Food Safety News

— OPINION —

Late last year, I felt like the Amos Miller saga must be finally over. 

Maybe it was my sparring partner David Gumpert, the author of books like “The
Raw Milk Revolution” putting his blog mostly on ice, or maybe it was the untimely death last Nov. 27 of federal Judge Edward G. Smith of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who presided over United States v. Amos Miller cases for seven years.

Indeed, the signing of the “Third Consent Decree” by Miller’s new attorney finally ended the federal court litigation after all these years. It would have ended sooner had Miller not gone through his “sovereign citizen” phase, which even the ever-patient Judge Smith would not put up with.

The Consent Decrees Miller accepted are long and complicated, but essentially mean laws and regulations enforced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service must be obeyed.   

In the main, Miller is “precluded from conducting livestock/poultry slaughter and processing intended for sale, resale, offer for sale, transportation, donation, or distribution”  to any of his customers or anywhere else.

While it ended the federal litigation, all the accepted Consent Decree language remains legally enforced under federal law.

However, as the new year dawned, Amos Miller was back in the news after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant on the Miller farm on Jan. 4.

With Pennsylvania State Troopers providing security, serving the search warrant at the Miller farm left some blow-back to answer. The state ag officials went through Miller’s coolers, taking some foods away and detaining others that could not be moved or sold.

It was left to Russell C. Redding, the long-serving Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, to express the department’s frustration with Miller. He told Rep. David Zimmerman in a Pennsylvania Farm Show interview that the department has “really worked hard to bring Mr. Miller along.”

But he said when other state health departments are making contact about foodborne illnesses, “it’s not a good look for Pennsylvania.” Miller is not permitted to sell raw milk, nor is his retail operation registered with Pennsylvania.

Miller apparently does know how to sign up for online fundraising campaigns. Lancaster Online News reports that Miller raised “well over” $500,000 in six campaigns during the federal litigation when fines and costs totaled about $85,000.   Since being subject to the search warrant on Jan.4, he has raised another $126,638 toward a $150,000 goal.

The co-defendant in the federal case was “Miller’s Organic Farm,” the name Miller uses on websites, Facebook, and at other locations. USDA’s National Organic Program participants say the Miller farm is not certified organic. Maybe NOP wants to take him to court?

One of Miller’s customers contacted Food Safety News to argue that since he and his family eat the food sold by the farm and they’ve not become ill over several months, the products must be safe to eat.

It’s been one week since Pennsylvania ag officials visited Miller’s farm, and it’s been longer than that since health departments in New York and Michigan found people with E. Coli illnesses that show signs they may be linked to the farm. All three states should, with all due speed, report their findings.  There should not be any wait for a final report or any other such nonsense

Amos Miller is a farmer in multiple states who owns a “buyer’s club” with the reach to distribute food across state lines. The public has a right to know if he is responsible for the current outbreak. If he isn’t, Pennsylvania must issue fines and get him licensed for whatever business he does.

For the record, Miller first came to the attention of the food safety system in 2016 when his raw milk was genetically linked to two cases of listeriosis.  One ended in death 

A little caution around Amos Miller goes a long way.

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Czech controls on olive oil have found two-thirds of samples were non-compliant.

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) focused on the quality of olive oils on the domestic market.

Overall, 67 percent of evaluated samples failed to meet the requirements of European legislation. The most severe findings were olive oils that did not correspond to the extra virgin label when assessed and were of lower quality. Two samples matched the category lampante oil, which is not meant for retail sale and is intended for further processing.

The Czech Republic is not an olive oil-producing country, but it sent samples to an accredited laboratory in Slovenia. The analysis confirmed that of the 21 samples evaluated, 14 were unsatisfactory. These came from Spain, Italy, and Greece. The oils were not extra virgin for ten samples as stated on the label, but lower quality oils. In six cases, inspectors found deficiencies in the labeling.

The aim was to check whether extra virgin and virgin olive oils from different countries met EU regulations’ physical, chemical, and sensory parameters and labeling requirements.

SZPI said findings show claims on some product labels are misleading domestic consumers.

