – reaction upon consuming the battered haddock fillets. Consumers who purchased the recalled haddock should return it to the store for a full refund.

Ontario E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Links Clarified

We were advised this morning by Andrew Morrison of the Ontario Ministry of Health that a link between the Niagara and Michigan/Illinois outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 has not been established. 

Here is what we know:

• The Chatham-Kent outbreak definitely was linked to the Michigan/Illinois outbreak.
  
• Preliminary genetic fingerprinting of some isolates from the North Bay outbreak showed a connection between the North Bay and Chatham-Kent strains. This was not borne out by more extensive testing.
  
• One isolate from the Halton outbreak appears to be the same as the Niagara outbreak strain.
  
• The Niagara cases have not been linked to the Michigan/Illinois outbreak strain.
  

Our thanks to Andrew Morrison for this clarification.

Allergy Alert: Price Chopper Recalls Pasta Salad

Price Chopper announced yesterday that it was recalling Price Chopper brand Deli Rotelli Pasta Salad due to inaccurate labeling. The deli salad may contain one or more undeclared allergens.

This recall applies to all Deli Rotelli Pasta Salad purchased at Price Chopper before November 4, 2008 and bearing UPC number 217147-00000.

Individuals who are allergic to one or more food components may suffer a severe reaction upon eating the inaccurately labeled pasta salad. Price Chopper asks its customers to return the recalled product to the store for a full refund.

For more information, customers can contact Price Chopper at (800) 666-7667, Monday through Friday, between 8:30am and 5pm, EST.

"Dunn" In By Desco Again

CFIA is warning consumers in British Columbia that some pouches of Dunn's Famous brand Smoked Meat may be contaminated with staphylococcal enterotoxin and should not be eaten. One illness has already been associated with this product.

Les Salaisons Desco, Inc. (Boisbriand, QC) has recalled Dunn's Famous brand Smoked Meat pouches, sold in 1 kg boxes (each containing 6 x 175g pouches) bearing UPC 4 00007 55699 7 and a Best Before date of 2008 NO 13. The outside of each box also bears a Canada logo with the number 501. 

The recalled meat was distributed only in Costco stores, in the following British Columbia locations: Surrey, Kelowna, Port Coquitlam, Langford, Langley and Downtown Vancouver.

Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium that produces staphylococcal enterotoxin, is a normal inhabitant of the skin, hair and nasal passages of many healthy individuals. Perhaps as many as half the population are carriers. The bacterium usually is transferred to a food through inattention, typically when someone neglects to wash his or her hands before handling a food – perhaps after sneezing or coughing into a hand.

Its' possible to eat a food that contains thousands of living Staphylococcus aureus without becoming ill. The toxin's the culprit – not the bacteria. The microbe must have the opportunity to multiply in a food for several hours (usually 4-5 hours will do) in order to produce enough toxin to make someone ill. But once the toxin is present, look out.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin is very heat-tolerant, and will survive extensive boiling. It remains active long after the bacteria that produced it have been killed. Heating the meat pouches before using the contents will NOT destroy the toxin. 

If you have purchased the recalled product, DO NOT consume it. Please contact your local Costco, or watch the Costco Product Notices page for instructions of returning the recalled item for a refund.

Niagara & Halton E. coli O157:H7 Linked to US Outbreaks

eFoodAlert has learned that the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the Niagara region has been linked by genetic fingerprinting to the recent cross-border outbreak that caused illnesses in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, New York and the Chatham-Kent region of Ontario.

The earlier outbreak was traced epidemiologically by US and Canadian investigators to California-grown bagged, pre-washed, shredded iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company of Detroit, MI. Investigators were unable to detect the outbreak strain in any samples of the lettuce, and Aunt Mid's never accepted the validity of the epidemiological findings.

As of early this afternoon, the Niagara region has identified 12 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection; an additional 35 cases are under investigation. Of the 47 cases, 21 have been linked to the Little Red Rooster in Niagara-on-the-Lake and 21 to M.T. Bellies in Welland. Both restaurants closed voluntarily to assist the investigation. Little Red Rooster has been given the go-ahead to reopen tomorrow; M.T. Bellies remains closed except for its bar, which has been open for business throughout this investigation.

