LISTERIA IN SALADS - A GLOBAL TREAT

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria commonly crop up in ready-to-eat (RTE) salads as well as other RTE foods. This bacterium can be present in the soil, in improperly treated organic fertilizer and in irrigation water. Animals who carry it may show no symptoms of illness.

The bacteria could also enter from packaging or plant equipment - and, in my opinion, one of the biggest risk factors - is that it is commonly carried by food industry workers. How often this happens, is difficult to say as estimates vary - let's say, somewhere between 5-20% of food workers may be carriers (that is of course, a broad range, but I bet it varies in different parts of the US.

And don't assume that this is just a US problem. It is not. For the readers of this blog in Canada, Australia, New Zealand (and my stats tell me there are quite a few of you in those countries) you have also had quite a few similar outbreaks and recalls - Listeria monocytogenes in RTE salads (as well as other foods). In fact, several occurred in 2010 in all these countries. At least one was reported in New Zealand about a week ago (Pams Fresh Express, and Living Foods Brands were involved).

And unfortunately, you can't assume organic produce is any safer. For one thing, it is handled just as much. For another, it is just as subject to environmental, animal and plant contamination. Take today's recall by State Garden, Inc. (see previous blog). One of the salad products on its recall list is Olivia's Organics. In fact, some 20 of the 90 (currently) recalled salad products bear this label. This organic line was launched with all kinds of great publicity by State Garden in March, 2006. I am quoting from the company's website at that time: "The mission of OLIVIA’S ORGANICS™ is three-fold: to encourage healthy eating by offering all-natural, organic products; to aide the local community though the work of its Foundation; and to protect the environment by endorsing earth-friendly, organic farming techniques." This sounds like a wonderful initiative - for a profit oriented company. But, unfortunately, bacteria don't discriminate - they are an equal-opportunity threat.

Listeria monocytogenes is not only a global food safety risk, but it can turn up just as much in organic as well as in conventional produce and other kinds of foods. Pregnant women - take special care (see my next blog).

TSF

NEW EAST COAST SALAD PRODUCT RECALL

A new salad product recall by State Garden, Inc. of MA, has just been announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some 90 different kinds of fresh salads are being recalled, many of them mixed, or with herbs, spices or dressing added.

There is nothing new about the type of contamination of fresh greens. It is that bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes again, which is so very common in ready-to-eat products of all kinds (just check back on the food alerts listed on this blog, and you'll see it everywhere).

Here are the facts for today's RTE salad recall.

Where products sold: a variety of retail stores on the East Coast, including AP, Giant, Stop & Shop and others.

Products recalled: a very long list of some 90 different RTE salads in a variety of sizes and packaging (bag, clamshell etc.) with brand names of Gold Quality, Hannaford, Natures Place, Nature's Promise, Roche Bros, Northeast Fresh, Noreast Fresh, Olivia’s Organics, Signature, Wegmans (gives you an idea of how complex our food system is, right?). Trace back codes 45693 and 45703. Go to this site for a complete list: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm241088.htm

People at high risk: Pregnant women (risk to the newborn - including miscarriages, stillbirths, or serious health problems for the newborn), those with HIV/AIDS, anyone else with a compromised immune system, the very young and elderly. This bacteria can have fatal consequences in almost a quarter of cases of severe illness (compare to Salmonella - which has only about a 1% fatality rate).

Symptoms to watch out for:high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

TSF