Outbreak Management Continues As Additional Precautionary Recalls Are Announced
For nearly a decade, our food safety team has worked closely with food companies managing outbreaks and defending claims. In most cases, outbreaks and recalls can be effectively managed by working closely with governmental agencies to gain a complete picture of an ongoing investigation, while at the same time encouraging investigators to freely and rapidly share developing information
Unfortunately, however, accurate information regarding the potential sources or scope of an outbreak can sometimes be extremely difficult for companies to obtain. This is because, once illnesses are identified, the CDC and FDA (along with state and local health departments) are the only entities who have real time access (via PulseNet and OutbreakNet) to the most current and important information regarding the developing outbreak.
As a result, until developing outbreak information is actually shared by investigative agencies, food companies in the supply chain often have no idea what specific upstream companies, suppliers, product lines and/or lots might potentially be implicated in the ongoing investigation. This is especially true when multiple companies are involved in the production of a product, and where lots are, in some instances, defined by hours or days. In turn, most companies must wait for information to be shared by governmental investigators before even becoming aware that their products might potentially be involved - let alone to be in a position to determine whether to issue a precautionary recall of select foods. This is also why, in our view, it is extremely important for consumers and industry alike to understand fully how food-borne illnesses and outbreaks are identified and tracked.
In the current salmonella outbreak investigation, these efforts, of course, are continuing. Since our last update, an additional six companies have announced precautionary and voluntary recalls of select products manufactured with raw materials potentially associated with the current outbreak. These companies include Landies Candies (select peanut butter filled chocolates), Lovin Oven (certain Peanut Crunch Chewy Granola Bars), Best Brands Corp. (peanut butter frozen cookie dough), Aspen Hills (certain cookie dough products), Nash Finch (select bakery products), and Chef Jay's Food Products (select peanut butter bars, cookies and brownies). In turn, following the expanded recall by the South Bend Chocolate Company (which included various candies containing peanut butter), the Rain Creek Baking Corporation announced a voluntary and precautionary product withdrawal of select Peanut Butter Turtles, Baskets and Princesses.
Although the CDC reports that it is still working to determine whether any additional food products might be affected, it confirms (as we reported previously) that these and other product manufacturers are working very closely with the agency to identify the existence and scope of any additional potentially affected foods. We appreciate their joint and continuing efforts. We also, of course, will continue to report as additional news develops.