There is a good chance that the Halton region outbreak also is related to the contaminated lettuce. E. coli O157:H7 isolated from one of the cases in the Halton region outbreak is a genetic match for the Niagara outbreak strain. As of yesterday, 28 cases – linked to Johnathan's Family Restaurant in Burlington – were under investigation. Additional genetic fingerprinting results should be available by the end of this week. 

The North Bay outbreak, though, is still a mystery. None of the E. coli O157:H7 isolates from North Bay match the outbreak strain from Niagara, Halton or Chatham-Kent. We've been told by Andrew Morrison (Media Relations Coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) that the following Ontario health districts have reported one or more cases that are linked to the Harvey's Restaurant in North Bay. In addition, one case has been reported from British Columbia, and one from Centre de Santé Temiscaming in Québec.

• North Bay-Parry Sound (40 confirmed, 163 suspect)
  
• Timiskaming (2 confirmed, 9 suspect)
  
• Sudbury (3 confirmed, 11 suspect)
  
• Porcupine (1 confirmed, 7 suspect)
  
• Hastings-Prince Edward (1 confirmed)
  
• Simcoe-Muskoka (1 suspect)
  
• Toronto (1 suspect)
  
• Niagara Regional Health Unit (1 confirmed, 1 suspect)
  
• Durham (1 suspect)
  
• Peel (1 suspect)
  
• Haliburton-Kawartha Pine Ridge (1 confirmed)
  

Federal, provincial and district health investigators are examining the possibility of a common food source for the Niagara and Halton outbreaks. So far, according to Morrison, no food items have been identified. But epidemiological and lab analyses are continuing. More information should become available by week's end.

It's anybody's guess, though, when – if ever – investigators will be able to identify the source of the North Bay outbreak.

Heightened Awareness Produces Another Canadian Meat Recall

In what appears to be a full court press against Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued another Health Hazard Alert this morning.

Mariposa Meats (Mississauga, ON) is recalling Old Style brand Thin Sliced Honey Ham, sold in 450 g packages bearing a Best Before date of 08NO17 (November 17, 2008) and UPC 6 28292 50001 7. The recalled meat was sold only in Price Chopper stores in Ontario.

Listeria monocytogenes has been a major focus of CFIA activity ever since the deadly Maple Leaf outbreak this summer. At last count (October 17th), ready-to-eat meats from Maple Leaf's Bartor Road production facility was responsible for 53 confirmed cases of listeriosis – 20 of them fatal.

Typically, an infection with Listeria monocytogenes produces no more than mild flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms. But, as Canadians found out this summer, the elderly, very young children, and immuno-compromised individuals may suffer severe – even fatal – symptoms as a result of an infection with this microbe. Pregnant women who become infected may pass the infection to the fetus in utero, resulting in premature birth, stillbirth or a seriously ill newborn.

Anyone who has eaten the recalled product and begins to experience any symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection, should contact his or her family doctor. Consumers who purchased the recalled meat should return it to the store for a refund. For more information about this recall, contact Mariposa Meats at 905-855-8111.

Ontario E. coli O157:H7 Investigations Continue

North Bay-Parry Sound reported today that it has now identified 246 cases – 49 lab-confirmed as E. coli O157:H7 – in the food poisoning outbreak linked to Harvey's Restaurant on Algonquin Avenue in North Bay, Ontario. This includes cases from 10 other Ontario District Health Units, as well as from the provinces of Québec and British Columbia. The District still has not been able to identify a probable source of the contamination.

The Niagara region outbreak has now grown to 46 cases, 12 of which are lab-confirmed. Forty-one of the 46 cases have been linked to one of two restaurants – Little Red Rooster in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and M.T. Bellies in Welland. 

Halton's caseload also is growing. The total number of suspect and confirmed cases now stands at 28, three of which have been lab-confirmed as E. coli O157:H7. This outbreak has been linked to Johnathan's Family Restaurant, in Burlington.

