The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a public health alert for ground beef patties imported from Canada because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and may be associated with an illness in Canada.

FSIS was notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that ground beef patties associated with a Canadian health alert may have been exported to the United States. There has been one reported illness associated with ground beef product produced by the same establishment in Canada.

Products imported to the United States include:

  • 10 lb. boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 8 oz, with product code 55317, and production code 11 NO 22
  • 10 lb boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 71g, with product code 55391 and bearing a production code of 11 SE 01 or 12 JA 04

Imported products were produced by New Food Classics, CFIA Establishment 761 of Saskatoon, Ontario and were imported by Sysco Food Services to a distribution center in Blaine, Wash. for use by food service institutions.

FSIS has been unable to make contact with Sysco Food Services to discuss a recall of this product, so the agency is issuing a Public Health Alert to inform food service  operations and consumers. FSIS will continue to provide information as it becomes available, including information about any related recall.

The CDC reports as of March 21, 2012, 58 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 9 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Arizona (1), Arkansas (2), Illinois (9), Indiana (2), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (38), and Nebraska (1). Two cases were removed from the case count because advanced molecular testing determined that they were not related to this outbreak strain. Among persons for whom information was available, illnesses began from October 9, 2011 to November 7, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from 1 to 94 years, with a median age of 28 years. Fifty-nine percent were female. Among the 49 ill persons with available information, 33 (67%) were hospitalized, and 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths were reported.

During October 10 to November 4, 2011, public health officials in several states and CDC conducted an epidemiologic study by comparing foods eaten by 22 ill and 82 well persons, including 45 well persons who shopped at grocery store Chain A during the week of October 17, 2011. Analysis of this study indicated that eating romaine lettuce was associated with illness. Ill persons (85%) were significantly more likely than well persons (46%) to report eating romaine lettuce in the week before illness. Ill persons (86%) were also significantly more likely than well persons (55%) to report shopping at grocery store Chain A. Among ill and well persons who shopped at grocery store Chain A, ill persons (89%) were significantly more likely than well persons (9%) to report eating a salad from the salad bar at grocery store Chain A. Several different types of lettuce were offered on the salad bar at grocery store Chain A. Of 18 ill persons who reported the type of lettuce eaten, 94% reported eating romaine lettuce. No other type of lettuce or other item offered on the salad bar was reported to be eaten by more than 55% of ill persons.

The FDA and several state agencies conducted traceback investigations for romaine lettuce to try to identify the source of contamination. Traceback investigations focused on ill persons who had eaten at salad bars at several locations of grocery store Chain A and ill persons at university campuses in Minnesota (1 ill person) and Missouri (2 ill persons). Traceback analysis determined that a single common lot of romaine lettuce harvested from Farm A was used to supply the grocery store Chain A locations as well as the university campus in Minnesota during the time of the illnesses. This lot was also provided to a distributor that supplied lettuce to the university campus in Missouri, but records were not sufficient to determine if this lot was sent to this university campus.

New Food Classics.pngThe public warning issued on March 15, 2012 has been expanded to include all ground beef products from Establishment 761 (New Food Classics) that were manufactured between July 1, 2011 and February 15, 2012 and described below, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain ground beef products, described below, from Establishment 761 because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is also warning all retailers, distributors and restaurants not to sell, serve or use certain ground beef products, described below, from Establishment 761 because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

All ground beef products are being voluntarily recalled that were manufactured between July 1, 2011 and February 15, 2012 that were manufactured at this facility.

The affected products can be identified by the Establishment number that appears on the packages, cartons or cases. The products made at this facility bear Establishment number (EST) 761.

The affected products involved in this recall may be identified by one of the following codes:

  • bearing a Best Before date from BB 2012 JA 01 up to and including to BB 2013 FE 15;
  • bearing a production code with a format of 11 JL 01 up to and including 12 FE 15;
  • bearing a 5 digit lot code where the last four digits are 1831 or greater.

These products have been distributed nationally to retail stores, restaurants and institutional establishments.

There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of these products.

A total of 25 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O26 have been reported from 8 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Michigan (9), Arkansas (1), Ohio (3), and Wisconsin (1).

Six ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Results of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations indicate eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants is the likely cause of this outbreak.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat the following Grillhouse beef products, as they may be contaminated with E. coli.

Product Size Product Code Lot

Angus Beef Burgers 4.59 kg 55377 11 OC 11

Beef Burger with Seasoning, 3.2 oz 4.54 kg 52988 11 OC 12

Beef Burger with Seasoning, 4oz. 4.54 kg 52981 11 OC 12

The manufacturer, New Food Classics, 1122 is voluntarily recalling the affected products, which have been distributed across the country. So far, there has been one reported illness associated with them.

A total of 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O26 have been reported from 5 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Michigan (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from December 25, 2011 to January 15, 2012. Ill persons range in age from 9 years to 49 years old, with a median age of 25 years old. One hundred percent of ill persons are female. Among the 12 ill persons, 2 (17%) were hospitalized. None have developed HUS, and no deaths have been reported.

Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted by officials in local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to eating raw clover sprouts. Among the 11 ill persons with information available, 10 (91%) reported eating at a Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurant in the 7 days preceding illness. Ill persons reported eating at 9 different locations of Jimmy John’s restaurants in 4 states in the week before becoming ill. One location was identified where more than one ill person reported eating in the week before becoming ill. Among the 10 ill persons who reported eating at a Jimmy John’s restaurant location, 8 (80%) reported eating a sandwich containing sprouts, and 9 (90%) reported eating a sandwich containing lettuce. Currently, no other common grocery stores or restaurants are associated with illnesses.

The CDC announced this week a total of 12 persons infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O26 have been reported from 5 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1). Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from December 25, 2011 to January 15, 2012. Ill persons range in age from 9 years to 49 years old, with a median age of 25 years old. One hundred percent of ill persons are female. Among the 12 ill persons, 2 (17%) were hospitalized. None have developed HUS, and no deaths have been reported.  Preliminary results of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations indicate eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants is the likely cause of this outbreak.

Between September 16, 2008, and October 4, 2008, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) received a total of 19 confirmed and suspect cases of Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) O157:NM. Of those cases, 14 were lab confirmed to have matching PFGE patterns, and the pattern was unlike any other reported outbreak. Because most of the cases in this outbreak became ill at a Boulder Jimmy John’s Restaurant, Boulder County Public Health lead the investigation into the outbreak. Ultimately, in addition to the 19 confirmed Boulder County cases, one case was identified in each of the following counties: Arapahoe, Broomfield, Jefferson and Weld. BCPH reported: “Of the cases not in Boulder County, 2 of 4 (50%) reported eating food from a Jimmy John’s restaurant—one at the sorority house and one at a Jimmy John’s restaurant located in Adams County, Colorado. All 17 cases (100%) in Boulder County reported eating food from Jimmy John’s restaurant located in Boulder.” Based on their detailed traceback investigation, investigators ultimately found that one company, Sprouts Extraordinaire, had supplied alfalfa sprouts to not only the Boulder Jimmy John’s, but also the Federal Height’s (Adams County) Jimmy John’s, as well as the Pita Pit in Greeley, Colorado, where another PFGE matched case had consumed sprouts two days before onset of illness.

The CDC just reports a a total of 12 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli STEC O26 have been reported from 5 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Iowa (5), Missouri (3), Kansas (2), Arkansas (1), and Wisconsin (1).

Two ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Preliminary results of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations indicate eating raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants is the likely cause of this outbreak.

Jimmy John’s sprouts have been linked to earlier E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks.

Screen Shot 2012-01-19 at 5.48.13 PM.pngThe California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a letter on January 17, 2012 to Mark McAfee, CEO of Organic Pastures Dairy in Fresno, California, explaining the link between his company’s raw milk products and a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections in California children. The letter further detailed problems found at the facility, including the isolation of a matching strain of E. coli to the ill children.

The letter provides the results of an environmental investigation conducted on November 15 and 16, 2011. CDPH explains that:

This investigation was initiated because of a cluster of illnesses in five children from four counties throughout California infected with E. coli O157:H7 having an identical, uncommon PFGE pattern. Illness dates for these cases extends from August 25 through October 25, 2011….

The sickened children ranged in age from one to five years. Three of the children developed the potentially fatal complication of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

CDPH further explained that:

Epidemiological information indicated that the only common exposure all five had prior to illness onset was consumption of OPDC (Organid Pastures) raw milk…indicating a strong epidemiologic link between the raw milk exposure and illness.

The Food and Drug Branch, FDB, collected samples during the inspection of manure, colostrum, water, soil, and surfaces at the plant. 10 of those samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Two of the isolates matched the outbreak strain isolated from the five children. CDPH wrote that “the fact that E. coli O157:H7 identical to the outbreak strain was recovered from OPDC environment supports the probability that the OPDC raw milk that the case patients consumed was similarly contaminated leading to their illnesses.”

In another disturbing revelation, CDPH reported that samples of colostrum from the facility revealed shiga-toxin producing pathogens. The isolate of the shiga-toxin was so rare that California was unable to serotype at their laboratory, and has sent it to the CDC.

There were problems beyond the samples. The FDB inspection revealed deficiencies in the milk bottling room, milk storage rooms, bottle labeler room, kefir room, as well as milk storage silos. Some examples of deficiencies cited by FDB included:

Failure to maintain equipment in good repair and in sanitary conditions;

Failure to product products from potential contamination;

Failure to effectively exclude pests from the facility;

Failure to maintain milk storage areas in good repair and sanitary condition.

The letter concluded by informing Organic Pastures that it must “provide adequate documentation that the deficiencies noted in the inspection have been mitigated and systemic procedures have been implemented to prevent their reoccurrence.”