Food Poisoning Law Blog : Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : PritzkerLaw : Food Safety, Outbreaks & Recalls

 A Washington Post story on food safety says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants many spice companies to clean up their acts by putting their seasonings through a kill step to rid them of pathogens.

The story said FDA officials recently met with spice industry officials as part of its re-examination of contamination problems. The review is being prompted by a widespread outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo strongly associated with black and red pepper -- including the pepper used in more than 1.4 million pounds of recalled Daniele International Inc. salami products.

Health investigators have confirmed 249 Salmonella infections from the outbreak strain of Salmonella, including  more than 60 people hospitalized. National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is representing victims of the outbreak and is continuing to accept cases. Families in need of a free case consultation can call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page.

The Post story said the FDA wants spice handlers to use one of three approved methods to rid spices of bacteria: irradiation, steam heating or fumigation with ethylene oxide, a pesticide. Unless Congress adopts new legislation, the FDA can only suggest the change -- not mandate it.

"Consumers often associate salmonella with poultry, meat and other moist foods. But microbiologists say that the bacterium can survive in dried spices for years and that it is tougher to kill in a dry environment.

"Also, it takes only a small amount of salmonella in a dry environment to cause human illness, said Linda Harris, a microbiologist at the University of California at Davis,'' the story said.

Cheryl Deem, executive director of the American Spice Trade Association, told the newspaper that contamination of raw ingredients has long been a problem. That because the vast majority of spices are cultivated outside of the U.S., where processing methods often result in contamination, she said.

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More than 100 food product in the United States (and others in Canada) have been recalled in the short time since health investigators discovered Salmonella in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) paste and powder distributed by Basic Food Flavors Inc.

HVP is a flavoring ingredient common in dips, sauces, gravies, dressings, soups, processed snacks, stuffing and other foods. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalls.

Consumer Alert:  Here is the link to the complete HVP food recall list maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The list is searchable and will be updated as new products are added. When possible, the FDA will include pictures of the recalled products. 

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 A large rolling recall of a variety of food products is likely to occur over the next few weeks once public health officials and manufacturers sort out the widespread use of a flavor enhancer recalled by a Las Vegas company.

The Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in processing equipment at the company, Basic Food Flavors Inc., after a customer discovered the same type of bacteria in a batch of hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP.

The sequence led to a recall of HVP by Basic Food Flavors that covers all powder and paste forms of HVP that the company has produced since September 17. The number of food products made with the recalled ingredient is potentially in the thousands.

Already, at least 11 recalls of products containing Basic Food HVP have been recalled and the FDA has established a Salmonella Tennessee recall website for consumers to keep track of which foods are being recalled.

The top official at FDA, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, says the problem was caught before any outbreak of illness. Still, FDA experts advise anyone with symptoms of Salmonella infection to see a doctor and be tested for Salmonellosis.

HVP is not always listed in the ingredient panel of foods, but it is common in small amounts in soups, sauces, chillis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, dips and dressings. Government officials are advising manufacturers on whether recalls of products containing the recalled ingredient are recommended.

Processed foods that go through a "kill step,'' such as high heat, might not have to be recalled.

Dr. Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection at FDA, told MSNBC that officials don't know how big the recall will get. "We expect this to get larger over the next several days to several weeks,'' Farrar said. 

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Just as the Food and Drug Administration foreshadowed, more companies are beginning to recall pepper on the basis of possible Salmonella contamination.

The rolling recall begins with an announcement from Heartland Foods Inc. of Indiana. Heartland is recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from its facility in Indianapolis after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. The quart, gallon and bucket sized containers bear the Heartland Foods logo.

The recall is a spinoff of the FDA's investigation into the Daniele salami Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 238 people in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Microbiological testing in that outbreak has found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in black and red pepper, prompting the FDA to investigate the supply chain and other products.

An example of what can result from an ingredient-driven outbreak is the Peanut Corp. of America (PCA) Salmonella outbreak that caused more than 714 illnesses and nine deaths in late 2008 and early 2009. By the time the supply chain was vetted, more than 2,833 peanut-containing products produced by a variety of companies were recalled because they were made with the ingredients recalled by PCA.

National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen is representing victims of the Daniele salami outbreak and is continuing to accept cases. A free case consultation will be provided by calling 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). You can also contact the firm by completing the information form on the side of this Web page.

Pritzker Olsen also represents a Nevada woman in a pepper Salmonella lawsuit against Union International spice company of California. Contaminated white and black pepper caused the Union International outbreak, which was contained in the West. The woman who is represented by Pritzker Olsen suffered a serious Salmonella infection that kept her hospitalized for many days.