It's still not clear to what extent these three outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 illness are interconnected. According to test results reported by Niagara, that outbreak is unrelated to the North Bay illnesses. But there is no information yet on whether the Halton outbreak is due to the same outbreak strain detected in victims of either the Niagara or the North Bay outbreaks. We should know more by the end of this week.

Lithuanian Company Recalls Meat Products

The UK meat recall that began with a Lithuanian Ears and Tongue roll has been extended to encompass all meat products imported into the UK from JSC 'Samsonas' of Kaunas, Lithuania. The recall was initiated as a result of the UK Food Standards Agency having found high levels of Listeria monocytogenes in several samples of 'Samsono' brand Ears and Tongue Roll.

The recall encompasses all lot numbers, date codes and package sizes of all 'Samsono' brand meat products bearing EC Approval Number LT 84-07 EB.

The UK Food Standards Agency has received a list of recalled products from JSC 'Samsonas'. Consumers are cautioned that this list may not be complete. 

Anyone who has purchased a 'Samsono' brand meat product should either discard it, or return it to the store for a refund.

Allergy Alert: Progresso Soup Recalled

UPDATED November 3, 2008

General Mills has announced a recall of one day's production of Progresso Hearty Tomato Soup, due to possible mislabeling during production. Due to a production error, some cans of Progresso Light Vegetable and Noodle Soup were labeled as Progresso Hearty Tomato Soup.

The mislabeled cans may contain one or more of the allergens egg, milk and soy. As a precaution, General Mills has recalled all of the following:

19-ounce cans of Progresso Hearty Tomato Soup with the code date 19May10 NV VN-3 on the bottom of the can and UPC #4119691068

Individuals who are allergic to egg, milk or soy may experience a severe allergic reaction shortly after consuming a food that contains these allergens. Anyone who has purchased the recalled soup should return it to the store for a refund.

The following retailers already have withdrawn the recalled soup from store shelves, and are advising their customers of the recall.

• Giant Foods, LLC: 182 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and DC
  
• Harris-Teeter: 176 stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and DC
• Kroger: all stores in Greater Memphis, TN, Arkansas, Mississippi; Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, TN area; Greater Louisville (including Indiana), Lexington and Nashville, TN; North Carolina, Virginia, eastern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky
• Price Chopper: 116 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont
• Stop & Shop Supermarket Company: 389 stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey

We'll update the list of retailers as more information becomes available.

Sorry Saga of Salmonella in Pet Food

The latest recall notice, issued by Mars Petcare last week, prompted a question from a reader, who asked "How many recalls have there been as a result of Salmonella-contaminated pet food and treats, and is the Mars Petcare record exceptional?"

To answer this question, we've trolled through 10 years of FDA recall notices and 6 years of CFIA (Canadian) recall notices – everything available in the on-line recall archives for both countries. Following is a list, sorted in ascending order by date, of Salmonella-related pet food and pet treat recalls in the United States and Canada.

• October 1, 1999: FDA Issues Nationwide Public Health Advisory About Contaminated Pet Chews (USA)
  
• October 27, 1999: Pet Valu Recalls Certain Dog Chew Products Due to Possible Health Risk (USA)
  
• May 26, 2000: Nationwide Recall of Medalist Brand Pig Ear Pet Treats Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• June 6, 2000: Products Carousel, Inc., Recalls "Pets Carousel 100% Choo-Hooves Pressed Sticks - Item #90010-S Because of Possible Health Risk (USA)
  
• June 7, 2005: Presence of Salmonella Bacteria in Certain Pet Treats (Canada)
  
• June 8, 2005: T.W. Enterprises Issues Nationwide Recall of Pet Treats Due to Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• June 17, 2005: T.W. Enterprises Expands its Nationwide Recall of Pet Treats to Include All of its Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• February 13, 2007: FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Wild Kitty Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• March 9, 2007: BJ's Wholesale Club Issues Recall of "Berkley & Jensen" Full-Cut Pig Ears Dog Treats Because of Potential for Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• March 23, 2007: Petrapport Issues Recall of Pig Ear Dog Treats Because of Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• March 30, 2007: Eight in One Announces Nationwide Recall of All Lots of Dingo® Chick'n Jerky Treats for Dogs, Cats And Ferrets (USA)
  
