As the compiler of these records, I rely solely on publicly available information; consequently, if such information contains errors or omissions, it may not be possible to ascertain the full facts.
This review focuses on verifying details regarding penalties using publicly available online information. Data concerning dates, locations, incidents, and the number of affected individuals are primarily based on source materials; not all factual details have undergone independent verification. A result of “no relevant information found” indicates only that no records were located through public channels; it does not imply that no penalties were imposed or civil compensation paid. Information sources primarily include data from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), government agencies, and courts. Entries based solely on media reports or information provided by the parties involved have been noted accordingly.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2000
1.
Time: January–February 2000
Location: 10 U.S. states, primarily including California, Washington, and Oregon; products were sold through commercial channels nationwide
Incident: Commercially produced refrigerated five-layer bean dip was contaminated with Shigella sonnei. Investigators detected the outbreak strain in unopened products and identified ill employees and problems with equipment cleaning and sanitation controls at the manufacturer.
Consequences: 406 confirmed infections, 14 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The affected products were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: February 2000
Location: 13 U.S. states
Incident: A central caterer prepared food for automobile dealership events at multiple locations across the United States. Various prepared salads were contaminated with a norovirus-like virus. Distribution of the same batch of food to multiple states resulted in a concentrated multistate outbreak.
Consequences: The peer-reviewed investigation ultimately included 333 cases and 3 hospitalizations. Highly consistent viral sequences were found in patient samples. Contaminated foods included ready-to-eat items such as pasta salad and potato salad.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: March 2000
Location: Boston, Massachusetts; the affected frozen strawberries came from the commercial food supply chain
Incident: A hepatitis A outbreak occurred at a public event. Investigators traced the infections to frozen strawberries used in food preparation. The strawberries came from a 1999 production batch. Because frozen products have a long shelf life, some remained in retail and institutional food supply chains at the time.
Consequences: The affected batches were recalled and public warnings were issued to prevent further consumption of products still on the market or in institutional inventories.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March 2000
Location: California, Nevada, Oregon, and Massachusetts
Incident: Commercially produced mung bean sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis PT33. Investigators found the associated Salmonella in irrigation water, on floors, in growing containers, and in drainage areas at the production facility, indicating systemic contamination in the sprout production environment.
Consequences: 75 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Investigators also found that the manufacturer had not adequately implemented seed disinfection and procedures for handling contaminated batches.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: March 27–April 11, 2000
Location: A university in Washington, D.C.
Incident: A foodborne rotavirus outbreak occurred in the university’s food service system. The epidemiological investigation linked illness to prepared sandwiches served in a campus dining facility and detected group A rotavirus P[4],G2 in patient samples.
Consequences: 108 students developed gastrointestinal symptoms, of whom 85 met the investigation’s case definition. Nine required intravenous fluids for dehydration or other conditions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: March–April 2000
Location: Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Incident: Commercially sold pasteurized milk was associated with an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium. Investigators identified the possibility of contamination after pasteurization at the affected dairy plant, indicating a problem with sanitation controls after processing.
Consequences: 93 patients carrying the associated Salmonella were identified in the two states: 76 in Pennsylvania and 17 in New Jersey.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: March–April 2000
Location: States including Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming
Incident: Commercially sold unpasteurized orange juice was contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and sold through an interstate food supply chain.
Consequences: 143 confirmed infections and at least 7 hospitalizations. The manufacturer recalled the products. The investigation further heightened regulators’ attention to the risk of microbial contamination in unpasteurized juice.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: April 14–June 2, 2000
Location: California, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Colorado
Incident: Cantaloupes imported from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella Poona and entered retail food supply chains in multiple U.S. states. Supply-chain traceback pointed to a farm in Mexico. Investigators found that agricultural production conditions were insufficient to effectively reduce microbial contamination.
Consequences: 47 confirmed infections and 9 hospitalizations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: April–August 2000
Location: 10 states, including states in the southeastern United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Incident: Commercially bottled water was contaminated with Salmonella Bareilly. Investigators considered the contamination to be associated with the bottling process, inadequately treated groundwater, and deficiencies in the production and treatment system.
Consequences: Early CDC surveillance recorded 84 cases. The subsequent full investigation identified 95 associated cases, including many infants and young children.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: May–December 2000
Location: 10 states, including New York, Georgia, Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan
Incident: Commercial deli turkey meat was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and entered retail, restaurant, and institutional food supply chains in multiple states. Investigators ultimately linked the illnesses to ready-to-eat turkey products made by a large meat processing company.
Consequences: 29 confirmed infections, 4 deaths, and an additional 3 miscarriages or stillbirths. The company subsequently recalled approximately 16.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat turkey and chicken products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: June 2000
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ingredients came from an imported food supply chain
Incident: A Cyclospora outbreak occurred at a wedding reception. Investigators linked illness to raspberries used in the wedding cake. Cyclospora DNA was detected in leftover cake samples. The affected raspberries were part of the imported fresh-fruit supply chain.
Consequences: Of 79 attendees surveyed, 54 met the case definition; 2 were hospitalized.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: July–August 2000
Location: Milwaukee area, Wisconsin
Incident: Beef from Excel used by Sizzler restaurants was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Investigators confirmed that, after entering the restaurants, the contaminated beef also affected foods that did not require further heating, including salad-bar items, through cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Consequences: Approximately 150 people became ill, and a 3-year-old child died.
Penalty: Civil compensation: Victim-related cases were settled for approximately $14 million. The court confirmed that Excel and the restaurant operator bore 80% and 20% of the responsibility, respectively. This was not a criminal fine. Verification source: [S01]
13.
Time: July–August 2000
Location: Southern California and Arizona
Incident: Commercial hamburger buns supplied to multiple restaurants were contaminated with Salmonella Thompson. Investigators traced the contamination to a large bakery and found that an employee infected with Salmonella continued working in food production while ill.
Consequences: The same strain appeared in patients in different areas. Investigators confirmed that the shared bun supplier provided a route for transmission across regions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: Beginning in September 2000
Location: Corn and processed-food supply chains throughout the United States
Incident: StarLink genetically modified corn, approved only for animal feed and industrial uses, was found mixed into corn ingredients intended for human consumption and entered foods such as taco shells. The central food safety issue was not established human harm, but that its Cry9C protein had not been approved for human food use at the time and regulators had not ruled out its potential allergenicity.
Consequences: Large quantities of foods containing the affected corn ingredients were removed from shelves, recalled, and tested. The U.S. government organized grain segregation and supply-chain cleanup, and the producer subsequently canceled the registrations associated with StarLink. Subsequent investigations did not confirm that consumers’ reported allergic reactions were caused by StarLink foods.
Penalty: Civil settlement: A farmers’ class action was settled for $110 million in 2003. This was compensation for economic losses involving crops, not a criminal fine for food poisoning. Verification source: [S02]
15.
Time: October 2000
Location: Redwood City, California
Incident: A large Shigella foodborne illness outbreak occurred at the Viva Mexico restaurant. The investigation focused on foods such as salsa served at the restaurant. Although confined to a single food service establishment, the incident caused numerous infections among members of the public and serious consequences.
Consequences: Approximately 218 people became ill, and 1 died.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: October 2000–July 2001; the source was further identified in 2001
Location: United States and Canada; the contamination source was in California’s almond production supply chain
Incident: Raw almonds produced in California were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis PT30 and sold through commercial channels in the United States and Canada. Investigators later found the outbreak strain in unopened almond packages and associated orchard environments.
Consequences: Ultimately, 168 infections were confirmed: 11 in the United States and 157 in Canada. Investigators traced the source to multiple California almond orchards. Almonds from the associated sources subsequently became subject to processing and sales restrictions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: Second half of 2000
Location: Kentucky and Florida
Incident: Hepatitis A outbreaks occurred at two restaurants within the same fast-food chain. Investigators identified fresh vegetables as the shared food exposure. Official investigation materials primarily suspected green onions while retaining tomatoes as a possible vehicle; some green onion supply sources involved Mexico or California.
Consequences: CDC summary materials recorded approximately 31 infections.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: Fall 2000
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Commercially supplied raw tomatoes were contaminated with Salmonella Thompson. Patient exposure settings included homes, restaurants, and residential care facilities for older adults. The supply-chain investigation pointed to tomatoes produced in Florida or Georgia; contamination may have occurred at the farm or during packing.
Consequences: 43 confirmed infections, 15 hospitalizations, and no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: November–December 2000
Location: Minnesota and other states; the affected products were sold in 15 U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef produced by American Foods Group in Wisconsin was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Epidemiological and product investigations linked cases in Minnesota to the associated ground beef.
Consequences: Minnesota ultimately reported at least 27 associated infections. In December, the company recalled approximately 1.1 million pounds of ground beef, which had previously been sold in 15 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2001
1.
Time: February 2001
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: New York State agricultural authorities detected Salmonella Typhimurium in ready-to-eat Classic Cole Slaw produced by Dole Fresh Vegetables. The affected products were produced in Yuma, Arizona, and had been sold through the national supply chain.
Consequences: Dole initiated a nationwide recall on February 2.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: February 2001
Location: Southern California, primarily Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties
Incident: The FDA detected Listeria monocytogenes in imported avocado pulp distributed by G Products and T & G Sales. During import inspection, the FDA had already required that the relevant batches not be released, but some products were nevertheless sold without FDA release, primarily to Mexican-style fast-food restaurants.
Consequences: T & G Products recalled 3 batches; the FDA issued a warning to T & G Sales and required restaurants to stop using the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: February–March 2001
Location: 4 prisons in South Carolina
Incident: A large Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak occurred in 4 state prisons. Investigators linked the infections to tuna salad prepared with shell eggs. All 4 prisons used eggs from the same supplier, and the Salmonella type detected in eggs from the supplying farm matched the patient strains.
Consequences: Of 2,317 inmates, 688 sought care at prison infirmaries for gastrointestinal symptoms; the state correctional system subsequently switched to pasteurized egg products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: February–April 2001
Location: California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico
Incident: Commercially sold alfalfa sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella Kottbus. The investigation ultimately traced the outbreak to a sprout producer and a specific seed lot; the same strain was also detected in the seeds and the drainage environment of the production facility.
Consequences: 32 infections were confirmed, and 3 people were hospitalized. The producer recalled all sprout products and suspended production, then revised its seed disinfection procedures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: March 2001
Location: Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and other states
Incident: Salmonella Saintpaul infections occurred in several states, and epidemiological investigation identified imported fresh mangoes as the common source. Investigators considered that inadequate water disinfection may have occurred during the hot-water treatment and subsequent cooling of mangoes destined for the U.S. market. Some affected mangoes originated in Peru.
Consequences: 26 infections were confirmed, 1 person was hospitalized, and there were no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: Beginning April 6, 2001
Location: Henrico County, Virginia
Incident: A large Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak occurred at a delicatessen. The investigation confirmed that a homemade sandwich sauce contained raw eggs that had not been heated sufficiently, and identified cross-contamination and inadequate cooking; contamination spread further to the kitchen and various sandwich ingredients.
Consequences: Virginia health authorities recorded more than 250 illnesses.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: April 2001
Location: Nationwide, United States, with markets in Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere also involved
Incident: Listeria monocytogenes contamination was found in ready-to-eat meats at the Bar-S Foods plant in Clinton, Oklahoma. The issue involved large quantities of ready-to-eat meat products, including ham, luncheon meat, sausages, hot dogs, and corn dogs.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 14.5 million pounds of meat and poultry products. The USDA classified it in the highest-risk recall category, and it was one of the largest U.S. food safety recalls of 2001.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: April 2001
Location: California and markets in the southwestern United States
Incident: Dulmex Bolirindo tamarind lollipops imported from Mexico were found to present a serious risk of lead contamination. The problem was particularly concentrated in the wrappers: preliminary FDA testing found lead concentrations as high as approximately 21,000 ppm on their outer surfaces. Lead could be ingested if the candy became damp or children chewed the wrappers.
Consequences: On April 25, the FDA issued a consumer warning advising people to stop purchasing and consuming the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: April–May 2001
Location: California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon
Incident: Cantaloupes imported from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella Poona and sold through the U.S. fresh-fruit supply chain. Investigators linked illness to consumption of whole or precut cantaloupes.
Consequences: 50 infections were confirmed. Among the 28 patients investigated in California alone, 9 were hospitalized and 10 developed bacteremia; two elderly patients died of Salmonella septicemia. The FDA subsequently implemented import controls and recall measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: April–May 2001
Location: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and other states
Incident: Fresh mozzarella, whole-milk ricotta, and basket cheese produced by Liuzzi Cheese were associated with a Salmonella Newport outbreak. The affected products were made with unpasteurized milk ingredients and entered wholesale, retail, and restaurant supply chains in several states.
Consequences: The official outbreak database recorded 27 infections, 12 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company stopped production and recalled the affected cheeses, sending recall notices to 93 wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants in 5 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: May 2001
Location: A prison in Nevada
Incident: A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak occurred in a prison’s centralized meal service. Investigators linked illness to eggs and drinks containing raw eggs.
Consequences: Official outbreak records documented 317 illnesses.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: June 2001
Location: Georgia and several states in the southeastern United States
Incident: Ground beef produced by Excel and supplied through Kroger and other channels was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Three children in the Atlanta area developed related infections; the DNA fingerprint of a strain detected in an unopened package of ground beef from a patient’s household matched the patient strain.
Consequences: A recall initiated on June 24 involved more than 190,000 pounds of ground beef, beef patties, and some ground pork products. The products had been sold in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Kentucky.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: July–September 2001
Location: North Carolina
Incident: An unusual statewide increase in Salmonella Enteritidis cases occurred. A case-control study by the CDC and state health authorities found a significant association between infection and egg consumption. Some patient strains shared the same PFGE and phage-type characteristics as strains from the earlier prison outbreak associated with eggs in South Carolina.
Consequences: Official foodborne outbreak records ultimately documented 113 related infections.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: August 2001
Location: Approximately 15 U.S. states
Incident: The USDA detected Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef produced by Green Bay Dressed Beef, a subsidiary of American Foods Group. Products entered supply chains in several states under Kroger and other brands and in bulk packages for food service and institutions.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 530,000 pounds of ground beef. Distribution included South Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and other states. No related patients had been confirmed at the time.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: August 2001
Location: Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois
Incident: Crystal Clear bottled drinking water produced by Bareman Dairy was contaminated with an equipment disinfectant. The contaminant was a mixture of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which could cause throat and stomach irritation or even burns if consumed.
Consequences: The company recalled 19,700 gallons of bottled drinking water. Company testing confirmed the problem following consumer complaints, and the FDA subsequently announced the recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: August 2001
Location: Nationwide U.S. market
Incident: The FDA found that small-cup konjac jelly products imported from Asia presented a serious choking hazard. Their size, texture, and manner of consumption could allow them to completely block a child’s airway, and some products lacked adequate choking warnings.
Consequences: At least 3 children died from choking after consuming this type of konjac jelly; the FDA issued warnings in August and October 2001.
Penalty: Judicial seizure: In 2002, the FDA seized konjac jelly products from New Choice Foods, which had refused to recall them. This measure targeted that company and does not mean that all companies producing similar products were penalized. Verification source: [S03]
17.
Time: August 2001
Location: 15 states, including Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Mississippi, Iowa, and Missouri
Incident: JARRITOS Tamarindo tamarind candy imported from Mexico was found to contain excessive lead. The candy was packaged in small ceramic jars, and the FDA considered that lead may have migrated into the candy from lead-containing glaze on the jars.
Consequences: Testing found lead levels in the candy as high as 4.60 ppm. The distributor recalled more than 20,000 candy-filled ceramic jars sold through retail channels in 15 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: August 25–early September 2001
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth area, Texas
Incident: A serious foodborne botulism outbreak occurred at a church potluck. Investigators ultimately traced it to commercially produced frozen chili. The product had been improperly stored at a discount/clearance food store: food that required frozen storage had repeatedly been left at room temperature for hours, creating conditions for Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production.
Consequences: 16 botulism patients were confirmed, with no deaths. Investigators determined that the problem occurred primarily during retail storage, rather than during the manufacturer’s normal processing operations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: August 2001
Location: 35 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
Incident: USDA sampling found possible Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination in ground beef produced at IBP’s Dakota City, Nebraska, plant. Large quantities of the products were supplied to wholesalers, food distributors, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Consequences: Approximately 500,000 pounds of ground beef were recalled on August 30, involving 35 states and the District of Columbia. No product-related cases had been confirmed at the time, but the contaminant’s danger, broad distribution, and large product volume made this a major public food safety recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: September 2001
Location: 19 U.S. states
Incident: Fleischmann’s Unsalted Stick Margarine produced by ConAgra Dairy Foods was incorrectly packaged, and the actual product could contain undeclared whey protein. People with severe milk-protein allergies could experience serious or life-threatening allergic reactions.
Consequences: Less than 3,000 pounds of product were recalled, with sales in 19 states; the original text recorded consumer injuries without specifying a number.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: September–November 2001
Location: California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah
Incident: A Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak occurred across several western U.S. states. Case strains had matching PFGE patterns, and an epidemiological case-control investigation linked infection to consumption of green grapes.
Consequences: 40 infections were confirmed, including 3 hospitalizations. Cases occurred in 6 states, constituting a food safety incident involving an interstate fresh-fruit supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
22.
Time: November–December 2001
Location: Robeson County, North Carolina
Incident: A school held traditional-food tasting and butter-making activities and served students homemade butter made with unpasteurized milk, followed by a large Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak. A case-control study showed a strong association between consuming the homemade butter and illness.
Consequences: By December 28, 202 people had been included in the related gastrointestinal illness outbreak. Most initial cases were students, after which illness spread into the community. Subsequent state government documents stated that 4 children were hospitalized with kidney damage.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
23.
Time: November–December 2001
Location: Sawyer County and surrounding areas in northwestern Wisconsin
Incident: A dairy farm used a “cow-leasing” arrangement to circumvent local restrictions on selling unpasteurized milk and supplied raw milk to consumers. A Campylobacter jejuni outbreak subsequently occurred among consumers. The PFGE pattern of a strain detected in the farm’s milk storage tank matched the patient strains.
Consequences: 75 illnesses were confirmed, including 70 people who had directly consumed the farm’s raw milk; no one was hospitalized. Health authorities ordered all milk from the farm to be sent to a processing plant for pasteurization and strengthened oversight of disguised raw-milk sales through “cow-leasing” arrangements.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2002
1.
Time: January–April 2002
Location: New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut
Incident: Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport infections occurred in several states. Investigators confirmed raw or inadequately heated ground beef as the principal vehicle of transmission and detected Salmonella matching the patient strains in leftover raw patty ingredients from a patient’s home. The affected strain was resistant to multiple antibiotics and showed reduced susceptibility or resistance to ceftriaxone.
Consequences: 47 infections were confirmed, 17 people were hospitalized, and 1 died of septicemia. Investigators traced the products to a meat-processing plant that may have supplied the ground beef in common, but could not identify specific production batches. Consequently, no specific-batch recall was implemented, and the USDA issued a public health warning.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: March–April 2002; the case actually occurred in 2001
Location: A hospital in Tennessee and the U.S. infant formula supply chain
Incident: The CDC completed its investigation of a fatal infection in a premature infant and confirmed an association between the rare pathogen Enterobacter sakazakii (now called Cronobacter sakazakii) and commercial powdered formula. The neonatal intensive care unit where the patient was treated had prepared the product according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Investigators found no obvious procedural violations and detected the pathogen in the relevant formula.
Consequences: The infant developed meningitis and died. Mead Johnson recalled the affected batch of Portagen formula on March 29, 2002.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: March 30–May 31, 2002
Location: 10 U.S. states and some Canadian provinces
Incident: Cantaloupes imported from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella Poona and sold through the North American fresh-fruit supply chain. The investigation showed a clear association between cantaloupe consumption and infection. Affected products included Susie-brand cantaloupes imported by I. Kunik Company.
Consequences: 58 infections were confirmed in the United States and Canada combined, including approximately 48 in the United States; 10 people were hospitalized. The company implemented a nationwide recall, and the FDA detained the relevant imported cantaloupes and issued an import alert for Mexican cantaloupes.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: April 2002
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: Wholly Healthy double-crust fruit pies produced by Run-A-Ton Group were brushed with egg wash during production, but the labels did not declare egg. This undeclared allergen could cause serious or life-threatening reactions in people with severe egg allergies.
Consequences: The company implemented an FDA Class I nationwide recall involving approximately 6,000 cases of product.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: May–July 2002
Location: Chicago, Illinois, with food distribution involving a broader commercial supply chain
Incident: A joint FDA and USDA inspection of the large public cold-storage warehouse LaGrou Cold Storage found a severe, widespread, and persistent rodent infestation. Inspectors found live rodents, droppings, nests, tracks, and gnawed food on several floors. The building also had numerous defects that allowed rodents to enter and hide.
Consequences: The FDA and USDA undertook large-scale food detention, destruction, and reprocessing measures; approximately 17 million pounds of food were involved at the warehouse. The original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Criminal judgment: LaGrou was sentenced to 5 years of probation and approximately $8.2 million in joint restitution. In 2006, the appellate court upheld one $1 million fine, vacated another $1 million fine, and remanded it for resentencing; the final amount imposed on resentencing for that fine was not found in this review. Verification source: [S04]
6.
Time: June 25–July 2002
Location: Orlando, Florida; patients came from 32 U.S. states
Incident: A large Salmonella Javiana outbreak occurred during the U.S. Transplant Games. The event had approximately 6,000 participants, including approximately 1,500 organ or bone-marrow transplant recipients. Investigators found a significant association between illness and consumption of precut Roma tomatoes; testing also found fecal coliform contamination in the relevant diced tomatoes.
Consequences: The preliminary investigation identified 141 patients across 32 states; 3 people in the investigation sample were hospitalized. Many patients were organ transplant recipients or people receiving immunosuppressive therapy, creating a particularly high public health risk.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: June–July 2002
Location: Colorado and several U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef produced at ConAgra Beef’s Greeley, Colorado, plant was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. DNA fingerprints matched among leftover ground beef in patients’ homes, recalled plant products, and patient strains, confirming the commercial beef supply chain as the source of infection.
