TURKEY FOOD SAFETY

I thought I should blog turkey food safety, in honor of U.S. Thanksgiving Day tomorrow, and the nation's favorite dinner.

Actually, we don't have that many publicized incidents of contaminated whole turkey - fresh or frozen. There are more recalls of deli turkey and ground turkey, some of these quite large (like that Cargill turkey one in 2011). But that doesn't mean that raw whole turkey can't carry bacteria. In fact, tests conducted on turkeys show anywhere between 28% to 98% of turkey to carry Campylobacter bacteria ( a common cause of food poisoning). Salmonella bacteria have been found as well by several tests, as well as other dangerous bugs.

But remember - the actual numbers of bacteria may be too small to make you seriously ill, and, even if they are more numerous, proper cooking and handling will keep you and your family and guests safe.

There is no point my repeating these safety precautions, since I already did so in my post of 11/23/11 - "Have a Safe Thanksgiving Day." While you are looking this up, you may also want to check the next post on 11/24/11 -
Safe Thanksgiving Turkey Leftovers."

To your good health,
TSF

WAS THE CONTAMINATED TAHINI REALLY STOLEN?

I always wonder what happens to contaminated food products that have been recalled and are not allowed to be sold. The law in the U.S. requires that such food be destroyed. But yes, there have been all kinds of other stories. Reports exist of some being recycled into dog and cat or other pet food. Some also find their way back into the human food supply system, occasionally in error and sometimes on purpose. I remember blogging one instance where recalled contaminated peanuts were repackaged and relabelled - under a particularly healthy-sounding name - and out they went to the stores again. But I do not recall any like the current tahini one.

What happened is that Tony’s Imports and Exports of Clovis CA, was told by the FDA to recall and not sell any more of its imported (from Lebanon) AL-RABIH Tahineh (Sesame Paste). Tests had turned up Salmonella bacteria. The product came in big 40lb white plastic pails (probably most of it going to food processors and food distributors).

This was back in June, 2012. The importing company was supposed to hold the product until the FDA turned up to supervise destruction. When the FDA finally got around to doing so - yes, only recently - the 141 pails could not be found. The company claimed they had been stolen. Frankly, I have a hard time believing this. Yes, sesame paste is expensive (I buy it myself in much smaller containers to make tahini). But can you see a thief lugging out 141 heavy pails of the stuff? I suspect an "inside job" - stolen or not.

But the FDA seems to have swallowed the story. Perhaps we should get Inspector Poirot on the case to help the Clovis Police Department.

I was feeling lazy, so I bought some ready-made (Trader Joe's) tahini a few days ago instead of making my own. Now I am wondering whether I should throw it out. Did the food processor that manufactured this for Trader Joe's use this contaminated "stolen" product? Oh..oh. So many decisions...

To your good health,

TSF

BORED WITH BLOGGING BAGGED SPINACH RECALLS

I haven't done much blogging this week because I have been overwhelmed with work. But I did notice, among other recalls ( of foods such as beef tongues and NESQUIX chocolate mix ), another one for bagged spinach.

So a lot of people reading this blog have been pulling up my old posts, especially the one for April 7, 2011 entitled "Another Recall of Bagged Spinach Because of Salmonella." And, the title - as well as the discussion, work just as well for this week's one. Fresh Express again, bagged fresh produce again, Salmonella bacteria again...And, the recall alert came out on November 7 - the day the product's "Best By" date expired - in other words, after most people had eaten it. Nothing new.

If you are wondering whether washing it would help make you safer - read my last year's post.

Nestle's recall of NESQUIX Chocolate Powder (November 9) because of a possible Salmonella-contaminated ingredient (calcium carbonate) being used in making it, is more interesting and unusual. Yes, this bacteria can survive for months in dry conditions. Remember, Salmonella occasionally turns up in spices as well.

To your good health,
TSF

Spinach Mix and Carrot Chips Recalled

What sounds healthy isn't always healthy. Let's face it - you are not going to feel so great if you get a dose of nasty bacteria such as the worst kind of E.coli or Salmonella - yes, even if it is from spinach or carrots.

A couple of current recalls in the U.S. highlight the point. Both are bagged, ready-to-eat products which The Safe Food Handbook warns against. One involves Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend. Yes, organic. It was sold to Wegman's supermarket chain by State Garden, Inc. of Chelsea, Massachusetts. This product has been linked to 16 reported illnesses from E.coli O157 H:7 in New York State. Unless you keep these products way past their best-by dates, if you bought it, you would have eaten it by now. But remember - it could take as long as 10 days after eating for you to become ill.

Poor New York. In addition to being hit by that Superstorm Sandy, it has been hit by this particularly dangerous E.coli. Special caution for children and the elderly. This could send you to intensive care in the hospital with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). By the way, I wonder who else State Garden sold it to.

And then there is a recall involving Bolthouse Farms carrots - another bagged raw veggie. Bolthouse is recalling some of its Bolthouse Farms® 16-ounce Carrot Chips because routine sampling by a North Carolina health official turned up Salmonella bacteria. The product is labelled as Bolthouse Farms Carrot Chips, Safeway Farms Carrot Chips, or Farm Stand Carrot Chips. No reports of linked illnesses yet.

To your good health,
TSF

EATING SAFELY WITHOUT ELECTRICITY

Yes, I should have written this before. But, better late than never. Here are my thoughts on how you can eat reasonably well and avoid food poisoning if a superstorm or hurricane like Sandy decides to arrive in your area.

