The Winter Vomiting Bug

February 18, 2009

Call it stomach flu; call it the winter vomiting bug; call it the nursing home bug, the cruise ship virus or the Norwalk virus. It makes no difference. You're talking about Norovirus. And it's a threat any time of the year and wherever large numbers of people cluster in confined areas.

Norovirus is a very rugged, highly infectious virus that strikes swiftly and without warning. People infected with Norovirus suffer a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea that lasts just a couple of days. The infection is rarely fatal, unless the victim is already enfeebled or susceptible to the effects of severe dehydration.

Norovirus is hardy, and can survive for days on dry surfaces such as hand rails, dish ware, books and clothing. It is transmitted by ingestion, usually when a victim touches an infected surface and then puts that hand to his or her mouth. Other means of transmission include eating food that has become contaminated with the virus – usually by an infected individual who has not yet begun to experience symptoms, or by a convalescing victim who is still shedding virus particles.

The virus has earned one of its nicknames – "the winter vomiting bug" – honestly. Because people are more likely to be confined indoors during winter months, infections are spread more easily. Similarly, nursing home residents are at risk any time of the year, as are cruise ship passengers. Captive audiences are grist for the Norovirus mill.

The following selection of 2009 headlines illustrate the conditions under which Norovirus thrives.

Australia

February 11, 2009. 1 Dead, 44 Ill in Nursing Home Gastro Outbreak.

February 12, 2009. 

Canada

January 29, 2009. Norovirus Spreads In Regina Hospital.

January 28, 2009. Norovirus Hits 2 Institutions In Saskatchewan.

January 8, 2009. Norwalk Virus Spreading On P.E.I.

Hong Kong

February 11, 2009. CHP Investigating a Gastroenteritis Outbreak at a Primary School

New Zealand

January 9, 2009. Norovirus Stops Visits To Retirement Village.

Republic of Ireland

January 9, 2009. Winter Bug Outbreak at Beaumont.

United Kingdom

February 13, 2009. Bristol Hospital Shuts Wards After Norovirus Outbreak.

United States of America

February 4, 2009. North Carolina Experiencing More Norovirus Outbreaks. Public Health Urges Precautions.

February 9, 2009. State Health Department Alerts Public of Viral Gastroenteritis Season (Commonly Called the "Stomach Flu")

Norovirus also can be transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood. More than 25 residents of Sitka, Alaska reported suffering from acute gastroenteritis earlier this month. Four of the victims tested positive for Norovirus. Based on patient case histories, state health authorities suspect locally harvested oysters to be the source of the infections.

Cruise ship passengers have not been spared by the virus this year. According to CDC, four cruises originating or ending in a U.S. port of call have reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis among passengers and crew. Norovirus has been confirmed in one outbreak; results are still pending in the other three cases.

Is it any wonder that this virus has earned so many names?

Improperly labeled Spaghetti Sauce Recalled in Québec

February 18, 2009

The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has alerted consumers in the province that Sauce Spagetti Alimentation Valga (Valga Foods Spaghetti Sauce) lacks a label instruction to store the product under refrigeration and thus presents a food poisoning risk.

The spaghetti sauce was sold in various packages only at Alimentation Valga, 2410 avenue Royale, Beauport, Québec. 

Consumers are advised to discard any containers of the sauce that have not – even unopened – been stored under refrigeration.

Atlantic Smoked Salmon Recalled: Listeria monocytogenes

February 18, 2009

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned consumers yesterday that certain packages of Kanata Smoke House brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and have been recalled.

The recall is limited to:

• Kanata Smoke House brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon (500g pkg): UPC #8 19269 00350 5; Product code 3001; Best Before 2009FE 27
  

The smoked salmon was sold in CostCo stores in the province of Québec.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious – sometimes fatal – illness in susceptible individuals. Individuals who purchased the recalled item should return it to their local CostCo store for a refund.

Listeria-Contaminated Egg Salad Recalled In Canada

February 18, 2009

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers that certain products containing egg salad manufactured  by Plaisirs Gastronomique Inc. may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and have been recalled by the manufacturer.