Consequences: The recall initially involved approximately 354,000 pounds of beef and subsequently expanded to approximately 18.6 million pounds of ground beef and beef ingredients. Among 38 cases investigated in August, the CDC recorded 11 hospitalizations, 6 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. Subsequent U.S. government audit materials ultimately counted at least 46 people in 16 states who became ill from the contaminated meat.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: Summer–fall 2002
Location: Several eastern and central U.S. states; the contamination source was traced to a tomato-growing area on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Incident: Red round tomatoes were contaminated with Salmonella Newport and entered restaurants, hospitals, universities, child-care facilities, and households through an interstate supply chain. Investigators traced the affected tomatoes to growing and packing areas on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This strain repeatedly caused tomato-related outbreaks in later years, indicating persistent contamination in the growing environment.
Consequences: Under a stricter outbreak-counting definition, 333 infections, 43 hospitalizations, and no deaths were confirmed across 24 states; subsequent research counted confirmed and suspected cases together, totaling 510 people across 26 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: July 26–September 1, 2002
Location: Wisconsin, at a youth camping event
Incident: An Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak occurred during a group youth activity. Epidemiological investigation linked infection to ground beef served during the activity. No leftover meat samples were available for testing, preventing further identification of a specific commercial production batch.
Consequences: 19 laboratory-confirmed cases were identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: August–October 2002
Location: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and other states, also involving the nationwide institutional food-service supply chain
Incident: Ground beef from Emmpak Foods in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Samples of ground beef retained in patients’ homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New York all yielded the outbreak strain, and supply-chain tracing ultimately pointed to Emmpak Foods.
Consequences: Wisconsin confirmed 34 cases, and 18 cases with matching DNA fingerprints were found in 5 other states, for a total of 52; at least 1 person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. The company initially recalled approximately 416,000 pounds of ground beef and subsequently expanded the recall to approximately 2.8 million pounds. The products had supplied retail markets and institutional food-service customers nationwide.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: Beginning August 2002
Location: Louisiana and the U.S. imported-honey supply chain
Incident: During an investigation of imported honey, the FDA found chloramphenicol in bulk honey. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that may not be used as a food additive. Some people may develop severe bone-marrow suppression and aplastic anemia even after exposure to relatively low doses, and a safe exposure level in human food cannot be determined. Subsequent FDA materials showed that this investigation involved imports of bulk honey from China contaminated with chloramphenicol.
Consequences: The affected honey was removed from circulation; the FDA strengthened testing of imported honey. The original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Judicial seizure: On August 28, 2002, honey held by Besseonet was seized, with a product value of approximately $50,000; the product value was not a fine amount. Verification source: [S03]
12.
Time: July–November 2002
Location: Florida; products entered the commercial seafood supply chain
Incident: Frozen salad shrimp held by Beaver Street Fisheries tested positive for the prohibited antibiotic chloramphenicol. A Florida laboratory first detected approximately 1.2 ppb of chloramphenicol, and subsequent FDA sampling and testing confirmed the contamination.
Consequences: Florida ordered sales of the affected products stopped; the original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Judicial seizure: On November 19, 2002, 1,666 cases of frozen shrimp from Beaver Street Fisheries were seized. No major criminal fine or imprisonment of a responsible individual was found in this review. Verification source: [S05]
13.
Time: July–November 2002
Location: Primarily the northeastern United States, ultimately involving 9 states and affecting the nationwide meat supply chain
Incident: Ready-to-eat, sliceable turkey deli meat was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, causing a serious multistate listeriosis outbreak. Investigators found Listeria identical or related to the patient outbreak strain in products or production environments at two poultry-processing companies.
Consequences: 54 infections, 8 deaths, and an additional 3 fetal deaths were ultimately confirmed. Pilgrim’s Pride/Wampler Foods’ Pennsylvania plant recalled approximately 27.4 million pounds of ready-to-eat turkey and chicken; Jack Lambersky Poultry in New Jersey subsequently expanded its recall to approximately 4.2 million pounds. Both companies temporarily stopped production.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: October 2002
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: During targeted microbiological sampling of infant formula manufacturers, the FDA found that some powdered infant formula at Wyeth Nutritionals’ plant in Georgia, Vermont, might be contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii (now called Cronobacter sakazakii). This pathogen is particularly dangerous to premature infants, infants with low birth weight, and infants with weakened immune systems, and can cause septicemia, meningitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Consequences: Wyeth recalled several batches produced between July 12 and September 25, 2002, involving multiple retail brands, including Baby Basics, Parent’s Choice, Walgreens, and Safeway Select, and approximately 1.5 million cans. The products had already been sold through retail channels nationwide. Publicly available materials did not confirm corresponding human cases associated with this recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: Beginning November 30, 2002, continuing into early 2003
Location: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee
Incident: An Ohio business operating a dairy farm, restaurant, retail store, and animal petting area legally sold unpasteurized raw milk and raw-milk products to the public, followed by a multistate Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. Strains detected in 3 raw skim-milk samples, 1 raw-milk butter sample, and 1 cream sample had DNA fingerprints matching the patient strains.
Consequences: 62 related infections were ultimately confirmed, including 40 customers, 6 household contacts, and 16 farm workers. Local health authorities ordered sales of all raw-milk products stopped on December 13, and the business later permanently relinquished its raw-milk sales permit.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2003
1.
Time: February 2003
Location: Texas
Incident: Unpasteurized Mexican-style Queso Fresco fresh cheese was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, causing a serious listeriosis outbreak.
Consequences: 12 infections, 12 hospitalizations, and 1 death were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: February 2003
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: Quaker Oats’ Brown Sugar Bliss breakfast cereal contained almonds not declared on its label. This could cause life-threatening allergic reactions in people with severe almond allergies.
Consequences: A nationwide recall began on February 21, involving approximately 23,000 cases of cereal in 16-ounce packages.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: February and July 2003
Location: Minnesota and Colorado, involving the same alfalfa seed supply chain
Incident: Two geographically separate Escherichia coli O157 outbreaks occurring months apart were both associated with alfalfa sprout consumption. Patient strains had matching PFGE patterns, and supply-chain investigation found that seeds used in both incidents came from the same seed distributor, indicating contamination before sprout production or within the seed supply chain.
Consequences: 7 infections in Minnesota and 13 in Colorado totaled 20 cases, including 3 hospitalizations, with no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The relevant seeds were no longer used for sprout production.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March–April 2003
Location: U.S. food supply chain
Incident: Casa Solana frozen guacamole imported by AvoCo International had previously been detained by the FDA after Listeria monocytogenes was detected. Regulators subsequently found that this contaminated food, which should have remained isolated, had nevertheless been released into U.S. commercial distribution channels.
Consequences: On April 1, the company initiated a Class I recall, the highest-risk category, involving 468 cases of frozen guacamole. The incident involved both pathogen contamination and the improper entry of food under regulatory detention into the public food supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: May 2003
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Cantaloupes and honeydew melons were contaminated with Salmonella Muenchen, which spread through the fresh-fruit supply chain and caused a multistate outbreak.
Consequences: 58 infections and 15 hospitalizations were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: 2003
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Commercially supplied honeydew melons were contaminated with Salmonella Newport and caused a foodborne outbreak across regions.
Consequences: 68 infections, 13 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: 2003
Location: A prison in Louisiana
Incident: Corn supplied through a prison’s centralized meal system was contaminated with Clostridium perfringens, causing a large institutional foodborne illness outbreak.
Consequences: 880 people became ill and 35 were hospitalized.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June–July 2003
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: Frozen steaks produced by Stampede Meat in Chicago were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Investigators isolated the outbreak strain from leftover steak eaten by an ill child, confirming commercial beef products as the source of infection.
Consequences: 16 infections were confirmed across 12 states. The company recalled approximately 739,000 pounds of frozen meat products produced between March 17 and 22.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: July 2003
Location: 20 U.S. states
Incident: Salted stick butter produced at Land O’Lakes’ Kent, Ohio, plant might contain small metal fragments. Affected products had already entered retail food channels in several states.
Consequences: The company initiated a recall on July 26, involving 20 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: August 2003
Location: Maryland
Incident: A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak occurred at a public church fundraising meal attended by approximately 400 people. Raw eggs were used to make crab cakes, and inadequate cooking and improper temperature control occurred.
Consequences: 104 illnesses were confirmed, and federal foodborne outbreak summaries recorded 12 hospitalizations. The investigation identified crab cakes containing raw eggs as the vehicle of transmission.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: August 2003
Location: California
Incident: Mexican-style Queso Fresco cheese made from unpasteurized milk was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and consumed by customers.
Consequences: 50 infections and 7 hospitalizations were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: September 2003
Location: California
Incident: Lettuce was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and caused a cluster of infections.
Consequences: 51 infections and 11 hospitalizations were confirmed, with no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: Around September 2003
Location: United States
Incident: Honeydew melons were contaminated with Shigella sonnei, causing a relatively large foodborne illness outbreak.
Consequences: 56 infections and 3 hospitalizations were confirmed, with no deaths. Federal investigators identified honeydew melons as the vehicle of transmission.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: Fall 2003
Location: Ohio
Incident: Unpasteurized apple cider produced by a local orchard was contaminated with Cryptosporidium. The company had treated the cider with ozone, but this treatment did not effectively eliminate the Cryptosporidium risk in the food.
Consequences: 144 people developed cryptosporidiosis, including 23 laboratory-confirmed and 121 probable cases; federal outbreak records documented 30 hospitalizations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: September 2003
Location: Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, and other states
Incident: The FDA found an association between drinking star anise tea and serious neurological symptoms. Investigators suspected that normally edible Chinese star anise had been mixed with toxic Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum).
Consequences: The FDA received reports involving approximately 40 patients, including approximately 15 infants, with symptoms including seizures, vomiting, tremors, and abnormal eye movements. On September 10, the FDA issued a nationwide consumer warning recommending that people stop drinking any tea brewed from star anise. All affected patients ultimately recovered.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: September–November 2003
Location: Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere
Incident: Multiple hepatitis A outbreaks associated with raw or inadequately heated green onions occurred in succession in the United States. Investigators indicated that the green onions had been contaminated with hepatitis A virus before reaching restaurants, and supply-chain tracing repeatedly pointed to growing areas in Mexico. Outbreaks first occurred in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia in September, followed by a particularly severe outbreak at a restaurant in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Consequences: Federal foodborne outbreak summaries counted 919 infections, 128 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths in the 2003 green-onion-related hepatitis A incidents. The single Pennsylvania outbreak ultimately had 601 confirmed infections, at least 124 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths. The FDA subsequently prohibited green onion imports from 4 affected Mexican farms and issued a consumer warning.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: September 2003–April 2004
Location: Several U.S. states and Canada, with products also exported to several countries
Incident: Raw almonds produced in California were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and widely sold through Costco, Trader Joe’s, Sunkist, and other brands, as well as bulk commercial channels. Cases first appeared in 2003, so the incident is listed under 2003 based on its starting date.
Consequences: Subsequent federal outbreak summaries recorded 42 infections, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death. The producer ultimately recalled approximately 13 million pounds of raw almonds, involving the nationwide U.S. market and several overseas markets.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: Around November 2003
Location: California
Incident: Spinach was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and caused a serious foodborne illness outbreak.
Consequences: 16 infections, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: November 2003
Location: Northwestern United States and other areas
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella Chester and Salmonella Sandiego, causing another sprout-related Salmonella outbreak. This incident involved different pathogens and a different outbreak from the Escherichia coli O157 alfalfa sprout incident earlier that year and should be counted separately.
Consequences: 26 infections, 3 hospitalizations, and 1 death were confirmed; the affected alfalfa sprouts were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: December 2003
Location: Washington State; beef was sold in several western U.S. states
Incident: The United States identified its first cow testing positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, commonly called mad cow disease). The affected 6.5-year-old dairy cow was slaughtered on December 9, after which its carcass was approved for entry into the human food supply chain. Brain, spinal cord, and some intestinal tissues posing a higher risk of BSE transmission had been removed during slaughter. The USDA announced a preliminary positive result on December 23, with confirmation from an international reference laboratory on December 25.
Consequences: On December 24, the USDA initiated a Class II recall of all meat associated with 20 cattle slaughtered at the same plant on the same day as the affected cow, totaling approximately 10,410 pounds.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2004
1.
Time: February 2004
Location: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and U.S. military facilities in the Far East
Incident: Frozen ground beef patties produced by a U.S. company were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Contamination was first discovered after a family in Okinawa, Japan, became ill after eating beef sold at a U.S. military base; unopened products from the same batch also yielded the same strain. The beef batch also entered retail and institutional food supply chains in the western United States.
Consequences: Infections were initially confirmed in 3 family members, and additional related cases were subsequently found; two U.S. patients with the same PFGE strain were both hospitalized. The company recalled approximately 90,000 pounds of ground beef and related products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: February–May 2004
Location: Texas and Illinois; some participants came from other U.S. states
Incident: Cyclosporiasis outbreaks occurred in succession at a conference in Irving, Texas, and at several events in DuPage County, Illinois. Both groups of incidents involved centralized catering, with investigations focusing on fresh produce including basil and mixed baby lettuce. At the time, the CDC had not confirmed whether the incidents in the two states arose from exactly the same food source.
Consequences: Approximately 95 cases were identified, including 36 laboratory-confirmed and 59 clinical or suspected cases. The FDA and CDC initiated food tracing and nationwide case surveillance.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: March 4, 2004
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Incident: A foodborne norovirus outbreak occurred at a large catered event. Investigators linked transmission to sandwiches served at the event and suspected contamination during preparation by ill food workers.
Consequences: 248 people became ill.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: Beginning March 2004
Location: U.S. market, primarily involving candy and powdered snacks imported from Mexico
Incident: Continued FDA testing found unusually elevated lead levels in some Mexican-style candies and powdered snacks. Contamination sources included ingredients such as chili powder and salt, as well as some lead-containing packaging materials. Children were the principal population at risk.
Consequences: Of 132 Mexican candies and powdered snacks previously tested by the FDA, 18 had lead levels above 0.250 ppm, with some products substantially higher. In 2004, the FDA formally lowered its lead-risk tolerance standard for candy frequently consumed by children and took regulatory action directed at U.S. importers and Mexican manufacturers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: March 2004, with the investigation continuing thereafter
Location: New York City
Incident: A 15-month-old child died of peritoneal tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection. Subsequent investigation identified a group of M. bovis cases in New York City during 2001–2004. Investigators found no person-to-person transmission links among the patients. Consumption of unpasteurized fresh cheese brought into the United States from Mexico, particularly queso fresco, was considered the principal possible source of infection.
Consequences: Investigators identified 35 M. bovis infections, including 26 hospitalizations and the death of 1 child. Of 23 patients interviewed about food exposures, 19 reported consuming cheese produced in Mexico while in the United States.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: April–June 2004
Location: Washington State and Oregon
Incident: Raw alfalfa sprouts produced by Sprouters Northwest were contaminated with Salmonella Bovismorbificans and supplied to retail and institutional food channels. This serotype is relatively uncommon in the United States, and multistate surveillance linked the patient cluster to consumption of the relevant sprouts.
Consequences: 35 infections were ultimately recorded. The company recalled raw alfalfa sprouts in 2-, 3-, and 5-pound institutional packages; Washington State’s annual communicable disease report confirmed it as a 2004 interstate sprout-associated Salmonella outbreak.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May–July 2004
Location: Pennsylvania; food ingredients originated in Guatemala
Incident: Residents, staff, and volunteers at a residential facility developed cyclosporiasis after several group events. Investigators traced the common food to uncooked snow peas in pasta salad; the snow peas originated in Guatemala.
Consequences: Of 215 people attending the relevant events, 96 met the case definition, including 40 laboratory-confirmed and 56 clinical cases.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June–August 2004
Location: 18 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada
Incident: Roma tomatoes in the U.S. market were contaminated with several Salmonella types, causing three related large outbreaks. Patients became ill after eating tomatoes at several restaurants and deli chains. Supply-chain investigation found that all three outbreaks involved the same tomato packing facility in Florida, but could not completely exclude contamination at other growing or packing stages.
Consequences: The three outbreaks had a combined 561 confirmed illnesses. The largest U.S. outbreak had 429 laboratory-confirmed cases, approximately 30% hospitalized; another Salmonella Braenderup outbreak had 125 confirmed cases, approximately 20% hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: July 2004
Location: United States
Incident: Iceberg lettuce was contaminated with Salmonella Newport and entered the public food supply chain, causing a relatively large fresh-vegetable outbreak.
Consequences: FDA foodborne outbreak summaries recorded 97 infections and listed iceberg lettuce as the confirmed contaminated food.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: August 22–24, 2004
Location: International and U.S. domestic flights departing Hawaii; patients dispersed to 22 U.S. states, Japan, Australia, and American Samoa
Incident: In-flight food supplied by an airline catering company was contaminated with Shigella sonnei. The same catering company supplied all affected flights, and epidemiological investigation identified raw carrots served aboard the flights as the most likely vehicle of transmission.
Consequences: 47 culture-positive cases and 116 probable cases were confirmed, for a total of 163 formally identified cases. Because approximately 2,700 meals were served on the relevant flights, researchers estimated, based on attack rates on investigated flights, that the actual number of infections might have reached approximately 300–1,500.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: August–October 2004
Location: Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia
Incident: Ground beef sold by a national supermarket chain was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Investigators used patients’ shopping records and supply-chain tracing to confirm that the relevant ground beef came from the same supplier.
Consequences: 31 patients with the same PFGE strain were confirmed, approximately 35% were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. The regulatory investigation determined that the affected processing plant complied with current production standards at the time, so no product recall was implemented.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: September–October 2004
Location: An orchard and farm retail outlet in New York State
Incident: Unpasteurized apple cider was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O111 and Cryptosporidium. The orchard also had a calf-contact area, cider-pressing equipment was close to the animal area, and workers handled both animals and cider production. A case-control study ultimately confirmed consumption of the orchard’s unpasteurized cider as the principal transmission route; animal contact alone did not show the same statistical association.
Consequences: 213 patients were identified, including confirmed STEC O111 and Cryptosporidium infections. After the investigation, the orchard stopped cider production and destroyed remaining products, and health authorities issued a public warning.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: November 2004
Location: California
Incident: Mexican-style queso fresco fresh cheese made with unpasteurized milk was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and entered consumer food channels.
Consequences: 12 infections, 1 hospitalization, and 1 death were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2005
1.
Time: March–June 2005
Location: Florida; patients also included visitors from other U.S. states and Canada
Incident: Imported fresh basil used by several restaurants was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. Investigators traced the common source to a Florida distributor and basil produced at the same farm in Peru. The contaminated basil was used in foods that were not adequately heated, including salads, pesto, and dipping oil.
Consequences: 592 cases were confirmed, including 365 laboratory-confirmed and 227 probable cases; 493 were Florida residents, 89 were residents of other U.S. states, and 10 were Canadian residents.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: Spring–summer 2005
Location: Connecticut
Incident: Another batch of fresh basil was contaminated with Cyclospora and entered the food-service supply chain. This was a separate outbreak from the 592-person Florida outbreak, and investigation of the food source likewise pointed to fresh basil.
Consequences: 30 illnesses were confirmed, with at least 1 hospitalization. The incident substantially increased that year’s Cyclospora infection rate in FoodNet areas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: May–July 2005
Location: 23 U.S. states
Incident: Commercially sold unpasteurized orange juice was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Saintpaul, causing a nationwide outbreak. The FDA investigation found that the affected juice producer had not followed its juice HACCP food safety control plan and detected Salmonella directly in the company’s orange juice.
Consequences: 152 infections were ultimately confirmed across 23 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: May–June 2005
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Cake batter ice cream sold through Cold Stone Creamery and other channels was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Investigators found that the problem originated in commercial cake mix used to make the ice cream; this ingredient was intended to be baked before consumption but had been added directly to the ice cream without heating.
Consequences: 26 infections and 11 hospitalizations were confirmed. Subsequent laboratory testing isolated the same outbreak strain as in patients from samples of the affected cake mix.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: 2005
Location: United States
Incident: Mexican-style Queso Fresco fresh cheese was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and caused a foodborne outbreak.
Consequences: Federal foodborne outbreak records documented 43 infections and 6 hospitalizations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: 2005
Location: Texas
Incident: Mexican-style Queso Fresco fresh cheese made with unpasteurized dairy ingredients was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This type of soft fresh cheese has a high moisture content that supports Listeria growth, presenting particularly high risks to pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Consequences: 12 infections were confirmed, and all 12 patients were hospitalized.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: June–September 2005
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Ready-to-eat turkey deli meat was associated with a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. PulseNet molecular surveillance detected the same PFGE strain in several states, and a case-control investigation showed that patients consumed turkey deli meat at a substantially higher rate than controls.
Consequences: 13 infections were confirmed, all serious invasive listeriosis cases; 1 adult death and 1 fetal death were reported.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: July–November 2005
Location: 16 U.S. states
Incident: Raw red round tomatoes served at restaurants were contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Patients came from several unrelated restaurants, indicating contamination upstream in the supply chain, such as during growing or packing, rather than at a single restaurant. Investigators ultimately traced the affected tomatoes to two farms on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and detected the outbreak strain in a nearby irrigation pond.
Consequences: 72 infections and 8 hospitalizations were confirmed, with no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: August–September 2005
Location: A state prison in New York State
Incident: An outbreak of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, STEC O45, occurred in a prison’s centralized meal system. Investigators considered that an ill food worker most likely contaminated food and caused transmission during meal service.
Consequences: Of 2,160 inmates, 52 developed diarrhea, including 17 with bloody stools; 19 were treated at the prison infirmary and 3 were hospitalized.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: September 2005
Location: Minnesota and elsewhere; products were sold in 34 U.S. states
Incident: Commercially prepackaged bagged lettuce salads were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Most patients had eaten Classic Romaine or other bagged salads from the same brand, and all relevant products contained romaine lettuce. Supply-chain investigation traced the ingredients to California’s Salinas Valley and a processing plant in Soledad.
Consequences: 34 confirmed or highly suspected cases were identified, including 13 hospitalizations and 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Approximately 245,000 bags bearing the relevant production codes had been distributed in 34 states, and the FDA issued a nationwide consumer warning.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: Fall 2005
Location: A secondary school in Illinois
Incident: Commercial blended fruit juice served at a school caused a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses. The juice was a blend of apple, orange, grape, pineapple, and other juices. Investigators did not isolate a specific pathogen, but detected large amounts of yeast in unopened juice containers, indicating abnormal microbial contamination or spoilage before the product entered the school meal system.
