Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. Recalls Products that Contain Celery due to Possible E. coli contamination

Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. of Tracy, CA, is recalling the products listed below because they may include celery which could potentially contain E. coli 0157:H7. The products listed below are being recalled out of an abundance of caution due to a Celery and Onion Diced Blend testing positive for E. coli 0157:H7 in a sample taken by the Montana Department of Health. The Celery and Onion Diced Blend tested by the state of Montana was used in a Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad that has been linked to a multi-state E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.


Fresh To Go Bistro Snack 1/7.5oz 7-Eleven TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 324, 326, 327, 328 2808 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca., Nv., Wa., Or., Co
240088 CST Celery 1/4" Dice 8/5# Bag Costco TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 104 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Az., Nv., Ut., Wa.
240069 CST Celery Dcd 1/4" Food Service Bag Costco TF 313, 314, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 324, 326, 327 29 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Wa., Or., Id.
240028 CST Celery Sticks 4" 8/5# Bag Food Service Bag Costco TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 229 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Az., Nv., Ut., Wa., Il., Ga.
240063 CST Celery/Onion 1/4" Dcd Blend Food Service Bag Costco TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 1184 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Wa., Or., Id., Mt., Ut., Co.
202040 CST Turkey Dinner Veggie 6/12oz  Food Service Bag Costco TF 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324 2170 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Wa., Or., Id., Mt., Ut., Co.
202241 TF Chicken Salad W/ Grapes 2Cnt Salad Kit Bulk Kit King Sooper TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 320, 321, 322, 324, 328 1106 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Co., Wy.
203022 TF Curry Chicken 2Cnt Salad Kit Bulk King Sooper TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 328 127 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Co., Wy.
202139 TF-KS Apple Waldorf 2Cnt Salad Kit Bulk Kit King Sooper TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 320, 328 434 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Co., Wy.
278902 Citizen Chef Pantry Buffalo Chicken Wrap 1/10oz Tray Pantry TF 320, 321, 326, 327, 328, 329 129 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca.
278003 Citizen Chef Pantry Asian W/Chckn Premade Salad 10.25oz Tray Premade Salad Pantry TF 319, 320, 321, 322, 326, 327, 328 126 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
201428 Raley's Albacore Tuna Salad Kit - 0595143 Bulk Kit Raleys TF 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 322, 324, 325, 327 290 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca ,Nv.
270280 Raley's Asian Pasta Toss 1/12oz Tray Premade Salad Raleys TF 313, 314, 316, 318, 319, 320, 322, 324, 326, 327, 328 1748 11/20/15 to 12/4/15 Ca.,Nv.
201426 Raley's Blue Cheese Potato&Bacon Salad - 0595129 Bulk Kit Raleys TF 314, 315, 316, 318, 320, 324, 325, 327, 328 380 11/20/15 to 12/5/15 Ca.,Nv.
210397 Raley's Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 324, 325, 326 90 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
271973 Raley's Country Potato Salad 1/32oz Tray Raleys TF 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 3006 11/20/15 to 12/4/15 Ca.,Nv.
271970 Raley's Country Macaroni Salad 1/16oz Tray Raleys TF 317, 319, 321, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 784 11/20/15 to 12/4/15 Ca.,Nv.
271971 Raley's Country Macaroni Salad 1/32oz Tray Raleys TF 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 2248 11/20/15 to 12/4/15 Ca.,Nv.
271972 Raley's Country Potato Salad 1/16oz Tray Raleys TF 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 3278 11/20/15 to 12/4/15 Ca.,Nv.
201675 Raley's Crunchy Veggie Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 327, 328 2005 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
