Salsa and Guacamole Can Be Safe Reports CDC Epidemiologist
A couple of weeks ago Magdalena Kendall, an epidemiologist with the CDC, and her colleagues presented research on foodborne outbreaks linked to salsa and guacamole. The researchers found that between 1998 and 2008, nearly 1 of every 25 outbreaks associated with restaurants or delis may have been caused by contaminated salsa or guacamole. This shocking statistic resulted in a flood of questions from scared consumers.
In response, Ms. Kendall provided the following salsa and guacamole FAQ:
What kinds of illnesses were associated with these outbreaks?
The most common infection was norovirus, followed by Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, and other less common germs, which can all cause diarrhea.
Did your research show what contributed to these outbreaks?
Not in all cases, but there were some important clues. In 30 percent of the outbreaks, local investigators reported that the salsa or guacamole wasn’t stored or refrigerated properly. In another 20 percent, the investigators reported that food workers were the likely source of the contamination. In some cases, ingredients may have been contaminated before arriving in a kitchen.
Do you know which specific ingredients were contaminated?
We usually don’t know which ingredients were contaminated. But we do know that salsa and guacamole often contain diced raw produce, such as hot peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro. These ingredients have been implicated in past outbreaks.
Is there anything else about salsa or guacamole that makes it particularly likely to become contaminated?
Germs may grow to levels that can cause sickness if these foods are not prepared or stored safely in restaurants and homes. Also, salsa and guacamole are often made in large batches at restaurants, so even a small amount of contamination can affect many servings.
What about salsa that you buy at the store?
These outbreaks were not caused by commercially prepared (jarred) salsas that you would buy in a grocery store. Jarred salsas are usually heated to kill germs that may be present. Instead, most of the salsas we studied were freshly prepared.
Is homemade salsa or guacamole safe?
That depends on whether you follow these food safety rules:
- Before and after preparing food, wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
- Wash the ingredients thoroughly under running water. That includes ingredients that you plan to peel, such as avocados.
- Make sure that knives, cutting boards, containers, and other kitchen surfaces are clean.
- Keep the salsa or guacamole refrigerated until you serve it. Do not leave it out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, do not leave it out for more than 1 hour.
If you were eating out, what would you do to make sure these foods are safe?
If I were worried about the food safety practices in a restaurant, I would ask to see health department inspection results. I might also ask whether the restaurant has a manager who is certified in food safety. Some counties or states require this.
New Leaf Food Safety Solutions Introduces SmartWash
New Leaf Food Safety Solutions, LLC, of Salinas, California, a division of Taylor Fresh Foods, has announced that it is selling a new food safety product, SmartWash™. According to the company, SmartWash “delivers complete protection against bacterial cross contamination.
The company’s press release states:
Using a scientifically devised formula that precisely controls and maintains the integrity of standard wash system components, SmartWash is a food grade solution that ensures consistent and optimal levels of contamination-fighting agents. The result is a significant reduction in food contaminants and total prevention of cross-contamination.
The company does not point to any scientific research that backs up its claim.
Iowa Farmers’ Market Food Poisoning Investigation
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is investigating an outbreak of food poisoning that may be related to a freshly prepared fruit or vegetable product sold at a farmers’ market in east-central Iowa. At least 10 people have reported gastrointestinal illness associated with eating this product. Health officials have not released the product suspected of causing the illnesses or the location of the farmers’ market.
The notice came with a warning:
“It’s important to remember that any freshly prepared fruit and vegetable product that is not properly refrigerated can be a potential health risk because they can allow bacteria to grow.”
IDPH offered these tips to consumers at farmers’ markets:
- Only buy products from vendors who keep freshly prepared fruit and vegetable products cold, either in refrigerator units or on ice.
- Once purchased, keep freshly prepared fruit and vegetable products cold. If you plan to spend a lot of time at the market, bring a cooler or ice pack for storage.
- When you arrive home, place these products immediately in the refrigerator and eat within days.
- Any freshly prepared fruit or vegetable product that is not properly refrigerated should not be eaten, and should be discarded.
Below are farmers’ market food safety tips from FoodSafe.gov :
Produce
- Before and after preparing fresh produce, wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking. We don’t recommend washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes.
- Even if you plan to peel the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first. Any bacteria present on the outside of items like melons can be transferred to the inside when you cut or peel them.
- Be sure to refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables within two hours after preparation.
Juices and Cider
Check to see whether the juice or cider has been treated (pasteurized) to kill harmful bacteria. Pregnant women, children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should drink only pasteurized or treated juice.