The recall affects the following egg salad sandwich products, distributed in Québec and Ontario.

• Ziggy's brand Egg Salad on Whole Wheat Bread (160g): UPC #0 60383 97957 7; Best Before date up to and including February 17
  
• Ziggy's brand Egg Salad on White Bread (160g): UPC #0 60383 97956 0; Best Before date up to and including February 17
  

Egg salad and egg salad sandwiches sold between February 2nd and February 17th, inclusive, at the following chain stores, independent retailers and delis in Ontario and Quebec:

• Loblaws – Quebec
  
• Provigo- Quebec
  
• Metro – Quebec
  
• IGA – Quebec
  
• Bonichoix – Quebec
  
• Boni-soir – Quebec
  
• Voisin - Quebec
  
• Marché Richelieu - Quebec
  
• L’intermarché - Quebec
  
• IGA Extra – Quebec
  
• Omni – Quebec
  
• Loeb – Ontario
  
• Axep – Quebec
  
• Ultramar - Quebec
  
• Tradition – Quebec
  
• Le dépanneur – Quebec
  

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious illness in susceptible individuals. CFIA is urging consumers to check their refrigerators for – and discard – these recalled items.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: Plainview Probable Second Source

February 18, 2009

CDC reported yesterday evening that foods containing peanuts or peanut products supplied by Peanut Corporation of America have sickened at least 642 US residents, one Canadian, and one dog. The death toll remained unchanged at nine victims.

In its latest update, CDC warned that – although the pace of new cases has dropped from peak levels – new cases are still being reported. This outbreak will not be declared at an end until at least 2-3 weeks pass without any new cases.

With the massive recalls that have taken place over the last month, what is the source of all of these new cases? Delays in issuing recall notices? Recalled foods still in consumers' pantries? Or is there another source?

We reported on February 10th that Peanut Corporation of America had closed its Plainview, TX plant after Salmonella was found in several product samples. Even before Plainview closed, Colorado Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage that three outbreak victims had reported consuming the Company's in-store freshly ground peanut butter. Vitamin Cottage issued a precautionary recall notice, even though the link had not been confirmed.

Yesterday, according to CIDRAP, FDA reported having found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in an opened jar of Vitamin Cottage peanut butter taken from the home of one of the Colorado outbreak victims. FDA did not find any contamination on the Company's peanut grinding machines or in fresh samples of peanut butter.

Vitamin Cottage, in a press release issued this morning, confirmed that it had been advised of FDA's findings. And, in an eerie reminder of the early reaction from Peanut Corporation of America, underlined the fact that the Salmonella was recovered from a jar of peanut butter that already had been opened by a consumer. 

In addition to its earlier, precautionary recall, Vitamin Cottage has posted flier in its stores and emailed its 20,000+ subscribers to make sure that its customers are aware of the recall. The Company also has initiated new testing of all bulk products and has stepped up its routine testing.

Other companies already have begun to announce recalls of foods that contain peanuts from the Plainview facility. eFoodAlert is continuing to monitor those recall announcements and update the consolidated recall lists on this site.

Allergy Alert: Osem Soup Recalled

Updated February 17, 2009

Original article posted February 15, 2009

Osem Investments, Ltd., an Israeli company controlled by Nestlé, has recalled all date codes of the following product, due to the presence of undeclared milk protein.

• Osem Meals-on-the-Go, Creamy Pasta Chicken Flavor Noodles (1.94 oz): UPC 0-77455-15580-0
  

Individuals who are allergic to milk proteins may experience a severe allergic reaction shortly after consuming this product. One individual in Israel with a known allergy to milk protein has reported an adverse reaction to this product.

The recalled item was sold in ShopRite, Giant and Stop & Shop supermarkets in the United States, and may also have been available in other grocery stores.

Allergy Alert: Cole Slaw Recalled in Québec

February 17, 2009

The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has alerted consumers to a recall of salade de choux (cole slaw) that contains undeclared egg protein. 

