3/23/07 FDA Finalizes Report on 2006 Spinach Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California’s Department of Health Services (CDHS) today released a joint report on an extensive investigation into the causes of an E.coli O157:H7 outbreak last fall that was associated with contaminated Dole brand Baby Spinach and resulted in 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths. The inquiry was conducted by the California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT), a team of experts from FDA’s district office in San Francisco and CDHS. They were assisted by experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The investigators successfully identified the environmental risk factors and the areas that were most likely involved in the outbreak, but they were unable to definitely determine how the contamination originated.

“The probe was a notable effort by federal, state and local officials,” said Robert E. Brackett, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “It yielded valuable information we can use to determine how best to reduce the likelihood of similar outbreaks.”
The report describes the painstaking detective work of the investigators following the first reports from CDC in September 2006 of an apparent outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 linked to the consumption of bagged spinach. The probe initially focused on the processing and packaging plant of Natural Selection Foods, LLC in San Juan Bautista, CA, where the contaminated products had been processed.

The next focus of the inquiry was the source of the spinach in 13 bags containing E.coli O157:H7 isolates that had been collected nationwide from sick customers. Using the product codes on the bags, and employing DNA fingerprinting on the bacteria from the bags, the investigators were able to match environmental samples of E.coli O157:H7 from one field to the strain that had caused the outbreak. Potential environmental risk factors for E.coli O157:H7 contamination at or near the field included the presence of wild pigs, the proximity of irrigation wells used to grow produce for ready-to-eat packaging, and surface waterways exposed to feces from cattle and wildlife.

Because the contamination occurred before the start of the investigation, and because of the many ways that E.coli O157:H7 can be transferred -- including animals, humans, and water -- the precise means by which the bacteria spread to the spinach remain unknown.

FDA continues to work closely with its federal, state and local partners to keep produce safe from bacterial contamination. In August 2006, the agency announced an initiative called “Leafy Greens” that focuses attention on the produce, contamination agents, and other areas of potential public health concern associated with such products. Recently, FDA recently issued a draft final guidance, “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables”, which recommends measures to prevent microbial contamination during the processing of fresh-cut produce.

Earlier this week the agency explored issues involved in the safety of fresh produce in a public hearing held in California, and it plans to hold a similar hearing on April 13, 2007 in Maryland. The goal of both events is to solicit and share information about the recent outbreaks, the involved and associated risk factors, and measures the agency could adopt to advance the safety of fresh produce.

Although washing produce would not have prevented the recent E-coli outbreak involving spinach, washing can reduce the risk of contamination from some other causes. FDA advises consumers that all produce should be thoroughly washed before eating.

The report on the probe of the Dole spinach contamination, titled: Investigation of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Dole Pre-Packaged Spinach, is posted at http://www.DHS.ca.gov.

Smith & Nephew Issues Nationwide Recall of RF Denervation Probes Used for the Spine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Andover, MA -- March 26, 2007 -- Smith & Nephew Inc. is initiating a nationwide recall of 539 RF Denervation probes for the part numbers and models listed in the table below.

The Smith & Nephew RF Denervation probes are indicated for use exclusively with the Smith & Nephew ELECTROTHERMAL(TM) 20S SPINE SYSTEM in RF heat lesion procedures for the relief of pain. The RF Denervation Probes, which are provided in a non-sterile condition, were mislabeled as sterile which potentially could result in a patient infection.

Customers who have product that is being recalled should return it to Smith & Nephew per the recall instructions. The recall includes the following products and lot numbers:

Part #
Description
Lot numbers
7210270
RF Denervation Probe
602549, 602550, 602846, 602847
7210271
RF Denervation Probe
602541, 602542, 602556, 602557, 602558, 602559, 602560, 602561, 602562, 602848, 602849, 602999
7210272
RF Denervation Probe
602543, 602570, 602571, 602850, 603000

The company voluntarily recalled the products after learning of the labeling error. FDA has been apprised of this action. No injuries have been reported to date associated with this issue.
Product was distributed to 134 domestic and international customers. It can be identified by the product number, name, and lot numbers identified above. Smith & Nephew has notified its distributors and customers and is arranging for return and replacement of all recalled products.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-343-5717.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm. Mail to MedWatch 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

Honey Update...

Just got back from Kroger & they must have read my blog (uh huh)... They have Tupelo honey again in the large containers. I'm happy.