210392 Raley's Curry Chicken Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326, 328 565 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201508 Raley's Golden State Chicken Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 322, 324, 325, 327 992 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201674 Raley's Loaded Potato Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 327, 328 1218 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201427 Raley's Mandarin Orange Chinese W/Chicken Kit Bulkt Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 630 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201412 Raley's Nob Hill Recovery Chicken Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 327 70 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201480 Raley's Old Fashion Salad W/Chicken - 0595254 Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 316, 317, 318, 320, 324, 325, 327 1031 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201433 Raley's Seafood Salad - 0595077 Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 322, 324, 325, 327, 328 2260 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
201359 Raley's Thanksgiving Salad Kit Bulk Raleys TF 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 327 570 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
271752 Raley's Traditional Cornbread Stuffing 25oz Tray Raleys TF 321, 322, 323 12558 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.,Nv.
271727 Raley's Vegetable 1/3# Tray Raleys TF 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 326, 327, 329 2218 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
271758 Raley's Vegetable and Ranch Dip 1/27oz Tray Raleys TF 315, 316, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327 931 11/20/15 to 12/6/15 Ca.,Nv.
270352 Savemart/FM/Lucky Buffalo Style Chicken Wrap 1/10oz Sandwich Wrap Savemart TF 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 327 603 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca.
270359 Savemart/FM/Lucky Fully Loaded Chopped Salad 1/10.5oz Tray Premade Salad Savemart  TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 327 377 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
270366 Savemart/FM/Lucky Greek Salad 1/10.5oz Tray Premade Salad Savemart TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 327 386 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
270363 Savemart/FM/Lucky Southwest W/ Chicken Salad 1/9.5oz Tray Premade Salad Savemart TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 327 576 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
200524 TF Sicilian Vegetable Salad 2Ct Kit Bulk Kit Savemart TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 322, 323, 327 53 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca
210160 TF Asian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad 6/6oz Tray Premade Salad Savemart/ Tonys/ Albertsons TF 316, 317, 319, 320, 323, 327 700 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.
279003 Sig Cafe Asian W/Chicken Premade Salad 10.25oz Tray Premade Salad Safeway / Albertsons TF 317, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 11222 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca., Nv., Or., Az., Nm., Wy., Sd., Ne.
203326 TF Crunchy Vegetables 2ct Salad Kit Bulk Kit Albertsons TF 314, 316, 317, 320, 321, 327 155 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Or.
218858 Sig Cafe Asian W/Chicken Premade Salad 4/10.25oz Tray Premade Salad Albertsons TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 579 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
218871 Sig Cafe Thai Style W/ Chicken Premade Salad 4/12oz Tray Premade Salad Albertsons TF 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 539 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
203017 TF Cheesy Bacon Ranch Pasta 2Cnt Salad Bulk Kit Albertsons TF 314, 315, 316, 317, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327 535 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Or., Id., Ut., Mt.,Nv., Nd.. Wy.
203328 TF Crunchy Chinese Chicken Recovery 2ct Salad Kit Bulk Kit Albertsons TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 327 425 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Or., Id., Ut., Mt.,Nv., Nd.. Wy.
215305 Sig Cafe Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta 2Cnt Salad Kit Bulk Kit Safeway TF 313, 317, 320, 324, 325, 326, 328 298 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Co., Wy., Sd., Ne.
203119 TF Apple Waldorf 2ct Salad Kit Bulk Kit Safeway/ Albertsons TF 314, 317, 321, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 208 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Co., Wy., Sd., Ne., Or.
203136 TF Crunchy Pea 2ct Salad Kit Bulk Kit Safeway/ Albertsons TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 944 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Wa.,Or.,Id.
215350 Celery Slcd 1/2" Diagonal 2/5# bags Food Service Bag Safeway TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 326, 327, 328 236 11/20/15 to 12/5/15 Ca., Nv.
270067 TF Buffalo Chicken Burrito 1/11oz Tray Tray Safeway TF 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 2439 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca., Nv.
