Tag Archives: SALMONELLA

CDC Finds Decrease in Foodborne Disease Outbreaks from 2015 to 2017

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its Surveillance for Food-borne Disease Outbreaks Annual Report, which includes an analysis of all foodborne illness outbreaks reported in 2017.   CDC found that 841 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported in 2017, resulting in 14,481 illnesses, 827 hospitalizations, 20 deaths, and 14 food product recalls.  These recent statistics show that … Continue Reading

Raw Turkey Pet Food Linked to Human Illness in Minnesota

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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued a recall notice for three lots of raw turkey pet food manufactured by Woody’s Pet Food Deli after linking a human case of Salmonella Reading infection to the product. The infected person served the recalled food to a pet, which also tested positive for Salmonella but a … Continue Reading

FDA Issues First Ever Mandatory Recall Order for Kratom Products

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On April 2, 2018, FDA issued a mandatory recall order for all products containing powdered kratom manufactured, processed, packed, or held by Triangle Pharmanaturals LLC, after several tested positive for salmonella. FDA issued the recall after the company failed to cooperate with FDA’s request to conduct a voluntary recall. This is FDA’s first ever mandatory … Continue Reading

New Study: UV-bacteriophage Combination Found to Improve Salmonella Control in Ground Beef

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In a comparison study of microbial interventions, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno found that a combination of ultraviolet (UV) light and bacteriophages was most effective in reducing Salmonella populations in ground beef. The researchers analyzed the comparative effectiveness of organic acids, bacteriophages and UV light, individually and combined. Highlights of the study’s findings include: Certain organic … Continue Reading

FDA Updates Spice Risk Profile

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As previously reported on this blog, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft risk profile on the public health risks associated with spices in October 2013. The risk profile identifies the presence of pathogens, such as Salmonella, and filth in spices; describes current efforts to reduce the public health risk posed by … Continue Reading

New NARMS Report Shows Mixed Results on Antibiotic Resistance

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The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), established in 1996, is a collaborative program of state and local public health departments and universities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  NARMS gathers surveillance data from human clinical samples, slaughter samples … Continue Reading

Petition to Supreme Court Denied for DeCosters (Strict Criminal Liability)

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The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case of two executives from Quality Egg who were sentenced to prison under the Park Doctrine, also known as the Responsible Corporate Officer Doctrine, after a 2010 salmonellosis outbreak which may have sickened as many as 56,000 consumers.  Austin “Jack” DeCoster, the principal operator, and his son, … Continue Reading

FSIS Issues Updated Guidance Concerning Beef and Veal Slaughter Best Practices

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As our readership is well aware, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates the production of meat, poultry, and egg products.  To help achieve its enumerated food safety goals, FSIS works with industry to develop and promote best practices at slaughter that may be used to prevent, eliminate, or reduce levels of potential microbiological … Continue Reading

Salmonella Sampling

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FSIS implements new Salmonella sampling “fix.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates the production of poultry products.  As part of its regulatory activities, FSIS conducts testing for Salmonella.  In this context, concerns arose regarding whether the use of antimicrobial sanitizers in poultry facilities may be masking the presence of Salmonella … Continue Reading

Spice Safety Spotlight

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FDA issues Q&A on spice safety. In October 2013, FDA released a draft risk profile on the public health risks associated with spices.  The risk profile identified the presence of pathogens, such as Salmonella, and filth in spices as systemic challenges and determined that the problem relates in part to poor or inconsistent use of … Continue Reading

Tomato Toss

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Federal judge tosses final claim in tomato farm’s lawsuit against FDA. (subscription to Law360 required) In June 2008, FDA mistakenly linked a multistate Salmonella outbreak to tomatoes and warned consumers about the potential dangers associated with the consumption of raw red tomatoes in New Mexico and Texas.  Federal and state officials struggled to track the actual … Continue Reading

Poultry Practice Points

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USDA issues revised guidelines for poultry processors to control Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates the production of meat products, poultry products, and egg products. FSIS has released revised poultry processing guidelines intended to help poultry establishments prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination of … Continue Reading

PCA Prison Penalties

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Former Peanut Corporation of America owner receives 28-year prison sentence. As previously covered on this blog, the 2008-2009 Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut products distributed by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) was one of the deadliest outbreaks in modern history.  The government brought a criminal prosecution against PCA executives and employees, alleging that they had … Continue Reading

Almond Joy

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Almond Board of California validates a new chemical-free process to pasteurize almonds. Since 2007, the Almond Board of California (ABC) has enforced an industry-wide pasteurization program intended to reduce the presence of Salmonella bacteria in almonds prior to shipment.  Approved pasteurization methods include traditional processes (oil roasting, dry roasting, blanching); steam processing; and the use … Continue Reading

Pet Positives

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FDA issues preliminary findings on prevalence of Salmonella in pets. Sporadic Salmonella contamination of pet foods has long been a source of concern to pet owners, as it has the potential to affect both human and animal health. FDA has released preliminary findings from a Salmonella study, indicating that fewer than 100 pets (dogs and cats) … Continue Reading

PCA Convictions Confirmed

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Judge upholds convictions of defendants in Peanut Corporation of America case. In 2008-2009, peanut products distributed by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) were linked to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened over 700 people and caused 9 deaths across 46 states.  The government brought a criminal prosecution against PCA executives and employees, alleging that they had knowingly introduced … Continue Reading

The Cost of an Outbreak

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ConAgra to pay $11.2 million in connection with Salmonella outbreak. In 2006-2007, Peter Pan peanut butter produced by ConAgra Foods, Inc. was recalled in connection with a nationwide Salmonella Tennessee outbreak.  The outbreak resulted in hundreds of infections and hospitalizations across 44 states.  The contamination ultimately was traced to plant and equipment conditions in a … Continue Reading
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