Healthy adults normally overcome Salmonella poisoning without treatment, but infections must not be taken lightly because they are capable of causing long-term damage to your health, including Reiter's Syndrome. 

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Initially thought to be caused by contaminated black pepper coatings, the Daniele salami Salmonella outbreak now features a recall of company products made with crushed red pepper.

The USDA announced in a press release today the fourth recall of Daniele salami products since the Salmonella Montevideo outbreak was announced January 23. The latest recall covers 115,000 pounds of salami/salame panino products made with red pepper and also containing mozzarella cheese.

Consumer Alert: The latest Daniele, Boar's Head and Dietz & Watson salami products recalled by the company were sold nationwide with use-by dates ranging from February 3, 2010, through May 26, 2010. An unopened sample of these ready-to-eat sausages was found by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to contain Salmonella. Lab testing is continuing to see if it matches the outbreak strains of Salmonella Montevideo that have infected 230 people in 44 states and Washington, D.C.

FSIS said Daniele company officials have done preliminary ingredient testing and believe the latest recalled products contain crushed red pepper contaminated with Salmonella.

The investigation into the outbreak, which started last July, is "ongoing and the root cause has not yet been determined,'' the FSIS said.

Taking the four separate recalls together, more than 2.7 million pounds of Daniele, Boar's Head and Dietz & Watson salami/salame panino products have been recalled.

If you or someone you love has been sickened by this outbreak, contact a Salmonella lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

We are a national food safety law firm that has been in touch with victims of this outbreak. We already represent a woman made seriously ill by pepper contaminated with Salmonella. Our firm is a leading practioner of foodborne illness litigation and we are involved in practically every major outbreak of food poisoning, collecting millions for victims in every corner of the United States.

Below is a list of the most recent recalled products, which all contain USDA establishment number EST 459. Click here to see the combined searchable list of all products recalled by Rhode Island-based Daniele in connection with Salmonella outbreak.

• 8-ounce packages of “DANIELE HOT SALAME PANINO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA.”
• 8-ounce packages of “BOAR’S HEAD SALAME PANINO, SALAME ROLLED IN MOZZARELLA CHEESE.”
• 8-ounce packages of “DANIELE ITALIAN STYLE SALAME PANINO, HOT SALAME ROLLED IN MOZZARELLA CHEESE.”
• Random weight packages of “DANIELE ITALIAN STYLE SALAME PANINO, HOT SALAME ROLLED IN MOZZARELLA CHEESE.”
• 8-ounce packages of “DIETZ & WATSON ARTISAN COLLECTION HOT SALAME PANINO, HOT SALAME ROLLED IN MOZZARELLA CHEESE.”
• 8-ounce packages of “DANIELE SALAME PANINO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA AND BASIL.”
• 1-pound 8-ounce variety packages of “DANIELE CAPOCOLLO PANINO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA AND BASIL; PRESIDENT’S PROSCIUTTO PANINO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA AND BASIL; HOT SALAME PANINO WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA,” with UPC Code 736436709582. NOTE: The products contained in this variety three-pack may be sold individually as well.

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A state and federal investigation of the California company linked to 2009's pepper Salmonella outbreak that sickened 87 people in five states found unacceptably dirty conditions and a veritable hot zone of Salmonella Rissen.

According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report obtained by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen, Union City-based Union International Food Co. was filthy with bacteria matching the outbreak strain of Salmonella.

The outbreak started in September 2008 and grew to include 42 illnesses before health investigators associated it with Uncle Chen and Liam How pepper from Union International in late March 2008. The pepper products were recalled from restaurants and retail stores March 28. The five states affected were California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

A lengthy 2009 inspection performed by 13 investigators found that the company had never tested its products or plant facility for pathogens, had no formal sanitation program and cleaned its primary machinery only when it was too dirty to function.

According to the comprehensive FDA report, the plant's white pepper grinding room was the epicenter of the outbreak, which sent at least eight people to the hospital. One of those victims is a Nevada woman represented by Pritzker Olsen who spent two weeks at Carson Tahoe Medical Center with acute renal failure.

The report said that of 40 swab samples collected from food and non-food contact surfaces in the grinding room at Union International,  34 samples (85%) were positive for Salmonella. DNA fingerprint analysis was conducted for 19 of the 34 swab samples and all 19 matched the outbreak strain of Salmonella Rissen, the report said.

The company had no system to control the spread of dust, which offered no protection against cross-contamination of other operations, the report said. Swabs taken in areas of the plant where a variety of other spices were packed and where Asian style cooking oils and sauces were made, also found Salmonella Rissen.