“Regular inspections of olive oils show that products imported into the Czech Republic often fail to correspond to the declared category in terms of their characteristics. The inspections also suggest that importers underestimate the ability of the supervisory authorities in the Czech Republic to assess the quality of olive oils,” said agency officials.

SZPI has ordered sellers to withdraw non-compliant lots from the market and will initiate proceedings to impose fines.

Salmonella in meat findings
SZPI also warned consumers about frozen goose meat contaminated with Salmonella.

The product, from Hungary via Germany, has lot code 231330, Tranzit-Food Kft as producer, and the best-before date is Sept. 30, 2025.

Inspectors took the sample at one of the sites of Kaufland Česká Republika in Prague. Lab analysis confirmed the presence of Salmonella Senftenberg.

SZPI has informed the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), ordered a market withdrawal and advised consumers not to eat the implicated batch.  

The agency previously reported two lots of chilled chicken meat from Ukraine via Slovakia was contaminated with Salmonella.

Two samples of Tesco chicken breast fillets from different stores were positive for Salmonella Infantis. Products had use-by dates of October and September, so they were no longer on the market, but SZPI said the warning was issued as people might have them at home in the freezers. The agency started an administrative procedure to impose a fine.

Inspectors seize meat products
In December, the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) uncovered the sale of meat products through the social media site Facebook. Prague veterinary inspectors and police confiscated more than 180 kilograms of food of unknown origin.

Inspectors made a controlled purchase after an alert about suspicious advertising in the foreign-language community on Facebook. At the arranged meeting in Prague, more than 150 kilograms of pork and 30 kilograms of other meat products were seized. These goods were not marked, and the seller did not have documents relating to proof of origin.

Proceedings will be initiated against the suspect. Placing food of unknown origin on the market can result in a fine of up to Czech Koruna 50 million ($2.2 million).

Another operation at an Asian market in Brno found violations of regulations on selling products of animal origin. This included food that may not be sold in the Czech Republic, the sale of food of unknown origin, and sausages from an illegal production plant.

In a freezer of one outlet, veterinary inspectors found four packages of frozen silkworm larvae, which are not allowed to be sold for human consumption in the European Union.

Officials found a crate of bird carcasses, but the species could not be determined. The vendor said they were quails, but there was no proof of origin. Inspectors uncovered eight kilograms of chilled sausages, also without documents. They were thought to have come from the seller’s own domestic production operation.

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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has voiced frustration at what it called “repeated, similar and fundamental” breaches of food law.

92 enforcement orders were served on businesses for violating food safety legislation in 2023, up from the 77 reported in 2022. 

FSAI expressed disappointment at the increase and urged businesses to train staff appropriately and to ensure that premises are suitable for safe food production and storage.

In 2023, 76 closure orders, three improvement orders, and 13 prohibition orders were served on food firms. Six prosecutions were taken.

Examples of violations
Environmental health officers led enforcement actions in the HSE, local authority veterinary inspectors, and officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and from the FSAI.

Issues included inadequate food storage with the risk of contamination; a lack of pest control procedures such as monitoring and pest proofing; inadequate temperature control in food storage, preparation, and distribution; and insufficient staff training in food safety, personal hygiene, and recordkeeping.

Pamela Byrne, FSAI chief executive, said she had hoped to see a reduction in the levels of enforcement needed in 2023.

“While each of these enforcement orders was necessary for the protection of consumer health concerning food safety, we should not be seeing such breaches of food law occurring in food businesses at all,” she said.

“It is a legal obligation for food businesses to adhere to food safety regulations proactively. Each month, food safety inspectors find similar, basic, and fundamental breaches of food law, which are unacceptable. As we enter 2024, we urge food businesses to always prioritize and promote a culture of food safety in their businesses.”

Recent enforcement examples
Four closure orders and one prohibition order were served on businesses during December.

Reasons for such action included blood from raw ducks dripping onto ingredient bags and containers, with water and blood-soaked cloths left on food preparation surfaces; flies on raw ducks and equipment; floor, walls, shelves, equipment, and staff uniforms contaminated with water and blood from the sink; mold growth on structural and food contact surfaces; a cockroach infestation; absence of handwashing facilities; and no evidence of temperature monitoring.

Ten enforcement orders were issued in November. A range of problems were found such as evidence that people were living and sleeping in the food preparation area; no evidence to prove the business operator was trained in food safety; evidence that food infested by rodent droppings was placed on the market, and an establishment operating as a meat cutting plant, also producing meat products, without approval.

In early 2024, Fish Seafood Deli was convicted of several breaches of food safety law at a district court.

Following a prosecution taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), the court imposed fines of €6,000 ($6,600).

The prosecution was taken after several inspections by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers at the firm’s premises based in Carbery Enterprise Park, Cork, between February and May 2023.

The company pleaded guilty to eight charges for offenses, including non-compliance with food traceability requirements, failure to keep premises clean and in good repair, and failure to ensure waste products were stored correctly to prevent cross-contamination.

The court heard evidence showing the actions taken and resources spent by the business to address the non-compliances identified.

“Food safety law protects consumer health and confidence in the seafood sector. Compliance with requirements for food hygiene, premises, and traceability is key to ensuring that food on the market is safe. The convictions and fines imposed by the court emphasize the seriousness of non-compliance with food safety laws. The SFPA acknowledges the significant steps the food business took to address the issues detected in this case,” said an SFPA spokesperson.

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The Hawaii State Department of Health is alerting residents of a recall of Rizo Bros. California Creamery’s Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese because tests have found Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The product was distributed nationwide.

The recall is the result of a food sampling and analysis partnership conducted by the state health department’s Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch and Food and Drug Branch.

To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events in Hawaii attributed to the recalled product.

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled cheese in their homes because it has a sell by date of May 12. The batch code and sell-by date can be found printed along the back edge of the package. 

The recalled product information is as follows:

• UPC code: 72724200043
• Batch number: 4DW-23318
• Sell by: 05/12/24
• Size: 8-ounce package

For additional information, consumers may contact Rizo Bros. California Creamery at 209-232-3700.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalledproduct and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Ingomar Packing Co of Los Banos, CA,  is recalling diced tomatoes because of foreign objects in the product, specifically plastic.

According to the details posted by the FDA, the recall was initiated on Aug. 3, 2023, and is ongoing.

The recalled products were distributed in the U.S. in California and Washington and distributed internationally to Japan.

Recall products:

1/2″ Diced Tomatoes in Juice packed in 55-gallon fiber drums

• Product Quantity: 4,038 drums
• Code Information: Product code 9555105DI

3/4″ Diced Tomatoes in Juice packed in 55-gallon metal drums

• Product Quantity: 178 drums
• Code Information: Product code 9777135DF

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to their place of purchase.

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With severe weather across the United States, public health officials are urging consumers to practice good food safety during power outages.

One important thing to remember is that placing perishable food outside in snow does not provide the proper cooling to keep food safe.

The Food and Drug Administration also lists the following food safety measures for those experiencing power outages.

Be Prepared and Plan Ahead

• Use a refrigerator and freezer thermometer, and check it regularly to ensure that the refrigerator temperature is at or below 40 degrees F and the freezer is at or below 0 degrees F.
• Plan for ice. Know where you can get dry or block ice. Also make ice cubes and freeze containers of water or gel packs to help keep food cold when there is a loss of power.
• Keep coolers on hand to store refrigerated food if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
• Freeze refrigerated items that you may not need immediately, and group foods close together in the freezer.
• Stock your pantry with a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods (those that can be consumed without cooking), that do not require refrigeration, frozen storage, or special preparation.

If the Power Goes Out  

Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Keeping food at safe temperatures is key to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the doors remain closed.
• Use ice (dry or block ice, or ice cubes) and frozen containers of water or gel packs to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible.

When Power is Restored

Before eating any food after a power outage, check the temperatures inside your refrigerator and freezer.