Consequences: 21 people became ill and 1 was hospitalized.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: November–December 2005
Location: Southwestern Washington State and northwestern Oregon
Incident: An unlicensed dairy farm supplied unpasteurized raw milk to the public through a “cow-share” arrangement, and the milk was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Investigators found serious sanitation problems, including accumulated mud and feces in the milking area, inadequate handwashing facilities, and improperly cleaned milking equipment. Strains from patients, milk, and farm environmental samples had matching DNA fingerprints.
Consequences: 18 cases were confirmed, 5 people were hospitalized, and 4 children developed hemolytic uremic syndrome; the state government prohibited further raw-milk distribution.
Penalty: Guilty pleas entered: In 2008, two Dee Creek operators pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of selling adulterated food; their final sentences were not verified in this review. The state government separately issued a notice of proposed penalty, with contemporary reports stating an amount of $8,000 and that the company contested it; the final amount paid was not verified. Verification sources: [S06, S07, S08]
13.
Time: Throughout 2005
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Multiple infections caused by unpasteurized raw milk and raw-milk products, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria infections, continued to occur in the United States. A raw-milk-associated Campylobacter outbreak in Iowa caused 33 illnesses; Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and other states also experienced separate raw-milk-associated clusters of infections.
Consequences: During 1988–2005, the CDC recorded 33 raw-milk-associated outbreaks caused by Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157, and Salmonella alone; the Washington–Oregon incident at the end of 2005 further prompted regulators to strengthen raw-milk permitting and sanitation controls.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible party; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2006
1.
Time: March 2006
Location: A prison in Alabama
Incident: Roasted chicken served through a prison’s centralized meal system was involved in a serious Clostridium perfringens food safety incident. Failed temperature control during the preparation, storage, and service of large quantities of food at one time was considered the principal outbreak risk.
Consequences: 741 people became ill.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: May–July 2006
Location: New York State, New York City, Oregon, and Washington State; contaminated shellfish were sold nationwide in the United States
Incident: Raw oysters and clams were contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Supply-chain investigation traced some contaminated shellfish to harvesting areas in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. The relevant products had entered seafood markets and restaurants throughout the United States.
Consequences: 177 related cases were confirmed, including 72 confirmed and 105 probable cases, with 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. Washington State closed 8 affected shellfish harvesting areas, and state shellfish regulators recalled oysters from those areas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: June–July 2006
Location: 10 northeastern U.S. states and Ontario, Canada
Incident: Precut fruit salad produced by a processing plant was contaminated with Salmonella Oranienburg and supplied in large quantities to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical facility cafeterias. Cases were highly concentrated among patients at medical facilities, residents of elder-care facilities, and staff.
Consequences: 41 infections and 7 hospitalizations were confirmed, with no deaths. Investigators identified the common processing plant but did not determine whether contamination occurred at the plant or further upstream during agricultural production.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: July–November 2006
Location: 19 U.S. states
Incident: Raw tomatoes served at restaurants were contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Patients in different states and at different restaurants were all associated with raw tomato consumption, indicating contamination during growing, packing, or supply-chain stages before the tomatoes reached restaurants.
Consequences: 115 infections were confirmed, with no deaths; 8 investigated cases with complete hospitalization information were hospitalized. This outbreak strain matched the 2005 tomato outbreak strain, and the FDA subsequently continued investigating growing practices and environmental contamination in the relevant tomato-producing areas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: August–September 2006
Location: 27 U.S. states
Incident: Commercial bagged fresh spinach was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. The affected spinach was processed by Natural Selection Foods and sold under approximately 28 brands, including Dole. Investigators found outbreak-related strains in unopened or leftover spinach from patients’ homes and in cattle and wild pig feces near the affected farm.
Consequences: A subsequent comprehensive study ultimately identified 225 cases, including 191 confirmed and 34 probable cases; 116 people were hospitalized, 39 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 5 died. On September 15, Natural Selection Foods recalled all bagged spinach produced within the relevant date range, involving approximately 28 brands.
Penalty: Civil settlements: Victims’ attorneys and contemporary reports confirmed settlement of some spinach-related personal injury claims; the amounts were confidential. No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review. Verification source: [S09]
6.
Time: Beginning August 2006; the contamination source was confirmed in 2007
Location: 47 U.S. states
Incident: Peter Pan and Great Value and other private-label peanut butter produced at ConAgra’s Sylvester, Georgia, plant were contaminated with Salmonella Tennessee. Cases began appearing in August 2006, and the outbreak strain was subsequently found in peanut butter in consumers’ homes and in the plant environment.
Consequences: The CDC’s annual surveillance ultimately included 715 related illnesses, with approximately one-fifth of patients hospitalized and no confirmed deaths. In February 2007, the plant stopped production and recalled all peanut butter produced there since January 2004.
Penalty: A corporate criminal fine of $8 million plus forfeiture of $3.2 million, totaling $11.2 million (2016 judgment). The judgment against the company did not include imprisonment of individuals. Verification source: [S10]
7.
Time: September 2006
Location: California; products were also sold online to other areas
Incident: Unpasteurized milk and colostrum produced by a licensed raw-dairy company were associated with an Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak among children. The company also sold raw milk, raw cream, raw butter, raw cheese, raw colostrum, kefir, and other products.
Consequences: 6 childhood infections were confirmed, including 2 children who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and were hospitalized. On September 21, California agricultural authorities ordered the recall and quarantine of all of the company’s raw milk, raw cream, and raw colostrum, expanding this the next day to almost all raw-dairy products. Because of persistently high total bacterial counts, the company was also prohibited from bottling fluid milk and cream until September 29.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: September 2006
Location: Georgia and Florida; products were sold in all 50 U.S. states and in Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong
Incident: Type A botulinum toxin formed in commercial carrot juice from Bolthouse Farms. Patients developed serious neurological symptoms after drinking it. Affected products were also sold under Earthbound Farm Organic, President’s Choice Organics, and other brands. Investigators suspected that loss of temperature control somewhere in the refrigeration chain allowed Clostridium botulinum to grow and produce toxin, but did not identify the specific point of failure.
Consequences: 4 people developed severe foodborne botulism, all requiring hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. The CDC initiated an emergency response and arranged antitoxin supplies. The FDA investigated the production plant and issued a nationwide consumer warning requiring that this type of carrot juice remain refrigerated at all times.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: September–October 2006
Location: 21 U.S. states and Canada
Incident: Another episode of raw tomato contamination caused an interstate Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. Patients primarily consumed raw, large red round tomatoes at restaurants. Supply-chain investigation ultimately converged on a packing facility in Ohio supplied by several farms.
Consequences: 190 infections were confirmed, and 24 patients with hospitalization information were hospitalized, with no deaths. The FDA investigated the supply chain and producing areas, but the relevant production season had already ended when the affected tomatoes were identified, so no large-scale recall of batches still on sale resulted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: November–December 2006
Location: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and other northeastern U.S. areas
Incident: An Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak occurred at Taco Bell restaurants. Investigators ultimately identified shredded lettuce used by the restaurants as the most likely vehicle of transmission, with contamination occurring in the produce supply chain before restaurant preparation.
Consequences: 71 illnesses, 53 hospitalizations, and 8 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome were confirmed, with no deaths.
Penalty: Civil settlements: Yum! disclosed to the SEC that some Taco Bell personal injury claims had been settled; amounts were not disclosed. No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review. Verification source: [S11]
11.
Time: November–December 2006
Location: Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin
Incident: Shredded iceberg lettuce used by Taco John’s restaurants was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Supply-chain investigation traced the lettuce to growing areas in California’s Central Valley and found Escherichia coli matching the DNA of the patient outbreak strain in environmental samples from a neighboring dairy farm.
Consequences: Approximately 81 people became ill, including 26 hospitalizations and 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The affected outbreak was associated only with Taco John’s restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota; the FDA, California, and the relevant state health authorities subsequently investigated the growing area and produce supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: 2006; the specific month was not listed in the CDC’s publicly released annual summary
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Commercial beef was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157, which spread through an interstate supply chain and caused a multistate food safety outbreak.
Consequences: The CDC’s annual surveillance recorded 44 related infections and listed it as one of 11 interstate foodborne outbreaks in 2006.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: 2006; the specific month was not listed in the CDC’s publicly released annual summary
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Baked goods were chemically contaminated with floor sealant, creating interstate exposure through food distribution. This was a public food safety incident involving an industrial chemical entering food, rather than a foodborne pathogen outbreak.
Consequences: 11 people became ill.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2007
Time: February–July 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Incident: Unpasteurized raw milk sold by a dairy farm in York County was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium; someone also used the farm’s raw milk to illegally make and sell unlicensed Queso Fresco fresh cheese. The farm continued selling raw milk to the public after its permit had been suspended.
Consequences: 29 infections and 2 hospitalizations were confirmed, with no deaths; the state government repeatedly ordered raw-milk sales stopped.
Penalty: Permit revocation: The raw-milk sales permit was suspended in March 2007 and revoked in July after sales during the suspension were discovered; 18 containers of illegal fresh cheese were also seized. No major criminal judgment was found in this review. Verification source: [S12]
Time: Spring 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Eggs were contaminated with Salmonella, which spread through the interstate food supply chain.
Consequences: The CDC’s final annual surveillance confirmed that this multistate egg-associated outbreak caused 81 illnesses.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Spring 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Leafy greens, including spinach and lettuce, were contaminated with Salmonella and sold through an interstate supply chain.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately recorded 76 infections.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Spring 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Beefsteak tomatoes were contaminated with Salmonella. The affected tomatoes caused infections in several states through restaurant, retail, and other supply chains.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately recorded 65 infections.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Spring 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Commercially supplied raw tuna was contaminated with Salmonella and caused interstate transmission through food-service or retail supply chains.
Consequences: 44 infections were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Spring 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Commercial cheese was contaminated with Salmonella, causing an interstate outbreak. Subsequent materials indicated that pasteurized shredded cheese was involved.
Consequences: 20 infections were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Around April 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Raw alfalfa sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella. Sprouting rapidly amplifies bacterial contamination initially present at very low levels in seeds, making contaminated seeds a risk to the public food supply chain.
Consequences: 15 infections were confirmed. A subsequent CDC summary identified sprout incidents during 2000–2007 as an important food safety issue requiring stronger seed disinfection and testing controls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: February–June 2007
Location: Northeastern United States and other areas
Incident: Fresh basil was contaminated with Salmonella Senftenberg. Related strains were found in both the United States and Europe, constituting an international food safety incident involving fresh herbs.
Consequences: The United States confirmed 11 patients with the outbreak strain; the CDC ultimately listed it as one of the U.S. multistate Salmonella outbreaks of 2007.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: May 2007
Location: Illinois, California, Hawaii, and elsewhere
Incident: Frozen fish imported from China and labeled “monkfish” may actually have been pufferfish and contained high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. This toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.
Consequences: 2 people in the Chicago area were poisoned after consuming the fish, including 1 who was seriously ill and hospitalized. FDA testing confirmed potentially lethal levels of tetrodotoxin in the fish; importer Hong Chang Corp. recalled 282 cases weighing 22 pounds each. The FDA issued a nationwide warning and strengthened inspection of imports from the relevant Chinese suppliers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Detected during October 2006–May 2007; nationwide measures were taken in June 2007
Location: Supply chain for farmed aquatic products imported from China into the United States
Incident: Targeted FDA sampling repeatedly found drugs or chemicals not permitted in the United States for use in these food animals in farmed catfish/Basa, shrimp, dace, and eel imported from China, including nitrofurans, malachite green, crystal violet, and fluoroquinolones.
Consequences: The FDA tested 89 samples, of which 22, approximately 25%, contained residues of prohibited or unapproved drugs. In 2007, the FDA implemented a nationwide Detention Without Physical Examination import alert for the relevant Chinese farmed aquatic products, requiring exporters to demonstrate that products were free of the relevant residues before entering the U.S. market.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: May–June 2007
Location: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and other states
Incident: Ground beef produced by United Food Group was contaminated with Escherichia coli O157 and sold under several retail brands.
Consequences: At least 14 people were infected. The initial recall subsequently expanded to approximately 5.7 million pounds of ground beef, constituting the first round of large beef recalls in 2007.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: March–July 2007
Location: More than 20 U.S. states
Incident: Veggie Booty puffed vegetable snacks produced by Robert’s American Gourmet were contaminated with the rare Salmonella Wandsworth. Investigators pointed to seasoning used in the product, which was particularly popular among children.
Consequences: The CDC’s final annual surveillance recorded 87 infections. The company recalled all batches and sizes of Veggie Booty sold nationwide and further recalled Super Veggie Tings made with the same potentially contaminated seasoning. The FDA issued a nationwide warning and conducted supply-chain tracing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: June–August 2007
Location: Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and other states; products were sold nationwide
Incident: Loss of control over sterilization of commercial canned chili sauce from Castleberry’s Food Company allowed Clostridium botulinum spores to survive canning and produce type A botulinum toxin. FDA inspection found serious deficiencies in sterilization equipment maintenance, temperature monitoring, and production controls.
Consequences: 8 botulism cases were confirmed, all hospitalized, with 7 requiring mechanical ventilation; approximately 91 product varieties were recalled, subsequently estimated at approximately 111 million cans (including approximately 39 million cans of chili sauce). The plant stopped production and ultimately closed in 2008.
Penalty: Administrative measures: In 2007, the FDA issued an emergency permit order, and the USDA suspended inspection services; in 2008, the temporary operating permit was suspended again (the latter according to industry reporting). No major criminal judgment was found in this review; the civil settlement amount stated in the original text was not verified. Verification sources: [S13, S14]
Time: Summer 2007
Location: United States
Incident: Commercial hummus was contaminated with Salmonella Heidelberg, causing the largest reported U.S. foodborne illness outbreak that year.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately recorded 802 illnesses; subsequent research materials recorded approximately 29 hospitalizations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: July 2007
Location: A large convention hotel in Chicago, Illinois
Incident: A norovirus outbreak occurred during a large conference. Several commonly served foods were suspected of contributing to transmission, but investigators did not ultimately identify a single food.
Consequences: At least 526 conference participants became ill.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Summer 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Raw oysters were contaminated with norovirus, causing infections through the interstate shellfish supply chain.
Consequences: 40 illnesses were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: July–September 2007
Location: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other states
Incident: Frozen ground beef patties produced by Topps Meat Company were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157. Investigators found deficiencies in production controls, including a lack of effective separation between products produced on different dates.
Consequences: 40 infections were confirmed; 21 patients with available information were hospitalized, 2 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. The recall expanded from approximately 330,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds. Approximately 6 days after the expansion, Topps announced that it was ceasing business and closing its plant after 67 years of operation, leaving 87 employees unemployed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: August–October 2007
Location: Several U.S. states, primarily sold through Sam’s Club and other channels
Incident: Frozen ground beef patties produced by Cargill Meat Solutions were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157. Subsequent investigation confirmed that contamination originated in one ingredient used to make the ground beef, although testing certificates previously supplied by several suppliers had all shown negative results.
Consequences: Cargill recalled approximately 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef in October; early investigation confirmed illnesses in at least 4 Minnesota children, including 2 hospitalizations.
Penalty: Civil settlement: In 2010, Cargill reached a confidential settlement with paralyzed victim Stephanie Smith to provide for her lifelong care; the announcement at the time stated that court approval was still required. No major criminal judgment was found in this review. Verification source: [S15]
Time: July–October 2007
Location: More than 10 U.S. states
Incident: Totino’s and Jeno’s frozen pepperoni pizzas produced by General Mills were associated with an Escherichia coli O157 outbreak. Investigators considered frozen pizzas containing pepperoni to be the common exposure food.
Consequences: The CDC’s final annual surveillance recorded 27 infections; among 21 patients in the early investigation, 8 were hospitalized and 4 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. General Mills stopped shipments of the relevant products and recalled approximately 5 million frozen pizzas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: February–December 2007
Location: 41 U.S. states
Incident: Frozen chicken and turkey pot pies from Banquet and other brands produced at ConAgra’s Marshall, Missouri, plant were contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-. The products were “not fully cooked foods.” Investigators also found that microwave cooking instructions could lead consumers to mistakenly believe the products were already cooked, resulting in inadequate core temperatures.
Consequences: 401 infections were ultimately confirmed, with approximately 32% hospitalized; the CDC’s final annual surveillance recorded 3 deaths. On October 11, ConAgra recalled all affected frozen pies in all 9 brands produced at the plant, suspended production, and revised processing and cooking instructions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: October–December 2007
Location: California, Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada
Incident: Ground beef was contaminated with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport. A case-control investigation linked infection to ground beef sold by a retail chain, but detailed tracing by the USDA and California health authorities still could not identify the specific contaminated processing plant or ingredient source.
Consequences: 42 infections were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: October 2007
Location: Kansas
Incident: Fresh soft cheese was made on site with unpasteurized milk at a public community event, followed by a Campylobacter jejuni outbreak. Consumption of the cheese was the only shared exposure significantly associated with illness in the investigation.
Consequences: Of 101 people who ate the cheese, 67 became ill, an attack rate of approximately 66%.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Time: Throughout 2007
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: In addition to the ground beef incidents above for which specific producers could be identified, a total of 5 multistate Escherichia coli O157 ground beef outbreaks occurred in the United States in 2007, reflecting concentrated pathogen-control problems in that year’s ground beef supply chain.
Consequences: The 5 multistate ground beef incidents caused a combined 117 infections. Multiple recalls on the scale of millions of pounds occurred that year involving United Food Group, Topps, Cargill, and others. The USDA subsequently strengthened ground beef E. coli controls, supplier verification, and recall response.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible party; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2008
1.
Time: December 2007–June 2008; the principal regulatory actions occurred in 2008
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: Low-acid canned foods, including green beans and chickpeas, produced by New Era Canning Company in Michigan were found to have Clostridium botulinum contamination and serious sterilization-process deficiencies. Investigators found risks of Clostridium botulinum contamination in several green bean batches and one chickpea batch.
Consequences: During January–February 2008, the company expanded its recall to several types of nationally sold canned foods produced over approximately the preceding 5 years. The company could resume the relevant production only under special oversight and with FDA approval.
Penalty: Administrative operating restrictions: The FDA issued an emergency permit requirement order prohibiting production and interstate sale of the relevant low-acid canned foods without approval. No major criminal judgment or fine was found in this review. Verification source: [S16]
2.
Time: January–February 2008
Location: Chino, California; products entered nationwide U.S. school lunch, food assistance, and commercial food supply chains
Incident: Hallmark Meat Packing/Westland Meat Company was found to have routinely sent nonambulatory “downer cattle” to slaughter without the required additional federal veterinary inspection. Some beef entered the U.S. National School Lunch Program.
Consequences: The USDA determined that the meat was unfit for human consumption and recalled approximately 143,383,823 pounds of beef, the largest meat recall in U.S. history at the time. The company stopped slaughtering, withdrew from the federal inspection system, and ceased operations.
Penalty: Civil settlements/consent judgment: Two Hallmark principals settled for $304,130; Westland and its owner agreed to pay $240,000, and the company accepted a $155.68 million consent judgment; other defendants agreed to pay approximately $2.45 million. The $155.68 million was a judgment amount and must not be described as a fine actually paid. Verification source: [S17]
3.
Time: January–March 2008
Location: 16 U.S. states, also involving Canada
Incident: Cantaloupes imported from Agropecuaria Montelibano in Honduras were contaminated with Salmonella Litchfield and entered retail, food-service, and other markets through the U.S. fresh-fruit supply chain.
Consequences: Approximately 53 infections were ultimately recorded in the United States, with at least 16 hospitalizations and no deaths; additional cases were found in Canada. The FDA imposed an import alert on the Honduran company, requiring direct detention of the relevant cantaloupes upon entry; U.S. importers recalled cantaloupes supplied by the company.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: January–May 2008
Location: 15 U.S. states
Incident: Unsweetened puffed rice cereal and puffed wheat cereal produced by Malt-O-Meal were contaminated with Salmonella Agona and sold nationwide under Malt-O-Meal and several supermarket private labels. Routine company testing first detected Salmonella in the products.
Consequences: 28 infections were ultimately confirmed. The company recalled puffed rice and puffed wheat cereals with the relevant production dates, involving numerous brands and distribution channels, including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, ShopRite, and Tops. The FDA and CDC subsequently investigated the plant and supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: Beginning March 2008
Location: 7 U.S. states
Incident: Commercial sprouts were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which spread through the interstate fresh-food supply chain.
Consequences: 20 infections were confirmed, including 16 hospitalizations and no deaths; the CDC listed it as one of two multistate Listeria outbreaks in 2008. The affected sprouts were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: April–August 2008
Location: 43 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada
Incident: Salmonella Saintpaul caused a large interstate U.S. outbreak through the fresh-vegetable supply chain. Investigators initially suspected raw tomatoes, then detected the outbreak strain in jalapeño peppers from Mexico and confirmed jalapeño peppers as the principal vehicle of transmission, with serrano peppers also serving as a vehicle; some early cases may have involved tomatoes.
Consequences: The United States confirmed 1,442 infections and at least 286 hospitalizations; infection may have been associated with 2 deaths. The FDA issued nationwide warnings for tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and serrano peppers in succession, implemented recalls and import controls for the affected products, and detected the outbreak strain in peppers and irrigation water at Mexican farms.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May–August 2008
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: Large quantities of beef produced by Nebraska Beef’s slaughter and processing system in Nebraska were contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. The first outbreak was associated with ground beef sold by a large supermarket chain, and the outbreak strain was detected in leftover beef from patients’ households.
Consequences: The first outbreak had 64 confirmed infections; 32 patients with complete information were hospitalized, 2 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. Nebraska Beef recalled approximately 5.3 million pounds of beef products used to manufacture ground beef nationwide. The USDA investigation determined that the plant’s production controls were insufficient to effectively control Escherichia coli and that the products may have been produced under unsanitary conditions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June–August 2008
Location: 8 U.S. states
Incident: Another PFGE type of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination subsequently appeared at the same Nebraska Beef slaughter plant, causing a second, separate interstate outbreak. Investigators directly detected the outbreak strain for the first time in intact beef cuts that a retailer was preparing to grind.
Consequences: 35 infections were confirmed; 19 patients with available information were hospitalized, 1 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. Whole Foods and other retailers recalled ground beef. Nebraska Beef initiated another nationwide recall and expanded it on August 14 to approximately 1.36 million pounds of intact beef cuts. The two incidents totaled 99 infections. The USDA required the plant to revise testing, production, and preventive-control procedures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: August 7–8, 2008
Location: A county jail in Wisconsin
Incident: The jail’s centralized meal service used ground beef, ground turkey, macaroni, and other leftovers from previous meals to make a casserole. Investigators found serious deficiencies in food cooling, storage, temperature records, and reheating management, resulting in extensive Clostridium perfringens growth.