I'm going to be shopping more at Kroger. I stopped at the local Wal-Mart yesterday and they're not carrying many of the things they had LAST week. They ditched Cascadia organic frozen veggies!!! NO organic frozen veggies now. They're engergy drink prices are higher or the same as Kroger (shock) and they're continually out of the really good ones and have a poor selection when compared to other stores.

They are carrying more organics like I mentioned in an earlier blog. However, their rising prices on other staples are giving me good reason to shop closer to home. I did some price shopping yesterday and was really surprised. The milk I buy was one penny cheaper than Kroger.

Guess it goes to show that it's worth paying attention to sales and not just sticking with a place 'cause it's touted to be less expensive. I like cleanliness, helpful staff and a good selection. I'll pay a few pennies more to get the first two.

Readers Beware!

I just rec'd a notice from SitePro News saying spammers and hackers and nasty types are sneaking garbage onto blogs. Here's the link to read about it: http://www.fortiguardcenter.com:80/advisory/FGA-2007-04.html

Watch what you click on blogs! When I put a link on my blog just know it'll be easy to tell it came from me.

Honey...

I use honey, Tupelo honey to be exact, instead of sugar or the fake stuff. I've gone round and round for years on which is best. I went sugarless (including honey & substitutes for too many years to count). Then I went on a sugar binge (stress? can't even remember what led me to pick up that first cookie!).

My butt got bigger (not just 'cause of the sugar, but it sure didn't help!). So, in my major dieting period, I switched to sugar substitutes. As the new improved models were introduced I switched. Each time I'd have read all kinds of horror tales about the substitute I was using, so I'd be primed and ready to try something new.

Of course, none of the sugar substitutes are good for your body. Stevia seemed to be the best bet but I really can't handle the taste. Even with the new and much, much better stevia's running around out there, they still can't make it taste like the sugar I grew addicted to as a child.

So, reading and reading, and talking and talking... I am now using honey. Unfortunately, it has calories (60 per tablespoon). But, on the plus side, it metabolizes slower in your system and it does taste good.

Tupelo honey supposedly doesn't crystallize like the other types. It's great in hot tea.

Aside from honey in my hot tea, I don't eat sugar or honey in anything. I did a three day fast and at the end of that time somehow I was "miraculously" cured of my sugar addiction. Except when it came to hot tea, my staple, my wake-up in the morning and get ready for bed elixir.

The real reason for this post is not to tell you all about my sugar habits (although that's what it turned into, didn't it?). I have been searching the world for the best place to buy honey at a reasonable price in the Atlanta area.

You might be surprised where I found the best prices... First I hit the health food stores as I only wanted raw honey. I found what I was looking for and bought a nice size container. "Made" locally in Georgia, sold all over the place.

I figured that the DeKalb Farmer's Market would have the best prices, so on my monthly trip I compared brand-to-brand, size-to-size. Guess what? They were $2 HIGHER than the highest price I found at the little mom & pop health stores... hmmmm....

I took a look at Wal-Mart as they are now carrying a fantastic supply of organic foods. No luck, they didn't have any raw honey.

So, I figured I'd stick with the health food stores until... until... I happened to stop in our local Kroger grocery store. They were $2 CHEAPER than the health food stores. Wow, that's $4 cheaper than the Dekalb Farmer's Market. Only problem I have with Kroger is that they're continually out of the larger container of the Tupelo. They have all the others, clover, etc., etc. so I might have to give them a try.

Just as a side note --- I've been comparing prices at the Dekalb Farmer's Market with Publix & Kroger since the honey shopping trip. They are higher than MANY other places. Can't beat their breads, great organic fresh veggies and fruits, but I'm now buying a lot of things locally that I used to pick up there.

Food for thought

Here’s a thought or two on something that has the potential to bring our country to its knees….

We have all heard talk about threats to the Internet, banking, the stock market, our water supply, transporation, etc. Has anyone considered what would happen if terrorists hit our restaurants?

Think about it. There are roughly 935,000 restaurants in the United States, and, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2007 forecast, sales are expected to hit $537 billion next year. Yep, $537 BILLION. (http://www.restaurant.org/research/)

In Georgia alone we’re expected to have spent $12.6 billion in restaurants when the ball drops on New Years Eve 2006. There are approximately 366,000 individuals working in restaurants in Georgia. That’s about 9% of our work force.

