Ottawa, July 13, 2018 – Hain Celestial Canada, ULC is recalling Europe’s Best brand Field Berry Mixes from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe’s Best | Field Berry Mix | 600 g | 2020MA03 2020MA04 2020MA10 2020MA11 |
8 71454 03618 7 |
| Europe’s Best | 4-Field Berry Mix | 2 kg | 2020MA02 | 8 71454 00200 7 |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local officials, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora infections. Yesterday, the Illinois and Iowa Health Departments identified McDonald’s salads as being potentially linked to cases of Cyclospora in both states. McDonald’s has voluntarily stopped selling salads at affected restaurants across 14 states and the CDC reports that 61 people across seven states have gotten sick.
“We understand how important it is to quickly identify the cause of this foodborne outbreak to help reduce additional illness and we’re working closely with our colleagues at CDC and state partners to get more answers. There’s still a lot to learn about this outbreak, and we appreciate that McDonald’s has removed salads from the menu in impacted restaurants while we work to determine whether they are in fact linked to the outbreak. We will continue to share our progress toward these goals and provide updates as we learn more,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “It’s early in the investigation, but we are taking steps now to help ensure consumers know about the potentially contaminated product so that they can better protect themselves or seek treatment, especially if they have signs or symptoms of a Cyclospora infection. This is especially important as Cyclospora is not commonly tested for in a health care setting, so consumers who may think they have been exposed should raise their concerns with their health care professional.”
As part of this emerging investigation, the FDA is actively working with McDonald’s to identify the common ingredients in the salads identified by those who became sick and to trace back those ingredients through the supply chain.
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause severe intestinal illness, but can be treated. Although it’s unknown exactly how food and water become infected with Cyclospora, people should be aware that rinsing or washing food is not likely to remove it.
The following is an update on the FDA’s ongoing investigation into this outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with federal, state, and local officials regarding a Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak linked to fresh crab meat from Venezuela. At this time, the FDA is advising consumers to avoid eating fresh crab meat from Venezuela, as it may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Consumers are advised to ask where their crab meat is from, if dining out at a restaurant or in grocery stores. This product is commonly found in plastic tubs and may be labeled as “pre-cooked.” As this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will share additional updates as soon as information becomes available. The FDA and the states are conducting an investigation to determine the source of contaminated fresh crab meat and ensure it is removed from the food supply. Retailers should not serve or sell fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela.
As of July 12, 2018, there are 12 cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The states reporting cases associated with this outbreak include Maryland (8), Louisiana (2), Pennsylvania (1), and the District of Columbia (1). Four of these cases are confirmed matches to the outbreak strain by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), which is a type of DNA fingerprinting. All four of these confirmed cases are in Maryland. Four people (33%) have been hospitalized. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 1, 2018 to July 3, 2018.
Food contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus may look, smell, and taste normal.
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 35.4; Tot. = 38.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio kernels from the United States, via Turkey in Greece
RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 6.2; Tot. = 6.9 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = >24 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds without shell from the United States in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = >24.0; Tot. = >24.0 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 19.3; Tot. = 25 µg/kg – ppb) in ground ogbono from Nigeria in the UK
RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = 56.2 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in Germany
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 50; Tot. = 55 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from India in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 9.0; Tot. = 9.0 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 18; Tot. = 22 µg/kg – ppb) in peanuts from Egypt in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 67.6 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from India in Greece
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 200 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Sudan in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 39; Tot. = 42 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from the United States in France
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 134.8; Tot. = 139.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from the United States in the UK
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 24 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 24 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 24.1 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain
RASFF-high count of yeasts in organic teriyaki sauce from the Netherlands in the Netherlands
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received confirmation of approximately 90 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. Cases have been reported in counties across Illinois with people becoming ill starting in mid-May. The initial investigation indicates a link to consumption of McDonald’s salads produced for McDonald’s restaurants. Approximately one-fourth of Illinois cases reported eating salads from McDonald’s in the days before they became ill. The Iowa Department of Health has noted a similar increase in cases.“Although a link has been made to salads sold in McDonald’s restaurants in some Illinois cases, public health officials continue to investigate other sources,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “If you ate a salad from McDonald’s since mid-May and developed diarrhea and fatigue, contact a health care provider about testing and treatment.”
RASFF-shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx1+ /25g) in chilled beef from Uruguay in the Netherlands
RASFF-Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins (346 µg/kg – ppb) in live dog cockles (Glycymeris glycymeris) from France in France