Consequences: Among 220 inmates who completed the investigation, 200 cases were confirmed, including 6 laboratory-confirmed cases; large quantities of Clostridium perfringens were detected in the contaminated food.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: August–September 2008
Location: Locust Grove, Oklahoma, and related catered events
Incident: A large foodborne incident involving Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O111:NM occurred at the Country Cottage buffet restaurant. Investigators confirmed the restaurant as the outbreak source but could not identify a single food. Epidemiological evidence indicated possible involvement of kitchen equipment, cross-contamination of food surfaces, or an undetected infected food worker.
Consequences: 341 people were confirmed to meet the case definition, 70 were hospitalized, 25 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 died; health authorities closed the restaurant for investigation.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: August–September 2008
Location: A hospital in New York City
Incident: Tuna salad prepared in the hospital and served to inpatients was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. All patients were already at high risk of Listeria infection, and the outbreak strain was subsequently detected in tuna salad prepared by the hospital.
Consequences: 5 inpatients were infected, all 5 received inpatient treatment, and 3 died. New York City health authorities subsequently investigated the hospital’s food-service system and conducted targeted inspections of hospital safety procedures for serving ready-to-eat salads, deli meats, and refrigerated foods to high-risk patients.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: Beginning September 2008
Location: Several U.S. states
Incident: Commercially produced white pepper was contaminated with Salmonella Rissen. The contaminated pepper was widely used in food at restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions. Investigators later found widespread Salmonella contamination in the environment of a spice processing and packing plant in California; the vast majority of environmental samples from some processing areas yielded the outbreak strain.
Consequences: During late 2008–2009, 87 infections and 8 hospitalizations were confirmed; FDA materials recorded 1 death. The company recalled the relevant white pepper and related spice products. FDA inspection found multiple violations of food good manufacturing practices and issued a warning letter to the company, noting that Salmonella may have established a persistent contamination source in the processing facility.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: September–November 2008
Location: United States and the imported-food supply chain
Incident: China’s melamine milk-powder incident spread into international food supply chains involving milk-containing candy, chocolate, drinks, dairy ingredients, and other products. U.S. regulators detected melamine and its analogues in imported foods and ingredients. Melamine is not approved for direct addition to human food in the United States.
Consequences: The FDA initiated nationwide targeted testing and the Food Emergency Response Network, testing large quantities of dairy products, milk-containing foods, and soy protein products; 14 of the 340 samples tested with FERN participation yielded melamine or its analogues. The FDA imposed Detention Without Physical Examination import measures on Chinese dairy products, milk-containing ingredients, and some finished products, and various candies, drinks, and milk-containing foods left the U.S. market. The United States did not confirm large-scale human poisoning comparable to that in China.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: October 2008–March 2009
Location: 5 U.S. states
Incident: Pasteurized Mexican-style Asadero cheese produced by a dairy plant was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes after pasteurization. Investigators found problems with plant cleaning and equipment maintenance that could recontaminate finished products.
Consequences: 8 infections were confirmed, including 7 pregnant women; 4 people were hospitalized, with no deaths. In 2009, regulatory sampling detected the outbreak strain in Asadero cheese produced at the plant, and the company subsequently recalled the relevant cheese.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: September 2008–April 2009
Location: 46 U.S. states
Incident: Peanut butter, peanut paste, and other peanut ingredients produced at Peanut Corporation of America’s (PCA) Blakely, Georgia, plant were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and used as ingredients in large numbers of foods, including cookies, candy, cereals, and ice cream. Subsequent criminal investigation found that company executives continued selling products after learning that some had tested positive for Salmonella, before results had returned, or after retesting, and falsified or used false testing certificates.
Consequences: 714 infections, 166 hospitalizations, and 9 deaths were ultimately confirmed. Contaminated ingredients resulted in recalls of thousands of downstream food products.
Penalty: Imprisonment imposed: Stewart Parnell, 28 years; Michael Parnell, 20 years; Mary Wilkerson, 5 years; Daniel Kilgore, 6 years; Samuel Lightsey, 3 years (2015 judgments). Convictions involved crimes including knowingly selling contaminated products and falsifying testing records. Verification sources: [S18, S19]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2009
1.
Time: March–April 2009
Location: Food supply chains nationwide, United States
Incident: Pistachios produced by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella in California were found to be contaminated with multiple Salmonella types, including Salmonella Montevideo, Newport, and Senftenberg. FDA’s investigation found that the company had received at least 8 positive Salmonella results from third-party laboratories between October 2008 and March 2009, and that some products had been shipped to out-of-state customers before or after the final positive results became available. The contaminated pistachios were also used in numerous downstream foods, including cakes, cookies, ice cream, and snack bars.
Consequences: Large quantities of pistachios produced in 2008 and downstream products were recalled. CDC did not confirm a human outbreak clearly above background levels. The company was required to improve quality controls and procedures for handling positive test results.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: February–April 2009
Location: 14 U.S. states
Incident: Seeds used to produce alfalfa sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella Saintpaul. The same seed lot was used by different sprout producers in multiple states. Multistate transmission therefore occurred even though individual sprout facilities carried out seed disinfection and irrigation-water testing.
Consequences: Ultimately, 235 infections were confirmed; approximately 3% of patients were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. The first affected sprout facility recalled products on March 3. FDA and CDC subsequently advised consumers nationwide to temporarily avoid raw alfalfa sprouts. The affected seed supplier ultimately withdrew all associated alfalfa seed lots beginning with “032” from the market.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: March–July 2009
Location: 30 U.S. states
Incident: Commercially prepackaged refrigerated Nestlé Toll House cookie dough was associated with a multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Many patients had eaten raw dough before baking. FDA later detected E. coli O157:H7 in unopened recalled products and inspected Nestlé’s production plant in Danville, Virginia, after the incident.
Consequences: The subsequent full investigation confirmed 77 patients, with 35 hospitalizations, 10 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Nestlé recalled approximately 3.6 million packages of refrigerated cookie dough on June 19 and suspended the associated production, subsequently redesigning its production and ingredient controls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: April–June 2009
Location: 9 U.S. states
Incident: Beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Company was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The DNA fingerprint of a strain detected in unopened ground beef from a patient’s home matched the outbreak strain. The associated beef ingredients may also have been further ground by retailers.
Consequences: 23 confirmed infections; 12 of the 17 patients with available hospitalization information were hospitalized, 2 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. The company initially recalled 41,280 pounds of beef, then expanded the recall to approximately 380,000 pounds of beef ingredients. The products had been sold nationwide and overseas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: May–August 2009
Location: 15 U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef produced at the Fresno, California, plant of Beef Packers Inc., a Cargill subsidiary, was contaminated with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Newport. Products were shipped to retail distribution centers in multiple states, then repackaged and sold under different store brands.
Consequences: Ultimately, approximately 68 people were infected. The company recalled 825,769 pounds of ground beef in August. In December, new cases involving the same drug-resistant strain prompted another recall of approximately 22,723 pounds of ground beef. USDA also investigated the plant’s production and testing systems.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: July 2009–April 2010
Location: 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
Incident: Ready-to-eat salami produced by Daniele and other companies was contaminated with Salmonella Montevideo. Investigators ultimately found that the contamination did not originate in the meat itself, which had already undergone a pathogen-killing process, but in imported black pepper and red pepper powder sprinkled onto the products afterward. This was a typical incident in which a safe finished product was recontaminated by a contaminated ingredient.
Consequences: Ultimately, 272 infections were confirmed, including 52 hospitalizations and no deaths. In 2010, Daniele successively recalled approximately 1.3 million, 17,000, and 115,000 pounds of salami. Associated spice companies separately recalled approximately 53,000 pounds of red pepper and 55,000 pounds of black pepper, prompting at least 12 downstream recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: 2009, primarily around midyear
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Two interrelated multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks were associated with Mexican-style soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk. Investigators considered that the cheeses had been recontaminated after pasteurization through production operations, equipment, or the environment.
Consequences: The two outbreaks caused 18 and 8 infections, respectively, for a total of 26.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: February–July 2009
Location: New York City and northeastern Pennsylvania
Incident: Peregrina Cheese had long produced Mexican-style cheeses, including Queso Fresco and Queso Cotija, under seriously insanitary conditions. Over several years, FDA and New York State repeatedly detected Listeria monocytogenes in finished products and the plant environment. A 2009 inspection continued to find standing water in equipment, serious sanitation violations, and even dead rodents inside the plant.
Consequences: Multiple cheese and cream products were recalled in 2009; no associated human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: A 2009 consent order restricted Peregrina’s operations. In 2010, the company was again ordered to stop production for violating the injunction and was ordered to pay $78,000 in stipulated damages. The state government had imposed fines, but the amounts were not verified. Verification sources: [S20, S21]
9.
Time: August 2009
Location: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and other states
Incident: New Jersey sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes contamination in numerous Mexican-style cheeses produced by Quesos Mi Pueblito, including Queso Fresco, Queso Oaxaca, and Cotija. The products had already entered markets in multiple states through wholesale and retail networks.
Consequences: The recall was expanded to multiple cheeses with sales dates going back to February 2009. No associated human cases had been confirmed when the recall was announced. FDA inspected the plant and required corrective measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: September–November 2009
Location: 8 U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef produced by Fairbank Farms was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Health authorities isolated E. coli with DNA matching the patient strains from an opened ground beef package in a patient’s home, confirming the commercial beef supply chain as the source of infection.
Consequences: 26 confirmed infections, 19 hospitalizations, 5 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 2 deaths. On October 31, the company recalled approximately 545,699 pounds of ground beef products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: October–December 2009
Location: 16 U.S. states
Incident: Non-intact beef products, including mechanically blade-tenderized steaks produced by National Steak and Poultry, were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Mechanical tenderization can carry bacteria from the beef’s surface into its interior. These products were also supplied to restaurants in large quantities, where ordinary surface grilling or searing might not kill internal pathogens.
Consequences: 21 confirmed infections, 9 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. On December 24, USDA announced a recall of approximately 248,000 pounds of beef.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: December 2009–April 2010
Location: Florida and interstate U.S. food supply chains; products were imported from Nicaragua
Incident: The Lacteos Factory imported multiple batches of cheese from Central America that were represented as pasteurized. FDA testing found Staphylococcus aureus contamination in multiple batches and abnormal phosphatase test results in other products, indicating that effective pasteurization had not been carried out as declared. FDA had ordered that the products not be sold and that they be destroyed or reexported, but the company nevertheless sold detained cheeses to more than 30 customers. Even after customers returned products following detection of Staphylococcus aureus, the company repackaged and resold them.
Consequences: Four batches of imported cheese were involved, totaling more than 170,000 pounds with a declared value exceeding $322,000. The company ceased operations.
Penalty: Actual imprisonment: Jorge Ochoa-Lopez received 6 months in prison plus 6 months of home confinement; Francisca Lopez received 45 days in prison plus 5 months of home confinement. Each also received 2 years of supervised release. The company received 5 years of probation (2010 judgment). Verification source: [S22]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2010
1.
Time: March to May 2010
Location: Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee
Incident: Shredded romaine lettuce produced by a processing plant was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O145. Both the case-control investigation and supply-chain tracing pointed to the same processing plant, and the outbreak strain matching that found in patients was detected in an unopened package of lettuce.
Consequences: 26 confirmed cases and 7 probable cases, totaling 33 people; 12 were hospitalized, 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and there were no deaths. The FDA required an expanded recall. The processor involved and another company using ingredients from the same farm recalled the relevant lettuce.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: March to June 2010
Location: 11 U.S. states
Incident: Raw alfalfa sprouts produced by J.H. Caldwell and Sons were contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Patients included people who ate sprouts at restaurants and people who purchased them from supermarkets. Tracing ultimately pointed to the same sprout-processing company in California.
Consequences: 44 confirmed infections; available information indicated 7 hospitalizations and no deaths. The company recalled alfalfa sprouts sold under multiple brands, and the FDA and state regulators entered the facility to investigate.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: April to June 2010
Location: 18 U.S. states
Incident: Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken & Rice frozen meals produced by ConAgra Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Chester. The strain matching that found in patients was detected in multiple unopened products. Investigators considered the chicken ingredient a possible source of contamination.
Consequences: 44 confirmed infections. On June 17, ConAgra recalled all affected products, involving approximately 6.74 million pounds of frozen food, and revised its ingredient testing, finished-product testing, and food safety controls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: June 2010
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: Campbell Soup’s plant in Paris, Texas, discovered a malfunction in the sterilization equipment for canned SpaghettiOs with Meatballs. Some cans may not have received the processing conditions required for commercial sterility.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 15 million pounds of canned SpaghettiOs, which had already been distributed nationwide. No related illnesses were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: May to November 2010
Location: Multiple U.S. states; the contamination source was in Iowa
Incident: Shell eggs produced by Wright County Egg, Quality Egg, and Hillandale Farms were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The FDA found the outbreak strain in multiple environmental samples, including henhouses, manure, equipment, walkways, feed facilities, and egg-washing water. A subsequent criminal investigation also found that Quality Egg falsified dates, had problems with food safety records, and bribed USDA inspectors.
Consequences: The CDC estimated that approximately 1,939 reported cases were associated with this outbreak. Approximately 500 million eggs were recalled nationwide.
Penalty: Actual imprisonment: Jack and Peter DeCoster each received 3 months in prison, a $100,000 fine, and 1 year of supervised release; the company received a $6.79 million fine and 3 years of probation. The three defendants were jointly ordered to pay $83,008.19 in restitution; the company also agreed to forfeit $10,000 (2015). Verification source: [S23]
6.
Time: May to August 2010
Location: 3 states, including California and Nevada; ingredients originated in Guatemala
Incident: Imported frozen mamey pulp was contaminated with Salmonella Typhi. Consumers contracted typhoid fever after using the pulp to make milkshakes and smoothies. The investigation involved brands including Goya and La Nuestra.
Consequences: The final federal summary recorded 12 infections, 9 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The relevant brands implemented nationwide recalls, and the CDC and FDA issued warnings to stop consuming the affected frozen mamey pulp.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: February to June 2010
Location: Louisiana
Incident: Hog Head Cheese, a pork head terrine produced by a meat-processing company, was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Highly consistent strains were detected in patients, unopened products, and the processing plant environment, indicating persistent environmental contamination at the facility.
Consequences: 8 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths. Regulators recalled approximately 500,000 pounds of Hog Head Cheese and sausage produced on the same equipment.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: Spring to October 2010
Location: Texas
Incident: Chopped celery produced by Sangar Fresh Cut Produce was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and used in chicken salad supplied to hospitals and other institutions. FDA inspections found multiple serious problems involving condensation, food-contact surfaces, ingredient storage, waste management, and sanitary practices at the facility.
Consequences: The investigation involved 10 Listeria infections and 5 deaths, with multiple cases directly associated with Sangar celery. The Texas health department ordered the company to stop food processing immediately and recall all products shipped since January 2010. The facility subsequently ceased operations.
Penalty: Civil judgment: In 2011, a victim’s family obtained a default damages judgment of approximately $1.1 million (according to local court news reporting); the amount actually collected was not verified. No major criminal judgment was found in this review. Verification source: [S24]
9.
Time: October to November 2010
Location: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada
Incident: Dutch Style Gouda cheese produced by Bravo Farms and sold at Costco was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The outbreak strain was detected in both opened and unopened packages of cheese in patients’ homes.
Consequences: 38 confirmed infections, 15 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Bravo Farms initially recalled the affected Gouda cheese and subsequently expanded the recall to all of the company’s cheese products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: February to October 2010
Location: Washington State
Incident: Regulators repeatedly detected Listeria monocytogenes in cheese produced by Estrella Family Creamery and in its facility environment. Contamination was present in cheese, brine, production areas, and storage areas. Listeria continued to be detected after the company initially recalled some cheeses, and the company refused the comprehensive recall requested by the FDA.
Consequences: The FDA issued a consumer warning, and the affected cheeses were prevented from entering the market; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Judicial seizure and permanent injunction: Cheese at Estrella’s premises was legally seized in 2010; a 2012 injunction required corrective measures before production could resume, and the operators were required to bear the government’s seizure costs. The amount of those costs was not verified. Verification source: [S25]
11.
Time: June to August 2010
Location: Maine, New York
Incident: Commercial ground beef was contaminated with non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26. Patients’ shopping records and supply-chain tracing pointed to the same beef producer. Leftover hamburger meat in a patient’s home also tested positive for E. coli O26 matching that found in patients.
Consequences: 3 confirmed related infections. On August 28, the producer recalled approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: Summer 2010
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: Commercial ahi tuna was contaminated with Salmonella, causing a multistate outbreak through restaurant and seafood supply chains.
Consequences: Federal multistate food safety surveillance ultimately recorded 51 infections across 12 states. The affected tuna products were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: Throughout 2010, with response efforts concentrated in August
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Multiple incidents involving E. coli contamination of ground beef continued to occur. In addition to one non-O157 E. coli O26 incident, E. coli O157:H7 contamination also led to multiple Class I recalls. In U.S. foodborne outbreak surveillance for 2010, ground beef remained an important food vehicle for multistate STEC transmission.
Consequences: Among recalls prompted by foodborne outbreaks in 2010, ground beef alone was involved in 8 separate outbreaks; one large recall in August involved approximately 1 million pounds of ground beef. The USDA further strengthened oversight of beef processing, supplier tracing, and STEC testing.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
14.
Time: November 2010 to early 2011
Location: 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts and Spicy Sprouts containing alfalfa sprouts produced by Tiny Greens Organic Farm were contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-. Many cases were concentrated in Illinois and associated with sprouts served by restaurants including Jimmy John’s; the FDA detected Salmonella indistinguishable from the outbreak strain in the farm’s drainage environment.
Consequences: A final total of 140 confirmed infections; approximately 24% of patients were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. Tiny Greens recalled the affected alfalfa sprouts and Spicy Sprouts on December 29, 2010, and the FDA conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: December 2010 to February 2011
Location: States including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Incident: Bulk in-shell hazelnuts were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and sold through retail supply chains. Patients became infected after eating the hazelnuts.
Consequences: A final total of 8 confirmed infections and 4 hospitalizations, with no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The affected in-shell hazelnuts were subsequently recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2011
1.
Time: January to February 2011
Location: Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania
Incident: Seltzer-brand Lebanon Bologna fermented beef sausage produced by Palmyra Bologna Company was associated with a multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. A case-control investigation showed that consumption of this product was significantly more common among patients than controls. Multiple patients had purchased the same brand at different stores in different states.
Consequences: 14 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The company recalled approximately 23,000 pounds of Lebanon Bologna products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: March to April 2011
Location: Rhode Island; Massachusetts was also involved
Incident: Zeppole cream pastries and other baked goods produced by DeFusco’s Bakery caused a Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak. Health inspections found that pastry cream was stored at unsafe temperatures and finished pastry shells were placed in cartons previously used for raw eggs, creating a serious risk of cross-contamination. Products were sold through multiple bakeries, retail outlets, catering companies, and senior activity venues.
Consequences: Ultimately at least 79 people became ill, approximately 30 were hospitalized, and 2 died. The state health department recalled the affected baked goods and ordered the Johnston and Cranston locations to remain closed until regulators approved reopening.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: February to April 2011
Location: 10 U.S. states; the contamination source was traced to Guatemala
Incident: Cantaloupes supplied by Del Monte Fresh Produce were associated with a multistate Salmonella Panama outbreak. Patients’ purchase records showed that multiple patients bought cantaloupes at different locations of the same national membership warehouse chain. The supply chain was ultimately traced to the same farm in Guatemala.
Consequences: 20 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Del Monte recalled approximately 4,992 cases of cantaloupes; the FDA subsequently imposed import restrictions and increased inspections for the relevant Guatemalan source.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: April to June 2011
Location: Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington State
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts and Spicy Sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC in Idaho were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. An epidemiological investigation linked cases in multiple states to the company’s sprout products.
Consequences: 25 confirmed infections; 3 of the 10 people with available hospitalization information were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. On July 1, the company recalled specific batches of sprouts, which had already been supplied to distributors and retailers in Washington and Idaho and may have reached restaurants and markets in neighboring states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: January to August 2011
Location: 25 U.S. states; products originated in Mexico
Incident: Fresh Mexican papayas imported by Agromod Produce were contaminated with Salmonella Agona. Case investigations and supply-chain tracing identified Agromod as the patients’ common supplier; the FDA also detected Salmonella indistinguishable from the outbreak strain in Mexican papayas destined for the company. Further sampling showed that 15.6% of Mexican papaya samples collected from May to August that year tested positive for Salmonella. Positive samples involved 28 companies and nearly all major growing regions.
Consequences: 106 confirmed infections, 10 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Agromod recalled papayas nationwide under brands including Blondie, Yaya, Mañanita, and Tastylicious. On August 25, 2011, the FDA issued an import alert allowing Mexican papayas, in principle, to be detained directly unless importers could demonstrate that the products were free of Salmonella contamination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: February to September 2011
Location: 34 U.S. states; the production facility was in Springdale, Arkansas
Incident: Ground turkey produced by Cargill Meat Solutions was contaminated with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg. The outbreak strain was found in retail products, leftover turkey in patients’ homes, and samples from the facility investigation; the strain was resistant to multiple antibiotics, including ampicillin and tetracycline.
Consequences: 136 confirmed infections, 37 hospitalizations, and 1 death. On August 3, 2011, Cargill recalled approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey; on September 11, it recalled approximately another 185,000 pounds of products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: July to August 2011
Location: Oregon
Incident: Fresh strawberries grown by the local Jaquith Strawberry Farm and sold through farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and other channels were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The investigation ultimately linked the contamination to wild deer feces. An environmental investigation detected E. coli matching the outbreak strain in deer fecal samples, indicating that contamination occurred in the growing environment rather than during ordinary retail handling.
Consequences: 15 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, 4 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 2 deaths. Public health authorities instructed consumers to discard the affected strawberries and traced their sales channels.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: August to October 2011
Location: California
Incident: Unpasteurized raw milk produced by Organic Pastures Dairy was associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The only shared food exposure among the 5 affected children was the company’s raw milk. Regulators subsequently detected E. coli O157:H7 indistinguishable from the patients’ outbreak strain in fecal and water samples from the dairy’s calf area and identified multiple sanitation deficiencies.
