Lansing Personal Injury Lawyer - Salmonella

FDA recalls nonfat dry milk tainted with salmonella

David Mittleman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:06:15 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration recently recalled nonfat dry milk because the milk is apparently tainted with salmonella. Even if you aren’t a fan of the product, nonfat dry milk is an ingredient in many other foods that you probably do like—for example, popcorn, hot cereal, and cocoa are a few products that are being added to the recall list.

Several local grocery stores, including Meijer and Kroger, have recalled a variety of foods made over the past two years that contain nonfat dry milk products provided by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. Malt-O-Meal has recalled some of its instant oatmeal products and Meijer has recalled its store brand nonfat dried milk, just to name a few of the affected products. The FDA has a full list of recalled products at its website.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suspected salmonella contamination at the Plainview processing plant after a customer produced a dairy shake powder that they received in a “shelf-stable meal kit”, a food service product distributed to consumers at home by community service organizations. The FDA followed the Department of Agriculture’s suspicions up with an investigation at the Plainview processing plant, where they discovered processing equipment that was contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported thus far.

This recall comes on the heels of a recent announcement by the Obama administration that the FDA will play a larger role in maintaining and promoting food safety. There have been several other recalls for salmonella-contaminated foods this year alone, including pistachios, peanuts, and cookie dough.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Salmonella-Contaminated Pistachios Still Not Off the Market: Company Repackaged Recalled Nuts

David Mittleman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:36:46 GMT

The FDA warned consumers last week to avoid two brands of pistachios that are related to the salmonella-related recall, but may have been repackaged and set to airports and hotels.

Orca Distribution West Inc. repackaged the two brands of pistachios, California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards. Orca is the distributor for Setton Pistachio, who “voluntarily” recalled all of its pistachios back in late March because of potential salmonella contamination. However, Setton never publicly announced the recall, which spurred the FDA to conduct a follow-up audit of the company. During the investigation of Setton, the FDA discovered that Orca was repackaging the recalled nuts.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, elderly people, or the ill. More than 660 products were linked to the pistachio recall. This salmonella recall represents one of the many high-profile outbreaks since 2006—including contaminated lettuce, pepper, spinach, peanut butter, and peanuts. The FDA has come under increasing scrutiny for its lack of oversight in U.S. food safety, but continues to argue that it did all it could given its limited staff to conduct annual inspections. In fact, the FDA states that it only has enough staff to conduct annual inspections of 7,000 of the 150,000 U.S. food processing plants and warehouses.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Battle Creek to Launch New Food Protection Center

David Mittleman — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:19:01 GMT

Battle Creek, MI could soon witness an increase in local jobs thanks to a new plan instituted by federal legislation to develop a National Center for Food Protection in the downtown area. Spearheaded by the city’s economic development firm and the Kellogg Foundation, the Center would focus on standardization of the food inspection process and increased training for food inspectors.

One of the greatest issues with food safety is the lack of uniform inspections and training for all food inspectors. The recent Salmonella outbreak in the peanut industry, its costly effects on the food industry, and the nine deaths that also resulted, are evidence enough of this. In fact, the peanut-processing plant was inspected by federal, state, and private inspectors, some of which rated the plant satisfactory, while others deemed it unsanitary.

The Center will be the first of its kind to attempt to resolve this problem through training and standardization of the food safety profession, potentially saving vulnerable lives from food borne illnesses, and saving the food industry from costly food contamination episodes in the future.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Food Safety: California Company Recalls 1 Million Pounds of Pistachios

David Mittleman — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:24:39 GMT

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health are investigating a possible Salmonella contamination in Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, California, pistachio products. In response, the company is recalling 1 million pounds of pistachios.

Setton pistachios can be found at Kroger, Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, Fry’s King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott’s, Owen’s, Baker’s, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less. Additionally, Kraft Foods, Frito-Lay, Back to Nature Foods and The Georgia Nut Company have pulled products from the shelves that may contain contaminated pistachios.

Be sure to read the labels of foods that may contain pistachio products in the coming weeks. Several illnesses have been reported so far, that may be linked to the contaminated pistachios. Salmonella poisoning can cause flu-like symptoms including: diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea and/or vomiting.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

FDA: Plant Knew Product Contaminated, Shipped Anyways

David Mittleman — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:33:00 GMT

The peanut plant responsible for the recent salmonella outbreak knew its products contained the bacteria, but shipped the tainted product anyways. The Peanut Corporation of America ignored positive tests for the bacteria a dozen times in 2007 and 2008. This information prompted the FDA to extend the peanut recall to include peanut products from January of 2007. In fact, after the product tested positive with the company’s own tests, the plant went out and searched for a test that would return a negative result. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., described Peanut Corp.’s actions as "reprehensible and criminal" and stated that, "Not only did this company knowingly sell tainted products, it shopped for a laboratory that would provide the acceptable results they were seeking."

As if positive tests of salmonella were not enough, the FDA found ten other problems with the Blakely, Georgia peanut plant during its preliminary inspection. Mold, roaches, and gaps in the roof over areas where products are finished contributed to unsanitary conditions found at the plant. In particular, leaking roofs and gaps a half-inch to two-and-a-half feet were found near the air conditioner and were a major cause of concern because wet conditions harbor salmonella. Moreover, salmonella can live on raw peanuts but not on roasted peanuts, and the peanut plant did not take sufficient steps to ensure raw peanuts did not come in contact with the finished products- ultimately spreading the bacteria to consumer-ready products.

Over 500 people have been sickened and eight known deaths are linked to the strand of salmonella found at the plant. Peanut Corporation of America does not sell its peanut products directly to consumers, but does sell peanut butter directly to nursing homes and cafeterias - both of which serve the type of people (the elderly and children) to whom salmonella can be most dangerous. It also produces peanut paste which is used in cookies, ice cream, pet treats, and crackers, all of which are among the over 300 recalled products.

A statement issued Wednesday by Peanut Corp. apologizes to consumers and the peanut industry, stating, "we are sorry our process fell short of not only our goals, but more importantly, your expectations." Unfortunately, the apology does not undo the negligent actions of the Peanut Corporation of America and the damage done to the peanut industry. The American Peanut Council has urged consumers to visit the website www.peanutsusa.com for a list of safe peanut products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Meijer Announces Recall For Possible Salmonella Contamination

David Mittleman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:14:00 GMT

Residents of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, that shop at Meijer stores, should be aware of a recall of various products for fear of salmonella contamination. Meijer issued a voluntary recall yesterday for two types of Meijer brand crackers and two types of Meijer brand ice cream. The recall specifically lists the following products:

Meijer Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56235
Meijer Toasty Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56239
Meijer Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96635-3
Meijer Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96843-2

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting. Often, Salmonella clears up on its own, but approximately 500 people a year die of Salmonella poisoning. The Center for Disease Control has issued tips for consumers:

Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them
Postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until more information becomes available about which brands may be affected
Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.

Ingham County Medical Director, Dean Sienko has not heard of any salmonella cases in Ingham County tied to the outbreak. However, it is imperative for people to dispose of potentially contaminated products to ensure their own safety as well as their loved ones. For a complete listing of recalled products visit the FDA’s website.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman