- On July 26, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released findings from its sampling assignment that collected and tested domestic and imported basil, cilantro, and parsley. FDA sought to estimate the prevalence of Cyclospora, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in these herbs as part of its ongoing effort to ensure food safety and prevent contamination.
- From September 2017 to September 2021, FDA collected and tested 1,383 samples of fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley. The Agency detected Salmonella in 17 samples, detected Cyclospora in 18 samples, and detected STEC in 1 sample. The contaminated products were quickly removed from the market.
- The sampling assignment was conducted in response to food-borne illness outbreaks of Cyclospora, Salmonella, and STEC. From 2000 through 2016, cilantro was potentially linked to at least three outbreaks in the US. And since 2017, the US has experienced at least six additional outbreaks involving basil, cilantro, and parsley. More than 1,200 illnesses and 80 hospitalizations were tied to these outbreaks.
Tag: Salmonella
Ongoing Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Increasing
- On September 14, 2022, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials reported a new outbreak of infections from Listeria monocytogenes. FDA has not yet identified a particular product linked to the pathogenic bacterial outbreak but has initiated traceback procedures. To date, FDA has confirmed 6 patients from this week’s Listeria outbreak, and the numbers appear to keep rising. It is still unclear what age group or geographic location has been afflicted by the outbreak.
- FDA is currently actively investigating ten foodborne illness outbreaks with increasing patient numbers every week. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to actively investigate a sizable E. coli outbreak suspected to have been caused by romaine lettuce served at Wendy’s restaurants in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania starting in early September 2022. To date, 43 individuals have been hospitalized due to E. coli poisoning, and 13 new patients have been accounted for this week alone. Other current FDA investigations include a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that now affects 30 individuals, a Cyclospora outbreak whose patient count is now 81, and a Salmonella Mississippi outbreak that now afflicts 103 patients nationwide.
- Notably, in March 2022, FDA opened a similar investigation into a Listeria outbreak caused by ice cream products originating from Big Olaf Creamery in Sarasota, Florida. This investigation is still ongoing, but has resulted in 24 patient hospitalizations, 1 death, and 1 miscarriage across 11 states. Keller and Heckman will continue to monitor these outbreaks as they impact the food industry.
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USDA To Declare Salmonella An Adulterant in Some Raw Poultry
- On August 1, the USDA’s FSIS announced that it will declare Salmonella an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products. Breaded and stuffed raw chicken products will be considered adulterated when they exceed 1 colony forming unit (CFU) of Salmonella per gram. Products that exceed the limit would be subject to regulatory action. FSIS believes the limit of 1 CFU/gram will significantly reduce the risk of illness from consuming such products.
- Breaded and stuffed raw chicken products have been associated with up to 14 food safety outbreaks and approximately 200 illnesses since 1998. The products at issue are those found in the freezer section and that appear to be cooked, but are only heat-treated to set the batter or breading; the products contain raw poultry. FSIS has found that continual efforts to improve product labeling have not reduced consumer illnesses.
- FSIS is expected to publish a notice in the Federal Register in the fall and will be seeking public comments on whether a different standard for adulteration (i.e., zero tolerance or one based on specific serotypes) would be more appropriate, an implementation plan, and a verification testing program.
- This announcement is part of FSIS’ effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry. In October 2021, USDA announced that it was reevaluating its Salmonella control strategy. USDA plans to present a proposed framework for a new comprehensive strategy to reduce Salmonella illnesses attributable to poultry in October and convene a public meeting to discuss in November.
© 2022 Keller and Heckman LLP