Consequences: 5 confirmed infections in children, including 3 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and were hospitalized; there were no deaths. In November 2011, California ordered a statewide recall of all the company’s raw milk, raw cream, raw butter, raw colostrum, and other products except cheese aged for at least 60 days. A quarantine order prohibited the company from continuing to produce retail raw milk products for more than 30 days.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: September 2011
Location: Ohio; products were sold across state lines
Incident: Ground beef produced at Tyson Fresh Meats’ plant in Emporia, Kansas, was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Four children in an Ohio household became ill after eating ground beef. Health authorities detected E. coli O157:H7 in leftover beef in the household’s refrigerator, triggering a nationwide recall.
Consequences: 4 children became infected, including 1 hospitalized for approximately 10 days. Tyson recalled approximately 131,300 pounds of ground beef bearing labels including Kroger and Butcher’s and distributed to multiple states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: July to October 2011
Location: 28 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Colorado
Incident: Rocky Ford cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA and CDC found outbreak-associated strains in cantaloupes and the packing and processing facility. Investigators considered that the company’s replacement equipment—a used potato-washing machine—the absence of effective antimicrobial treatment, and an unsanitary processing environment jointly increased the risks of contamination and spread.
Consequences: A final total of 147 confirmed infections and 33 deaths, as well as 1 miscarriage in a pregnant woman. The company recalled the affected cantaloupes.
Penalty: No prison sentence: Eric and Ryan Jensen each received 5 years of probation, with the first 6 months under home confinement, 100 hours of community service, and $150,000 in restitution each (2014 judgment). Verification source: [S26]
11.
Time: August to November 2011
Location: States including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia
Incident: Bulk pine nuts imported from Turkey and sold through retail channels including Wegmans were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The investigation involved patients’ shopping-card records, and the outbreak strain was detected in pine nuts and homemade pesto from patients’ homes, retail samples, and samples from the importer’s warehouse.
Consequences: 43 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Wegmans recalled approximately 5,000 pounds of pine nuts; Badia Spices recalled approximately 3,800 pounds; Sunrise Commodities subsequently recalled more than 21,000 pounds of imported pine nuts.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: April to November 2011
Location: States including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Minnesota
Incident: “Kosher Broiled Chicken Livers” produced by Schreiber Processing Corporation and sold through channels including MealMart were associated with a Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak. Although labeled “broiled,” the products were only partially heated and were not ready to eat; they still required thorough cooking. Investigators considered that the labeling and product appearance could easily lead consumers to believe they could be eaten directly. The outbreak strain was detected in retail chicken livers and processed chicken-liver foods.
Consequences: The CDC recorded 190 cases with this PFGE pattern in states where the products were sold, including 30 hospitalizations and no deaths; because this strain was relatively common in the United States, the CDC also noted that not all 190 cases could be definitively attributed to the product. On November 8, the company recalled an undetermined quantity of the affected chicken-liver products. Regulators subsequently emphasized that the products must be labeled “not ready to eat; requires further cooking.”
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: October to November 2011
Location: 9 U.S. states, with the most cases in Missouri
Incident: Romaine lettuce was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. A case-control investigation showed a strong association between illness and eating romaine lettuce, particularly from salad bars at the same supermarket chain. Two independent supply-chain investigations ultimately converged on the same farm and the same lot of romaine lettuce, but the on-site farm investigation could not identify the initial contamination source.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately confirmed 58 infections, 33 hospitalizations, 3 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. The retail channels involved removed suspect salad-bar foods, and the relevant products were recalled; the FDA subsequently investigated the processor and supplying farm.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: October to December 2011
Location: 7 U.S. states
Incident: Fresh ground beef sold by Hannaford Supermarkets was contaminated with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium. The outbreak strain was detected in two unrelated samples of leftover ground beef from patients’ homes. It was resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs, including ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and cefoxitin.
Consequences: 20 confirmed infections, 8 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On December 15, Hannaford recalled an unquantifiable amount of fresh ground beef with sell-by dates of December 17 or earlier.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: July to December 2011
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Incident: FDA inspections detected Listeria monocytogenes at Triple A Services’ facility producing ready-to-eat sandwiches and processed vegetables, along with multiple serious violations involving improper food storage, pests, water leaks, and inadequate employee hygiene management. Listeria had already been detected during facility inspections in 2001 and 2002, indicating a longstanding problem.
Consequences: No related human cases were confirmed; food production and sales were restricted.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2011, Triple A was prohibited from continuing to process and distribute most foods until it took corrective measures and obtained FDA approval to resume operations. The potential charge of $2,500 per day for violations of the order was not a fine imposed in this case. Verification source: [S27]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2012
1.
Time: January to February 2012
Location: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia
Incident: Unpasteurized raw cow’s milk sold by Your Family Cow dairy in Pennsylvania caused a multistate Campylobacter jejuni outbreak. Campylobacter was detected in patients and unopened raw milk samples. The dairy held a legal raw milk sales permit, and the subsequent investigation found only limited sanitation deficiencies, indicating that raw milk can still become contaminated with pathogens even when operations comply with state rules.
Consequences: The final investigation confirmed 148 related infections and at least 9 hospitalizations; no deaths were reported.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: December 2011 to March 2012
Location: 11 U.S. states
Incident: Raw clover sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants were contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26. A supply-chain investigation found that two different sprout production facilities had used the same lot of clover seeds, ultimately tracing the contamination risk to that seed lot.
Consequences: 29 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The seed supplier notified all sprout companies that received the lot to stop using it.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: January to July 2012
Location: 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; products originated in India
Incident: Frozen raw yellowfin tuna Nakaochi Scrape imported by Moon Marine USA was contaminated with Salmonella Bareilly and Salmonella Nchanga. Restaurants and supermarkets used large quantities of the product to make spicy tuna sushi. FDA inspections of the Moon Fishery processing plant in India found multiple deficiencies in seafood HACCP controls, botulism controls, histamine controls, and sanitation management; 53 of 55 product samples tested positive for Salmonella.
Consequences: A final total of 425 confirmed infections, 55 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Moon Marine recalled 58,828 pounds of frozen tuna products and subsequently expanded recalls of related products. The FDA issued an import alert for Moon Fishery’s fresh and frozen tuna, preventing the affected products from continuing to enter the U.S. market.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: May 2012
Location: Multiple U.S. states and Canada; production took place in California
Incident: FDA sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in bagged salads produced by River Ranch Fresh Foods. The affected products included multiple brands, such as River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Shurfresh, and Sysco, as well as foodservice products, indicating that contamination had entered extensive retail and foodservice supply chains.
Consequences: The company recalled bagged salads under multiple brands and in multiple sizes. The products had already been sold in multiple U.S. states and exported to Canada. No human Listeria cases associated with this batch of products were confirmed. Some products were designated as Class I recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: June 2012 to April 2013
Location: 13 U.S. states, mainly Washington and Oregon
Incident: Raw chicken produced by Foster Farms was associated with a multistate Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak. Patients’ shopping-card records, unopened chicken from patients’ homes, and retail surveillance samples all linked the outbreak strain to Foster Farms. The outbreak strain was detected in 4 intact chicken samples from patients’ homes, which were traced to two of the company’s slaughter and processing plants.
Consequences: A final total of 134 confirmed infections, 33 hospitalizations, and no deaths. USDA-FSIS sent an investigation team to inspect the company, but no product recall was implemented for this outbreak because Salmonella in raw poultry was not categorically considered an adulterant under the law at the time.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: June to July 2012
Location: 9 U.S. states
Incident: Fresh ground beef produced by Cargill Meat Solutions was contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Epidemiological investigation and supply-chain tracing linked cases across states to the same Cargill production facility in Pennsylvania.
Consequences: 46 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On July 22, 2012, Cargill recalled 29,339 pounds of fresh ground beef.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: July to September 2012
Location: 24 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Indiana
Incident: Cantaloupes grown by Chamberlain Farms were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport. Patient investigations, testing of retail cantaloupes, and on-site farm sampling all pointed to the farm; the FDA directly detected Salmonella matching the patients’ outbreak strain in cantaloupes from the farm.
Consequences: A final total of 261 confirmed infections, 94 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths. Chamberlain Farms recalled cantaloupes on August 22 and subsequently asked retailers to remove its watermelons. The FDA investigated the farm on-site and issued inspection findings.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: July to September 2012
Location: 15 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Mexico
Incident: Fresh mangoes produced by Agricola Daniella and sold through U.S. importers were contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup. Patients’ purchase records and supply-chain investigations traced the cases to the same producer in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Consequences: A final total of 127 confirmed infections, 33 hospitalizations, and no deaths. U.S. importers recalled Daniella-brand mangoes. On September 13, 2012, the FDA placed Agricola Daniella on an import alert. In principle, its mangoes could not enter the United States unless importers could demonstrate that the products were free of Salmonella contamination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: March to October 2012
Location: 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; products originated in Italy
Incident: Frescolina Marte-brand Ricotta Salata cheese produced in Italy and imported by Forever Cheese was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA detected the outbreak strain in unopened imported cheese. Some cases may also have been associated with cross-contamination when cheese was cut in retail stores.
Consequences: 22 confirmed infections, 20 hospitalizations, and 4 reported deaths, of which public health authorities explicitly determined that 2 were associated with listeriosis; there was also 1 fetal death. Forever Cheese recalled the affected cheese and expanded its response to related products, then stopped importing and selling products from the Italian producer involved.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: June to November 2012
Location: 20 U.S. states; production took place in New Mexico
Incident: Peanut butter produced by Sunland Inc., including Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter, was contaminated with Salmonella Bredeney. The FDA repeatedly detected Salmonella in finished products and the facility environment. Inspections also found that since 2009, multiple batches of nut butter had tested positive for Salmonella in the company’s internal testing, yet some products were still released for sale.
Consequences: 42 confirmed infections, 10 hospitalizations, and no deaths; approximately 61% of patients were children under 10. The recall ultimately expanded to approximately 300 peanut butter, nut butter, peanut, and related products.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2012, a court required Sunland to complete corrective measures and obtain FDA approval before resuming production; the FDA also suspended the facility’s registration. No major criminal fine or imprisonment of responsible individuals was found in this review. Verification source: [S28]
11.
Time: September to November 2012
Location: Northeastern states including Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York
Incident: Chicken livers produced by a poultry processor in Vermont were contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. Some restaurants cooked the livers only lightly or left the interiors incompletely cooked, causing infections. The same PFGE strain was detected in patients and the company’s raw chicken livers.
Consequences: 6 confirmed related infections and 2 hospitalizations. USDA-FSIS inspections found no serious processing violations. Investigators considered the key risk to be that chicken livers may carry bacteria internally and were insufficiently cooked. The producer stopped selling chicken livers on November 9 and ultimately discontinued the product permanently.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: July to September 2012
Location: Multiple U.S. states; production took place in California
Incident: Listeria monocytogenes was persistently detected in fresh-cut onions produced by Gills Onions and in its facility environment. Regulators obtained positive samples from multiple locations, including processing equipment and production areas. Strains obtained at different times had the same PFGE pattern, indicating persistent environmental colonization at the processing plant rather than a single sporadic contamination event.
Consequences: The company initiated a recall on July 18 and expanded it on July 25 to additional diced, slivered, and peeled onions and onion-celery blends, involving more than 10 states. In September, it again recalled institutionally packaged products after the same Listeria was detected in products. The company closed some processing areas for extensive renovations, and California regulators issued a formal regulatory letter and held a regulatory hearing. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: October to November 2012
Location: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Incident: Organic Spinach and Spring Mix salad produced by State Garden and sold under the Wegmans brand was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. A New York State laboratory detected the outbreak strain in all 4 leftover packages from the homes of 4 patients. Supply-chain tracing identified State Garden as the common producer.
Consequences: 33 confirmed infections, 13 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. On November 2, Wegmans recalled the affected organic spinach mix in 5-ounce and 11-ounce packages. The FDA continued investigating the contamination source but did not determine the specific production stage at which contamination occurred.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: July 2012
Location: Nationwide, United States; production took place in New Jersey
Incident: Frozen ready-to-eat meat and poultry products produced by Buona Vita were subject to a large recall because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected products included multiple batches of meatballs and other ready-to-eat meat and poultry products produced in May 2012 and had already entered nationwide foodservice and retail supply chains.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 324,770 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. No human cases associated with this batch of products were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2013
1.
Time: December 2012 to February 2013
Location: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Arizona, Pennsylvania
Incident: Ground beef produced and sold by Jouni Meats and Gab Halal Foods was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Epidemiological investigations, patients’ purchase information, and meat supply-chain investigations linked the cases to ground beef sold by the two Michigan companies.
Consequences: 22 confirmed infections; available information indicated 7 hospitalizations and no deaths. Jouni Meats recalled approximately 500 pounds of ground beef, and Gab Halal Foods recalled approximately 550 pounds.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: December 2012 to April 2013
Location: 19 U.S. states; the production facility was in Waycross, Georgia
Incident: Farm Rich frozen mini meals, snacks, and other products produced by Rich Products Corporation were contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121. The outbreak strain was detected in leftover chicken and cheese wraps and mini pizzas from patients’ homes. Epidemiological, laboratory, and supply-chain investigations all pointed to this facility.
Consequences: 35 confirmed infections, 9 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. On March 28, the company initially recalled approximately 196,222 pounds of products. On April 4, it further expanded the recall to all affected Farm Rich, Market Day, and Schwan’s frozen foods produced at the Waycross facility over approximately two years. The facility temporarily stopped production and revised its food safety system.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: January to April 2013
Location: 18 U.S. states; products originated in Sinaloa, Mexico
Incident: Cucumbers supplied by Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse and imported and distributed by Tricar Sales were contaminated with Salmonella Saintpaul. Dietary investigations showed unusually high cucumber exposure among patients. After tracing the cucumbers patients had eaten, the FDA identified the Mexican companies above as the common suppliers.
Consequences: 84 confirmed infections, 17 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No conventional product recall was implemented, but on April 24, the FDA placed the two Mexican suppliers on an import alert. In principle, their cucumbers could no longer enter the United States unless they could be shown to be free of Salmonella contamination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: February to May 2013
Location: 9 U.S. states
Incident: Imported tahini distributed by Krinos Foods was contaminated with Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Mbandaka. Epidemiology, product testing, and traceback investigations all pointed to the tahini sold by this company.
Consequences: 16 confirmed infections. One patient died after hospitalization, but the CDC explicitly stated that Salmonella infection was not considered the cause of death. Krinos Foods recalled the affected tahini products, and the FDA subsequently further investigated the imported tahini supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: Spring to July 2013
Location: Multiple U.S. states; the production facility was in California
Incident: Pistachios produced by ARO Pistachios were associated with a multistate Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak. Subsequent environmental sampling repeatedly detected the same Salmonella serotype at multiple facility locations, indicating that the pathogen may have established persistent contamination in the processing environment rather than sporadic contamination of a single batch.
Consequences: 8 confirmed infections across 6 states, 1 hospitalization, and no deaths. ARO Pistachios initiated a Class I recall involving large quantities of raw, roasted, and salted pistachios from the 2012 crop season. FDA recall records indicated approximately 550,000 pounds of products from the affected crop season, and multiple downstream companies implemented further recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: March to August 2013
Location: 10 U.S. states; contaminated ingredients originated in Turkey
Incident: Pomegranate seeds in Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen fruit mix were contaminated with hepatitis A virus. FDA tracing identified the common ingredient as a lot of pomegranate seeds exported by Goknur Foodstuffs in Turkey. This ingredient lot also entered other frozen fruit products.
Consequences: A final total of 165 confirmed infections. Approximately 42% to 44% of patients were hospitalized, 3 developed fulminant hepatitis, and 1 required a liver transplant; there were no deaths. Townsend Farms recalled the affected frozen fruit in June and expanded the recall; Scenic Fruit Company subsequently recalled Woodstock frozen pomegranate seeds. The FDA detained subsequent U.S.-bound shipments of pomegranate seeds from the Turkish supplier involved.
Penalty: Civil settlement: A 2019 federal appellate court document confirmed that Townsend and its insurers had settled most related personal injury claims; the amounts were not disclosed. No major criminal judgment was found in this review. Verification source: [S29]
7.
Time: June to August 2013
Location: 25 U.S. states and New York City, with the most cases in Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas
Incident: A large Cyclospora cayetanensis cyclosporiasis outbreak occurred in the United States. Investigations indicated that not all cases came from the same contamination source: restaurant-associated cases in Iowa and Nebraska were traced to bagged salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico; some Texas cases were associated with fresh cilantro from the Puebla region of Mexico.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately counted 631 cases. Starting August 9, Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily stopped producing and shipping salad mixes, leafy greens, and related ingredients for the United States. The FDA, CDC, and Mexican regulators investigated farms and processing facilities on-site.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: May to July 2013
Location: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas
Incident: Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses produced by Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Wisconsin were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Strains from patients, retail cheese, and facility products were highly consistent; the FDA also found that related Listeria had previously appeared in the company’s environment.
Consequences: 6 confirmed infections, all 6 hospitalized, and 1 death; 1 pregnant woman also miscarried after infection. The company recalled the affected cheeses on July 3 and stopped all cheese production on July 11. The FDA and Wisconsin regulators required corrective measures before production could resume.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: March 2013 to July 2014
Location: 29 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, mainly California
Incident: Raw chicken produced by Foster Farms was contaminated with multiple strains of Salmonella Heidelberg, some of which were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The USDA found 6 outbreak strains in chicken produced at the company’s 3 California plants; the outbreak strains were also detected in leftover chicken from patients’ homes.
Consequences: A final total of 634 confirmed infections and 200 hospitalizations; approximately 15% of cases developed bacteremia, and there were no deaths. In October 2013, USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert and required Foster Farms to immediately change its slaughter and processing controls or face possible suspension of operations at the affected plants. No nationwide recall of all affected raw chicken was implemented during 2013, while some Costco rotisserie chicken products were recalled because of related contamination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: September to November 2013
Location: States including California, Arizona, Washington, and Texas
Incident: Ready-to-eat chicken salads and wraps produced by Glass Onion Catering in California and sold through channels including Trader Joe’s were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Case investigations showed that many patients had purchased and eaten the company’s Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken or Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken.
Consequences: 33 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. On November 10, the company recalled approximately 181,620 pounds of USDA-regulated ready-to-eat salads and wraps and separately recalled related FDA-regulated products. The investigation did not ultimately determine which ingredient had caused the contamination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: July to September 2013
Location: Nationwide, United States; the production facility was in Twin Falls, Idaho
Incident: Mucor circinelloides mold contamination occurred at Chobani’s new yogurt plant in Twin Falls. Some yogurt packages exhibited swelling, bubbling, unusual odors, and other abnormalities. The company initially suspected a yeast problem, which persisted after equipment cleaning. Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed Mucor circinelloides.
Consequences: Chobani voluntarily withdrew from the market and recalled multiple batches of Greek yogurt produced at the Twin Falls facility, involving code “16-012” and some products with best-by dates from September 11 to October 7, 2013. The FDA subsequently investigated the facility on-site. Published scientific investigations recorded that the FDA received more than 300 consumer reports of nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms after eating the affected yogurt, but these reports were not all established as laboratory-confirmed cases in the way cases in bacterial outbreaks are.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: November 2013 to January 2014
Location: California, Nevada, Wyoming
Incident: Raw cashew “cheese” produced by The Cultured Kitchen was contaminated with Salmonella Stanley. Patients’ dietary histories were highly concentrated on this brand’s products. The California health department also detected the outbreak strain in an opened container of Smoked Cheddar Cashew Cheese from a patient’s home.
Consequences: 17 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths; 6 flavors of raw cashew cheese within the affected expiration-date range were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: April 2013
Location: Houston, Texas; products were sold nationwide in the United States
Incident: Chung’s Products had long produced shrimp spring rolls, seafood products, and other ready-to-eat foods. FDA inspections over multiple years found serious sanitation problems, including failure to effectively control the risk of botulinum toxin in seafood, Listeria risks in the production environment, possible contact between food and filth, and repeated refusals to cooperate with regulatory corrective measures.
Consequences: Food production and distribution were restricted; no human cases directly corresponding to this case were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2013, a court restricted Chung’s and its responsible individuals from processing, storing, and distributing the prohibited foods until the required corrective measures were completed. Verification source: [S30]
14.
Time: Throughout 2013; judicial action in December
Location: Pennsylvania
Incident: Metzler & Sons LLC and Pleasant View Farms Inc. sold dairy cows and calves into the slaughter and food supply chain. FDA inspections and USDA laboratory testing found veterinary drug residues exceeding legal limits in the edible tissues of some animals, indicating serious problems with drug use, withdrawal periods, and animal record management.
Consequences: The food animals involved were placed under increased regulatory oversight; the original text did not record any confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2013, Metzler/Pleasant View and their responsible individuals were required to establish animal medication records and control systems and were prohibited from selling food animals containing illegal, excessive drug residues. Verification source: [S31]
15.
Time: January 2013
Location: Michigan; products were sold in Michigan and Minnesota
Incident: Green Hope LLC (Rosewood Products) produced ready-to-eat organic tofu and soy milk. Repeated FDA inspections since 2009 found persistent, serious sanitation violations, including improper food storage, employee hygiene problems, possible contact between wastewater and tofu being processed, and inadequate cleaning of food-contact equipment.
Consequences: Food production and sales were restricted; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2013, Green Hope and its responsible individuals were restricted from producing and selling food until corrective measures were taken and FDA approval was obtained. Verification source: [S32]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2014
1.
Time: January to February 2014
Location: California; products entered states including California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, and Washington
Incident: Rancho Feeding Corporation’s slaughterhouse was found to have long processed cattle into human food without complete federal inspection, including cattle deemed unfit for consumption and cattle showing symptoms of diseases such as “cancer eye.” The criminal investigation alleged that employees slaughtered diseased cattle during USDA inspectors’ lunch breaks and replaced diseased cattle heads with healthy heads to evade postmortem inspection.
Consequences: In February 2014, the company recalled approximately 8.7 million pounds of beef.
Penalty: Actual imprisonment: Owner Jesse Amaral received 12 months and 1 day; employee Felix Cabrera received 3 months, a $1,000 fine, and 2 years of supervised release (including 3 months of home confinement). The sentences of other defendants were not individually confirmed in this review. Verification sources: [S33, S34]
2.