• If the power was out for 4 hours or less, refrigerated food should be safe as long as the doors were kept closed. When the power comes back on, check the temperature in the refrigerator or of the food.
  • Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers with temperatures that are 45 degrees F or below, measured with a food thermometer, should be safe but cook and consume them as soon as possible.
  • Discard any perishable food that has been at temperatures above 40 degrees F for 4 hours or more.
• If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees F or below, food is safe and may be refrozen. If you did not have a thermometer in the freezer, check each package to determine its safety; you can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Be aware that perishable foods that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause food poisoning if eaten, even after they are thoroughly cooked.

Learn more about how to keep your food and water safe during a power outage at https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods.

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The Food and Drug Administration’s CORE Network has just released its report on activities in 2022.

The report from the Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network outlines activities and actions from the work of the CORE team in 2022. It marks the first time CORE has published an annual report since its inception in 2011.

The FDA established CORE to find, stop, and aid in the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. CORE only deals with FDA-regulated human foods and does not investigate foods under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The FDA has jurisdiction over about 80 percent of the U.S. food supply.

CORE’s work is accomplished through disease surveillance, outbreak response, post-response activities, and collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health agencies.

In 2022, CORE evaluated 65 incidents, responded to 28 and issued advisories for 11. These numbers show a slight increase in the number of incidents evaluated in recent years, with 59 incidents evaluated, 19 responses, and 10 advisories issued in 2021. 

The categories for CORE activities are defined as:

Incidents Evaluated — Incidents evaluated includes potential outbreaks, confirmed outbreaks, and adverse events that were evaluated by the CORE Signals and Surveillance Team. Not all incidents evaluated by Signals are transferred to Response for follow up.

Responses Initiated — When an outbreak appears to be caused by an FDA-regulated food, this information is passed to a Response Team to coordinate FDA’s response efforts.

Advisories Issued — Public health advisories are issued to provide consumers with actionable advice about an FDA-regulated food linked to an outbreak.

In 2022 the CORE Network’s work included investigations into E. coli, Cronobacter, hepatitis A virus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella illnesses that were linked to a variety of products, including produce, dairy, and fish.

CORE investigations also resulted in numerous public health actions, including recalls, public health advisories, Warning Letters, FDA prevention strategies, a country-wide Import Alert, and a Consent Decree. 

The 2022 annual report highlights a few noteworthy outbreaks from 2022: Listeria monocytogenes linked to enoki mushrooms, Salmonella linked to cantaloupe; and Salmonella linked to peanut butter.

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A study of Salmonella in horses in Italy has uncovered an outbreak that affected 17 people.

From June to November 2021, 146 horses, five donkeys, and one mule were tested for Salmonella in cecal contents and through carcass swabs from one slaughterhouse.

Salmonella was detected three times in 152 of the cecal contents, while all 152 carcass samples were negative. According to the study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, Salmonella Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Stanleyville were identified.

Countries of horse origin were France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Germany. They were slaughtered twice a week but arrived at the slaughterhouse daily.

Outbreak identification
Salmonella was detected in June 2021 and late September 2021. Nine horses were tested in June, and two cecal samples were positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and Stanleyville. These animals came from Hungary and Italy. In September, seven were tested, and the positive one, from Italy, carried Salmonella Typhimurium.

Considering the consumption of ground horse meat called “pesto di cavallo” and dried and smoked strips named “sfilacci di cavallo” in Northern Italy, researchers investigated the link between horse meat and human salmonellosis in this area.

In July 2021, whole genome sequencing-based surveillance in Emilia-Romagna signaled a potential outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, including nine isolates across Piacenza, Parma, and Reggio-Emilia provinces. The first isolate came from May 2021, and the last came from August.

In June, a genomic match was found between the Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from horse cecal content and an outbreak of 17 cases in Emilia-Romagna.

Epidemiological investigations highlighted some cases of reported consumption of horse meat. They traced different batches of the meat, released weeks apart from each other, to the slaughter site in the study. Five of eight cases reported eating uncooked horse meat.

Horse meat associated with cases and traced to the slaughterhouse was produced in May and June 2021, while the horse carrying the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was slaughtered weeks later, in June 2021. This means meat from that animal could not have infected those cases.

Environmental contamination
Scientists said the outbreak strain was likely already present in the slaughterhouse environment before the horse arrived from Hungary and that environmental persistence could have caused contamination. The environment could have been contaminated before June and have affected meat produced in early May. 