279019 Sig Cafe Thai Style W/Chicken Premade Salad 12oz Tray Premade Salad Safeway TF 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 18727 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca., Nv., Or.
279028 Sig Cafe Sriracha W/Chicken Premade Salad 8.75oz Tray Premade Salad Safeway TF 317, 318, 319, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 7721 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Co., Wy., Sd., Ne.,Ca., Nv.
203356 TF Chinese Style Chicken Recovery 2Ct Salad Kit Safeway TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 2119 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Nv., Wa., Or., Co., Wy., Sd., Ne.
218326 TF Fall Salad 2Cnt Kit Bulk Kit Safeway/ Albertsons TF 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 1049 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca., Nv., Or., Id., Ut., Mt.,Nv., Nd.. Wy.
270060 TF Buffalo Style Chicken Wrap 1/10oz Sleeve Safeway/ Vons TF 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 1118 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca., Nv.
270012 TF Chicken and Hummus Snack 1/7oz Tray Tray Vons TF 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 3098 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca., Nv.
218877 Sig Cafe Traditional Stuffing Premade 4/39oz Tray Tray Safeway/ Vons/ Albertsons TF 323, 324, 326, 327, 328 1174 11/20/15 to 11/29/15 Ca., Nv.
274026 SBUX Holiday Turkey & Stuffing Warm 7.7oz #11045014 Sandwich Starbucks TF 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 45133 11/20/15 to 11/28/15 Ca.,Or.,Nv.
204507 AF Asian Chopped Salad 6/9.6 oz Premade Salad Target TF 314, 316, 317, 318, 321, 322, 325, 326, 327 493 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.
270205 AF Asian Style Chicken Salad 1/10.25oz Tray Premade Salad Target TF 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, 326, 328 1544 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
270201 AF Buffalo Chicken Wrap 1/10oz Tray Tray Target TF 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, 326, 328 687 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca.
270234 AF Café Buffalo-Style Chicken Wrap 1/10oz Tray Tray Target TF 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, 326, 328 113 11/20/15 to 11/30/15 Ca.
204576 AF Ginger Stir Fry Vegetable Blend 4/14oz Tray Tray Target TF 314, 316, 317, 319, 321, 323, 324, 326, 328 35 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.
270206 AF Thai Style Salad 1/12oz Tray Tray Target TF 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, 326, 328 1191 11/20/15 to 12/1/15 Ca.
203304 TF Crunchy Chinese Chicken Recovery Salad Kit Tonys TF 312, 315, 317, 319, 322, 324, 327, 328 705 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.
210163 TF Italian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad 6/6.25oz Tray Premade Salad Tonys TF 313, 317, 321, 325 17 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.
203403 TF Asian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad 6/6oz WM#554135639 Premade Salad Walmart TF 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 2290 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut.,SD.,ND .,
202055 TF Celery 3/8" Diced 6/8.5oz Bag Food Service Bag Sams Club TF 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 324, 327, 328 590 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut.,SD.,ND .,
203402 TF Italian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad 6/6.25oz WM#55413564 Premade Salad Walmart TF 313, 314, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 2229 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut.,SD.,ND .,
203420 TF-WM Celery Sticks 4/8oz Tray WM#554390337 Tray Walmart TF 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 326, 328 150 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut.,SD.,ND .,
203418 TF-WM Celery/Carrot Slims 4/10oz Tray WM#554390336 Tray Walmart TF 314, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 326, 328 200 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut., SD.,ND.,
203040 WM Chicken 1Ct Salad Kit WM#554561010 Bulk Kit Walmart TF 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328 416 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut., SD.,ND.,
203045 WM Fruit Waldorf 1Ct Salad Kit WM#554561008 Bulk Kit Walmart TF 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 323, 324, 325, 327, 328 451 11/20/15 to 12/8/15 Ca.,Nv.,Or.,Wa.,Az.,Co.,Wy.,N M.,Ak.,Hi.,Ne.,Mt.,Ut., SD.,ND.,
Only the products listed above are subject to this recall. Customers who have any recalled products are urged to discard the affected products.
Consumers may call 209-830-3141 for any further information Monday to Friday, exclusive of holidays, between the hours of 8am-5pm (PST). Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of any of the recalled products should contact a health care provider.