Milk and Cheeses
- Don’t buy milk at a farmer’s market unless you can confirm that it has been pasteurized. Raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, that can pose serious health risks to you and your family.
- Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for illness caused by Listeria. One source for this bacteria is soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk. If you buy soft cheese (including feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, queso blanco, queso fresco, and panela), check the label to make sure that it’s made from pasteurized or treated milk.
Eggs
- Make sure that eggs are properly chilled at the market. FDA requires that untreated shell eggs must be stored and displayed at 45°F.
- Before buying eggs, open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.
Meat
- Make sure that the meat is properly chilled at the market. Meat should be kept in closed coolers with adequate amounts of ice to maintain cool temperatures.
- Bring an insulated bag or cooler with you to the market to keep meat cool on the way home.
- Be sure to keep meat separate from your other purchases, so that the juices from raw meat (which may contain harmful bacteria) do not come in contact with produce and other foods.
If you have comments about food safety at the farmer’s market, feel free to submit them here.
Federal Government Unveils Product Recalls App
Product recalls–the feds have an app for that. The Products Recall app is available at the app store on the USA.gov site. It is only available for the Android smartphone now, but the apps for Blackberry and iPhone are soon to follow.
The Products Recall app pulls information from several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agencies that report food recalls.
The app allows consumers to view the most recent recall press releases and any pictures associated with those products. Consumers can get information of specific interest to them using a feature on the app that searches recalled products by product name or category.
The app’s “report incident” feature allows consumers to connect directly with their government to report concerns of unsafe products. A “tips” option will feature rotating educational messages for consumers about a variety of products, such as highlighting safe food handling tips as popular cooking holidays approach.
“Our goal is to quickly inform the public and media when food products are recalled,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. “This app puts the information directly in the hands of consumers, giving them the power to take action.”
In addition to foods regulated by FSIS and FDA, the Products Recall app also includes recall information for drugs, cribs, strollers, child safety seats, tires, and other consumer products.
Listeria Contamination Prompts Cheese Recall
A cheese recall is being issued by Azteca Linda Corporation over concerns of Listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Brookly, New York company is recalling the following cheeses after the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found from environmental samples at the cheese processing facility:
- Queso Fresco (fresh white cheese) in a hard plastic container with UPC code: UPC 0 23986 92692 8
- Queso Hebra (fresh white string cheese) in a vacuum sealed plastic bag
The cheeses have a July 7 expiration date. The cheeses could potentially be contaminated with a harmful pathogen called Listeria monocytogenes and were distributed to retail stores throughout New York state in:
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Staten Island
- Bronx
- Newburgh
- and Bayonne, New Jersey
Listeria and Listeriosis Symptoms, Risks and Complications
Listeria infections, known as listeriosis, can be severely harmful in children, the elderly, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women. It can cause stillbirth or miscarriage in pregnant women even if the mother’s symptoms are mild. Symptoms may begin in a flu-like manner, with gastrointestinal effects, and can worsen. People who think they may have contracted a listeriosis infection should see a doctor immediately.
E. coli and Campylobacter Outbreak Associated With Colorado Raw Milk
An outbreak of E. coli and Campylobacter has been associated with raw goat’s milk from Billy Goat Dairy in Longmont, Colorado, according to local news reports. Sixteen people have become ill after drinking the milk, two of which are children who required hospitalization, according to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH).
The dairy has been ordered by BCPH to cease the sale and distribution of its raw milk products. The farm has operated on a goat share system, allowing consumers to buy a share of a goat to receive unpasteurized milk from the goat. Every household member of the program is being contacted by the BCPH to conduct questioning and microbiological tests to determine if they have experienced any illnesses related to this outbreak. According to BCPH:
“We strongly advise residents to avoid consuming any raw milk or milk products,” said Murielle Romine. “It can be extremely dangerous, particularly for young children and people with weakened immune systems.”
E. coli and Campylobacter in Raw Milk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following information about outbreaks linked to raw, unpasteurized dairy products between 1998 and 2005:
- 45 foodborne illness outbreaks attributed to raw milk or cheese made from raw milk
- 1,0007 illnesses
- 104 hospitalizations
- Two deaths
The food safety attorneys at Pritzker Olsen Law firm have represented victims in E. coli lawsuits and Campylobacter lawsuits. “Currently, one of our clients is a man who contracted Campylobacter in a Pennsylvania raw milk outbreak,” said Attorney Fred Pritzker. “This man’s illness developed into a serious complication called Guillain-Barre Syndrome that left him paralyzed. When it comes to raw milk the risks are simply too high.”
E. coli infections can also lead to serious health complications, including kidney failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which attacks blood cells and can lead to long-term kidney damage or even death.