Supporting this is the finding that the last batch of horse meat associated with cases was from a horse from France and slaughtered two weeks before the Hungarian animal in June 2021. It appears unlikely that two horses from different countries slaughtered two weeks apart carried the same WGS type of Salmonella, said researchers.

An official visit to the slaughter plant found manure on the floor, dirty troughs, and pests in the lairage area. Improvement of hygiene measures at the lairage and along the slaughter line was demanded. The company also increased the number of carcasses routinely tested for surface contamination by Salmonella.

Scientists said despite findings showing a low prevalence, Salmonella in horse meat can represent a consumer risk.

“A key lesson from the study concerns the need to maintain a high level of hygiene during the entire slaughtering process. Hygiene at lairage is crucial to avoid cross-contamination between animals and the meat. For this reason, lairage conditions should be critically evaluated, and biosecurity measures must be properly implemented.”

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JBS SA, the Brazil-based meat behemoth, was bracing for some challenging times over its plan for dual listing its stock but did not expect things to get so personal. However, a collection of United Kingdom Parliamentarians has decided to make it personal by organizing themselves as “Ban the Batistas,” which refers to the family that owns most of the JBS SA stock.

The company was in the news in recent years for, among other things, bribing food safety inspectors.

Last summer,  JBS S.A.  announced it wanted to list company shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, using Brazilian Depository Receipts (BDRs), and on the New York Stock Exchange. It said the dual listing will better reflect the company’s global presence and unlock shareholder value.

The company also said the dual listing will accelerate its capacity for diversification and growth into more branded and value-added food products, reduce its cost of capital, and generate greater returns for shareholders.

Listing on the New York Stock Exchange requires U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval. In a  letter to the SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the UK politicians are expressing their opposition to the  Initial Public Offering (IPO) sought by JBS S.A.

“JBS, the biggest meat producer globally, has a well-documented history of engaging in deforestation, violating human rights, and seizing land from Indigenous communities,” the letter to Gentler says.  “As a global food leader looking to increase its growth and influence, the company’s practices pose a significant threat to the ecosystem for global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. We believe that you are aware –through the extensive media coverage and reviews of regulators, including the SEC — of the alleged and actual corporate malpractice at JBS.”

The letter is signed by about a baker’s dozen Members of Parliament. There are 650 MPs in the UK House of Commons.

“Rewarding JBS by declaring its IPO application effective and enabling it to access to U.S. capital bolsters the company’s ability to expand its global operations, leading to a surge in deforestation and environmental degradation. It contradicts global efforts of governments and businesses to take action to mitigate climate change, preserve essential natural habitats, and avoid jeopardizing the progress in addressing environmental challenges,” the letter continues. “JBS is also attempting to distort global public policy debate about meat consumption.

“We implore you to reject the JBS IPO application and send a clear message that the United States stands firm in its commitment to combating climate change,” the letter adds.   In a statement released with the letter, the group even says it is “monitoring” U.S. leadership on climate issues

In its statement,  Ban the Batistas claims to be “an umbrella group of organizations fighting to protect American farmers, ranchers, consumers, and investors from the risks of a U.S. stock listing by JBS S.A. and the unchecked power grab by its majority shareholders, brothers Joesley and Wesley Batista.

The Batista brothers’ financial vehicle is J&F Investments, the controlling shareholder in JBS. SA. Which employs more than 250,000 people in 190 countries, including those in North America employed by the Greeley, CO-based JBS, USA.

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Authorities in a Spanish city have suspended the permit of a company that provided catering to several schools after a large outbreak.

The outbreak affected 149 children and five teachers from four Palma schools on the Balearic Islands this past December.

The suspected food was a rice dish. Sick people had abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting but symptoms were mild with no hospitalizations.

The General Directorate of Public Health temporarily suspended the activity of the company in charge of the catering service. The move follows investigations carried out into the food poisoning incident by the Food Safety Service of the Ministry of Health which found “obvious shortcomings” in food safety management.