Salad Kits and Roma Tomatoes Recalled

California’s Taylor Farms Recalls Some Tomatoes and Salad Kits

Taylor Farms recall of several lots of tomatoes and salad kits for possible Salmonella contamination. The Tracy based Taylor Farms, located in California’s San Joaquin County, is one of the nation’s biggest producers of salad makings.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, Taylor Farms issued a recall for Expo Fresh Roma tomatoes it shipped to Costco locations in Los Angeles and Hawthorne, CA; Tacoma and Lynnwood, WA, and Las Vegas, NV. It involves only those tomatoes listed as packed on Sept. 5 or 6, 2014.

Included in the recall, however, is Sicilian Vegetable Salad sold at deli counters at Safeway, Vons, and Pavilions grocery stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona, with use-by dates of Sept. 20 and 21, 2014. The kits are for the salads containing tomatoes.

Taylor Farms said the possible Salmonella contamination was discovered during routine testing.

Reser's Fine Foods RecallsMore Products Due to Listeria

 October 28, 2013 - Reser's Fine Foods, Inc. ("Reser's") initiated a recall of select products on October 22, 2013 due to the potential of those select products being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On October 26, 2013, Reser's expanded its initial recall to cover a broader group of products. In response to that expanded recall, Taylor Farms Florida, Inc. ("TFFL"); Taylor Farms Illinois, Inc. ("TFIL"); Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc. ("TFMD"); Taylor Farms Texas, Inc. ("TFTX"); and Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc. ("TFTN") are voluntarily issuing a secondary recall on a limited number of deli products that contain components implicated in Reser's expanded recall. The products subject to the recall are limited to the code dates provided. These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. To date, there have been no reported illnesses associated with these recalled items.

STORE	ITEM DESCRIPTION	BEST IF USED BY DATE	PRODUCTION FACILITY	STATES PRODUCT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO
Florida Food Service Inc.	Broccoli Slaw Crunch Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFFL	Florida
Sysco	Broccoli Slaw Crunch Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFFL	Florida
Dominick's	Signature Caf� Italian Pasta Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/30/13, 11/1/13	TFIL	Illinois
Ahold Financial Services	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/02/013, 11/03/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
All Island Food Distributors Corp	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	New York
All Island Food Distributors Corp	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	New York
Associated Wholesalers Inc.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Pennsylvania
Associated Wholesalers Inc.	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Pennsylvania
Big Y Foods	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New York, Massachusetts, Maryland
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.	Broccoli Cheddar Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New York, Massachusetts, Maryland
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.	Cole Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/28/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	New York, Massachusetts, Maryland
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 10/31/13, 11/01/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New York, Massachusetts, Maryland
Crescent Packing Corp.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/28/2013	TFMD	New York
DPI Mid Atlantic Inc.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	Maryland
DPI Mid Atlantic Inc.	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/26/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	Maryland
Market Basket	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/26/13, 10/28/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Market Basket	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/26/13, 10/28/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Mars Super Markets Inc.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	Maryland
Mars Super Markets Inc.	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/01, 11/01/13	TFMD	Maryland
Price Chopper / Golub Corporation	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	New York
Price Chopper / Golub Corporation	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/28/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	New York
Redner's Market	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/26/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	Pennsylvania
RLB Food Distributors	Cole Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
RLB Food Distributors	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	New Jersey
RLB Food Distributors	Kings Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
Shaw's	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Shaw's	Cole Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Shaw's	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Supervalu Inc.	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Virginia, Pennsylvania
Supervalu Inc.	Cole Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/27/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Virginia, Pennsylvania
Supervalu Inc.	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Virginia, Pennsylvania
C&S Upper Marlboro	G&G Italian Pasta SGCAF (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/02/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	Maryland
Trucchi's Supermarkets	Broccoli Cheddar Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Trucchi's Supermarkets	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Trucchi's Supermarkets	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 11/01/13	TFMD	Massachusetts
Wakefern Food Corporation	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
Wakefern Food Corporation	Broccoli Cheddar Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
Wakefern Food Corporation	Cole Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
Wakefern Food Corporation	Diced Summer Slaw Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/01/13, 11/03/13	TFMD	New Jersey
Weis Markets Inc.	Broccoli Cheddar Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 10/31/13, 11/02/13	TFMD	Pennsylvania
Randalls / Tom Thumb	Cabbage Coleslaw Kit with Dressing (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/27/13, 10/29/13, 10/31/13, 11/03/13	TFTX	Texas
Randalls / Tom Thumb	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 10/29/13	TFTX	Texas
Randalls / Tom Thumb	Italian Pasta Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/25/13, 10/27/13, 1029/13, 11/01/13	TFTX	Texas
Priceless Foods	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13, 10/28/13, 11/07/13	TFTN	Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana
Cooke's Food Store	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13, 10/28/13, 11/07/13	TFTN	Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana
Food World	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13, 10/28/13, 11/07/13	TFTN	Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana
BILO	Spinach Antipasti Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/29/2013	TFTN
Winn Dixie	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/24/13, 10/27/13, 10/29/13, 11/05/13, 11/06/13	TFTN	Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi
Winn Dixie	Spinach Antipasti Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/24/13, 10/27/13, 10/29/13, 10/30/13, 10/31/13, 11/03/13, 11/05/13, 11/06/13	TFTN	Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi
Houchen's Market	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/24/13, 10/25/13, 11/07/13	TFTN	Kentucky
Meijer	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13 ,10/24/13, 10/25/13, 10/28/13, 10/30/13, 11/06/13, 11/07/13	TFTN	Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky
Meijer	Spinach Antipasti Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/24/13, 10/27/13, 10/29/13, 10/30/13, 10/31/13, 11/03/13, 11/05/13, 11/06/13	TFTN	Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky
Performance Food Group	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/27/13, 10/29/13, 11/05/13	TFTN	Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama
Performance Food Group	Spinach Antipasti Salad Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/27/13, 10/29/13, 11/05/12	TFTN	Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama
Performance Food Group	Giardiniera Vegetable Salad Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/27/2013	TFTN	Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/25/13, 10/28/13	TFTN	South Carolina, Georgia
Schnuck	Spinach Antipasti Salad Kit (Sold at Deli Counter)	10/23/13, 10/27/13, 10/30/13, 10/31/13, 11/03/13, 11/06/13	TFTN	Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Iowa
Sysco	Broccoli Crunch Salad Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/28/13, 11/02/13	TFTN	Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, West Virginia
Sysco	Broccoli Slaw Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/23/13, 10/26/13, 10/27/13, 10/28/13, 11/04/13, 11/05/13	TFTN	Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, West Virginia
US Foodservice	Broccoli Slaw Kit (Foodservice Kit)	10/26/13, 11/05/13	TFTN	North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana

The grocers involved have been instructed to remove any remaining product from their deli case and to dispose of any of the remaining product in their inventory. No other products or code dates are affected by this recall. Customers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume the products and should dispose of the recalled products immediately. Consumers may call for further information at 1-866-508-7048 between the hours of 9 am (PST) and 5 pm (PST) -Monday through Friday. Consumers with concerns about an illness from consumption of this product should contact a health care provider.

 

Taylor Farms Recalls More Broccoli Salad Kits

Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc. in Jessup, Md. and Taylor Farms Texas Inc. in Dallas are recalling approximately 22,849 pounds of broccoli salad kit products due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the salad dressing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The salad dressing in the packets is the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall

The salad kits were shipped to distributors and retail locations for consumer purchase in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The company is recalling these products in addition to the 5,084 pounds of similar products that were recalled on Oct. 25, 2013.

The products listed below are being recalled as part of this expansion:

• 6.06-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING” with the case code 310151, produced on Oct. 14 through Oct. 24, 2013.
• 12.13-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING” with the case code 310153, produced Oct. 14 through Oct. 24, 2013.
• 6.33-lb boxes labeled “Kit, Broc PPC” with case code 5900067, produced Oct. 15 through Oct. 20, 2013.

The products listed below were announced as part of the recall on

Oct. 25, 2013:

• 6.06-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING” with the case code 310151, produced on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, 2013.
• 12.13-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING” with the case code 310153, produced Oct. 21 through Oct. 23, 2013.