The cole slaw was packaged by Marché Universel Inc. (d.b.a. Intermarché) at 89, avenue Mont-Royal Est, Montréal, and was sold in variable weight containers bearing the description "Salade de choux crémeuse Tx" (Creamy TX Cole Slaw), and an expiration ("meilleur avant") date up to and including 20 février 2009 (February 20, 2009).

Individuals who are allergic to egg protein may experience a severe allergic reaction upon consuming this cole slaw. Anyone who purchased this product is urged to return it to the retailer for a refund.

Allergy Alert: ShopRite Chocolate Chip Cookies

February 16, 2009

ShopRite has recalled store-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies (24/pkg) due to the presence of undeclared milk. Only those cookies sold in ShopRite of Derby are affected by this recall.

The cookies are labeled with UPC #295735-00000 and bear a Sell by Date on or before February 20, 2009.

Individuals who are allergic to milk protein may suffer a severe allergic reaction shortly after consuming these cookies.

Customer who purchased the cookies should return them to ShopRite of Derby for a refund, or contact ShopRite's Customer Care Center at 1-800-746-7748.

Allergy Alert: 'Dairy-Free' Chocolate Cookies

February 16, 2009

Rakusen's Ltd. has recalled one batch of 'Dairy-Free' Chocolate Chip Cookies, due to the presence of undeclared milk protein, according to the UK Food Standards Agency.

The recalled product is described as follows:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies (200g): Batch code 8345; Best Before end December 2009
  

Rakusen has indicated that the presence of milk protein in the batch was due to cross-contamination, and the amount is very low (2 ppm). Nevertheless, an individual who is allergic to milk protein may experience symptoms after consuming the cookies.

Consumers should return the recalled cookies to the place of purchase for a refund.

Allergy Alert: Frozen Prepared Meals Recalled in Québec

February 14, 2009

The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) has alerted customers to a recall of the following frozen prepared dishes that contain undeclared allergens.

• Pâté au Poulet / Chicken Paté (700g): Soy and sulfites
  
• Mini Pâté au Poulet / Mini Chicken Paté (300g): Soy and sulfites
  
• Pâté au Saumon / Salmon Paté (700g): Soy and sulfites
  
• Tourtière (700g): Soy and sulfites
  
• Riz Frit au Poulet / Chicken Fried Rice (350g): Milk proteins
  

The frozen meals were sold under the "Boucherie des Trembles" brand at Boucherie des Trembles, 3870 deMontigny, Montreal, Quebec. All packages bearing a date of 3 février 2009 or before are affected by the recall.

Individuals who are sensitive to soy protein, milk protein or sulfites may experience a severe allergic reaction upon consuming even a small quantity of these recalled products. Consumers who purchased the recalled items should either discard them or return them to Boucherie des Trembles for a refund.

Anatomy of a Peanut Butter Outbreak: The Aftermath

February 14, 2009

One month after Peanut Corporation of America issued the first in a series of four recall notices, and three months after CDC detected the first hint that a multi-state Salmonella outbreak was underway, the fallout from this incident is still expanding in ever-widening ripples across the United States and around the world.

The Victims

As of 9PM (EST) Wednesday, February 11th, CDC reports that nine victims of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak have died.

At least 637 cases of salmonellosis have been confirmed to be part of the outbreak. The most recent victim became ill on January 28th. Twenty-three percent of the confirmed outbreak victims have been hospitalized, and the outbreak strain has been recovered from patients in 44 states. One Canadian who traveled to the United States also has been infected.

Ohio has been the hardest hit state in this outbreak with 92 victims, two of whom have died. Both of the dead victims were elderly women. California has reported the second highest total – 76 victims, all of whom have survived. Other states reporting large numbers of outbreak victims include Massachusetts (48 victims), Minnesota (39 victims; 3 deaths), Michigan (35 victims), New York (28 victims) and Virginia (21 victims; 2 deaths). Idaho and North Carolina each have reported one death linked to the outbreak.