Time: January to May 2014
Location: Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas
Incident: Almond butter and peanut butter produced at nSpired Natural Foods’ plant in Ashland, Oregon, were contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup. The FDA detected patient-associated Salmonella in the facility environment twice, in February and July. Inspections also recorded 8 production and sanitation problems.
Consequences: 6 confirmed infections, 1 hospitalization, and no deaths. On August 19, the company recalled multiple batches of nut butter under MaraNatha, Arrowhead Mills, and retail brands including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Kroger.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: January to July 2014
Location: 16 U.S. states
Incident: Organic Sprouted Chia Powder was contaminated with Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Hartford, and Salmonella Oranienburg. Investigations initially pointed to sprouted chia powder sold by Navitas Naturals, then found that the contaminated ingredient had entered multiple brands and composite foods.
Consequences: 31 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Companies including Navitas Naturals, Health Matters America, Green Smoothie Girl, and Oriya Organics successively recalled chia powder and products containing it. Products had already been sold through nationwide retail stores and online; related cases and recalls also occurred in Canada.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: Cases from 2013 were retrospectively confirmed; regulatory action was concentrated in February to March 2014
Location: Maryland, California; production took place in Delaware
Incident: Hispanic-style soft cheeses produced by Roos Foods, including Cuajada and Queso Fresco, were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Twelve environmental samples collected by the FDA at the processing plant tested positive for Listeria, including 11 indistinguishable from patient strains. Contamination occurred on food-contact surfaces, cutting boards, and cheese-pressing equipment. Inspections also found serious sanitation problems including roof leaks, rusty water dripping onto equipment and food areas, standing water, equipment corrosion, and incomplete cleaning.
Consequences: 8 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and 1 death; 5 cases involved pregnant women or newborns. The company recalled cheeses and some dairy products.
Penalty: A $100,000 criminal fine against the company (2016); a court also entered a permanent injunction requiring corrective measures and FDA approval before operations could resume. Verification source: [S35]
5.
Time: April to May 2014
Location: Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio
Incident: Ground beef produced by Wolverine Packing Company was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Eleven of the 12 patients reported eating hamburgers at restaurants. Multiple restaurant beef supply chains ultimately traced back to Wolverine Packing.
Consequences: 12 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. On May 19, the company recalled approximately 1.8 million pounds of ground beef, which had already been shipped into nationwide foodservice and retail supply chains.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: May to June 2014
Location: Washington, Idaho, California, Montana, Utah, Michigan
Incident: Raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts in Idaho were contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121. Cases were concentrated at foodservice establishments including Jimmy John’s and Pita Pit. FDA inspections found serious sanitation problems, including rusted water-supply equipment, dripping condensation and irrigation water, and the use of damaged tennis rackets and rusty pitchforks to handle sprouts.
Consequences: 19 confirmed infections; 44% of patients were hospitalized, with no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The FDA required the company to stop using the seed lot associated with the outbreak. The company initially continued producing and selling sprouts grown from that lot before stopping its use. No formal product recall was implemented.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May to September 2014
Location: 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; the Delmarva region in the eastern United States was an important contamination source
Incident: Fresh cucumbers were contaminated with Salmonella Newport, causing a large multistate outbreak. Epidemiological investigations, supply-chain tracing, and whole-genome sequencing all supported cucumbers as the main food vehicle. Cucumber supply chains for multiple case clusters in Maryland and Delaware converged on a farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but some New York cases came from a different supply chain, so there may have been more than one contamination source.
Consequences: 275 confirmed infections; 48 of the 141 people with available hospitalization information were hospitalized, and 1 elderly patient died. Regulators subsequently further investigated fertilizer application, environmental contamination, and growing practices at farms in the Delmarva region.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June to August 2014
Location: 10 U.S. states; products originated in Mexico
Incident: Imported sweet mini peppers were contaminated with Salmonella Paratyphi B, causing a multistate foodborne outbreak. Subsequent CDC annual surveillance identified mini peppers as the food vehicle for this outbreak and listed them among the newly identified outbreak foods that year.
Consequences: 21 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Cases involved 10 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: June to November 2014
Location: Illinois, Michigan; production took place in Chicago
Incident: Mung bean sprouts produced by Wholesome Soy Products were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA repeatedly detected Listeria in sprouts, irrigation water, and numerous facility environmental samples; 25 environmental swabs were positive during the first inspection. The company resumed production after a brief shutdown for corrective measures, but an October follow-up inspection again detected Listeria in 9 environmental samples. Nine of the 12 sanitation violations had previously been identified but remained uncorrected.
Consequences: 5 confirmed infections, all 5 hospitalized, and 2 deaths. The company recalled mung bean sprouts in August and agreed on November 7 to close the facility completely and stop production and sales.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2015, a court restricted Wholesome Soy and Julia and Paul Trinh from resuming food production until corrective measures were completed and FDA approval was obtained. Verification source: [S36]
10.
Time: June to August 2014
Location: Multiple U.S. states; production took place in California
Incident: Listeria monocytogenes was detected in stone fruits packed by Wawona Packing Company, including peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots. The company began recalls after internal testing identified the problem. The FDA and CDC subsequently used whole-genome sequencing to compare patient strains with Listeria from the recalled fruit.
Consequences: The company initially recalled some products on July 19, then expanded the recall on July 31 to affected stone fruits packed at the facility from June 1 to July 17. This became a nationwide recall and prompted further recalls of numerous downstream foods, including those from Whole Foods. Subsequent investigation strongly confirmed that 1 Massachusetts Listeria infection was associated with recalled nectarines; 1 additional case in Minnesota was considered very likely associated with stone fruit.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: June to October 2014
Location: States including Georgia, New York, Tennessee, and Texas; production took place in Florida
Incident: Hispanic-style soft cheeses and dairy products produced by Oasis Brands, including Quesito Casero and Cuajada en Hoja, were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA detected Listeria in finished cheese and the production facility environment. Whole-genome sequencing showed a close relationship between food and patient strains.
Consequences: The final investigation linked 5 patients, including 4 hospitalizations and 1 death; 3 cases were pregnancy-associated, including 1 newborn. Oasis Brands successively expanded recalls in August and October, involving brands including Lacteos Santa Martha and HonduCrema, then stopped all product production.
Penalty: Actual imprisonment: Oasis Brands manager Edgar Rivas was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2016 for shipping cheese despite knowing it was contaminated. Verification source: [S37]
12.
Time: September to December 2014
Location: 12 U.S. states, mainly concentrated in the Northeast
Incident: Mung bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Patient investigations showed that many cases had eaten mung bean sprouts at Asian restaurants. The supply-chain investigation ultimately identified Wonton Foods as the common source.
Consequences: 115 confirmed infections; 19 of the 75 patients with complete information were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. In November 2014, Wonton Foods agreed to destroy remaining products, thoroughly clean and disinfect the facility, and add Salmonella controls. The company resumed sprout shipments on November 29.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: October 2014 to January 2015
Location: 12 U.S. states; the apples were ultimately traced to Bidart Bros. in California
Incident: Commercially prepackaged caramel apples were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Cases involved products from Happy Apples, Karm’l Dapple, Merb’s Candies, and others. Subsequent investigation ultimately identified the common ingredient as Granny Smith and Gala apples produced by Bidart Bros. Listeria from the packing facility environment and apple samples was closely related to patient strains.
Consequences: A final total of 35 confirmed infections and 34 hospitalizations; 7 deaths were reported, with listeriosis clearly contributing to at least 3 deaths. Eleven cases were pregnancy-associated, and there was 1 fetal death. In December 2014, multiple caramel apple companies successively recalled products. In January 2015, Bidart Bros. further recalled all affected Granny Smith and Gala apples shipped from its Shafter facility during 2014.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: Throughout 2014
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: The U.S. public food safety system reported 864 foodborne disease outbreaks in 2014. Unlike localized restaurant food poisoning, 25 were multistate outbreaks. Contaminated foods included cucumbers, sprouts, beef, chicken, nut butter, chia seeds, cheese, fruit, and others. Although multistate incidents were few in number, they accounted for a substantial proportion of that year’s serious cases and deaths.
Consequences: All reported outbreaks in 2014 caused a total of 13,246 illnesses, 712 hospitalizations, and 21 deaths and led to 21 food recalls. Among multistate outbreaks, contaminated seeded vegetables caused 428 cases, chicken 354, and dairy products 267; ground beef was involved in 5 multistate outbreaks.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2015
1.
Time: February to April 2015
Location: States including Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas; products were sold in multiple U.S. states
Incident: Ice cream produced by Blue Bell Creameries was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Regulators successively detected Listeria in products from the Brenham, Texas, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, plants and linked some strains to patients through whole-genome sequencing. FDA inspections also found serious sanitation problems including inadequate hot-water supplies, aging equipment and buildings, and possible dripping of contaminated water into production areas.
Consequences: The CDC ultimately confirmed 10 patients, all hospitalized, with 3 reported deaths. On April 20, Blue Bell recalled all products from all its plants that were still on the market and closed all plants for corrective measures.
Penalty: Company: Criminal fines and forfeiture totaling $17.25 million in 2020, plus a $2.1 million civil settlement, for a combined total of $19.35 million. Former president Paul Kruse: A $100,000 fine and no imprisonment on March 28, 2023 (final sentencing according to Food Safety News courtroom reporting; the DOJ webpage had not been updated to reflect this judgment). Verification sources: [S38, S39, S40, S41]
2.
Time: March 17, 2015
Location: Nationwide, United States
Incident: Kraft Foods discovered that some boxed Kraft Macaroni & Cheese might contain small pieces of metal. The problem was concentrated on specific production lines and production dates.
Consequences: Kraft recalled approximately 242,000 cases of products, which had already been sold nationwide in the United States, Puerto Rico, and some overseas markets.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: April 19 to late April 2015
Location: Fairfield County, Ohio
Incident: Homemade potato salad served at a church potluck used home-canned potatoes. The preparer used boiling-water canning rather than pressure canning, failing to kill Clostridium botulinum spores; the potatoes were also not adequately heated after removal from the jars. The investigation detected type A botulinum toxin in leftover potato salad.
Consequences: Of 77 people who ate at the event, 29 met the botulism case definition, including 25 confirmed and 4 probable cases; 25 received botulinum antitoxin, 11 required intubation and mechanical ventilation, and 1 died.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March to July 2015
Location: 11 U.S. states; products originated in Indonesia
Incident: Frozen raw yellowfin tuna imported by Osamu Corporation was contaminated with Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) and Salmonella Weltevreden. Many patients ate raw tuna or spicy tuna at sushi restaurants or retail establishments. Related Salmonella was detected in unopened products, and the supply chain was ultimately traced to the same processing plant in Indonesia.
Consequences: 65 confirmed infections, 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Osamu initially recalled specific batches, then expanded the recall to all affected frozen yellowfin tuna products supplied by the Indonesian facility to U.S. restaurants and supermarkets from May 2014 to July 2015.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: April to October 2015
Location: 7 U.S. states
Incident: Frozen stuffed chicken products produced by Barber Foods, breaded on the outside and containing raw chicken inside, were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Their appearance could easily lead consumers to believe they were precooked, ready-to-eat foods. Health authorities detected Salmonella in unopened retail products and products from patients’ homes.
Consequences: 15 confirmed infections, at least 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Barber Foods ultimately recalled approximately 1.707 million pounds of frozen raw chicken products under multiple brands, including Barber, Meijer, Omaha Steaks, Sysco, and Western Family.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: May to September 2015
Location: Minnesota was the main location of cases; products were sold throughout the United States
Incident: Frozen, raw, stuffed, breaded chicken products produced by Aspen Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The USDA continued intensified sampling after the recall and obtained another 12 positive samples matching the outbreak strain, indicating a systemic contamination problem at the facility.
Consequences: Initially, 3 patients were confirmed. In July, Aspen Foods recalled approximately 1.979 million pounds of products. In September, after new positive results appeared, the company refused another voluntary recall. The USDA therefore issued a public health alert and instructed inspectors to detain affected products directly when found in the market.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: April to September 2015
Location: Mainly Washington State; Alaska, California, Idaho, and Oregon were also involved
Incident: Pork produced by Kapowsin Meats was contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- and Salmonella Infantis. Many cases were associated with whole-hog roasting and pork consumption. Regulators detected outbreak strains in the processing facility environment, whole hogs, and related pork products; some strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Consequences: 192 confirmed infections, 30 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company initially recalled approximately 116,000 pounds of whole hogs, then expanded the recall to approximately 523,000 pounds of pork, pork organs, pork blood, and pork trimmings, and voluntarily suspended production. All 10 clinical isolates tested by the CDC exhibited multidrug resistance.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: May to August 2015
Location: Multiple U.S. states, mainly including Texas, Georgia, and Wisconsin; the contamination source pointed to Puebla, Mexico
Incident: Another Cyclospora cayetanensis cyclosporiasis outbreak occurred in the United States. Multiple restaurant case clusters were ultimately associated with fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico. FDA and Mexican regulatory inspections of local farms and packing facilities found that toilets, sewage, irrigation water, wash water, and sanitation management could cause fecal contamination.
Consequences: Starting July 27, 2015, the FDA imposed “detention without physical examination” import controls on most fresh cilantro from Puebla arriving between April 1 and August 31 each year.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: July 2015 to February 2016
Location: 40 U.S. states; products originated in Mexico
Incident: Cucumbers from Mexico distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce were contaminated with Salmonella Poona, causing one of the most serious multistate Salmonella outbreaks of 2015.
Consequences: A final total of 907 confirmed infections, 204 hospitalizations, and 6 reported deaths; the CDC stated that 2 of the 3 California deaths were not considered attributable to Salmonella. Andrew & Williamson and Custom Produce Sales successively recalled the affected cucumbers. The incident involved 40 states, with a relatively high proportion of cases among children.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: 2010 to 2015; concentrated investigation and response occurred from August to October 2015
Location: 10 U.S. states; the production facility was in Turlock, California
Incident: Middle Eastern- and Mexican-style soft cheeses sold by Karoun Dairies and produced by Central Valley Cheese and others were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In 2015, the FDA detected Listeria in the facility environment. Genetic analysis also found that these strains were closely related to environmental strains from the facility in 2010 and patient strains from multiple years, indicating that contamination may have persisted for a long time.
Consequences: Retrospectively, 30 infections, 28 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths were confirmed; 6 cases were pregnancy-associated, including 1 fetal death. In September, Karoun Dairies recalled soft cheeses under multiple brands, including Karoun, Arz, Gopi, Queso Del Valle, Central Valley Creamery, and Yanni, and stopped producing the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: August 2015
Location: Simi Valley, California
Incident: A large norovirus outbreak occurred at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Simi Valley. Investigators found that an employee was sent home after vomiting at the restaurant on August 19, but the restaurant failed to promptly report the incident to the food safety department and immediately implement enhanced disinfection and other measures as required by company policy.
Consequences: 234 customers and employees reported illness.
Penalty: A $25 million corporate criminal fine and a 3-year deferred prosecution agreement (2020), collectively addressing at least 5 incidents from 2015–2018, including this incident. The same fine must not be counted repeatedly for separate incidents. Verification source: [S42]
12.
Time: October to December 2015
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Two separate Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26 outbreaks occurred at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. The first involved at least 17 restaurants and multiple states; the second involved Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. Investigators confirmed that many patients had eaten at Chipotle but could not identify a specific contaminated food or ingredient.
Consequences: The first outbreak had 55 confirmed infections and 21 hospitalizations; the second had 5 confirmed infections and 1 hospitalization. Neither outbreak involved hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. Chipotle closed and disinfected multiple restaurants and substantially revised its food supply and preparation procedures.
Penalty: In 2020, Chipotle accepted a $25 million criminal fine and a 3-year deferred prosecution agreement for at least 5 food safety incidents from 2015–2018. The announcement did not separately allocate a fine to this E. coli outbreak, so neither the full amount nor any portion of it can be treated as exclusively attributable to this entry. Verification source: [S42]
13.
Time: December 2015
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Incident: A norovirus outbreak occurred at a Chipotle restaurant in Boston. A trainee manager was required to continue working after vomiting at the restaurant; two days later, the manager returned and helped package a catering order for the Boston College basketball team, violating the company’s food safety rules excluding ill employees.
Consequences: 141 people reported illness, including Boston College students and basketball team members.
Penalty: Included together with entry 11 for this year in Chipotle’s $25 million corporate criminal fine and 3-year deferred prosecution agreement (2020); no separate fine amount was allocated to this incident, and it is not counted again. Verification source: [S42]
14.
Time: October to November 2015
Location: 7 U.S. states
Incident: Rotisserie Chicken Salad prepared and sold at Costco stores was associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Patients were highly concentrated among those who ate Costco chicken salad. Initial testing raised suspicion of contaminated diced celery and onions supplied by Taylor Farms, but subsequent laboratory testing could not definitively identify the contaminated ingredient.
Consequences: 19 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Costco removed remaining chicken salad from all U.S. stores and suspended production; Taylor Farms subsequently recalled the celery-onion blend and numerous celery-containing products as a precaution.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: July to November 2015
Location: 10 U.S. states; production took place in Oregon
Incident: Sprouted nut butters produced by JEM Raw Chocolate were contaminated with Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+). Products were sold nationwide through retail stores and mail-order channels.
Consequences: 13 confirmed infections, with no known hospitalizations or deaths. On December 2, 2015, JEM Raw recalled its entire sprouted nut butter product line, including all flavors and products with expiration dates before the specified cutoff.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: July 2015 to January 2016
Location: 9 U.S. states; the production facility was in Springfield, Ohio
Incident: Bagged salads produced at Dole’s Springfield processing plant were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The earliest cases began in July 2015; in January 2016, the Ohio agriculture department detected Listeria in retail Dole Field Greens. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a close relationship to patient strains.
Consequences: A final U.S. total of 19 confirmed infections, all 19 hospitalized, and 1 death; there was also 1 pregnant patient. Canada also identified cases with the same outbreak strain. Dole stopped production at its Springfield facility on January 21, 2016, and on January 27 recalled all salad mixes produced there and sold under brands including Dole, Fresh Selections, Simple Truth, Marketside, and The Little Salad Bar.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2016
1.
Time: December 2015 to April 2016
Location: 23 U.S. states
Incident: RAW Meal Organic Shake & Meal replacement powder sold by Garden of Life was contaminated with Salmonella Virchow. The FDA ultimately detected the outbreak strain in the organic moringa leaf powder used in the product; the same strain was also detected in opened products from patients’ homes.
Consequences: 33 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no deaths; Garden of Life recalled some RAW Meal products in January 2016 and expanded the recall to additional batches and flavors in February.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: November 2015 to April 2016
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: The same lot of alfalfa seeds used by multiple sprout producers was contaminated with Salmonella. The initial investigation focused on Sweetwater Farms in Kansas. The FDA detected Salmonella in sprout irrigation water, sprouts, and related seeds. Subsequent supply-chain investigation found that other sprout companies had also used the same contaminated seed lot.
Consequences: 26 confirmed infections with Salmonella Muenchen or Salmonella Kentucky, 8 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Sweetwater Farms withdrew all sprout products, and the seed supplier asked other sprout companies to return the contaminated seeds.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: January to February 2016
Location: Minnesota, Wisconsin
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack & The Green Sprouts were contaminated with E. coli O157. All 9 patients who underwent detailed investigation reported eating or possibly eating alfalfa sprouts. Supply chains for 8 locations where patients consumed food all traced to the same producer.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. Around February 25, the company recalled all alfalfa sprout and alfalfa-onion sprout products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: January to March 2016
Location: 9 U.S. states
Incident: Pistachios produced by Wonderful Pistachios were contaminated with Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Senftenberg. Whole-genome sequencing showed close relationships among patient strains, raw pistachios, and production facility samples, establishing that contamination was associated with the company’s products.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On March 9, Wonderful Pistachios recalled some in-shell and shelled pistachios under brands including Wonderful, Paramount Farms, and Trader Joe’s; the company also closed production areas where the outbreak strains were found.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: 2013 to May 2016; detection and response were concentrated in 2016
Location: 4 states, including California, Maryland, and Washington; the contaminated facility was in Pasco, Washington
Incident: Frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A 2016 investigation found that strains in frozen corn, peas, and other samples were closely related to patient strains. A retrospective investigation traced cases back to 2013, indicating that contamination may have persisted for years.
Consequences: 9 confirmed infections, all 9 hospitalized, and 3 deaths, although the CDC determined that only 1 death was caused by listeriosis. CRF initially recalled 11 products, then expanded the recall to all affected frozen fruits and vegetables produced at the Pasco facility since May 1, 2014, involving more than 350 consumer products and 42 brands. This also prompted recalls of at least 100 downstream products containing these ingredients.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: December 2015 to September 2016
Location: 24 U.S. states; the contaminated facility was in Kansas City, Missouri
Incident: Flour produced by General Mills was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121 and O26. Patients became infected after eating raw dough or handling raw flour. Supply-chain investigation traced the affected flour to General Mills’ Kansas City plant; the FDA and company subsequently detected the related strains directly in flour.
Consequences: 63 confirmed infections, 17 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. General Mills repeatedly expanded recalls of flour under brands including Gold Medal, Wondra, and Signature Kitchens, prompting numerous downstream recalls of cake mixes, bread, baked goods, and other products made with these flours.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May to September 2016
Location: 9 U.S. states
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts supplied by Sprouts Extraordinaire in Colorado were contaminated with Salmonella Reading and Salmonella Abony. Patients were distributed across multiple states and had eaten raw sprouts at multiple restaurants; supply chains for 5 affected restaurants all traced to the same sprout supplier.
Consequences: 36 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On August 5, 2016, Sprouts Extraordinaire recalled alfalfa sprout products including “5-lb Living Alfalfa,” which had been sold in at least 8 states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June to October 2016
Location: Hawaii, mainly Oahu
Incident: Sea Port Bay frozen raw scallops imported from the Philippines were contaminated with hepatitis A virus and served raw at multiple Genki Sushi restaurants. The Hawaii health department linked most cases to these scallops after investigation, and the FDA subsequently confirmed hepatitis A virus in the affected products.
