Outbreaks of foodborne illness are on the increase, affecting millions of people each year who unknowingly eat contaminated foods. A recent study suggests that foodborne illness kill 5,000 Americans and cost $152 billion per year. To assist victims of foodborne illness and their families, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, a nationally recognized injury law firm, is launching an informative Web site called MyFoodAdvocate.com.

“People who have been diagnosed with foodborne illnesses or suspect they have one often have questions about the illness and how they got it,” said Richard J. Arsenault, a partner in Neblett, Beard & Arsenault. “They can find detailed information about the most common foodborne illnesses and foods associated with them at our new Web site.”

The site can be viewed at http://www.myfoodadvocate.com.

Arsenault said the new Web site reflects the high priority that the Alexandria, LA based law firm places on food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses. Foodborne illnesses are surprisingly common, affecting roughly one out of four people in the United States each year. The illnesses often target the most vulnerable members of society—the young, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

The new Web site features menu items addressing various aspects of foodborne illness and food poisoning, including pathogens that cause foodborne illness such as Salmonella, and E. coli, specific illnesses, risky foods, who is most at risk, how to protect yourself, where you’re likely to contract foodborne illness and recent outbreaks.

“The frequency and severity of foodborne illness outbreaks are troubling, as some of the nationally publicized cases we’ve handled underscore,” Arsenault said. “You can eat a healthy diet, get exercise and still contract a foodborne illness from contaminated food so everyone is vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to bring more attention to foodborne illness and food safety.”

The Web site contains customized state pages for residents of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. The pages have information about recent outbreaks of foodborne illness in each state and contact information for state health authorities and regulatory agencies that track foodborne illness. A video on the Web site features an interview with Arsenault about foodborne illness.

I also chaired the symposium, which this year included current and former law school deans, law school professors, federal court judges Special Masters and talented Mass Tort/Class Action counsel that represent litigants on both sides of the “VS”.

I am always excited about the opportunity to share information with fellow attorneys, judges and litigation experts.

Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, foodborne illness is all too common. Salmonella in peanut butter, E. coli in cookies, and the list goes on. What were once rare occurrences are now national outbreaks. That’s why I think it is so important to take the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise with others that are poised to make a difference.

We reported yesterday on our sister blog NBAFoodAdvocate that Plainview Milk Products recalled several products manufactured over the last two years because of the discovery of Salmonella contamination both within product and on food-processing equipment (see Salmonella Recall: Plainview Milk Products… for details).

Let’s give one point to Dunkin’ Donuts for speedily taking potentially Salmonella-contaminated beverages out of reach of consumers’ innocent hands. However, to be thorough, perhaps we should mark up a point against Dunkin’ for sourcing supplies from a company that can’t say with confidence that its past two years of product are Salmonella-free.

The legislation would give the FDA the authority to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.  Say what?  An agency that is already underfunded and understaffed is getting more responsibility?

In theory, regulating the tobacco industry sounds like a good idea.  The agency would be able to regulate the contents of tobacco products, make their ingredients public, prohibit flavoring, require much larger warning labels and strictly control or prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward children.

However, I’m not so sure the FDA is ready to take on new responsibilities.  The underfunded structure and oversight ability of the current FDA needs drastic change. There have been too many defective drugs and medical devices, tainted food and dangerous toys allowed to enter the marketplace.

After all of the tainted pistachio, peanut butter, lettuce and pepper scares, some in Congress think a separate food agency is necessary. If the FDA is given additional oversight over tobacco, their workload will only increase.  Congress needs to adequately fund and staff the FDA before dolling out new responsibilities.

Here’s your update, with info courtesy of the FDA, USDA, and CFIA:

Peanuts: Salmonella

Rio Pluma, LLC, is reissuing its recall of various peanut products to clarify affected codes. The following peanut products may be contaminated with Salmonella due to sourcing from Peanut Corporation of America:

Pistachios: Salmonella

St. Bernadette Circle, St. Rose Church, Longview, WA is recalling PISTACHIOS In Shell Roasted and Salted, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The pistachios were repacked using pistachios recalled by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.  Product was distributed by members St. Bernadette’s Circle of St. Rose Church, Longview, WA at bazaars and though direct delivery in Cowlitz County, WA. The product was packaged in 1 lb. clear plastic bags and labeled with St. Bernadette Circle, St. Rose Church, Longview, WA Pistachios In Shell Roasted & Salted 1lb.