The Recalls

Peanut Corporation of America, the source of the contamination, issued a total of three "voluntary" product recalls – on January 13th, January 18th and January 28th  – after FDA and state investigators documented numerous deficiencies at the company's Blakely, Georgia production facility. PCA also was instructed by the State of Texas to recall all products that were shipped from the company's Plainview, Texas facility after numerous sanitary violations were discovered at that location.

Each recall notice that PCA issued prompted a wave of recalls on the part of the company's many customers – not to mention other companies and distributors supplied by those customers.  The recalls have extended beyond the borders of the United States to include Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, as well as countries in Asia and Europe. Even pet treats have been recalled.

The Legal Fallout

At least four victims or their families already have filed lawsuits against Peanut Corporation of America. But the company won't be paying a penny. Yesterday, PCA declared itself insolvent and filed a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 

Victims seeking compensation for their suffering will have to turn to PCA's insurer, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company. The insurer, however, has filed its own lawsuit in federal court seeking a Declaratory Judgement from the court as to whether or not claims arising out of this outbreak are covered under the liability and umbrella insurance policies that Hartford issued to PCA. Hartford asserts in its petition that,

"An actual controversy exists between Hartford and PCA with respect to one or more issues regarding the coverage afforded to PCA under the Policies with respect to the Salmonella Claims."

While the petition has not mentioned the specific grounds for dispute, logic dictates that Hartford will contend that PCA's own negligence was the source of the contamination and that this outbreak, therefore, is not an insurable incident.

Where can outbreak victims go for relief? The list is shrinking rapidly. The outbreak strain was isolated from samples of King Nut peanut butter and from at least one Kellogg product. Victims who consumed those products may be able to obtain compensation from King Nut or Kellogg – or their insurers. But outbreak victims who became infected as a result of eating some other contaminated peanut product will be out of luck.

The Regulatory Fallout

Certain members of Congress have been trying for many years to push for reforms of FDA, USDA and the country's food safety system. The last serious effort to reform the food safety system occurred during the Clinton era. That efforts foundered in the sea of deregulatory sentiment that prevailed in Washington during the Bush administration. 

President Obama has said that food safety will be a priority in his administration, and Tom Vilsack, the new Secretary of Agriculture, has pronounced his support for a single food agency. It would be nice to see some progress in this area, but any changes must be carefully thought out. 

What Next?

Further increases in the number of confirmed outbreak victims, possibly including more deaths. This outbreak is far from over.

More recalls, as a result of the mandated recall of peanut products from PCA's Plainview, Texas facility.

More calls from regulators, food safety activists – and even from the food industry – for a review of the country's food safety system.

Depressed sales of all peanut butter and peanut butter products until the memory of this outbreak fades.

More outbreaks. Summer – peak season for hamburgers and fresh salads – is around the corner.

Bits & Pieces: Glass in Ground Beef

February 14, 2009

Real Canadian Superstores has recalled ground beef sold in a Kelowna Superstore after learning that the ground beef may contain pieces of glass, according to a Health Hazard Alert issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The recall affects only the following item, sold at the Real Canadian Superstore, 2280 Baron Road, Kelowna, BC:

• Westfair Foods brand fresh Lean Ground Beef Club Pack (2.5kg tray): UPC #283460913732; Best Before date Feb 12, 09
  

Consumers in need of additional information can contact Loblaws customer relations at 866-999-9890.

Bits & Pieces: Malaysian Sports Drinks Recalled in Singapore

February 13, 2009

Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority has alerted consumers to the presence of unspecified foreign matter in the following sports drinks imported from Malaysia.

• "18" Sports Drink – Blueberry plus Vit C, B6 & B12 Flavour (600 mL): Expiry dates 24 Oct 2009, 11 Nov 2009 & 11 Dec 2009
  
• "18" Sports Drink – Grape plus Vit C, B6 & B12 Flavour (600 mL): Expiry dates 25 Oct 2009 & 12 Dec 2009
  
• "18" Sports Drink – Lemon Lime plus Vit C, B6 & B12 Flavour (600 mL): Expiry dates 28 Oct 2009, 9 Dec 2009 & 27 Dec 2009
  
• "18" Sports Drink – Original plus Vit C, B6 & B12 Flavour (600 mL): Expiry dates 23 Oct 2009 & 10 Dec 2009
  

AVA has instructed that importers and retailers of these items recall the contaminated products, and recommends that consumers discard them.