Case labels bear the establishment number “EST. 34522” or “EST. 34733” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Retail consumers and the general public will not typically see the boxes and labels, because the product is typically unboxed by retailers (such as deli counters and restaurants) and the kit used to make salads for retail sale.  The boxes and labels would be more likely to be seen by distributors and retailers.

Taylor Farms informed FSIS that salad dressing subject to an FDA recall was contained in the salad kits produced on the dates listed above.  FSIS, FDA and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.  Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact Taylor Farms Customer Services at 866-508-7048 between the hours of 9-5 Pacific Time.

Taylor Farms Recalls 2 Broccoli Salad Kits Due to Listeria

 Taylor Farms, a Jessup, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,084 pounds of broccoli salad kit products.  The kits contain salad dressing in packets that are the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The salad kits were shipped to distributors and retail locations (delis) for consumer purchase in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. The following products are subject to recall:

• 6.06-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING ” with the case code 310151, produced on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, 2013.
• 12.13-lb. boxes labeled “TAYLOR FARMS BROCCOLI CRUNCH WITH BACON AND DRESSING ” with the case code 310153, produced Oct. 21 through Oct. 23, 2013.

Case labels bear the establishment number “EST. 34522” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Retail consumers and the general public will not typically see the boxes and labels, because the product is typically unboxed by retailers (such as deli counters and restaurants) and the kit used to make salads for retail sale.  The boxes and labels would be more likely to be seen by distributors and retailers.

Taylor Farms informed FSIS that salad dressing subject to an FDA recall was contained in the salad kits produced on the dates listed above.  FSIS, FDA and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.  Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Garth Borman of Taylor Farms, at 209-830-3103.  Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Taylor Farms Customer Service at 866-508-7048.

Olive Garden and Red Lobster Falsely Accused

As of September 20, 2013 the CDC had been notified of 643 ill persons with of Cyclospora infection from 25 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through mid-July. Among 581 ill persons with available information, 45 (8%) have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Public health officials in Iowa and Nebraska performed investigations within their states and concluded that restaurant-associated cases of Cyclospora infection in their states were linked to a salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico. Olive Garden and Red Lobster were named by the FDA as two places where the contaminated salad was served.

On August 12, 2013, Taylor Farms de Mexico informed FDA that the company had voluntarily suspended production and shipment of any salad mix, leafy green, or salad mix components from its operations in Mexico to the United States.

Taylor Farms did 1800 tests trying to find Cyclospora. All Tests were negative. No Cyclospora was found. On August 25, 2013, Taylor Farms de Mexico, with FDA concurrence, resumed production and shipment of salad mix, leafy greens, and salad mix components to the United States. No announcement was made to correct the misinformation about Olive

Although the investigation of cases continued, available evidence suggests that not all of the cases of cyclosporiasis in the various states are directly related to each other.

However, unlike some other foodborne parasites, cyclospora doesn't become infectious for days or weeks this causes a real problem for investigators because most people do not remember what they ate that long ago. It is likely that we will never know what caused the outbreak.

CDC: New Cyclospora Infections Not Linked to Taylor Farms

Public health investigators have interviewed all the people with Cyclosporiasis in Texas about their exposures during the 2 weeks before they became ill. These interviews have covered what food they ate and where they ate and purchased their food. On the basis of these interviews, investigators have identified a group (cluster) of ill people who reported eating at the same restaurant. A detailed investigation of this cluster is ongoing. This investigation includes listing the different ingredients in the food that was eaten. People who did not get sick but who also ate meals at the same restaurant on the same days as ill people are also being interviewed. The preliminary analysis of results from this ongoing cluster investigation in Texas does not show a connection to salad mix, leafy greens, and salad mix components produced at Taylor Farms de Mexico.

From August 11-19, 2013, FDA with the cooperation of Taylor Farms de Mexico and Mexican government authorities conducted a thorough environmental assessment at the firm’s processing facility. The team also assessed five farms identified through traceback information from the outbreak investigation. The team found that conditions and practices at these facilities at the time of the assessment were in accordance with known food safety protocols. On August 25, 2013, Taylor Farms de Mexico, with FDA concurrence, resumed production and shipment of salad mix, leafy greens, and salad mix components to the United States.

