The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the state health departments of Georgia and Alabama have detected a Salmonella outbreak associated with the consumption of raw oysters harvested from shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida. To date, there have been 8 cases linked to this outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closed shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 for the harvest of wild oysters and initiated a recall of these wild oysters harvested from December 16, 2022, to February 24, 2023.

Do not eat oysters included in this recall.

Individuals should be aware of the current elevated risk of illness associated with raw oyster consumption. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated product. Most people recover without treatment.

In rare circumstances, infection can produce more severe illness and require hospitalization. Older adults, infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of developing a severe illness and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts grown by CW Sprouts Inc., doing business as (DBA) SunSprout Enterprises of Fremont, NE as a likely source of illnesses in this outbreak.

Based on the epidemiologic information provided by the CDC along with interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, the individuals identified in this outbreak reported consuming alfalfa sprouts prior to their illness onset, either at local restaurants or in their homes after purchasing from local grocery stores. Preliminary traceback evidence indicates that the restaurants and grocery stores identified in this outbreak received alfalfa sprouts from SunSprout Enterprises. Additionally, two of the individuals identified in this outbreak confirmed they had purchased Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts from their local grocery store. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) conducted on clinical samples collected from ill individuals identified 15 isolates that matched the outbreak strain: OK (1), NE (8), and SD (6). WGS for additional clinical isolates are still pending sequencing.

On December 29, 2022, SunSprout Enterprises initiated a voluntary recall of two lots (# 4211 and 5211) of raw alfalfa sprouts due to potential contamination with Salmonella. On the same day, SunSprout Enterprises expanded their voluntary recall to include two additional lots (# 3212, and 4212) of raw alfalfa sprouts. The raw alfalfa sprouts for all recalled lots (#4211, 5211, 3212, and 4212) are packaged in 4-ounce clamshells and 2.5 lb packages with best sold by dates between 12/10/2022 and 1/7/2023.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

Advice for consumers, restaurants, and retailers: Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their refrigerators for recalled Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts with best by dates between 12/10/2022 and 1/7/2023. If you purchased or used recalled alfalfa sprouts, you should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with these products, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

If you or someone in your household ate Sun Sprouts alfalfa sprouts and have symptoms of salmonellosis, please contact your healthcare provider.

Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not use, ship or sell recalled alfalfa sprouts grown by SunSprout Enterprises. If there has been potential cross-contamination or mixing of recalled alfalfa sprouts with products from other sources, suppliers and distributors should not use any comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product and should use extra vigilance in cleaning any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with recalled alfalfa sprouts.

As of October 19, 2022, a total of 33 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Litchfield have been reported from 3 states . Illnesses started on dates ranging from June 14, 2022, to September 18, 2022.

Sick people range in age from 1 to 67 years, with a median age of 32, and 59% are female. Of 26 people with information available, 13 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 16 people interviewed, 12 (75%) reported eating raw fish, sushi, or poke. This percentage was significantly higher than the 7.9% of respondents who reported eating raw fish in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating raw fish. Of 11 people who remembered details of their meal, 9 (82%) reported raw salmon.  Several sick people in the outbreak were identified as a part of three illness clusters at restaurants. An illness cluster is defined as two or more people who do not live in the same household who report eating food from the same retail location before getting sick. If several unrelated sick people ate food from the same retail location, it suggests that the contaminated food item was served or sold there. FDA’s investigation traced the source of fresh, raw salmon eaten by sick people in these illness clusters back to Mariscos Bahia, Inc.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

FDA collected an environmental sample that included multiple swabs at Mariscos Bahia, Inc., in Pico Rivera, California. Salmonella was identified from multiple environmental swabs collected at the facility and WGS analysis is ongoing. WGS completed to date indicates that Salmonella detected in at least one of the swabs from the facility is the outbreak strain.

CDC is advising restaurants not to sell or serve salmon, tuna, Chilean sea bass, swordfish, or halibut received on or after June 14, 2022, from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. The fish was distributed to restaurants fresh, not frozen. Fish distributed from Mariscos Bahia’s locations in Pico Rivera, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, are included.

image-1_206

Tai Phat Wholesalers, LLC of Capitol Heights, MD is recalling 4 types of packages of its “Three Coins Dried Mushrooms” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 Salmonellacan 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 recalled Dried Mushrooms were distributed in specialty retail stores in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.