That’s a lot of money and a lot of food. It’s also a huge segment of our workforce.

I hadn’t given it much thought until all the recent problems with salmonella and E.coli problems. Taco Bell is taking a major hit because of the E. coli illnesses relating from, at last check, lettuce (http://www.fayetteforum.org/2006/12-8-taco-bell.htm). There’s another E. coli situation developing at Taco John’s restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota that appears to be unrelated.

Not to long ago we were all scared to eat spinach and some (many?) are still foregoing touching the iron-rich green veggie. In the past month or so there have been four recalls of cantaloupes due to a salmonella outbreak. In reviewing the recalls and alerts that have floated into my inbox over the past few months there are untold numbers of known issues with our foods. Undeclared milk, sulfites or nuts in products, lead in containers or lids, or one of the five most common bacteria that cause illnesses, Salmonella, Listeria, E.coli O157, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens seems to pop up at least once a day anymore. (http://www.fayetteforum.org/foodweeat.htm and http://www.fayetteforum.org/recalls.htm).

All a group of good (bad) terrorists needs to do to bring us to our knees is slide over our southern border with other illegal aliens, go to work in various food producing fields and defecate in the water.

Can you imagine their glee as they plot to devastate our country by doing what comes naturally?

Not only will it affect the restaurant industry, but it’ll knock a hole in other food related industries including our grocery stores. When Taco Bell thought their E. coli problem was due to bad onions, they changed distributors. As it turns out, it wasn’t the onions. Of course, the same distributor may have been providing them with their lettuce, too. Grocery stores were hurt badly when we had the spinach scare. All spinach growers took a hit. The transportation industry may have been hurt to some degree. People all along the chain probably lost jobs.

I’m just touching the very thinnest surface with my speculations. Those who are “in-the-know” are much more capable of extrapolating the impact on our economy. I would imagine that somewhere some homeland security types have already considered this scenario and are looking into upgrading the latrine situation for workers. Maybe there are agents working undercover at farms. Possibly more regulations are being imposed to require fences around water supplies or other safeguards to keep workers from pooping in the water supply.

Quite truthfully, I don’t see any way to stop this from becoming a reality if some group puts their minds to it. You can’t guard the water supply all the way to its source. The cost to sterilize or treat water before spraying it on growing crops would be astronomical. It’s not a pretty picture when you really start to think about it.

What’s the answer? Better minds than mine will have to figure that one out! All I know is that I find myself choosing veggies I can cook rather than raw foods like lettace and spinach unless they're locally grown. And, while I still eat out, it's not quite the easy, don't-give-it-a-second-thought event that it used to be.

Here we go again...

It's going to be a long time before many are willing to put spinach back into their diet... at least the fresh bagged type. I don't know what it did to the frozen spinach industry. I do know that one of my favorite foods at the Village Cafe stopped being served until just recently! I love their spinach and substitute extra instead of whatever starch is being served.

Over the past few weeks I've received four, yes four, different recalls from different cantaloupe producers. Salmonella again. Another industry hit and probably hurting very badly.

Then there is the eColi scare with Taco Bell.

Taco Bell is owned by Yum, Inc. They also own KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food restaurants. If you'd like to know more about Yum, here's the link: http://www.yum.com/about/default.asp

The scallions that caused the problem for Taco Bell came from Boskovich Farms in California. The distributor was the Texas-based McLane Co. In the release below, I noted that Taco Bell has changed distributors. I wonder if ALL the restaurants owned by Taco Bell's parent company (more than 34,000 in 100 different countries) will switch if they are using the onion-supplier?

The producer for Taco Bell is Ready Pac Produce. I believe, but haven't confirmed, that Ready Pac was also mentioned in conjunction with the recent spinach scare? I have read a number of news reports stating that thus far Ready Pac has come up clean in the testing being done. I'll do a little checking around and let you know if I find any real connection.

If you've never ever thought about how food reaches your table, it's something worth looking into. It's amazing how our food is processed... Who owns what is also rather interesting!

Back to salmonella! If you'd like to read the four cantaloupe recalls, all four are posted here: http://www.fayetteforum.org/2006/11-17-rio-vista-cantaloupes.htm

Here's the link to the Taco Bell story: http://www.fayetteforum.org/foodweeat.htm/12-8-taco-bell.htm