The findings in Texas differ from those from earlier investigations in Iowa and Nebraska. In those states investigators linked cyclosporiasis cases acquired after eating in one of multiple restaurants to eating a bagged salad mix from Taylor Farms de Mexico. It is not unusual to recognize outbreaks that happen in the same season but are due to different foods. Not all cases during the same time of year are necessarily caused by the same exposure.

For example, during a several-month period in 1997, there were three separate and unrelated outbreaks of cyclosporiasis caused by different fresh produce items from various sources. Strong evidence from epidemiologic investigations led to the recognition that the outbreaks were separate and unrelated. Although the investigation of cases in 2013 is ongoing, available evidence suggests that not all of the cases of cyclosporiasis in the various states are directly related to each other. CDC continues to work with state and local partners and FDA to investigate clusters of illness, food exposures, and sources of food items.

No laboratory tests are available yet that can distinguish different strains of the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. CDC and other institutions are working on developing new molecular tools that could distinguish one strain from another. These tools would help public health investigators more quickly determine whether cases of Cyclospora infection are linked. These tools could also be useful for linking a possible source of infection to illnesses in people.

As of August 23, 2013 (5pm EDT), a total of 610 ill persons with Cyclospora infection have been reported from 22 states. Since the last update, 1 additional ill person was reported.

Ill persons range in age from less than one year to 92 years, with a median age of 51 years. 55 percent of ill persons are female. Among 581 ill persons for whom information is available, 43 have reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses that occurred after July 17, 2013, might not yet have been reported because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This could take up to 5 to 6 weeks.

630 Sick from 20 States from Cyclospora- Why???

So far the CDC reports a total of 609 cases of Cyclospora infection have been reported from 22 states and New York City. The number of cases identified in each area is as follows: Texas (257), Iowa (156), Nebraska (86), Florida (31), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (11), Arkansas (10), New York City (7), Georgia (5), Missouri (5), Kansas (4), Louisiana (3), New Jersey (3), Connecticut (2), Minnesota (2), New York (2), Ohio (2), Virginia (2), California (1), New Hampshire (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), and Wyoming (1).

Although the CDC reports the Texas total as 257, Texas reports that a total of 278 cases of Cyclospora infection have been reported in Texas in 2013 with the vast majority having onsets in June and July. Most Texas cases are reported from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. DSHS is investigating the cases to identify possible common exposures and to determine whether they are linked to an outbreak in other states.

No deaths have been reported but 40 have reported being hospitalized.

Nearly two months have passed since state and federal health authorities first became aware on June 28 of two related cases of Cyclospora infection in Iowa residents. Considering Iowa typically sees one or two such cases a year, the small irregularity immediately caught the attention of state health officials.

Within weeks, authorities had identified several hundred cases across a dozen states, with the bulk in Iowa, Nebraska and Texas. On Aug. 1, investigators in Iowa and Nebraska concluded that the majority of cases in those two states were connected to lettuce grown by Taylor Farms de Mexico and in salads served at Olive Gardens and Red Lobsters.

But, as time goes on, the investigations in Texas and the remaining states have still not identified an outbreak source. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a team of investigators at Taylor Farms in Mexico performing environmental assessments of the facilities and traceback investigations to determine where else – if anywhere – contaminated lettuce might have been sold, according to FDA spokesman David Steigman.

A number of cases in Texas are not easily connected to Darden Restaurants and Taylor Farms, said Dave Theno, Ph.D., CEO of Gray Dog Partners, a technical food safety consulting agency. But he said that the evidence remains “pretty compelling” that most of the illnesses are part of one event until an FDA investigation proves otherwise.

Because fresh produce has a relatively short shelf-life, distribution channels typically run up north from Mexico, not east to west. Based on the geography of the outbreak, it would make sense to assume that contaminated produce was sent north through Texas and ended up in Iowa and Nebraska.