Union International obtained its whole white peppercorns from Vietnam and the inventory at the plant tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Investigators noted in the report that the same strain of Salmonella Rissen had been found in 2006 in an inspection sample of unrelated black pepper imported from Vietnam.

In the midst of last year's inspection of the company, authorities ensured a shutdown of operations by filing a stipulated preliminary injunction against Union International in Alameda County Superior Court. After many objectionable conditions were documented, the company performed a deep cleaning and overhauled its operations.

After the cleaning and remodeling, all 100 swab samples taken by inspectors came back clean, the report said.

Pritzker Olsen conducted its own investigation of the Union International pepper Salmonella outbreak and continues to accept cases from individuals sickened by it. The firm also is hearing from victims of the current pepper salami Salmonella outbreak involving contaminated salami made by Daniele Inc. of Pascoag, Rhode Island.

To contact a Salmonella expert at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page. Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation. We have collected millions for victims of food poisoning and actively support initiatives to prevent the spread of human pathogens in our food supply.

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The Washoe County Health District in northern Nevada and health officials from Carson City, Nevada, say that investigators have linked "Uncle Chen" brand white pepper to a four-state outbreak of Salmonella.

A broader association had been drawn to white and black pepper made by Union International Food Co., under the "Uncle Chen" and "Lian How'' labels. But in a press release Tuesday labeled "hot" news, the county and city said the outbreak was specifically linked to "Uncle Chen'' white ground pepper.

The authorities warned consumers  to avoid the seasoning and instructed restaurants and grocery stores to remove it.

 "Ground white pepper products from the Union International Food Co. have been linked to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella. The discovery of Salmonella in food samples collected from restaurants and food distributors prompted these recommendations,'' the press release said.

So far, investigators have confirmed 33 illnesses in California, four in northern Nevada, four in the area of Portland, Oregon, and one in Washington state. As part of the public health response to the outbreak (which has included eight hospitalizations) the California Department of Public Health has disclosed a list of  Union International's customers, mostly in California.

Union International has recalled its black and white peppers, along with other seasonings ranging from tumeric to wasabi powder.

National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., has been monitoring the outbreak. The firm has considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing survivors of foodborne illnesses. The firm also is devoted to educating the public about food safety issues and advocating for badly needed food safety legislation and increased funding for the federal, state and local agencies charged with protecting our food and enforcing food safety laws.

To contact a Salmonella attorney at the firm, call 1-888-377-8900 or complete one of our free online case consultation forms.

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At least 42 people, including 33 in California, have been sickened by the same strain of Salmonella -- an outbreak that health investigators have linked to white and black pepper spices sold by Union International Food Co. of California.

The company has recalled its pepper spices and other seasonings, including cayenne pepper, paprika, chopped onion, onion powder, garlic, curry powder, mustard powder, and wasabi powder. The spices have been distributed to retail stores and restaurants under the Lian How and Uncle Chen brand names. Much of the product was sold to Chinese and Vietnamese establishments.

Dr. William Keene, senior epidemiologist in the Public Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services, said in a news release that the outbreak strain is Salmonella enterica serotype Rissen. He said there are four known cases in Oregon, all in the Portland metro area, and that the same strain is linked to Salmonella illnesses in Washington and Nevada.

The spices were sold mostly in California and Oregon. Packages, which ranged in size from five-ounce plastic jars to 2.2-pound foil bags to 15-pound cardboard boxes with plastic liners, were labled "Packed by Union International Foods" or "Union National Foods.''.

Mark Horton, director of California Department of Public Health, said in a press release March 28 that consumers should avoid eating spices from Union International Food Co. In eight of the 42 cases confirmed since December, eight people were hospitalized.

For young children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems, Salmonella infection can be fatal, but no fatalities have been associated so far with the spice outbreak. Symptoms of Salmonella  include diarreha, cramps and fever with an onset of illness between 12 and 72 hours after exposure to the organism.

PritzkerOlsen P.A., has considerable experience and a reputation for success in representing survivors of foodborne illnesses, including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and Shigella. The firm is involved in virtually every national outbreak and has collected large sums on behalf of people injured or killed by adulterated food. In addition, the firm is devoted  to educating the public about food safety issues and advocating for badly needed food safety legislative changes.

To contact a Salmonella attorney at PritzkerOlsen, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or complete a free online case consultation form .

 Keene said Oregon health investigators were the first to confirm Salmonella in Lian How pepper after they began testing products of interest in their investigation. He said health officials in California and Nevada quickly thereafter discovered that the same pepper was in use at restaurants in those states where Salmonella cases had been confirmed.

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