Investigation findings
Officials found discrepancies between declared practices and the documentation provided by the catering firm in its food safety plan. They judged that the company’s food safety management system was inconsistent with the actual processes carried out.

The version provided does not demonstrate compliance with the analysis and control of hazards and critical points where there may be food contamination, which puts public health at risk, said authorities.

As yet, the company has not provided information, analysis or data that suggests it knows the cause of the food safety failure and the measures to mitigate it, which creates uncertainty about the corrective measures that will be applied to avoid future risks.

The General Directorate of Public Health said the temporary suspension will apply until the caterer redesigns its food safety program.

Sites affected by the temporary suspension have been told about revised catering arrangements that will apply until further notice.

In 2022, Spain recorded 591 outbreaks with 7,136 patients, 233 hospitalizations and four deaths. The largest affected 266 people and was caused by Clostridium perfringens.  

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The Food and Drug Administration has warned about particular scallops harvested from prohibited water that may be contaminated.

The scallops were purchased by restaurants, distributors, and food retailers in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and may have been further distributed. According to the FDA, Intershell International Corp. received whole, live scallops from an unlicensed harvester and are believed to have been harvested from prohibited waters in Massachusetts and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514. The implicated scallops have harvest dates of Dec. 26, 2023, Dec. 27, 2023, and Jan. 4, 2024, but may still be on hand at purchasers’ locations.

“Scallops harvested from prohibited waters may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic elements or poisonous or deleterious substances and can cause illness if consumed,” according to the FDA warming. 

“Scallops are filter feeders that remove and bioaccumulate bacteria and other pathogens from the water. It is not uncommon for shellfish to be consumed raw and whole. Contaminated scallops can cause illness if eaten raw and whole or with viscera or roe attached, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Scallops contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal.”

On Jan. 9, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provided the FDA notice of recall initiated by Intershell International Corp. for certain live scallops received from an unlicensed harvester.

People can get sick with food poisoning after ingesting pathogens, toxic elements, or poisonous or deleterious substances. According to the FDA, symptoms may vary, depending on the pathogen or contaminant, and can range from mild to severe. 

The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms may start within a few hours or take a few days and can last for a few hours or several days. 

Consumers of the implicated scallops experiencing food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

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More children are in the tally of those with elevated lead levels after eating certain brands of cinnamon applesauce.

As of Jan. 8, the Food and Drug Administration has received 87 confirmed complaints in the outbreak, up from 82 on Dec. 26.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also received more reports of children with elevated lead levels in their blood. The CDC has now received reports of 86 confirmed cases, 209 probable cases, and 26 suspected cases for a total of 321 cases from 38 different states 

The FDA reports that the age range of the patients is less than one year old to 53 years old, with a median age of 1 year old.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to work with authorities in Ecuador and the producer of the cinnamon applesauce, Astrofoods, to determine how the cinnamon in the applesauce was contaminated. FDA sampling found lead at 2,000 of the proposed safe levels in the applesauce.

Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for the FDA’s human foods program, has said he believes the contamination was intentional. Lead can be added to products to increase their weight, making them more valuable.

The outbreak has been traced to three brands of cinnamon applesauce: Wanabana, Schnucks, and Weis. Astrofoods produced all three in Ecuador and used cinnamon from the supplier Negasmart. All three brands have been recalled. The products have long shelf lives, so consumers should check their homes for them and discard them.

The cinnamon used in the applesauce has also been found to have high levels of chromium, which can cause various health problems.

“People who ate recalled products, especially if they had elevated blood lead levels, may have been exposed to chromium and should inform their healthcare provider so they can monitor health and provide supportive care as needed,” according to an update from the FDA.

Symptoms of chromium exposure from eating contaminated food may be nonspecific. Some people might not experience any symptoms. Ingestion of chromium exceeding dietary recommendations may result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and renal and hepatic dysfunction.

About lead poisoning
Parents and caretakers should consult a healthcare provider and ask for blood tests if they suspect a child may have been exposed to the recalled cinnamon applesauce products. 

Short-term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms: headache, abdominal pain/colic, vomiting, and anemia. 

Longer-term exposure could result in additional symptoms: irritability, lethargy, fatigue, muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning, constipation, difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness, tremors, and weight loss. 