• April 3, 2007: All Lots of Dingo Chick'N Jerky Treats for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets May Contain Salmonella (Canada)
  
• April 5, 2007: FDA Issues Health Hazard Alert for Pet Chews Due to Contamination with Salmonella (USA)
  
• April 16, 2007: T.W. Enterprises Issues Nationwide Recall of Dog Chews Due to Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• June 6, 2007: Single Lot of 55lb Bags of Ol' Roy Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food Voluntarily Recalled in Select Stores by Doane Pet Care (USA)
  
• August 21, 2007: Select Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula Dry Dog Food 50lb Bags Voluntarily Recalled in Pennsylvania (USA)
  
• August 21, 2007: Select Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food 5lb Bags Voluntarily Recalled in Five States (USA)
  
• August 25, 2007: Mars Petcare US, Inc. Recalls Dry Dog Food (USA)
  
• September 18, 2007: Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Select Poultry Products for Dogs and Cats (USA)
  
• March 13, 2008: Presence of Salmonella Bacteria in Roll Over Pork Tenders Premium Dog Treat (Canada)
  
• August 8, 2008: Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Limited Bags of Pedigree® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites at Albertsons in Southern California and Las Vegas due to Potential Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• September 12, 2008: Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product due to Potential Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  
• October 27, 2008: Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of a Limited Number of Bags of Special Kitty® Gourmet Sold at Wal-Mart Locations in Fifteen States due to Potential Salmonella Contamination (USA)
  

A Few Notes:

1. Red Flannel, Krasdale and Ol' Roy dry dog foods (all recalled due to Salmonella) were manufactured by Mars Petcare, Inc.
   
2. Doane's US operations were purchased by Mars, Incorporated – the parent of Mars Petcare in 2006.
   
3. Wild Kitty cat food and Bravo! dog food were commercial raw products.
   
4. Dried, raw treats and chews – jerky, pig ears, rawhide, et cetera – were behind all of the remaining Salmonella-related recalls.
   

Conclusion:

Based on product recall patterns, Mars Petcare, Inc. appears to be the only dry pet food manufacturer that is experiencing a chronic Salmonella problem.

The China Syndrome: US Company Recalls Biscuits

Everlasting Distributors, Inc. (Bayonne, NJ) has announced a recall of Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits. The biscuits, which are sold in Asian grocery stores across the United States, were found by FDA to contain melamine.

The recalled item is described by the distributor as follows:

3.88oz (110 gm) blue and red color clear plastic package, labeled "JACOBINA"

All packages of the biscuits have been recalled, without mention of specific lot or date codes. Consumers who purchased these biscuits are urged to return them to the store for a full refund.

The Ghost of Recall Past

UPDATED NOVEMBER 1, 2008

CFIA has just released an updated advisory, expanding its warning to include stores in the Oshawa and Niagara Falls areas in addition to the original warning that mentioned North York and Etobicoke. 

Just in time for Halloween, a two-year old recall of Salmonella-contaminated chocolate has returned to haunt the Greater Toronto Area.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers to be on the lookout for a number of Hershey's chocolate products that were recalled in November 2006 after the company found Salmonella in the environment of its Smith's Falls, Ontario production facility. CFIA issued its advisory after learning that some of the recalled chocolate is being sold in independent retail stores in Etobicoke and North York.

According to CBC News, a Toronto recycling depot had been contracted to collect and dispose of the chocolates that were covered by the 2006 recall. Some of the recovered chocolates were stolen from the recycling depot the following year, and that contraband candy has been turning up.

CFIA advises consumers in the Greater Toronto Area – especially in Etobicoke and North York – to check their Hershey chocolates and candies for code numbers with the first four digits in the range of 6417 to 6455, inclusive. Retailers, also, should check their Hershey inventory for items that fall into this code number range.

Salmonella is a survivor. Even though these chocolates are two years old, they may still contain living Salmonella cells. And it may only take a few cells to infect a child.

Please be sure that the little ghosts and goblins that arrive at your front doors this evening go away with treats that don't play tricks on them.