The CFIA has issued an alert for the recall of more pistachios associated with the Salmonella outbreak of Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella. This recall includes the following products:

Bestway Brand Roasted Salted Pistachios, 400g, UPC 10000308, Sold February 13, 2009 to April 6, 2009

Beef and Pork: Undeclared Sulfites

Paisano Meat, Inc., a Gardena, Calif., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 350,000 pounds of beef and pork products because they may contain undeclared sulfites. Sulfites can be a health hazard to individuals who are sensitive to sulfites.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels]

• 1-pound bags of “PAISANO SEASONED BEEF STYLE YECAPIXTLA, Cecina de Res Estilo Yecapixtla.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654-A.”
• 5-pound bags of “GROUND SEASONED PORK, COLORED WITH ANNATTO”. Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654.”
• 5-pound bags of “PAISANO, SMALL BONELESS BEEF CUBES, ASADITA.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654.”
• 5-pound bags of “BEEF CHUNKY STEAK PICADO.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654.”
• 5-pound bags of “GROUND BEEF, CARNE MOLIDA.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654.”
• 5-pound bags of “Paisano Meat Inc., Boneless Shredded Beef (MACHACA), Made Fresh.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654.”
• 10-pound bags of EL ALTEÑO, SABOR Y CALIDAD, CECINA DE RES ESTILO YECAPIXTLA, Seasoned Beef.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 18654-A.”
• Two 10-pound bags in 20-pound boxes of “PAISANO, SEASONED BEEF YECAPIXTLA, Cecina de Res Estilo Yecapixtla.” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 18654-A” or “EST. 18654-C.”

The beef and pork products are not identified with production or package or case codes on the bags or boxes. These beef and pork products were distributed to food service institutions, lunch wagons and retail establishments in southern California. The problem was discovered by FSIS during an investigation into a complaint sent to the Agency.

Spiced Bean: Undeclared Sulfites

DOMEGA INTERNATIONAL LTD., INC., of 1916 W 13TH Street, Brooklyn, NY 11223 is recalling FMD BRAND SPICED BEAN because it contains undeclared sulfites. The recalled FMD BRAND SPICED BEAN is sold in an un-coded, clear 80 gram vacuum packed plastic bag and is a product of China. The product was sold nationwide.

Bagels: Undeclared Egg

Western Bagel Baking Corporation is recalling a limited number of 12oz packaging of 100% Whole Wheat Sliced Bagels with lot code date of 10491 and 11291 as they may contain undeclared Egg. The lot code date may be found printed on the clip that closes the bag. The UPC number may be found on the side label below the Nutrition Facts panel: Publix 100% Whole Wheat Sliced Bagels, UPC: 41415-78290. The product was distributed throughout the chain to include stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

Cat Food: Incorrect Zinc and Potassium Levels

Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries.  This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier. Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile.

Now the FDA has admitted to Congress that it only completed about half of the required state food safety audits during the two years prior to the peanut butter salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds across the country. These audits are a key part of the federal system of inspection to ensure the safety of our food supply. Congress has opened hearings on the inadequacies of the current FDA policies and whether a separate food safety department should be established.

A Health and Human Services inspector general report in 2000 emphasized the importance of putting a high priority on better evaluation of the effectiveness of state inspection of food production facilities which are done in place of actual federal inspections. Apparently, neither the FDA nor the state inspectors heeded the recommendations, and we are all potential victims of the next tainted food product because of it.

Troy Food Company of Santa Ana, California is recalling its 6 ounce bag of Tio’s Southwestern Chile Lemon Pistachios, sold at the Orange Coast College Swap Meet in Southern California from November 2008 until March 29th, 2009, due to potential Salmonella contamination. The Pistachios, sourced from Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., were sold in a 6 ounce plastic bag with the multicolored “Nature’s Harvest” label on the front side only with a best before date of 4-10 and a UPC 19128 68335 clearly printed in the lower third of the label.

Edaleen Dairy located in Lynden, WA is recalling their Tin Roof Sundae and Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Ice Cream in all sizes (1.75 quart carton, 1.5 gallon tub, 3 gallon tub), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were manufactured using peanuts/peanut products recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. Tin Roof Sundae and Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut Ice Creams were sold by distributors, stores, gas stations, scoop shops, etc. throughout Western Washington (Mostly in the Whatcom area). This product was also sold through the Edaleen Store located on 9593 Guide Meridian, Lynden, WA. Tin Roof Sundae (UPC 14138 70005) and Chocolate Peanut Butter Nut (UPC 14138 70051) Ice creams were sold in 1.75 quart Cartons, 1.5 gallon tubs and 3 gallon tubs under the Edaleen’s Brand name. Products with dates of manufacture, found on the bottom of the carton, between October 1, 2007 and May 8, 2009 are affected by this recall.

Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is the most common food borne illness in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) receive reports of approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis in the United States each year – and the CDC estimates that hundreds of thousands more cases go unreported. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever – and while most people recover within a week, those with compromised heath can suffer more serious consequences.

Dr. Hooker isn’t the only one concerned about food recall apathy. Tara Gidus, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, worries that the overload of constant recalls may desensitize people to the importance of avoiding potentially contaminated products. Although many people trashed jars of peanut butter after the initial PCA recall warnings, other products that were tainted with peanut paste, like cookies and cracker products, remain on consumers’ pantry shelves.

It’s essential that consumers review the continually updated list of FDA recalls to avoid contracting foodborne illness from contaminated products. Sure, we get tired of the gloom and doom of knowing there are dangerous products on the market; but rather than succumbing to apathy, we prefer to feel good knowing that keeping up with recalls is a simple step to protecting our families. We’ll continue to post recall updates right here on the blog, so stay tuned.