Luigi's Ham Recalled In New Zealand

February 13, 2009

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has alerted consumers to the recall of several Luigi's Ham products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following recalled items, identified with Use By Dates from 09 February 2009 to 04 March 2009, have been recalled.

• Luigi's Ham Steaks 6-pack
  
• Luigi's Ham Steaks 12-pack
  
• Luigi's Ham Steaks Random Pack (5kg)
  
• Luigi's Gourmet Thick Cuts 2's
  
• Luigi's Gourmet Thick Cuts 3's
  

The recalled ham products were distributed in Pak N Save and New World supermarkets in lower North Island.

No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products. Nevertheless, Listeria monocytogenes can cause dangerous illness in the elderly, the very young and those with weakened immune systems. A pregnant woman who is infected with Listeria monocytogenes may pass the infection to her unborn child, resulting in stillbirth, miscarriage or the birth of a seriously ill infant. 

Consumers are advised to return the recalled ham products to their retailer for a refund.

Let The Next Wave of Peanut Recalls Begin

February 12, 2009

The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered Peanut Corporation of America to recall all products ever shipped from the Company's Plainview facility. This decision was NOT contingent on a confirmation of the previously reported possible Salmonella isolation from several Plainview peanut product samples.

Here is the entire text of the Texas DSHS news release, dated February 12, 2009.

DSHS Orders PCA Plainview Plant to Recall All Products

The Texas Department of State Health Services today ordered Peanut Corporation of America to recall all products ever shipped from its Plainview plant. The order was issued after dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers were discovered yesterday in a crawl space above a production area during an in-depth DSHS inspection.

The inspection also found that the plant’s air handling system was not completely sealed and was pulling debris from the infested crawl space into production areas of the plant resulting in the adulteration of exposed food products.

DSHS also ordered the plant, which began operations in March 2005, to stop producing and distributing food products. Though plant officials voluntarily stopped operations Monday night, the DSHS order prohibits the plant from reopening without DSHS approval.

State law allows DSHS to issue such orders when conditions exist that pose “... an immediate and serious threat to human life or health.”

Laboratory tests are being done on food and environmental samples from the plant, but DSHS officials said today’s orders are not contingent on finding Salmonella or other illness-causing organisms.

The orders were signed by DSHS Commissioner David Lakey, M.D.

The consumer-level recalls, no doubt, will begin in the next few days.

Peanut Corporation of America Takes the Fifth

February 12, 2009

Yesterday, the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing titled The Salmonella Outbreak: The Continued Failure to Protect the Food Supply. 

The Subcommittee invited the testimony of several witnesses:

• Jeffrey Almer, Lou Tousignant and Peter K. Hurley (outbreak victims and their family members)
  
• Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D (Director of CFSAN, FDA)
  
• Oscar Garrison (Georgia Dept. of Agriculture)
  
• Darlene Cowart (President, J. Leek Associates. Inc)
  
• Charles Deibel (President, Deibel Laboratories)
  
• Sammy Lightsey (Plant Manager, Blakely PCA plant)
• Stewart Parnell (President, Peanut Corporation of America)

The Subcommittee found it necessary to issue a subpoena to require the attendance of Mr. Parnell.

While the subpoena ensured the presence of Stewart Parnell at the witness table, it could not command his cooperation. Mr. Parnell "took the fifth" and declined to answer all questions put to him. As did Sammy Lightsey, the Plant Manager of PCA's Blakely facility.

But the written record – and the testimony of other witnesses – spoke for them. And exposed the untruths contained in the Company's previous statements.

On January 10, 2009, Peanut Corporation of America released its initial response to the finding of Salmonella Typhimurium in an opened jar of King Nut Peanut Butter. This statement – no longer is listed on the PCA Media Inquiries web page – said, in part,

"PCA's facility and products are frequently and rigorously tested for salmonella and other microbiological contamination, including hourly sampling during processing and subsequent analysis by an outside, independent laboratory. No salmonella has ever been found in any of PCA's product."

