FDA News Release: - Salmonella Alert to consumers in N.M., Texas

From the FDA, sliding across the inbox at 6:19 pm:

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2008
Media Inquiries: Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242, michael.herndon@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns Consumers in New Mexico and Texas Not to Eat Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes

The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers in New Mexico and Texas that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.

The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggest that raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes are the cause. At this time, consumers in New Mexico and Texas should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses. Consumers in New Mexico and Texas who have recently eaten raw tomatoes or foods containing raw tomatoes and are experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their health care provider. All Salmonella infections should be reported to state or local health authorities.

From April 23 though June 1, 2008, there have been 57 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul in New Mexico and Texas, including 17 hospitalizations. Approximately 30 reports of illness in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Utah are currently being investigated to determine whether they are also linked to tomatoes. There are no reported deaths.

FDA recognizes that the source of the contaminated tomatoes may be limited to a single grower or packer or tomatoes from a specific geographic area. FDA also recognizes that there are many tomato crops across the country and in foreign countries that are just becoming ready for harvest or will become ready in the coming months. In order to ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy tomatoes that are safe to eat, FDA is working diligently with the states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and various food industry trade associations to quickly determine the source and type of the contaminated tomatoes. As more information becomes available, FDA will update this warning.

Last year FDA began a multi-year Tomato Safety Initiative to reduce the incidence of tomato-related foodborne illness. The Initiative is a collaborative effort between FDA and the state health and agriculture departments in Virginia and Florida, in cooperation with several universities and members of the produce industry.

A key element of the Food Protection Plan -- a scientific and a risk-based approach to strengthen and protect the nation's food supply—is prevention. FDA encourages producers to critically reexamine their operations and apply the scientific principles and regulations established decades ago to provide a safe product for the consumer.

Information on safe handling of produce can be found at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html.

Tomato consumer page can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

Updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/

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UN Food Summit plays up fresh produce

Well, more precisely, the United Nations is downplaying the meat and extravegant portions of its menus.

At the last UN Food Summit six years ago, world leaders were accused of hypocrisy for having a fine dining experience while trying to determine how best to feed the world's malnourished and famine-stricken poor.

This time, the meals are less haute cuisine, according to this article from TimesOnlineUK.

Lobster, goose and foie gras have given way to pasta, mozzarella, spinach and sweetcorn. "It does not look good if leaders discussing global starvation are seen to be dining lavishly," an official of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said. "At the last summit in 2002 we did not give enough thought to the menu and were open - unfairly, in our view - to the charge of hypocrisy."

The 2002 menu read like a gourmet restaurant: foie gras on toast with kiwi fruit and lobster in vinaigrette, followed by fillet of goose with olives and seasonal vegetables and ending with a compote of fruit with vanilla, all accompanied by an array of fine wines.

The 2008 menu is this: vol au vent stuffed with sweetcorn and mozzarella, followed by a pasta dish with a sauce of pumpkin and shrimps, and then veal meatballs and cherry tomatoes, with a fruit salad and vanilla ice-cream for dessert. The wine was a "straightforward but very acceptable Orvieto Classico", officials said.

Maybe it was toned down a bit this year, but it still sounds like a pretty nice meal. And most importantly, there is plenty of fresh produce on the menu.

CDC on salmonella and tomatoes

Here is the link to the CDC statement on salmonella and tomatoes. David Mitchell of The Packer is covering this story this week, so watch for his updates on The Packer news site. Amy Philpott of United Fresh indicated that FDA is expected to make a statement or release information today.


From the CDC:

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An epidemiologic investigation conducted by the New Mexico and Texas Departments of Health and the Indian Health Service using interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has identified consumption of raw tomatoes as the likely source of the illnesses in New Mexico and Texas. The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation; however, preliminary data suggest that large tomatoes, including Roma and red round are the source.

Since late April, 40 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in Texas (21 persons) and New Mexico (19 persons). The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating 17 additional Salmonella Saintpaul illnesses. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 38 persons who have been interviewed, illnesses began between April 23 and May 27, 2008. Patients range in age from 3 to 82 years; 48% are female. At least 17 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

In addition, approximately 30 persons with Salmonella Saintpaul infection have been reported since late April in residents of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Utah. Investigations are underway to determine if consumption of raw tomatoes is also associated with illness in these states.

Advice to consumers:

• In New Mexico and Texas, until the source of the implicated tomatoes is determined,
  • persons with increased risk of severe infection, including infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems, should not eat raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home, and
  • persons who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection can avoid consuming raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.

You can check the CDC and FDA websites for updates on this investigation and changes in recommendations.

More information about Salmonella and this investigation can be found at:

• Salmonella FAQs
• Department of Health Announces Link Between Tomatoes, Salmonella

Florida consumer survey

I noticed reference to a consumer survey in a recent email newsletter from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, and I requested more info on it from the Florida Department of Agriculture. The survey, called the Promotions Campaign Survey, was conducted in April this year.
No big surprises here, perhaps, except to note that responses seem to vary widely based income and ethnic group. The food budget is a bigger concern this year than a year ago, and four out of five viewed Florida's ag products as safe compared with imports. The summary of the survey is published below.