Consequences: A final total of 292 confirmed hepatitis A infections and 74 hospitalizations. Hawaii ordered statewide seizure of the affected scallops and closed all Genki Sushi locations on Oahu and Kauai; the importer recalled approximately 800 cases of affected raw scallops. After comprehensive disinfection, product destruction, and employee health screening, the locations were approved to reopen in September.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: May to October 2016
Location: 9 U.S. states, mainly concentrated in Virginia and surrounding areas; ingredients originated in Egypt
Incident: Imported frozen strawberries used at Tropical Smoothie Café and other establishments were contaminated with hepatitis A virus. FDA supply-chain tracing ultimately pointed to frozen strawberries produced by International Company for Agricultural Production & Processing in Egypt.
Consequences: 143 confirmed infections, 56 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The restaurants stopped using Egyptian strawberries in August; on October 30, the Egyptian company involved recalled all affected frozen strawberries shipped to the United States since January 2016.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: June to September 2016
Location: States including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; production took place in Massachusetts
Incident: Beef, veal, and bison meat produced by Adams Farm Slaughterhouse were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Case investigations found that patients had eaten beef supplied by the slaughterhouse, and supply chains for multiple cases could be traced directly to Adams Farm.
Consequences: A final total of 11 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Adams Farm recalled beef, veal, and bison products on September 24; FSIS designated the incident a Class I high-risk recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: April to October 2016
Location: Missouri, Illinois, Kansas
Incident: Shell eggs produced by Good Earth Egg Company were contaminated with Salmonella Oranienburg. Closely related strains were detected in patients, restaurant eggs, and environmental samples from the company’s processing facility. These strains were also closely related to those in the company’s 2015 outbreak, indicating that contamination may have persisted for a long time.
Consequences: The 2016 outbreak had 8 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company recalled all shell eggs on October 3. It had previously conducted a comprehensive egg recall on January 9, 2016, because of the 2015 outbreak.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: August to December 2016
Location: Nationwide, United States; the production facility was in Owasso, Oklahoma
Incident: Ready-to-eat chicken produced by National Steak and Poultry was found potentially not to have met required thorough heating standards, creating a risk that pathogens such as Salmonella could survive. The problem was first identified through a consumer complaint; subsequent company and USDA investigations confirmed that some products might have been undercooked.
Consequences: The company initially recalled 17,439 pounds of products and expanded the recall by approximately 1.976 million pounds in December, bringing the total to approximately 1.9935 million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: Summer to December 2016
Location: Virginia; products entered the U.S. supply chain as food ingredients
Incident: The FDA found longstanding environmental contamination with Salmonella meleagridis at Valley Milk Products’ milk powder plant. Strains detected in 2016 were nearly identical to those found at the plant in 2010, 2011, and 2013, indicating that contamination may have persisted for years. The FDA also found serious sanitation problems, including brown liquid dripping inside equipment and old food residues.
Consequences: Approximately 3.1 million pounds of milk powder already sold were recalled, prompting downstream recalls of potato chips, baked goods, candy, and other products; the original text did not record any confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Judicial seizure/forfeiture and permanent injunction: More than 4 million pounds of milk powder, valued at nearly $4 million, were seized and ordered forfeited; a 2017 injunction required corrective measures and FDA approval before production could resume. The product value was not a fine. Verification source: [S43]
14.
Time: October to November 2016
Location: Nationwide, United States, and Canada; the production facility was in Virginia
Incident: The FDA found Listeria monocytogenes at Sabra Dipping Company’s hummus production facility. The investigation obtained numerous positive environmental samples, some of which matched strains found in retail products in 2015, suggesting possible persistent Listeria contamination in the production environment.
Consequences: On November 19, 2016, Sabra recalled large quantities of hummus produced before November 8, including multiple sizes and flavors such as Classic, Garlic, and Roasted Red Pepper, involving retail and foodservice channels in the United States and Canada. No human cases were confirmed in this recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: January to April 2016
Location: San Francisco area, California
Incident: The FDA found longstanding, severely unsanitary practices at Kun Wo Food Products’ rice noodle plant. Employees washed their hands, cleaning cloths, and buckets directly in sinks containing rice soaking for that day’s production; equipment was coated with grease and grime; condensation from ceilings and pipes dripped into production ingredients; previous environmental samples had also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Consequences: The company stopped food production and sales; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2016, Kun Wo and its two owners were restricted from producing and selling food until corrective measures were taken and written FDA approval was obtained. Verification source: [S44]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2017
1.
Time: January–April 2017
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Both opened products in patients’ homes and unopened retail products tested positive for outbreak strains closely related to those from patients. The products were supplied extensively to households, schools, and childcare facilities.
Consequences: 32 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, 9 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths; 26 patients were under 18. The company recalled all associated I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter and foods coated with it, including granola.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: September 2016–March 2017
Location: New York, Connecticut, Florida, Vermont, and other states; production was in Walton, New York
Incident: Raw-milk soft cheeses produced by Vulto Creamery were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The outbreak strain was detected in leftover cheese from patients’ homes and unopened cheese at the plant. Environmental monitoring at the plant had repeatedly detected bacteria of the genus Listeria over several years.
Consequences: 8 confirmed infections; all 8 patients were hospitalized, 2 died, and there was also 1 newborn case. The company recalled all affected soft cheeses and ceased operations.
Penalty: No prison sentence: Johannes Vulto received 3 years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 240 hours of community service; the company received 1 year of probation (2024). A separate permanent injunction was entered in 2018. Verification sources: [S45, S46]
3.
Time: Beginning in March 2017
Location: 36 U.S. states
Incident: CDC foodborne outbreak surveillance identified a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak. The epidemiological investigation listed romaine lettuce as a suspected food vehicle, but the evidence did not meet the standard for a confirmed food source, and no specific farm, processor, or seller was identified.
Consequences: 151 confirmed infections, 31 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No product recall was conducted. CDC’s final annual surveillance listed romaine lettuce as a “suspected” rather than “confirmed” food source.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March–May 2017
Location: 7 U.S. states and British Columbia, Canada; the ingredient came from Indonesia
Incident: A batch of frozen precut coconut meat was contaminated with Salmonella Chailey. U.S. and Canadian supply-chain traceback ultimately converged on the same batch of frozen coconut, which was thawed and repackaged for sale at supermarkets.
Consequences: 14 confirmed infections in the United States and 5 in Canada, totaling 19; available information recorded 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. The affected supermarket chain voluntarily removed this batch of precut coconut.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: Beginning in April 2017
Location: 7 U.S. states
Incident: Raw sushi caused a multistate Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) outbreak. CDC’s annual investigation listed raw sushi as the confirmed food vehicle and recorded associated product measures and recalls.
Consequences: 35 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: April–May 2017
Location: Sacramento County, California
Incident: Nacho cheese sauce sold at a gas station was contaminated with botulinum toxin. The California public health department detected the same type of botulinum toxin in the cheese sauce as in patients.
Consequences: 10 confirmed botulism cases and 1 death. Sales of the affected cheese sauce stopped on May 5. This was a major food safety incident involving a single establishment: although the contaminated food was sold at only one retail location, it caused severe neurological poisoning in multiple people and a death.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May–October 2017
Location: 23 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Campeche, Mexico
Incident: Maradol papayas produced by the Carica de Campeche farm were contaminated with multiple Salmonella types, including Salmonella Thompson, Kiambu, Agona, Gaminara, and Senftenberg. Strains detected by FDA in the papayas matched patient strains.
Consequences: Ultimately, 220 infections were confirmed, with 68 hospitalizations and 1 death in New York City. Companies including Grande Produce, Agroson’s, and Freshtex Produce separately recalled papayas under brands including Caribeña, Cavi, and Valery.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: May–June 2017
Location: Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and other locations; products came from Asia
Incident: U.S. regulators found hepatitis A virus contamination in imported frozen yellowfin tuna steaks and tuna chunks. The affected products included frozen yellowfin tuna distributed by Hilo Fish Company and products used in raw foods such as Hawaiian poke.
Consequences: Hilo Fish Company and other companies recalled the affected frozen tuna. FDA issued a public health warning and advised consumers who had recently eaten the affected raw tuna and had not received hepatitis A vaccination to assess post-exposure prophylaxis measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: June 2017
Location: Nationwide, United States; production was in New Holland, Pennsylvania
Incident: Ready-to-eat breaded chicken products produced by Tyson Foods posed risks from labeling errors and undeclared allergens. Because the affected products entered major institutional food supply channels, USDA classified the recall as high-risk Class I.
Consequences: On June 9, 2017, Tyson recalled approximately 2,485,374 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: June–August 2017
Location: Texas; consumers of the products were also in other states
Incident: Unpasteurized raw milk sold by K-Bar Dairy was contaminated with Brucella abortus RB51. RB51 is a Brucella vaccine strain used to vaccinate cattle and rarely causes consumer infections under normal circumstances. Testing found that at least two cows at the dairy were shedding RB51.
Consequences: One Texas woman was confirmed to have been infected after drinking the dairy’s raw milk.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: December 2016–August 2017
Location: California, Arizona, and Colorado
Incident: Another batch of Maradol papayas imported from Mexico was contaminated with Salmonella Anatum. FDA detected strains closely related to patient strains while sampling imported papayas at the U.S.–Mexico border. The products involved supply chains including Bravo Produce and Mexico’s Productores y Exportadores de Carica Papaya de Tecomán y Costa Alegre.
Consequences: Ultimately, 20 infections were confirmed, with 5 hospitalizations and 1 death. Bravo Produce recalled the affected Maradol papayas on September 10.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: July–August 2017
Location: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Incident: Maradol papayas produced by the El Zapotanito farm in Jalisco, Mexico, were contaminated with Salmonella Urbana. FDA found the contamination after increasing sampling of Mexican papayas; the strain in the papayas matched the patient strain.
Consequences: 7 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The contaminated batch identified by FDA was destroyed before entering the U.S. market for sale. The same farm had previously sold papayas to the United States, but those products were already beyond their shelf life during the investigation, so no recall was conducted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: July–August 2017
Location: 4 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Colima, Mexico
Incident: Both Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Infantis were detected in Maradol papayas produced by the Rancho El Ganadero farm and distributed by Caraveo Produce. The two Salmonella strains from patients and papaya samples were highly consistent.
Consequences: 4 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The contaminated batch identified by FDA was destroyed directly and did not enter the U.S. retail market. However, papayas previously produced by the farm had already been sold in the United States and were beyond their shelf life, so no market recall was conducted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: Beginning in August 2017
Location: 3 U.S. states
Incident: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 was transmitted through leafy green vegetables. CDC’s annual foodborne outbreak surveillance identified leafy greens as a “confirmed” food source, rather than an inference based solely on patient recollections.
Consequences: 68 confirmed infections, 18 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No recall was conducted. This was one of the multistate STEC outbreaks associated with vegetables with relatively high case counts in the United States in 2017.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: September 2017
Location: Metropolis, Illinois
Incident: Fort Massac Fish Market had long violated seafood HACCP and sanitation requirements in producing ready-to-eat caviar. FDA inspections found inadequate disinfection of employees’ hands, utensils, and food-contact surfaces, insect remains and pet dogs in the facility, and ineffective control of the risk of Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation in caviar. The company had not fully corrected the problems after receiving an earlier warning.
Consequences: Food production and sales were restricted; no associated human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2017, food production and sales by Fort Massac operator Mary Parrish were restricted; operations could resume only after corrective measures and FDA approval. Verification source: [S47]
16.
Time: September–November 2017
Location: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and other states
Incident: Unpasteurized milk sold by a raw-milk delivery company called Udder Milk was associated with Brucella abortus RB51 infection. The company distributed products through a members-only website and constantly changing pickup locations, and did not provide regulators with complete information about supplying farms, making the contamination source difficult to trace quickly.
Consequences: One woman in New Jersey was confirmed to have been infected with RB51.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: Beginning in October 2017
Location: 2 U.S. states
Incident: Salmonella Newport was transmitted through melon. CDC’s annual multistate foodborne outbreak surveillance listed melon as the confirmed food source.
Consequences: 24 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and 1 death. No product recall was recorded because the affected fresh fruit had largely left the market by the time the outbreak was identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: October 27–November 18, 2017
Location: An event center in Nebraska
Incident: Norovirus transmission occurred across successive weddings and events at an event center. Investigators found that someone had vomited in a public area during the first event, and at least one employee involved in food preparation and service subsequently returned to work less than 24 hours after symptoms resolved. Health authorities had required thorough disinfection and exclusion of ill employees, but the venue initially performed only limited cleaning and did not strictly enforce the exclusion requirements, allowing transmission to continue for approximately two weeks.
Consequences: A total of 159 confirmed or presumed illnesses across 9 events: 153 attendees and 6 employees. Transmission ended only after professional, comprehensive disinfection and strict enforcement of the rule excluding ill food workers from work for at least 48 hours.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: Beginning in November 2017
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Shell eggs caused a multistate Salmonella Braenderup outbreak. CDC’s annual investigation confirmed eggs as the food vehicle and recorded a product recall.
Consequences: 45 confirmed infections, 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The affected eggs were recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: November–December 2017
Location: 15 U.S. states
Incident: An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with leafy green vegetables occurred in the United States. U.S. cases were closely related to the strain in a concurrent Canadian outbreak. The Canadian investigation pointed to romaine lettuce, but the U.S. investigation could not establish a particular leafy green vegetable or identify a shared farm, supplier, distributor, or retailer.
Consequences: Ultimately, the United States confirmed 25 infections, with 9 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. No recall was conducted. CDC’s final conclusion identified leafy green vegetables as the “likely source,” but evidence was insufficient to specifically attribute the U.S. cases to romaine lettuce.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: January–November 2017; the recall occurred in January 2018
Location: 9 U.S. states and Canada; the product was imported frozen shredded coconut
Incident: Coconut Tree Brand frozen shredded coconut distributed by Evershing International Trading Company was contaminated with multiple Salmonella types. Restaurants used the product in Asian-style dessert drinks, and it was also sold at grocery stores. Investigators ultimately detected outbreak-associated Salmonella in unopened packages and additionally found multiple other Salmonella types.
Consequences: Ultimately, 27 infections were confirmed in the United States, with 6 hospitalizations and no deaths; Canada had additional associated cases. On January 3, 2018, the company recalled all 16-ounce Coconut Tree Brand frozen shredded coconut.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2018
1.
Time: January 2017 to May 2018, with response efforts concentrated in 2018
Location: 41 U.S. states
Incident: Kratom powders and capsules from multiple brands were contaminated with multiple Salmonella types. FDA and state laboratories detected strains associated with patients, as well as other Salmonella strains, in numerous products. The investigation indicated that contamination was not limited to a single brand or manufacturer.
Consequences: 199 confirmed infections, 50 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Multiple companies recalled products. After Triangle Pharmanaturals refused FDA’s request for a voluntary recall, FDA directly exercised its authority under the Food Safety Modernization Act for the first time in April to order a mandatory recall of the company’s food products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: January to February 2018
Location: Eight states, including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota
Incident: Ready-to-eat chicken salad produced by Triple T Specialty Meats and sold at Fareway supermarket deli counters was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Iowa detected the outbreak strain in chicken salad from two Fareway stores.
Consequences: 265 confirmed infections, 94 hospitalizations, and 1 death. Triple T recalled approximately 20,630 pounds of chicken salad, and all Fareway stores stopped selling the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: November 2017 to May 2018
Location: 10 U.S. states; the contamination source was in North Carolina
Incident: Shell eggs produced at Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County farm were contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup. FDA detected the outbreak strain in the farm environment, and restaurant supply-chain tracing also pointed to the farm.
Consequences: 45 confirmed infections, 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Rose Acre Farms recalled 206,749,248 eggs; Cal-Maine subsequently recalled another 23,400 dozen eggs purchased from Rose Acre.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March to June 2018
Location: 36 U.S. states; the contamination source was primarily in the Yuma growing region of Arizona
Incident: Romaine lettuce was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FDA and CDC investigations traced the supply chain to the Yuma growing region and ultimately detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in local agricultural irrigation canal water.
Consequences: 210 confirmed infections, 96 hospitalizations, 27 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 5 deaths. CDC and FDA temporarily advised consumers, restaurants, and retailers to stop consuming or selling romaine lettuce from the Yuma area. No coordinated nationwide recall was conducted because of the products’ short shelf life and the end of the growing season.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: April to July 2018
Location: Nine U.S. states
Incident: Pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon, and mixed fruit produced by Caito Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Adelaide. Patient purchase records and supply-chain investigations both pointed to the company’s processing facility in Indiana.
Consequences: 77 confirmed infections, 36 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On June 8, Caito Foods recalled pre-cut watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and mixed-fruit products containing these fruits.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: March to August 2018
Location: 36 U.S. states
Incident: Kellogg’s Honey Smacks breakfast cereal was contaminated with Salmonella Mbandaka. Epidemiological and laboratory evidence both linked illnesses to Honey Smacks.
Consequences: 135 confirmed infections, 34 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Kellogg initially recalled some products, then expanded the recall to all Honey Smacks cereal; FDA also required retailers to stop selling the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May to June 2018
Location: Multiple states in the U.S. Midwest
Incident: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and other items in Del Monte prepackaged vegetable trays were associated with a Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak. Most patients had purchased the affected products from convenience stores such as Kwik Trip/Kwik Star.
Consequences: A final total of 250 laboratory-confirmed cases. Del Monte recalled 6-ounce, 12-ounce, and 28-ounce vegetable trays, affecting Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other locations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: May to July 2018
Location: Multiple states in the U.S. Midwest
Incident: Salads sold by McDonald’s were contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. The implicated salads used mixtures of romaine lettuce, carrots, and other ingredients processed by Fresh Express; FDA later directly detected Cyclospora in an unopened package of salad mix.
Consequences: 511 confirmed infections. McDonald’s stopped selling the affected salads at approximately 3,000 stores across 14 states; Fresh Express also recalled the relevant lettuce and salad ingredients.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: April to July 2018
Location: Seven states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and New York, and Washington, D.C.
Incident: Pre-cooked fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela was contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Supply-chain tracing of crab meat associated with cases at multiple restaurants and grocery stores led to different suppliers in Venezuela.
Consequences: 26 confirmed infections, 9 hospitalizations, and no deaths.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: June to August 2018
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Spring Pasta Salad sold by Hy-Vee supermarkets was contaminated with Salmonella Sandiego and another type of Salmonella enterica.
Consequences: 101 confirmed infections, 25 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Hy-Vee removed the product from all stores on July 16 and formally recalled the affected Spring Pasta Salad on July 17.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: July 2018
Location: Powell, Ohio
Incident: A large Clostridium perfringens outbreak occurred at a local Chipotle Mexican Grill. The local health department found critical food safety violations at the restaurant, including noncompliant time and temperature controls for lettuce and bean products.
Consequences: Approximately 647 customers reported illness.
Penalty: Shares the $25 million corporate criminal fine and three-year deferred prosecution agreement (2020) with the 2015 Chipotle record; this incident was explicitly included in the consolidated case and is not counted again. Verification source: [S42]
12.
Time: July to September 2018
Location: Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, and Massachusetts
Incident: Ground beef produced by Cargill Meat Solutions was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26. Patient purchase records, product testing, and supply-chain investigations pointed to the company’s Fort Morgan plant in Colorado.
Consequences: 18 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. Cargill recalled approximately 132,606 pounds of ground beef, which had been distributed to retail markets nationwide in the United States.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: May to August 2018
Location: 11 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Alabama
Incident: Bulk shell eggs produced by Gravel Ridge Farms were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FDA detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in the company environment and egg samples.
Consequences: 44 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On September 8, the company recalled cage-free large eggs with specified expiration dates, and restaurants and retailers stopped selling the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: July 2017 to August 2018, with response efforts concentrated in 2018
Location: States including Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania; production was in North Carolina
Incident: Ready-to-eat country ham produced by Johnston County Hams was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Whole-genome sequencing showed that strains from patients and ham samples were closely related.
Consequences: 4 confirmed infections, all 4 patients hospitalized, and 1 death. The company recalled approximately 89,096 pounds of ready-to-eat ham, prompting further recalls of related foods by multiple downstream companies that used the ham.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: September 2017 to August 2018
Location: Six U.S. states, with cases primarily concentrated in the Northeast
Incident: Kosher chicken was contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-. Case investigations showed that multiple people had eaten kosher chicken, with several patients specifically reporting the Empire Kosher brand; the investigation concluded that some kosher chicken products were contaminated with the same strain.
Consequences: 25 confirmed infections, 11 hospitalizations, and 1 death. USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert, but no large-scale recall covering all kosher chicken was conducted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: August 2018 to February 2019
Location: 30 U.S. states; the contaminated plant was in Tolleson, Arizona
Incident: Ground beef and other non-intact raw beef produced by JBS Tolleson were contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Patient purchase records, supply-chain tracing, and product testing all linked the outbreak to the plant.
Consequences: A final total of 403 confirmed infections, 117 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company initially recalled approximately 6.937 million pounds of beef in October 2018, expanded the recall in December, and ultimately recalled approximately 12.09 million pounds of products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: January 2018 to January 2019
Location: 32 U.S. states
Incident: A multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis outbreak associated with raw chicken occurred in the United States. The chicken eaten by patients came from different brands, stores, and companies; the same outbreak strain was also found in raw chicken, raw chicken pet food, and live chickens, indicating that contamination was widespread in the U.S. chicken industry supply chain rather than a problem at a single plant.
Consequences: A final total of 129 confirmed infections, 25 hospitalizations, and 1 death. Regulators did not identify a common supplier, so no nationwide recall covering all chicken products was conducted; CDC and USDA called on the chicken industry to implement contamination controls throughout the supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: November 2017 to March 2019; the main public investigation began in 2018
Location: 42 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Incident: Salmonella Reading spread widely in the U.S. turkey industry. The outbreak strain was detected in multiple brands of raw turkey, turkey pet food, and live turkeys, and could not be attributed to a single producer.
Consequences: A final total of 358 confirmed infections, 133 hospitalizations, and 1 death. At least four turkey product recalls occurred during the investigation, including products from companies such as Jennie-O.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: October to December 2018
Location: 16 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.; the contamination source was in California’s Central Coast growing region
Incident: Another E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with romaine lettuce occurred in the United States. The investigation narrowed the source to counties including Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura, and ultimately detected the outbreak strain in sediment from an agricultural reservoir at Adam Bros. Farming in Santa Barbara County.
Consequences: 62 confirmed infections, 25 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. CDC and FDA temporarily advised consumers nationwide to stop eating all romaine lettuce of unknown origin, and the relevant farms and companies recalled products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: May to July 2018
Location: Nationwide in the United States; the contaminated ingredient was produced in Wisconsin
Incident: Dry whey powder produced by Associated Milk Producers Inc. may have been contaminated with Salmonella. Numerous food companies used the whey powder as an ingredient, bringing the contamination risk into the supply chains of multiple nationwide brands.