Permanent consequences can lead to developmental delays and brain damage.

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FAO and WHO have published two complete reports on microbial hazards in fruits and vegetables and measures to control Salmonella in poultry meat.

The first UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) document covers hazards in produce.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbial Risk Assessment (JEMRA) previously released a summary of findings. Still, the final report is now available as part of the Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA) series. Part three is sprouts, and part four is leafy vegetables and herbs, berries and tropical fruits, melons and tree fruits, and root vegetables. It has already been published.

FAO and WHO held several expert meetings from 2021 to 2022 to collect, review, and discuss measures to control microbiological hazards from primary production to the point of sale in fresh, ready-to-eat (RTE) and minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

Interventions and stage of supply chain

Primary production in open fields was investigated by considering the location, adjacent land use, topography, and climate; prior land use; water; wildlife, animal and human intrusion; soil amendments; and harvest and packing. Experts also looked at production in protected facilities and post-harvest activities such as transport, distribution, and handling at the point of sale.

For primary production in open fields, research on the survival and growth of pathogens in fresh produce indicates that results are usually context-dependent. Experts said there are significant data gaps primarily because of insufficient scientific evidence. Primary production in protected facilities can be more controlled. However, if not well-managed, these sites can have as many risks and represent a source of cross-contamination.

Data are needed to understand the efficacy of water disinfection treatments to maintain the microbiological quality of process water. There is also a need to search for post-packaging decontamination interventions that could reduce or eliminate the risk of contamination.

The complexity and diversity of how produce is stored, distributed, and marketed at the point of sale creates data gaps, particularly in developing economies. Scientists said retail and food service was the “forgotten part” of the supply chain because limited studies highlight the significance of education and training on produce safety.

FAO and WHO said the advice is helpful for risk assessors and risk managers at national and international levels and those in the food industry working to control hazards or develop improved mitigation and intervention measures.

Poultry meat report

For the chicken meat assessment, experts said no single control measure was sufficiently effective in reducing either the prevalence or the level of contamination of broilers and poultry meat with Salmonella. They added that control strategies based on multiple interventions would have the most significant impact on Salmonella in the broiler production chain.

Scientists found that vaccine-based strategies reduce the prevalence or level of shedding of Salmonella in flocks but do not eliminate it. Stringent biosecurity measures, including sanitation and hygiene, are important factors, and it is essential for breeding flocks to be Salmonella-free.

There was no substantial evidence that substances with antimicrobial activity, such as feed and water additives, effectively control Salmonella in broilers. There was limited information on the effectiveness of bacteriophage-based control of Salmonella at the farm level.

High-pressure processing and irradiation are valuable interventions. Chlorine-based compounds and organic acids, such as lactic and peracetic, showed potential effectiveness.

Experts did not address virulence factors and dose-response curves as they judged the science incomplete. Issues regarding ducks, turkeys, and other species, as well as consumer education, were also not covered.

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A decade ago, at a Korean railroad station, a tour guide directed a visiting reporter away from a small cafe, saying only “boshintang” was on the menu.  The reporter later learned that “boshintang” is dog meat stew, which older Koreans consider traditional food and something of a delicacy.

But younger South Koreans are more likely to have dogs as pets than for dinner, and this week, the South Korean National Assembly overwhelmingly voted to make the slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat illegal beginning in 2027.

The law targets the dog meat trade by making it illegal to slaughter dogs for their meat or raise dogs for their meat, with two and three-year prison terms possible for those found guilty of such offenses.

Eating dog meat won’t be illegal under the new law, but the plan is to shut down the industry that makes it possible.

South Korea has 1,600 restaurants serving dog meat from 1,130 dog farms as of 2023.  All of those establishments must file phase-out plans. The government will financially assist those businesses as a bridge until they find alternative sources of employment and income.

The three-year phase-out comes as the popularity of dog meat declines in South Korea as human food declines. A Gallup poll in 2023 found only 8 percent of the respondents had tried dog meat in the last 12 months, and fewer than one out of five supported the consumption.