First, to be prepared, assume that you will have power outages, and, may have no potable water. Secondly, assume that restaurants in your area may be closed, or, if they are operating, may not be the safest places to eat. So, it's up to you.

Here are some things you may want to buy: a cooler and ice packs, an appliance thermometer (to check the frig temperature) - and if you have electric cooking appliances - a good thermos and a small camp stove (you can get a one-burner stove for less than $20). Also make sure you have tin foil and a working can opener (if you don't usually eat out of cans), as well as matches for lighting the stove.

As for food, choose food and drink that does not have to be refrigerated - at least for a few days - and is quick to cook or can be eaten uncooked. For instance: lots of bottled water, single-pack/small tin juices, tinned milk, energy bars or fiber bars that appeal to you, fresh fruit such as apples, oranges, bananas, pineapple, lemons, avocados. Vegetables that keep well, and that you can eat raw, such as carrots, celery, cabbage, cauliflower. Canned chicken, tuna, sardines, meat, tinned cheese (if you can find it), beans and soups (if you can warm them up). And then there are also those good things such as nuts, raisins, dried figs and other fruit and...of course, chocolate (personally, I can't live without it. You may need something nice and comforting during that nasty storm, and they will also give you quick energy. And don't forget your pet's food.

If you know that the storm is a few hours away, you may want to quickly roast a chicken or cook some other dish that will keep a few hours to the next meal, freeze your ice packs, turn the refrigerator down to about 35 degrees so it gets extra cold and can stay that way longer after a power outage, fill the thermos with hot coffee, hot chocolate (or, whatever you like), and batten down the hatches.

And final advice - if food looks off, don't eat it (also read my previous post). It's better to go hungry.

To your good health,
TSF

HURRICANE SANDY FOOD SAFETY

I have always found hurricanes rather frightening. Superstorm Sandy (Hurricane, cum storm, with blizzards tagged on in some areas) is ravaging the East Coast of the United States as I write. It is going to affect a lot of people for a long time. One of the immediate effects is power outages for millions (8.1 million was the latest number I saw). This means no refrigeration and maybe no cooking for many. Unless you are careful, this also means more risk of eating bad food and getting food poisoning.

My son lives in Lower Manhattan (just outside the original top priority evacuation area) and he is presently without electricity. For how long, no-one knows. I tried to talk to him about being prepared, including for eating safely. But I am not sure he paid any attention. So what else is new? At least I can blog about it.

In this sort of situation, it is best to stock foods such as dates, raisins, nuts, carrots, cabbage, apples, oranges, pineapple, lemons, avocado, celery, cucumbers, bananas, and if they are on your diet - hard aged cheese, tinned light tuna (try it with chives or oregano and lemon juice instead of mayo), sardines, spam, beans and chick peas. Add a few crackers or some bread (while it lasts) and you can survive on this without refrigeration for a few days.

As for the refrigerator - the best idea is to stock it with only a few essentials and turn down the temperature a bit lower than usual while you still have electricity. Take out anything like bottled drinks and vegetables and fruit such as those above, as this will help you avoid opening the refrigerator door too often when power is off. That will give you a few extra hours with that roast chicken or whatever is in there.

But, forget the "best by" dates. Use your nose, eyes and common sense instead. Anything that is left for a few days in the non-operating refrigerator or has melted in the freezer is suspect, even if you haven't opened the door. If you are in doubt, toss it out. Having a case of food poisoning with roads and pharmacies closed and emergency rooms in overload, is not something you want. I just hope my son remembers that.

To your good health,
TSF

DON'T GET SICK FROM DOG FOOD

Every once in a while I am tempted to cover pet food on this blog as well as human food. There is quite a bit of overlap. In fact, I have a half-finished book on safe dog food - a sort of follow up to The Safe Food Handbook, but for our pets. Whether I will ever finish it is another matter.

Anyway, one of the most common health risks for dog owners, and especially for children, is to get Salmonellosis (caused by pathogenic Salmonella bacteria) from handling contaminated dog treats. Washing hands well immediately afterwards would help, but how many of us do that all the time?

If you think I am exaggerating the whole thing, below is a summary of suspected Salmonella-contaminated dog food that has been recalled in less than two months in the U.S.(Note - most recalls involve treats). The source is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) - a thorougly reliable one.

08/31/2012 Milk replacer - Brands: Quality Feed, Inc., Dairy Princess, Peachey's or Yo-momma, made by Quality Feed, Inc.

09/11/2012 Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula Breeder's Choice - Brands: Breeder's Choice, AvoDerm, made by Breeder's Choice Pet Food

09/21/2012 Pet treat - Brand: Boots & Barkley, made by Kasel Assoc. Industries.

09/24/2012 Dog food - Brand: Dogsbutter - Made by Sunland Inc.

10/02/2012 Chicken Jerky Dog Treats - Brand: Nature's Deli, made by
Kasel Associated Industries

10/04/2012 Flavored butters, spreads and more - Brands: American Choice, Archer Farms, Arrowhead Mills etc., made by Sunland Inc.

10/10/2012 Pet treat - Brand: Yoghund, made by TBD Brands, LLC

10/13/2012 Pet treat - Brand: Nature's Recipe, made by Del Monte Foods

10/17/2012 Pet treats - Brand: Boots & Barkley, made by Kasel Assoc. Industries

Food poisoning second hand, is just as bad as getting it directly from our own food! Take precautions.

To your good health,
TSF