This statement was a lie.

• Company records, obtained by FDA during their two week inspection of the Blakely production facility, documented a dozen Salmonella-positive test reports during 2007 and 2008. PCA arranged for a retest of the Salmonella-positive production lots and shipped product from those lots – sometimes even before having received the test results.
  
• Written testimony furnished by Darlene Cowart and Charles Deibel (on behalf of J. Leek Associates Inc. and Deibel Laboratories, respectively) confirmed that both laboratories had, on various occasions, detected Salmonella in samples submitted by PCA.
  

In the January 13, 2009 press release announcing the initial PCA peanut butter recall, the Company had this to say about itself:

"We are taking these actions with the safety of our consumers as our first priority."

and

"PCA is continuing to work closely and cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state officials as part of this ongoing investigation."

and

"The company prides itself on the quality and freshness of its products and strives constantly to maintain an environment in compliance with federal, state and local regulations and guidelines to provide a clean, safe product."

But the January 13th recall included NONE of the lot numbers that had been reported Salmonella-positive. PCA took five additional days – on January 18th – before adding a few of those lots to the recall list. And the rest of the products KNOWN BY PCA TO BE SALMONELLA-POSITIVE were only recalled on January 28th.

Two days ago, Peanut Corporation of America announced the temporary suspension of production at its Plainview, Texas plant in order to "... cooperate with the TDSHS..." while the FDA and the Texas Department of State Health Services "... complete their investigation of the plant's procedures and records of food safety." The regulatory agencies requested the suspension after lab tests found possible Salmonella in some products.

In January 2009 – after the Company's products were linked epidemiologically to the outbreak, and with the FDA inspection already in progress – PCA shipped a truckload of raw peanuts from Blakely to Plainview.

That shipment, according to an email sent by Stewart Parnell to Robert Neligan (an FDA Investigator who was involved in the agency's extensive inspection of the Blakely plant), purportedly was initiated on a verbal "OK" from "Jan" (probably Janet Gray, another member of the FDA investigation team) before the Georgia Department of Agriculture put a "Hold" on the entire Blakely inventory. 

Somehow, it seems unlikely that an FDA Investigator would have agreed to such a request. But the statement in Parnell's email has neither been confirmed nor denied by FDA. Indeed, as far as eFoodAlert can tell, no one has asked FDA to confirm or refute the report.

The full story of this outbreak investigation eventually will be made public – with or without the cooperation of Stewart Parnell and Peanut Corporation of America. Whether or not the Company survives the public washing of its dirty peanuts, however, is a question that remains to be answered.

Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak: Ninth Victim Dies

February 11, 2009

Two days after CDC published its most recent epidemiological update, Ohio has reported the death of a second outbreak victim in the state. The latest victim, an elderly woman, was a resident of Medina County. The other Ohio victim – also an elderly woman – lived in Summit County.

The two neighboring counties are located in the northeast quadrant of the state.

Ohio also reported a total of 92 outbreak victims – 12 more than the number shown in CDC's last update. Onset dates for the state's 92 victims ranged between October 10, 2008 and January 24, 2009. The latest onset date reported by CDC was January 23, 2009, indicating that new infections are still occurring.

With Ohio's latest report included, we can expect CDC's next outbreak tally to rise to at least 612 victims.

CDC will be reported its next epidemiological snapshot late tomorrow (February 12th).

Sausage Products Recalled by Alaska Company

Updated February 11, 2009 with retail distribution list

Original article posted February 8, 2009

Alaska Sausage Company, Inc. has recalled 872 pounds of sausage products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was initiated after the company's internal testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Only sausages manufactured on January 27, 2009 are included in the recall.