“South Korea’s dog meat ban is a dream come true. This change overjoys us, and we thank lawmakers and local activists who have worked tirelessly to see this become a reality despite the dangers and pushback,” said Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals. “Countless dogs will now be spared a horrifying death in the dog meat trade. We will continue our vital work during the phaseout period to save as many innocent lives as possible.”

It’s estimated that around 1 million dogs are still being raised and killed for dog meat annually in South Korea.  The new law allows for a three-year period to phase out the industry. It requires businesses involved, such as dog farms, butchers, traders, and restaurants, to register their businesses with local authorities to receive financial support.

In December 2023, the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee of the Korean National Assembly passed the Special Bill on the Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Consumption and Ending Dog Meat Consumption.

On Jan. 8, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee voted to pass the bill. On Jan. 9, the National Assembly passed the ban, with 99 percent of Assembly members voting in favor.

Animal activists have worked for 20 years to end the dog meat trade in South Korea.

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Researchers have highlighted how international coordination played a role in solving a multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to melons from Honduras.

Scientists said information sharing and harmonized data collection helped make the best use of limited resources to solve the outbreak during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Danish authorities reported a cluster of Salmonella Braenderup to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in May 2021.

On the same day, Belgium reported an increase in Salmonella Braenderup cases, including four isolates clustered genetically with the Danish outbreak strain. A few days later, the UK reported an outbreak through the EU Commission’s Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). By July 2021, 348 cases had been reported from 12 European and United Kingdom countries, including 68 hospitalizations. 

ECDC oversight

With support from affected countries and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), ECDC formed an international investigation team in May to identify the source and prevent the outbreak’s spread. Two other meetings were held in May and June. A fourth meeting in August summed up lessons learned from the outbreak.

There is no standard approach to outbreak investigations for foodborne diseases that are often resource-intensive and involve several countries, said researchers in the journal Eurosurveillance.

Multinational outbreak investigations require collaboration across countries. This typically involves a number of organizations, such as health agencies, food and veterinary authorities, central and regional laboratories, and clinicians.

Consumption information was shared with affected countries through a standard line list, revealing that 124 of 197 cases reported having eaten melons within seven days before disease onset. Galia was the most commonly named type of melon. 

Only half of the cases reported eating melon of any type. One explanation is that cross-contamination plays a role at various stages in the supply chain. For example, during transport, export, or supermarket re-stocking, evidence from the UK showed melon boxes were re-used for other fresh produce, including other melons.

A Danish case-control study found no association between being sick and having melons, but studies in the UK and Germany found cases more likely to consume melons.

Coronavirus impact

Salmonella was isolated from two of 200 Galia melons in the UK in June 2021. Genomic analysis of these isolates matched the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak strain.

The outbreak strain was identified in Austria from a pooled peel sample of Galia, cantaloupe, and honeydew melons and in environmental samples in Finland from boot swab samples from a henhouse where chickens had been fed melon rind. In Germany, the outbreak strain was also found in a pooled feces sample from bears in a zoo.

Salmonella Braenderup matching the outbreak strain was detected on the surface of a washing tank in one of the Honduran facilities where Galia melons were packed, and corrective measures were taken onsite to prevent future contamination. Scientists say that washing melons immediately post-harvest, a procedure used by the implicated supplier, may lead to bacterial contamination externally and internally as melons can absorb contaminated water.

By July 2021, the outbreak ended, likely due to a shift in the supply chain of melons from Latin America to Southern European countries during the European summer growing season.

In January 2022, the European Commission increased official controls on imported Galia melons from Honduras due to the outbreak. These checks were removed in early 2023.

International coordination spared resources since it removed the need for full investigations in all affected countries. This was important given the outbreak occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when public health and laboratory resources were already under significant strain or diverted to support the COVID-19 response. With microbiological testing of melons, many samples are required to find a positive, and there were lab resource shortages during the pandemic.

“The international-level coordination between countries facilitated by ECDC was key in concluding the outbreak’s source quickly and effectively. This was particularly important given the absence of confirmatory microbiological evidence of Salmonella in melons and the approaching end of the seasonal supply of Galia melons from Honduras,” said scientists.

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