Exactly The wave of salmonella outbreaks and food recalls in the United States may be slowing, but consumers still face potential risks from contaminated jalapeños, eggs, granola and dog food. Health officials and food manufacturers have issued recalls after products tested positive for, or were linked to, possible salmonella contamination.
The salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated jalapeños has sickened 431 people in 32 states, with 57 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Aug. 19 update. Investigators identified jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the likely source. The company agreed to recall the affected produce, prompting stores to remove salsa, guacamole, salad dressings and other products containing jalapeños. Retailers and restaurants affected by the recalls included Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Chipotle and Qdoba.
A separate salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened 98 people in 17 states, including 26 hospitalizations. Health officials identified Midwest Poultry Services as a common source of the eggs, although the company said its products may not account for every illness and that it is investigating other possible sources. In July, the company voluntarily recalled 19 million eggs shipped from a Texas farm because of possible contamination.
Hampton Grocers also recalled its 8-ounce packages of Lacnola Lactation Granola because they may contain salmonella. The suspected ingredient is organic moringa powder, a nutrient-rich product made from the leaves of the moringa tree, which is native to South Asia. In recent years, multiple salmonella outbreaks have been linked to imported moringa leaf powder and supplements containing moringa.
Salmonella has also prompted a dog food recall. Oma’s Pride recalled one lot of Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe after a consumer complaint led the FDA to collect and test a product sample. The sample tested positive for salmonella. According to the FDA notice, three dogs reportedly became ill.
Common salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food. The infection can become serious or potentially fatal in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Salmonella outbreaks are relatively common during the summer, said Ellen Shoemaker, a food safety specialist with the North Carolina Extension Service. People generally eat more fresh food and dine outdoors more often during warmer months. “As temperatures rise, they create an environment where bacteria such as salmonella and parasites such as Cyclospora can thrive,” she said. Food left unrefrigerated for more than two hours may be unsafe to eat.
So how does salmonella get into food? Unlike Cyclospora, which infects only humans, salmonella can infect both people and animals.
One strain, Salmonella enteritidis, is commonly associated with poultry and eggs. The bacteria can colonize a laying hen’s reproductive tract and contaminate eggs before the shells form. Hens may be exposed through contaminated feed, water or soil, as well as contact with infected wildlife or other animals. People can also carry salmonella into poultry facilities on contaminated clothing or footwear.
“This particular type of salmonella has been associated with eggs for a long time, so this is a known problem,” said Jennifer McIntyre, a food microbiologist and founder of the consulting firm Food Safety Strategies. The FDA requires egg producers with at least 3,000 laying hens to test for this strain of salmonella.
Source: www.wired.com