Specifically, Alaska Sausage has recalled the following products:

• 3-pound packages of "ALASKAN SAUSAGE LINKS WITH REINDEER MEAT." Each package bears a package code of "02709," a sell by date of "03/22/09" as well as the establishment number "EST. 17866" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
  
• " 1- and 3-pound packages of "GERMAN BRAND COOKED BRATWURST." Each package bears a package code of "02709," a sell by date of "03/02/09" as well as the establishment number "EST. 17866" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
  

The recalled sausages were distributed to institutions and retail establishments in Alaska, including Fred Meyer stores (a Kroger supermarket chain).

Consumers who purchased the recalled sausage products should return them to the store for a refund.

PCA Closes Plainview (Texas) Plant After Salmonella Found

February 10, 2009

Peanut Corporation of America announced today that the company had suspended operations at its Plainview, Texas plant pending completion of a review of the facility's procedures and food safety records by FDA and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The decision to suspend operations came after a private lab detected possible Salmonella contamination in samples of peanut meal, granulated peanuts and dry roasted peanuts. It's unclear whether or not the Salmonella finding has been confirmed. Additional testing to determine the genetic strain will take several days. 

According to a press released issued today by the Texas DSHS, the company advised state regulators of their finding. Production in Plainview was suspended at the request of the State. 

The potentially contaminated peanut products have not reached consumers. The peanut meal and granulated peanuts are still in the Plainview facility warehouse; the dry roasted peanuts were shipped to a distributor, but have been detained and recalled.

We reported three days ago that the Plainview plant, although registered with FDA, was operating without a license from – or inspection by – the Texas DSHS. Texas is one of the states with which FDA has contractual arrangements to inspect food processing facilities on behalf of the federal agency. Georgia – the home of PCA's shuttered Blakely plant – is another.

While the Texas DSHS news release indicates that the state is unaware of any illnesses associated with peanuts from Plainview, this status might change. A Colorado-based company, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc., has recalled fresh-ground peanut butter that was made using peanuts supplied from PCA's Plainview facility. 

Vitamin Cottage took this action after being advised that three outbreak victims in Colorado reported having consumed the company's peanut butter, in addition to other products. There have been no other reports of illness associated with peanuts from Plainview.

Although FDA's focus appears to be shifting to Plainview for the moment, this does not mean that the Blakely investigation is over. According to Associated Press, FBI agents raided both the Georgia plant and the Lynchburg, VA headquarters of Peanut Corporation of America, executing search warrants and removing boxes of documents and other materials.

In addition to the actions being taken by federal and state agencies, the families of at least four outbreak victims have initiated lawsuits against PCA. 

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed victims in this outbreak continues to rise, with additional recent cases being reported – the newest victim fell ill on January 23rd. According to the CDC, at least 600 people in 44 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, as of 9 PM (EST) on February 8th. The death toll remains unchanged at eight.

It will probably take 2-3 weeks for FDA and Texas investigators to complete their review of the Plainview plant. If they uncover similar problems to those found in Blakely, we can expect  yet another tsunami wave of peanut product recalls.

Salmonella Pops Up Again In Alfalfa Sprouts

February 9, 2009

For the second time in less than two months, a Wisconsin producer of alfalfa sprouts has been faced with recalling sprouts that were contaminated with Salmonella. 

Last December, Sunrise Farms was on the receiving end of the bad news. This time, it's the turn of Jack & the Green Sprouts, Inc. (River Falls, WI).

The River Falls company has recalled alfalfa sprouts and alfalfa onion sprout mix from retail stores and wholesalers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The sprouts were sold in 5-ounce clamshell packages prior to February 5, 2009. 

The contamination was detected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture during routine testing. According to Jim Mahoney, the owner of Jack & the Green Sprouts, pre-shipment Salmonella testing of the sprouts was negative, and no Salmonella has been found in the production facility or in other sprout varieties. Mahoney told the River Falls Journal that the sprouts tested by Minnesota already had exceeded their recommended shelf life.

This latest recall is a reminder to regulators, producers and consumers alike that seed sprouts– even in the hands of reputable and conscientious producers – are susceptible to contamination by bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7.

Consumers who purchased one of the recalled sprout varieties prior to February 5, 2009 should discard any remaining sprouts, and submit a proof of purchase receipt to the retailer for credit or refund.