CONTAMINATION ISSUES AND PRODUCT RECALLS
E. Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are the organisms of major concern in low moisture foods. It is estimated that a Salmonella contamination rate of around 1% is found in all agricultural commodities. Testing for detection is like looking for a “needle in a haystack”. To insure that the pathogen is absent in the entire product it is necessary to pasteurize with a validated process.
PRODUCT RECALLS
Product recalls are initiated when a sample tests positive for salmonella at any level of the distribution channel. Costs and consequences can be far reaching, even in the absence of any reported disease, and affect businesses and their brands beyond the company at the origin of the recall to include those companies using the compromised product as an ingredient. The only protection from a product recall is the use of a validated pasteurization process and satisfactory traceability.
Product Recalls
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, March 2010: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods."
- Pistachios and other Pistachio Containing Products Recall List (Information current as of 12 noon June 23, 2009) "This list includes food subject to recall in the United States since March 2009 related to pistachios distributed by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc."
- Update on Pistachio Product Recall
FDA has established a searchable database on its website that includes brands of recalled pistachios and pistachio products. These products may contain Setton Pistachio products that the Setton firm has recalled because of potential Salmonella contamination.
To date, there is no conclusive evidence that links the recalled pistachio products to cases of human illness, although a connection cannot be completely ruled out. The number of new recalls has dropped dramatically, and very few additions are being made to the recall database at this time.
FOOD BORN ILLNESS OUTBREAKS
When the contamination has made its way into the food chain susceptible populations may be at great risk for severe illness and even death. The identification of the strain, of microorganism involved in a particular outbreakand improved reporting of illnesses through FoodNet and NORS, allows pinpointing of the contaminated food source. Sporadic illnesses will increasingly be tied to outbreaks and their source.
Food Born Illness
- Pine Nuts October 26, 2011: "CDC is collaborating with public health and agriculture officials in New York and other states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Turkish pine nuts purchased from bulk bins at Wegmans grocery stores."
- In shell Hazelnuts April 7, 2011: "CDC collaborated with public health officials in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections... Collaborative investigative efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies associated this outbreak with eating in-shell hazelnuts (also known as filberts). Most of the in-shell hazelnuts were purchased from bulk bins at retail food stores. Source tracing identified a common distributor for the hazelnuts consumed by ill persons: DeFranco & Sons in Los Angeles, California."
- Pepper May 4, 2010: "CDC has been collaborating with public health officials in many states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the State of Rhode Island to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo infections… During January 16-21, 2010, CDC and public health officials in multiple states conducted an epidemiologic study by comparing foods eaten by 41 ill and 41 well persons. Preliminary analysis of this study has suggested salami as a possible source of illness… Additionally, 16 ill persons have been identified who purchased the same type of sliced salami variety pack at different grocery store locations before becoming ill; three additional ill persons have been identified who purchased a similar type of sliced salami deli tray before becoming ill. These variety packs and deli trays all included salamis made with black pepper, which was added after the lethality step. These data suggest this product is the source of some of these illnesses. This sliced salami variety pack and sliced salami deli tray were recalled by Daniele International Inc.”
- Peanut Butter February 2007: "Public health officials in multiple states, with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are investigating a large multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Tennessee infections. An epidemiologic study comparing foods that ill and well persons said they ate showed that consumption of Peter Pan peanut butter and Great Value peanut butter were both statistically associated with illness and therefore the likely source of the outbreak."
- Pizza (frozen) November 1, 2007: "The Tennessee State Department of Health and CDC are collaborating with public health officials in multiple states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections in humans. A study comparing foods eaten by ill persons to foods eaten by well persons showed that eating frozen pizza that contained pepperoni and was produced by the General Mills company under the brand names of Totino's or Jeno's was the likely source of the illness."
- Dry Pet Food August 2007: "CDC is collaborating with public health officials in Pennsylvania and other state health departments and the US Food and Drug Administration to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund infections in humans. These human illnesses have been linked with dry pet food produced by Mars Petcare US at a single manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. People who think they might have become ill after contact with dry pet food or with an animal that has eaten dry pet food should consult their health-care providers."
Microbiological specifications
Microbiological specifications are becoming more stringent with target acceptable
contamination levels challenging food producers and processors alike. Although pathogens are the principal target and their elimination is the primary objective, the microbial load needs to be reduced to reflect a low contamination level. Sampling to screen for contamination is insufficient to insure that the totality of the product is within specifications.
Total Bacterial Count
< 5'000 cfu/g
10'000 cfu/g
Mould
< 1'000 cfu/g
5'000 cfu/g
Yeast
< 1'000 cfu/g
5'000 cfu/g
Enterobacteria
< 3 cfu/g
100 cfu/g
Coliform
< 3 cfu/g
100 cfu/g
Salmonella
absent / 25g
—
Only a microbiological reduction process which reaches uniformly every particle of product being treated can guarantee low levels throughout the lot.
Infestation
Insects are a major cause of food loss because of their voracity and rapid
development. Pasteurization destroys them, their larvae and eggs, as well as all other pests.
Indian Mealmoth (Plodia Interpunctella)
Cigarette Beetle (Lasioderma Serricorne)