Theno said the most important question for investigators in Mexico to answer is whether Taylor Farms has crop contamination problems that moved Cyclospora through their facilities or whether it’s an area-wide contamination issue – possibly from a water source – that might mean nearby crops were also affected.

A number of factors complicate the investigation as a whole.

First, a representative from Darden Restaurants told NBC News that they do not use Taylor Farms salad in their Texas restaurants. It is not clear if the restaurant sources Taylor Farms salad in any states besides Iowa and Nebraska.

A Florida woman who tested positive for Cyclospora in July ate at Olive Garden several days before getting ill. Florida has 31 confirmed illnesses, the fourth-highest number of the states involved.

Further complicating the matter, not even all of the cases in Iowa and Nebraska have a clear connection to Darden. Roughly 80 percent of Iowa cases and 75 percent of Nebraska cases appear connected to Darden, leaving the remaining 20 to 25 percent more of a mystery, according to Iowa state epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk.

To complicate the investigation even more, the salad came into the U.S. pre-mixed with Taylor lettuce and other ingredients.

Perhaps the biggest issue distancing the Texas illnesses is that they began, on average, a week later than those in Iowa and Nebraska.

In Texas, where illnesses appear to have less of a connection  Taylor, patients are being interviewed and re-interviewed about all the places they may have dined.

The biggest roadblock, however, has been the relatively long incubation period of Cyclospora parasites. Patients may not experience symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea for several days – or even weeks – after exposure.

“It’s difficult to explain to people why it’s taking so long,” Mann said. “By the time the cases are finally reported to the CDC, several weeks have gone by. When an epidemiologist finally interviews patients, they might not remember eating the food that got them sick.”

Some cases, Quinlisk said, may be isolated Cyclospora illnesses that have gotten swept up in the outbreak investigation. A few hundred cases get reported in the U.S. each year on average.

Quinlisk described the investigation into the Iowa and Nebraska illnesses as “very detailed.”

The classic food history interview involves an 18-page questionnaire that takes more than an hour for each patient to complete. Patients may then receive additional calls from the environmental health team looking for more information.

The state health departments in those states performed targeted cluster investigations using case-control studies. In short, they interviewed patients who got sick, as well as fellow diners who didn’t get sick, to tease out any statistical differences in their meals. They even retrieved credit-card records from patients to coordinate dates of exposure.

Another issue that makes these investigations tricky is that not everyone who eats the contaminated food ends up sick. The parasite is not evenly dispersed across all the salad, and so some diners may ingest a large number of organisms, while others may eat from the same salad bowl and ingest only a few or none at all.

The general rule of thumb, Quinlisk said, is to expect about 40 percent of those who ate a contaminated food to actually end up with symptoms.

One issue this outbreak raises is the need for more coordination between state health departments during large, interstate outbreaks, said Craig Hedberg, Ph.D., environmental health professor at the University of Minnesota.

Hedberg compared the national jurisdiction of food regulation from FDA to the patchwork of state health departments that make up the majority of environmental health investigation resources.

“Our public-health system is really based on individual state authorities, and we don’t have a national framework for conducting outbreak investigations in parallel with the kind of regulation we have with respect to the food itself,” Hedberg said. “The CDC attempts to help guide those investigations, but because of limited resources and different priorities across different states, that coordination doesn’t always occur as seamlessly as we’d like to see it.”

Theno said he felt this current outbreak demonstrated the need for better cooperation and communication between federal investigators at FDA and the companies potentially involved in the outbreak.

“I think we need to find a way for companies and regulatory agencies to work much more closely together on these outbreaks,” Theno said. “It takes a long time for the agency to reach back into the supply chain. The faster we can get to the source of an outbreak, the sooner we can stop it and the better we can prevent it in the future.”

(Cyclospora is a single-celled food- or waterborne parasite that may cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In the U.S., it is often associated with imported fresh produce. In 1996, at least 1,465 people were infected with Cyclospora in an outbreak linked to raspberries grown in Guatemala. Another 804 people were sickened by Guatemalan raspberries the next year. In 2005, 592 contracted Cyclospora infections after eating basil imported from Peru.)

Source Food Safety News