Salmonella bacteria in the soil can easily cling to the pitted surface of ground-growing melons and can be transferred to the edible flesh of the fruit if the rind is not properly cleaned before being cut.

This time, L&M Companies, Inc., of Raleigh, NC, is recalling one lot of whole cantaloupes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. L&M Companies is no longer receiving shipments from the small farm where a cantaloupe tested positive for Salmonella contamination. According to the FDA alert:

The whole cantaloupes were sold between May 10-15, 2009 in Walmart Supercenter Stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and in the Walmart Supercenter Store located at 315 Furr Street in South Hill, Virginia. Consumers who have purchased whole cantaloupes from these Walmart stores during this time period should not consume them, and should destroy the product.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

Due to lack of attention to the trace-back, or tracking, of food ingredient supplies, food processors are having increasing trouble ensuring that the individual ingredients that go into frozen meals are all safe. Instead of developing a protocol to know their suppliers and to reduce the risk of using potentially contaminated ingredients, some food manufacturers shrug off responsibility and shift the burden of food safety to the consumer. Preparation instructions on food packaging may specify to cook foods to a certain internal temperature, or to use a conventional oven rather than a microwave oven. As New York Times experimenters discovered, these methods are not always practical or even possible.

Food safety worries increase exponentially during a recession, as food producers look for less expensive sources for ingredients. Until stronger regulations are in place – and enforced – to assure that every ingredient in a frozen dinner passes quality and food safety tests, we can expect continued foodborne illness outbreaks associated with these convenience foods. When single ingredient-based contamination occurs, tracing the source and containing the outbreak is especially difficult. As usual, not everyone is in favor of additional frozen food safety regulations, particularly requirements for ingredient trace-backs. The Grocery Manufacturers Association complained to the FDA that trace-back information is “not reasonably needed” and “often not practical or possible to provide.” Doesn’t the consumers’ basic right to safe food constitute “reasonable need”? And as for “practicality,” is it really too much to ask that each supplier along the food production line simply know where their products came from?

Bottom line: unless and until stronger trace-back regulations are passed and enforced, frozen foods may still pose a significant risk for foodborne illness.

Food companies continue to recall pistachio products related to the Salmonella outbreak of Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella. Let’s not forget that the longer these products are available for purchase, the more people are at risk of food poisoning from Salmonella.

The latest recall notice from the FDA is as follows:

THE NUTHOUSE of LOS ANGELES, CA is voluntarily recalling 5 lb bags and 5 lb boxes of pistachios as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure due to the fact that Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. has recalled roasted & salted in-shell pistachios.

Salmonella is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

The repacked pistachios were sold from August 10, 2008 through December 31, 2008, at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in California either in unlabeled brown plastic lined paper bags or white cardboard boxes with plastic inner liners.

The WHO and other health authorities continue to insist that there is no danger of contracting H1N1 flu from appropriately cooked pork products. Nevertheless, garden-variety caution is of course called for in our kitchens with the handling and cooking of all meats including pork.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends cooking all cuts of pork to an internal temperature of at least 160F. Following general guidelines of cleanliness-such as thorough washing of hands and kitchen surfaces, avoidance of cross-contamination, and proper refrigeration-can help prevent many strains of foodborne illness, including Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Other foodborne pathogens associated with pork:

◦ Trichinella spiralis (trichinae) – Parasites

◦ Staphylococcus aureus (staph) – Bacteria

◦ Mold – some types can produce mycotoxins

Appropriate processing, curing, handling, and cooking of pork should eliminate the risk of food poisoning from these pathogens.

King Henry’s Inc of Valencia, California, is voluntarily recalling all pistachios sold under the King Henry label in 1.5oz, 2.75oz, and 4.5oz packages as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This voluntary recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure due to the fact that the in-shell pistachios are being recalled by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc.

All seeds involved in this market withdrawal came from Italy.  The seeds are in 50-pound white bags that are either paper or woven from a synthetic material, and the lot numbers in question begin with “032,” followed by a hyphen and three more digits.  The bags carry a computer-generated white or yellow label, on which is printed “Distributed by Caudill Seed Company., 1402 W. Main St., Louisville KY  40203″ and the lot number.

The FDA continues to advise compliance with their guidance for following certain procedures to reduce the risk of sprouts contamination and the spread of foodborne illness.

Kleen-Pak Foods has recalled certain 10 oz. and 1 lb. packages of fresh spinach, due to potential Salmonella contamination.

De Jong Bros. Farms has recalled certain packages of curly leaf spinach, due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Klein’s Naturals, Sheridan Fruit Company, and The Wisconsin Cheeseman have recalled various pistachio products, due to potential Salmonella contamination associated with the Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella recalls.

TV Food LLC has recalled certain packages of Curry Spice, due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Sugar Foods Corporation has recalled several cases of The Farmers Market Butter & Garlic crouton product, due to undeclared milk allergens.

Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is the most common food borne illness in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) receive reports of approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis in the United States each year – and the CDC estimates that hundreds of thousands more cases go unreported. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever – and while most people recover within a week, those with compromised heath can suffer more serious consequences.