The product comes in four different types & sizes and are in a sealed clear plastic package with a label. The different types are as follows:

1)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Slices – Item #: 01051- Nam Meo Soi -S- 2.5 oz
2)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Slices – Item #: 01276- Nam Meo Soi -L- 10.5 oz
3)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Whole – Item #: 01052- Nam Meo Nguyen -S- 2.5 oz
4)   Three Coins Dried Mushrooms Whole – Item #: 01277- Nam Meo Nguyen -L- 10.5 oz

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by Maryland Department of Health of items bought at a retail store which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some packages of “Three Coins Dried Mushrooms”.

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections.

Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that Jif brand peanut butter made people sick.

As of July 27, 2022, this outbreak is over.

As of July 27, 2022, a total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Senftenberg were reported from 17 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 20, 2022, through May 24, 2022.

Sick people ranged in age from less than one to 85 years, with a median age of 59, and 75% were female. Of 13 people with information available, 4 were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 13 people interviewed, 13 (100%) reported eating peanut butter in the week before they got sick. This percentage was significantly higher than results from a survey of healthy people, in which 57% of respondents reported eating any peanut butter in the week before they were interviewed. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating peanut butter. All 13 people reported eating Jif brand peanut butter specifically.

Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same food.

FDA conducted WGS analysis on an environmental sample collected at the Lexington, Kentucky, J.M. Smucker Company facility in 2010. The analysis shows that this 2010 environmental sample was closely related genetically to the outbreak strain.

On May 20, 2022, J.M. Smucker Company recalled multiple Jif brand peanut butter types made at the Lexington, Kentucky, facility. Additional companies recalled foods made with Jif brand peanut butter.

Product Distribution: Nationwide

Total Illnesses: 16

Hospitalizations: 2

Last Illness Onset: May 1, 2022

States with Cases: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (2), Ohio (1), North Carolina (2), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), Washington (1)

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections linked to certain Jif peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

CDC’s review of epidemiological information indicates that five out of five people reported consuming peanut butter and four of the five people specifically reported consuming different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter prior to becoming ill. FDA conducted Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on an environmental sample collected at the Lexington, KY, J.M. Smucker Company facility in 2010. The analysis shows that this 2010 environmental sample matches the strain causing illnesses in this current outbreak. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington, KY, is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak.

J.M. Smucker Company has voluntarily recalled certain Jif brand peanut butter products that have the lot code numbers between 1274425 – 2140425 manufactured in Lexington, KY. Photo examples and a list of UPC codes are included below.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Jif brand peanut butter that have lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425 (see photo example and UPC list below). This product has a two-year shelf life so consumers should check any Jif peanut butter in their home.

FDA recommends that if you have used the recalled Jif brand peanut butter that have lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425, you should wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched the peanut butter.

UPC Description
5150025516 JIF 16 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025537 JIF 16 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024705 JIF 96 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150024706 JIF 96 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150007565 JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150008026 JIF 12 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER INTERNATIONAL
5150008051 JIF 3/4 OUNCE PEANUT BUTTER PLASTIC CASE
5150008058 JIF .64 OUNCE NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER PLASTIC CASE
5150021889 JIF 96 COUNT NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER TO GO CASE
5150024114 JIF 36 COUNT CREAMY JIF PEANUT TO GO CASE
5150024130 JIF 8 COUNT CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO
5150024136 JIF 8 COUNT CREAMY PBTR TO GO
5150024137 JIF 4.5 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO
5150024143 JIF 54 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 36 PACK
5150024163 JIF 28 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024170 JIF 96 COUNT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO
5150024174 JIF 54 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 36 PACK
5150024177 JIF 28 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024182 JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL HONEY
5150024191 JIF 12 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024307 JIF 12 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO
5150024321 JIF 40 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024322 JIF 28 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024331 JIF 4 POUND CAN CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150024404 JIF 96 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY TWINPACK
5150024540 JIF 15.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER
5150024545 JIF 13 OUNCE SQUEEZABLE POUCH
5150024548 JIF 33.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER
5150024545 JIF 13 OUNCE SQUEEZABLE POUCH
5150024572 JIF 13 OUNCE NATURAL SQUEEZE POUCH
5150024572 JIF 13 OUNCE NATURAL SQUEEZE POUCH
5150024769 JIF 80 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150024776 JIF 80 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150025499 JIF 40 OUNCE REDUCED FAT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025516 JIF 16 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025518 JIF 16 OZ REDUCED FAT CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025530 JIF 16 OUNCE CREAMY OMEGA 3 PEANUT BUTTER
5150025537 JIF 16 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025542 JIF 80 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150025565 JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025574 JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150025578 JIF 16 OUNCE NATURAL CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER HONEY
5150072001 JIF 40 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
5150072002 JIF 40 OUNCE CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
5150075007 JIF TO GO 8 PACK 250 GRAM CREAMY
5150041418 JIF 46.5 OUNCE NO ADDED SUGAR PEANUT BUTTER
5150092100 JIF 1.1 OUNCE PORTION CONTROL PEANUT BUTTER 120 COUNT
5150024705 JIF 96 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER TWIN PACK
5150024177 JIF 28 OUNCE CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER

If you or someone in your household ate this peanut butter and have symptoms of salmonellosis, please contact your healthcare provider.

Yesterday, the FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections linked to certain Jif peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

Total Illnesses: 14,

Hospitalizations: 2,

Last Illness Onset: May 1, 2022.

States with Cases: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1).

CDC’s review of epidemiological information indicates that five out of five people reported consuming peanut butter and four of the five people specifically reported consuming different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter prior to becoming ill.

FDA conducted Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on an environmental sample collected at the Lexington, KY, J.M. Smucker Company facility in 2010. The analysis shows that this 2010 environmental sample matches the strain causing illnesses in this current outbreak.

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington, KY, is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak.

J.M. Smucker Company has voluntarily recalled certain Jif brand peanut butter products that have the lot code numbers between 1274425 – 2140425 manufactured in Lexington, KY.

Vadilal Industries USA Inc. is recalling Vadilal Quick Treat brand Custard Apple Pulp because of possible Salmonella contamination, according to a recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration..

The product was also recalled in New Zealand in February.

Recalled product:

Product Description Recall Number Classification Code Information Product Quantity Reason for Recall
1

Vadilal Quick Treat Custard Apple Pulp Net Wt, 1kg/35.27-oz. Product code FPEP44302 UPC:8901777282168 Best Before September 2023

F-0815-2022

 Class I

KWHO Best before Sept 2023 KRQO Best before Sept 2023

997 cases (10 packs/per case)

Product may be contaminated with Salmonella

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.

Kinder chocolate and Salmonella:European health agencies have called for further investigation into the Kinder chocolate factory in Arlon linked to an outbreak of Salmonella across Europe.

Kinder, owned by the Italian company Ferrero, detected Salmonella Typhimurium in a buttermilk tank at the Arlon site during the manufacturer’s own checks in December 2021, according to the ECDC. The Belgian foods safety agency FASFC said in a statement at the time: “After investigations (…) and following the findings of the last few hours that the information provided by Ferrero is incomplete, the Agency is today withdrawing the authorization of the Ferrero production plant in Arlon”.

As of April 8, there have been at least 150 cases of confirmed or suspected salmonella linked to the Kinder products, in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets warned residents to avoid consuming raw milk from a farm in Adams due to possible salmonella contamination.

According to the Department, consumers should not consume unpasteurized raw milk from Next Generation Farm which is located at 9922 County Route 152 in Adams, which is located in Jefferson County.

According to a press release from the Department, a sample of the milk was collected by an inspector from the Department who discovered the product was contaminated with Salmonella. The producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result on March 9.

Further laboratory testing was completed on March 21 and confirmed the presence of Salmonella in the raw milk sample. The producer was prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicate that the product is free of harmful bacteria.

The Department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from Next Generation Farm immediately dispose of it and call the farm at (315) 486-2340.

However, the Department reminded residents that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time and kills the bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and brucellosis.

Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including salmonellosis. Although no illnesses associated with the product have been reported yet, Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Additionally, the bacteria can cause healthy individuals to 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 aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.