Salmonella Blog - Surveillance & analysis on salmonella news & outbreaks

The CDC issued its final update on the investigation into the 190 Salmonella Heidelberg illnesses linked to Schreiber Processing's "kosher broiled chicken livers."  The following are highlights of the outbreak investigation:

• A total of 190 illnesses due to Salmonella Heidelberg with the outbreak pattern were reported from 6 states.
• The number of ill persons identified in each state the product is distributed to is as follows: New York (109), New Jersey (62), Pennsylvania (10), Maryland (6), Ohio (2), and Minnesota (1).
• Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that a product labeled as “kosher broiled chicken livers” is the source of this outbreak.
• Contaminated "kosher broiled chicken livers" were recalled from grocery stores but may still be in consumers' homes.
• Consumers should check their homes for recalled products and not eat them; restaurant and food service operators should not serve them.
• This particular outbreak appears to be over. However, Salmonella is still an important cause of human illness in the United States.

Green Valley Food Corp. of Dallas, Texas is recalling a grand total of 6,723 cases because of a “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. container test result showed to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that 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. The items affected in the recall are as follows:

“Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. containers with the UPC number 714722228818

“Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts 5 oz. containers with the UPC number 71472222991

Alfalfa Sprouts 4oz. clamshell UPC number 815098001088

“100% Natural Onion Sprouts” 4oz. clamshell UPC number 815098002054

The sprouts affected in this recall were distributed in Texas via truck deliveries to all customers in Texas. All customers were retail grocery store and food distribution centers. If you are a customer affected by this recall you will be receiving a letter asking for the quantities you were shipped and their whereabouts. Please, respond as soon as possible.

The product descriptions are as follows:

“Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. container is 4 inches by 4 inches with the UPC number 714722228818. The label has blue lettering that states “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts.

“Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts 5 oz. container is 4 inches by 4 inches with the UPC number 71472222991. The label will have red lettering stating “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts.

Alfalfa Sprouts 4oz. is a clamshell measuring 4 inches by 5 inches with the UPC number 815098001088. The label has green lettering stating “100% Natural Alfalfa Sprouts”.

“100% Natural Onion Sprouts” 4oz. clamshell measures 4 inches by 5 inches with UPC number 815098002054.The label has yellow lettering stating “100% Natural Onion Sprouts”

Any of these items received or purchased from 12/07/2011 to 1/1/2012 are affected in this recall and/or if the items have a use by date ranging from 12/22/2011 to 1/1/2012.

Till this present day there has been no related illnesses CONFIRMED because of this recall. This is a cautionary measure taken by Green Valley Food Corp. to assure safe and quality products are being distributed by our facility.

On 12/12/2011 a random sample was taken from a customer we currently supply. The product tested positive for Salmonella. To assure our customers of a safe Alfalfa Sprouts, Green Valley Food Corp., is voluntarily recalling these items specified above. This is a cautionary measure taken by Green Valley Food Corp. to assure all customers and consumers of any issues with our products. We are voluntarily requesting this recall and are working closely with the FDA to assure all consumers our products are safe.

Swanson Health Products says it is recalling some packages of organic celery seed because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

The recall affects Swanson Organic Celery Seed (Whole) packaged in plastic bottles with a net weight of 1.4 ounces. The product was sold between June 16 and Dec. 16

Swanson Health Products says the spice was sold either at the company's Fargo retail store, shipped directly to online or mail-order consumers, or held for pick up by the consumer at the company's headquarters.

The company says it became aware of the potential contamination after being notified by its supplier, B & M Inc., of Mount Vernon, Mo., which had earlier learned of the potential contamination from its supplier.

Front Row Produce of St. Louis, MO is recalling 10 oz. pint and 10 lb. bulk grape tomatoes supplied by Rio Queen Citrus of Mission, TX because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The tomatoes were distributed throughout Missouri and Illinois to food service distributors and retail stores.

The contamination was noted after random testing by Rio Queen Citrus revealed the presence of Salmonella in some 20 lb. bulk containers. Production of the tomatoes has been suspended while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the company continue their investigation into the source of the problem.

No illnesses have been reported.

The recalled tomatoes for retail sale are in a 10-ounce, clear plastic package with a Front Row Produce "Grape Tomatoes" label on the top. Currently, the lot number does not appear on the clear plastic package but does appear on the case label. The lot numbers on the cases containing the recalled 10 oz. packages are 2310802, 2310405 or 2510401. The 10 lb bulk grape tomatoes are packaged for wholesale in a plain brown cardboard box labeled only with lot # 2310801.

Whittington’s Jerky, Inc., a Johnson City, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 126 pounds of beef jerky products that may be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include:

2-oz. packages of "Whittington's Original Beef Jerky."

4-oz. packages of "Whittington's Original Beef Jerky."

Each package bears the establishment number "EST. 21257" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was produced on Oct. 31, 2011 and distributed to convenience stores in West Texas and at the company’s retail operation.