Summary

While the percentages are only around 25%, a significant number seeks out Florida grown products as well as locally grown products when they shop. Florida residents are concerned about a safe and stable food supply.

A large number are more concerned today than they were a year ago about the family food budget reflecting the economic downturn nationally. Florida residents feel products grown in the State are safe when compared to imported products.

Television and newspapers are the two primary sources of information for news. Respondents generally felt Florida farmers were concerned about their impact on the environment. There was strong support for allowing legal workers from other countries to work as temporary farm employees.

Just under 30% were aware of the phrase, “Safe, affordable and abundant: Food for thought from Florida’s farmers.” A majority feels Florida farmers should produce crops that can be used as sources for alternative fuels, such as bio-diesel, bio-gas and ethanol.

Highlights

24% say they always look for food produced in Florida when they shop. This is significantly higher among Hispanics and in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. Another 36% say sometimes and that is well above the norm among African-Americans and those earning $40,000-$50,000 a year. 18% say seldom and 19% never.

A significant number are concerned about a stable food supply. Using a mean average scale of 1 to 5 with a 1 most concerned, the average was 2.3. This was most important to those earning $50,000-$75,000 a year.

Again using the 1 to 5 scale, the mean average was 1.9 when asked how concerned they were about a safe food supply. Women were more concerned than men.

69% are more concerned about their family’s food budget than they were a year ago. This was above the norm among African-Americans, 45-54 year olds and those earning $50,000-$75,000 a year. Only 12% said less and 19% about the same.

81% feel agricultural products grown in Florida are safe compared to imported products. Only 5% said they were somewhat unsafe compared to imported products. 23% of African-Americans felt they were unsafe.

31% say extremely and 42% very when asked how important university research is to the farmers who produce food and fiber in Florida. When 73% combined give these responses, it reflects a very high percentage that considers it important.

50% receive their news and information from television. This is higher than the norm among respondents in Jacksonville and African-Americans and below the norm among Hispanics. 27% say newspapers and this rises in importance among 65+ respondents, those earning $20,000-$30,000 and $50,000-$75,000 a year. It is also higher in West Palm/Ft. Pierce and Ft. Myers/Naples. 8% said the Internet but is twice as high among 18-34 year olds and families with two or more children in the household.

32% were not sure if Florida farming operations were hi-tech or low-tech. Women, families with 2+ children and those in the Ft. Myers/Naples area were the groups most unsure. 39% said hi-tech and this rose significantly among those earning over $100,000 a year and in West Palm/Ft. Pierce. 25% said low-tech and 4% no-tech.

36% believe Florida farmers are very concerned about their impact on the environment. This is well above the norm among respondents who were separated, widowed or divorced and in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area. 48% say they are somewhat concerned and this rose among 35-44 year olds, Hispanics, singles and men. 7% said they weren’t concerned at all and 8% weren’t sure.

25% said it is extremely important that Florida farmers be able to employ temporary, legal workers from other countries to produce food. This rose well above the norm among 18-34 year olds, Hispanics and those with two or more children in their household. 34% said it was very important and this rose in importance among 55-64 year olds and respondents earning $50,000 or more a year. 23% said it was somewhat important and 12% said it was not important.

29% recall seeing or hearing the phrase, “Safe, affordable and abundant: Food for thought from Florida’s farmers.” Only among those earning $75,000-$100,000 do we see in increase from the norm. 69% said they had not and 3% weren’t sure.

26% said they always make an effort to seek out locally grown food products. This is higher among those earning under $20,000 a year and in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 57% said sometimes and 15% never.

93% consider agriculture to be important to Florida’s economy and another 93% believe the United States should be able to produce enough food domestically to feed its citizens.

31% said it was extremely important and 30% very important for Florida farmers to produce crops that can be used as sources for alternative fuels, such as bio-diesel, bio-gas and ethanol. When you combine extremely and very together, it reflects 61% was say it is important. Another 22% said somewhat important and only 12% not important. 45-54 year olds, Hispanics, African-Americans and those in West Palm Beach/Ft. Pierce felt it was most important.

Wal-Mart still gaining

At some point, the last supercenter will go up and Wal-Mart share of grocery sales will plateau, but not now. Wal-Mart's unstoppable rise as a factor in food retailing goes on, reports this story. From Media Post:

Looks like consumers aren't the only ones feeling the pinch of rising food prices: A new study shows that regional grocery chains are increasingly losing their edge to Wal-Mart, as shoppers look to fill their carts with more food bargains. The May study, conducted by BIGresearch, a consumer intelligence company based in Worthington, Ohio, reports that Wal-Mart maintains its No. 1 spot among all adults nationwide, with 16% saying that Wal-Mart is the store they shop most frequently. But regional chains are slipping.

For example, in the Northeast, 9.5% of shoppers say they shop most often at Shop-Rite, a marginal increase, and Stop 'n' Shop stayed flat, while Wal-Mart showed considerable growth in that region. And on the West Coast, Safeway continues to be the most shopped-at store, and its growth is level; Wal-Mart, in the No. 2 slot in that region, is gaining ground.

In the South, Wal-Mart continues to be the powerhouse, where 25% of adults name it as their preferred grocery store, and in the Midwest, it's also tops, favored by 14.9% of shoppers.