Consequences: AMPI recalled the affected whey powder; Mondelēz recalled certain Ritz sandwich crackers and Ritz Bits, Pepperidge Farm recalled four varieties of Goldfish crackers, Flowers Foods recalled products including Swiss Rolls, and Hungry-Man foods were also affected. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: October 2018
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Onions and other frozen vegetable ingredients supplied by McCain Foods posed a risk of contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Because these vegetables had already been used as ingredients in numerous ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, the incident quickly developed into a chain of supply-chain recalls.
Consequences: Ruiz Food Products recalled approximately 2.49 million pounds of beef and poultry taquitos; Bakkavor Foods recalled approximately 795,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry foods; Envolve Foods recalled approximately 293,000 pounds of products, and companies including SK Food Group also conducted recalls. No related human cases were confirmed, but the total quantity of products involved reached several million pounds.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
22.
Time: May to July 2018
Location: Staten Island, New York
Incident: Euroline Foods and Royal Seafood Baza produced and processed ready-to-eat fish, seafood, vegetable salads, and cheese. Repeated FDA inspections found longstanding, serious sanitation problems, including Listeria monocytogenes in the production environment and inadequate control of risks from Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, and histamine poisoning; the problems persisted after multiple inspections from 2015 to 2017.
Consequences: Processing of bulk foods was restricted; no human cases directly related to this case were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2018, Euroline/Royal Seafood was permitted to distribute only prepackaged, sealed foods; resuming other food processing required notifying FDA 90 days in advance and completing the prescribed corrective measures. Verification source: [S48]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2019
1.
Time: March to May 2019
Location: 10 U.S. states; production and processing were in Indiana
Incident: Pre-cut cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, and mixed fruit produced by Caito Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Carrau. Patient purchase records and supply-chain tracing both pointed to pre-cut fruit processed by Caito Foods.
Consequences: 137 confirmed infections, 38 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On April 12, 2019, Caito Foods recalled the affected pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fruit tray products, involving multiple retail brands and states.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: March to May 2019
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103. Investigators detected the outbreak strain in ground beef obtained from locations where patients had eaten, but the beef patients purchased or consumed came through multiple channels, and no common supplier capable of explaining all cases could ultimately be identified.
Consequences: 209 confirmed infections, 29 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. K2D Foods recalled approximately 113,424 pounds of ground beef, and Grant Park Packing recalled approximately 53,200 pounds of ground beef.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: January to March 2019
Location: Eight U.S. states; the products came from Vietnam
Incident: Frozen raw ground tuna supplied by Jensen Tuna, with raw material from JK Fish in Vietnam, was contaminated with Salmonella Newport. Many patients had eaten sushi at restaurants or supermarkets; all nine patients whose sushi exposure could be confirmed in detail had eaten foods containing raw tuna.
Consequences: 15 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Jensen Tuna recalled the affected frozen ground tuna, and FDA required restaurants and retailers to stop selling and using the products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: December 2018 to May 2019
Location: Nine U.S. states; the contamination source involved flour produced by ADM Milling
Incident: Flour was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26. Investigators obtained unopened Baker’s Corner flour from a bakery where a patient had eaten raw dough and detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in the flour.
Consequences: 21 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Flour from multiple brands, including ALDI Baker’s Corner, King Arthur, and Pillsbury, as well as cookies and brownie mixes made with the affected flour, was recalled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: March to June 2019
Location: States including Massachusetts, New York, and Texas; the products were imported from Israel
Incident: Karawan and El-Karawan brand tahini was contaminated with Salmonella Concord. FDA and CDC investigations linked the cases to imported tahini.
Consequences: At least 4 confirmed infections, 1 hospitalization, and no deaths. Brodt Zenatti Holding recalled Karawan brand tahini, and regulators required consumers, restaurants, and retailers to stop consuming, selling, and using the affected products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: January to July 2019
Location: Nine U.S. states; the products came from Mexico
Incident: Cavi brand whole fresh papayas were contaminated with Salmonella Uganda. Epidemiological evidence and supply-chain tracing both pointed to papayas imported from Mexico and distributed by Agroson’s LLC.
Consequences: 81 confirmed infections, 27 hospitalizations, and no deaths. FDA and CDC temporarily advised consumers in several northeastern states to stop eating Mexican papayas, then narrowed the advisory to the Cavi brand.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: December 2018 to April 2019
Location: Five states, including California and Nevada; the products came from Baja California Sur, Mexico
Incident: Raw oysters cultivated in Estero El Cardon waters were contaminated with multiple pathogens. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Shigella flexneri, non-O157 STEC, Campylobacter lari, Vibrio albensis, and norovirus were detected in patients, indicating serious fecal or environmental contamination in the cultivation waters.
Consequences: 16 confirmed illnesses, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. U.S. distributors recalled the affected oysters, and Mexican regulators closed the Estero El Cardon oyster harvesting area on May 7.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June to September 2019
Location: 13 U.S. states; imported fresh basil was involved
Incident: A large Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak occurred in the United States, and the investigation identified fresh basil as a suspected vehicle. The incident involved parasitic contamination of imported fresh herbs consumed without cooking.
Consequences: CDC foodborne outbreak surveillance ultimately recorded 303 infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no deaths, and recorded a product recall. FDA subsequently strengthened Cyclospora testing and oversight of imported fresh herbs.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: March to August 2019
Location: Eight U.S. states; the products were produced by Northfork Bison Distributions in Canada
Incident: Ground bison was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 and O121. Epidemiological, laboratory, and supply-chain evidence all pointed to ground bison and bison burgers produced by Northfork Bison Distributions.
Consequences: 33 confirmed infections, 18 hospitalizations, and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. The company recalled the affected ground bison and bison patties produced from February to April 2019.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: 2016 to June 2019, with the main investigation conducted in 2019
Location: States including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Incident: Meat and cheese sliced on site at multiple retail deli counters were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Regulators detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in sliced meat and deli environments at different stores, indicating that cross-contamination involving deli equipment and environments may have been an important transmission route.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections, all 10 patients hospitalized, and 1 death. The investigation could not identify a single common manufacturer, so no coordinated nationwide recall was conducted, but the incident prompted regulators to further strengthen Listeria controls at retail deli counters.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: August to October 2019
Location: Eight U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef was contaminated with Salmonella Dublin. This strain generally causes invasive infections more readily than other Salmonella strains; closely related strains were detected in patients’ leftover ground beef and raw beef at slaughter and processing companies.
Consequences: 13 confirmed infections, 9 hospitalizations, and 1 death; at least 6 patients developed bacteremia. Central Valley Meat recalled 34,222 pounds of ground beef, but regulators did not identify a single supplier capable of explaining all cases.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: August to October 2019
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Multiple batches of yellowfin tuna developed excessive histamine because of failures in cold-chain or handling controls, causing scombroid fish poisoning. CDC annual surveillance ultimately confirmed yellowfin tuna as the food source of the multistate outbreak.
Consequences: Federal surveillance recorded 50 cases of poisoning, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths across 11 states. Companies including Alfa International Seafood and Mical Seafood recalled yellowfin tuna steaks, fillets, poke cubes, ground tuna, and other products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: September to December 2019
Location: 27 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Salinas Valley, California
Incident: Romaine lettuce was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The outbreak strain was detected in unopened Ready Pac Chicken Caesar Salad and Fresh Express romaine lettuce in patients’ homes. FDA’s investigation focused the source on the Salinas Valley growing region; the strain was identical or closely related to strains from leafy-green outbreaks in 2017 and 2018.
Consequences: 167 confirmed infections, 85 hospitalizations, 15 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. CDC and FDA temporarily required consumers, restaurants, and retailers nationwide to stop consuming, serving, or selling romaine lettuce from Salinas, and multiple companies conducted recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: November 2019
Location: Five U.S. states and Canada
Incident: Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kit prepackaged salad was contaminated with another strain of E. coli O157:H7. All U.S. patients interviewed reported recently eating leafy greens, and most reported definitely or possibly eating this salad.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections in the United States, 4 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Because the implicated products had a short shelf life and had already left the market by the time the investigation was completed, no formal recall was conducted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: October to November 2019
Location: States including Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin
Incident: Fresh blackberries sold by Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Market were associated with a hepatitis A outbreak. The vast majority of patients reported eating blackberries; although the supply-chain investigation confirmed the food association, it could not identify a single common growing or supply source.
Consequences: A final total of 20 confirmed infections, 11 hospitalizations, and no deaths. CDC required consumers who had purchased and frozen blackberries on the relevant dates to stop eating them; people who had recently eaten them and had not received hepatitis A vaccination were advised to assess post-exposure prophylaxis. No coordinated product recall was conducted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: November 2019 to January 2020
Location: 14 U.S. states; production and processing were in New Jersey
Incident: Pre-cut honeydew melon, cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, and Fruit Luau mixed fruit processed by Tailor Cut Produce were contaminated with Salmonella Javiana. Many cases occurred in institutions such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and hotels, and supply-chain tracing consistently pointed to the same processor.
Consequences: 165 confirmed infections, 73 hospitalizations, and no deaths; Tailor Cut Produce recalled Fruit Luau and pre-cut honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pineapple.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: 2017 to December 2019, with detection and response concentrated in 2019
Location: Five U.S. states; the production facility was in Gainesville, Georgia
Incident: Peeled hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. During a plant inspection in December 2019, FDA detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in environmental samples. The products were used in retail packaged foods, salads, and restaurant foods.
Consequences: A final total of 8 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and 1 death, with 1 additional newborn infection. On December 23, 2019, Almark Foods recalled all hard-boiled eggs produced at its Gainesville plant, subsequently affecting more than 30 retail and food-service brands.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: March to May 2019
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Consumers found metal fragments in ready-to-eat frozen chicken strips produced by Tyson Foods. An initial recall covered approximately 69,093 pounds; further investigation found that the problem involved more production dates and products.
Consequences: The recall ultimately expanded to approximately 11,829,517 pounds of chicken strips, which had been supplied to nationwide retail markets, the military, and institutions. The incident was classified as a Class I high-risk recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: August to October 2019
Location: Nationwide in the United States; production was in Rockmart, Georgia
Incident: Testing indicated that ready-to-eat cooked chicken produced by Tip Top Poultry may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Testing in Canada found multiple positive products, after which the company expanded its recall to large quantities of cooked, diced, and shredded chicken produced from January to September 2019. The ingredient had already entered numerous downstream foods, including salads, sandwiches, frozen foods, and deli counter products.
Consequences: The company conducted a Class I recall; FSIS recorded an eventual recovery of approximately 5 million pounds of products, and numerous downstream companies conducted secondary recalls. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: March 2019
Location: Multiple western U.S. states; production was in California
Incident: Routine government environmental testing identified a risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination at Henry Avocado’s packing facility, and the affected conventional and organic California-grown avocados had already entered the retail supply chain.
Consequences: The company recalled the affected whole avocados packed at the California facility since late January 2019, involving states including Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. No related illnesses were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: July 2019
Location: Alma, Arkansas
Incident: J and L Grocery had long stored and sold food and other FDA-regulated products under seriously unsanitary conditions. A federal investigation found widespread rodents, insects, and intrusion by live animals at the facility, and food may have been contaminated with filth.
Consequences: Contaminated inventory was prevented from entering distribution; the original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Judicial seizure/forfeiture and permanent injunction: In 2019, a court restricted J and L Grocery and its responsible individuals from distributing food and other regulated products; operations could resume only after corrective measures and FDA approval. Verification source: [S49]
22.
Time: August 2019
Location: Houston, Texas
Incident: FDA found serious sanitation problems at Topway Enterprises’ (Kazy’s Gourmet) ready-to-eat seafood plant, along with ineffective control of Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products included ready-to-eat fish and other seafood.
Consequences: The company’s food production and sales were restricted; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2019, Topway and its responsible individuals were prohibited from processing and selling the affected foods until completing the prescribed corrective measures; FDA also suspended the facility’s registration. Verification source: [S50]
23.
Time: November 2019
Location: San Francisco, California
Incident: FDA found longstanding serious sanitation problems at Golden Gate Soy Products’ facility producing tofu, soy milk, tofu pudding, and soy products, with continued detection of Listeria monocytogenes; earlier corrective measures had failed to eliminate the contamination.
Consequences: The company’s food production and sales were restricted; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2019, Golden Gate Soy’s food production and sales were restricted; operations could resume only after corrective measures and FDA approval. Verification source: [S51]
24.
Time: November 2019
Location: Long Island City, New York
Incident: Foo Yuan Food Products produced refrigerated and frozen ready-to-eat fish balls, fried fish cakes, and other products. FDA inspections over multiple years found that the company could not adequately control risks from Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as inadequate cleaning of food-contact surfaces and employee hygiene practices.
Consequences: The company’s food production and sales were restricted; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2019, food production and sales by Foo Yuan and its responsible individuals were restricted; operations could resume only after hiring an independent expert, establishing Listeria monitoring and other measures, and completing corrective measures. Verification source: [S52]
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2020
1.
Time: January to March 2020
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Clover sprouts were contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103. Many patients had eaten sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants; FDA subsequently detected the outbreak strain in Chicago Indoor Garden products containing sprouts. The supply-chain investigation found that sprout seeds used by the company and some Jimmy John’s stores came from the same seed lot, which had also been associated with an outbreak involving the same strain in 2019.
Consequences: 51 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Jimmy John’s stopped serving clover sprouts at all stores on February 24; Chicago Indoor Garden recalled all products containing red clover sprouts on March 16.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: November 2016 to December 2019; the main investigation and response occurred from March to June 2020
Location: 17 U.S. states; the products came from South Korea
Incident: Enoki mushrooms imported from South Korea were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Michigan and California separately detected Listeria matching the patient outbreak strain in imported enoki mushrooms; FDA import sampling also confirmed contamination with the same strain in products from South Korea’s Green Co.
Consequences: 36 confirmed infections, 31 hospitalizations, 4 deaths, and 2 fetal deaths. Companies including Sun Hong Foods, Guan’s Mushroom, and H&C Food recalled products. FDA placed South Korea’s Green Co. on an import alert, allowing its products to be detained without physical examination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: May to July 2020
Location: 14 U.S. states
Incident: Bagged salads produced at Fresh Express’ Streamwood plant in Illinois were contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. The implicated salads generally contained iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and were sold under Fresh Express and multiple retail brands, including ALDI, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Jewel-Osco, and ShopRite.
Consequences: 701 confirmed infections, 38 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On June 27, Fresh Express expanded its recall to numerous salad products produced at the plant. FDA’s subsequent investigation detected Cyclospora in a regional water-management canal in Florida, but could not establish that the canal was the direct contamination source of this outbreak.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: June to September 2020
Location: 48 U.S. states and Canada; the main supplier was in California
Incident: Red onions produced and packed by Thomson International were contaminated with Salmonella Newport. After cross-border tracing, FDA and Canadian regulators identified Thomson International as the common source. Because the same facility handled red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions, the recall expanded to multiple varieties.
Consequences: 1,127 confirmed infections in the United States, 167 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Thomson International recalled red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1 to August 1; the products had been supplied to all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. Numerous salads, dips, sandwiches, and ready-to-eat foods made with these onions were subsequently subject to a chain of recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: June to August 2020
Location: 17 U.S. states and Canada
Incident: Fresh peaches packed and supplied by Prima Wawona/Wawona Packing were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Patient purchase records and supply-chain tracing both pointed to bagged and bulk peaches supplied by the company.
Consequences: 101 confirmed infections in the United States, 28 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On August 22, Prima Wawona recalled bagged and bulk peaches sold nationwide under labels including Wawona, Prima, Organic Marketside, Kroger, and Wegmans, prompting recalls of downstream foods produced with the peaches.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: January to September 2020
Location: 12 U.S. states; the products were imported from Asia
Incident: Dried wood ear mushrooms distributed by Wismettac Asian Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Stanley. Many patients had eaten wood ear mushrooms at Asian restaurants; California health authorities detected Salmonella matching the outbreak strain in mushrooms obtained from a restaurant where patients had eaten.
Consequences: 55 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On September 23, Wismettac Asian Foods recalled the affected dried wood ear mushrooms, which had been distributed to at least more than 30 states and Washington, D.C.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: August to October 2020
Location: Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and New York
Incident: Italian-style deli meats were associated with a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. Patients generally reported eating prepackaged or deli-sliced meats such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto, but the investigation did not identify a single brand, meat type, or common supplier.
Consequences: A final total of 12 confirmed infections, all 12 patients hospitalized, and 1 death. No coordinated nationwide recall was conducted because a single supplier could not be identified; CDC and USDA issued warnings advising pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised people to heat deli meats before eating them.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: August to October 2020
Location: 19 U.S. states
Incident: Leafy greens were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Many patients reported eating spinach, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and mixed bagged vegetables. FDA traced the products to multiple potentially related farms, but did not identify a common farm capable of explaining all cases or a single specific vegetable variety or brand.
Consequences: 40 confirmed infections, 20 hospitalizations, including 4 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. No nationwide recall was conducted because a single product and producer had not been identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: September to November 2020
Location: Nine U.S. states
Incident: Another independent multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak occurred. Routine Michigan sampling of individually packaged Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce detected E. coli closely related to patient strains, prompting a company recall. However, epidemiological investigation could not establish that patients had actually eaten this brand, and some patients had become ill before the implicated lettuce’s packing date.
Consequences: 18 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On November 6, Tanimura & Antle recalled 3,396 cases of individually packaged romaine lettuce distributed to approximately 20 states and Puerto Rico; CDC ultimately classified the outbreak source as undetermined, without incorrectly identifying the brand as the definitive vehicle.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: April to May 2020
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Healthy Choice Power Bowls frozen chicken and turkey foods produced by Conagra Brands were found potentially to contain small stones. The issue first led to a recall in April; investigation identified additional products and production dates, resulting in a further expansion in May.
Consequences: Conagra ultimately recalled approximately 276,872 pounds of frozen chicken and turkey Power Bowls products. USDA-FSIS classified the incident as a Class I high-risk recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: July to August 2020
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Internal company testing identified a risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination on a piece of equipment at Freshouse II’s packing facility. Lemons, limes, Valencia oranges, and red-skinned potatoes handled at the facility had entered multiple retail supply chains, and some fruit had been used by restaurants and supermarkets in ready-to-eat foods.
Consequences: Freshouse II recalled specified lots of oranges, lemons, limes, and potatoes under brands including Freshouse, Nature’s Promise, Fresh From the Start, and Wegmans. Wegmans further recalled fruit sold at its stores and certain seafood and food-service items made with fresh lemons. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: January 2020
Location: Hamtramck, Michigan
Incident: Home Style Foods produced ready-to-eat seafood salads, other salads, pierogi, and dips. FDA inspections over multiple years found evidence of Listeria contamination at the production facility, while the company did not fully comply with seafood HACCP requirements; FDA had issued a warning in 2016, but the problems had not been fully resolved.
Consequences: Food production and sales were restricted; no human cases directly corresponding to this case were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2020, Home Style’s processing and sale of the affected foods were restricted; operations could resume only after corrective measures and FDA approval. Verification source: [S53]
13.
Time: September 2020
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Incident: Fortune Food Product produced sprouts and soy products. Earlier FDA inspections found Listeria species at the plant and E. coli in water used to irrigate sprouts; FDA had issued a warning in 2018, but the company still did not meet food safety and Produce Safety Rule requirements.
Consequences: Food production and sales were restricted; no related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2020, Fortune Food’s growing and packing of sprouts and production of other foods were restricted; operations could resume only after completing the prescribed corrective measures. Verification source: [S54]
14.
Time: 2020; the federal lawsuit was filed in November
Location: Sunnyside, Washington; the products entered food supply systems including school lunches
Incident: Valley Processing produced apple, pear, and grape juice. FDA’s investigation found inorganic arsenic and the mycotoxin patulin in some juices; the company also mixed old grape juice concentrate, stored outdoors for years and found contaminated with filth and mold, with new juice and continued to sell it. The company had stated that it would stop this practice, but subsequent inspections found that it continued.
Consequences: The company had supplied millions of servings of juice to school lunch programs; remaining food was ordered destroyed, and production and sales were restricted. The original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2021, a court required Valley Processing to destroy remaining food and prohibited production from resuming before corrective measures. In 2024, the company and its former president pleaded guilty; the agreement stipulated company forfeiture of $742,139. Sentencing reports in 2025 stated that the former president received three years of probation and the company forfeited that amount (the sentencing information is based on local media; the final judgment text was not obtained). Verification sources: [S55, S56, S57]
15.
Time: April to May 2020
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Incident: Kawa Trading had long operated a meat and poultry distribution business. A federal investigation found that the company had received and sold poultry without federal inspection or proper labeling and had a record of years of violations of the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act.
Consequences: Distribution of the implicated meat and poultry products was restricted; the original text did not record confirmed human cases.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2020, Kawa Trading and its responsible individuals were prohibited from selling uninspected or misbranded meat and poultry products. Potential fines for violating the order are not fines already imposed in this case. Verification source: [S58]
16.
Time: Throughout 2020
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by USDA-FSIS were subject to 31 formal recalls in 2020. In addition to food poisoning, causes included Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, undeclared allergens, foreign materials such as metal or stones, processing defects, production without inspection, and illegal imports.
Consequences: Of the 31 recalls, 27 were classified as Class I high-risk recalls; the total recalled weight was approximately 1.46 million pounds. Foreign-material contamination accounted for approximately 562,000 pounds, production without inspection for approximately 370,000 pounds, and undeclared allergens for approximately 310,000 pounds.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2021
1.
Time: October 2020 to March 2021
Location: Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia
Incident: Queso fresco and other Hispanic-style soft cheeses produced by El Abuelito Cheese were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Patient food histories, testing of unopened retail cheese, and whole-genome sequencing all pointed to the company’s products.
Consequences: 13 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, and 1 death; 4 cases were pregnancy-related, resulting in 2 pregnancy losses and 1 premature birth. The company first recalled queso fresco, then expanded the recall to all affected El Abuelito brand cheeses and stopped producing the affected products.
Penalty: Guilty plea entered; sentencing pending: El Abuelito pleaded guilty in May 2026, with an agreement stipulating a $487,754 fine and $658,430 forfeiture, totaling $1,146,184; sentencing was scheduled for November 3, 2026, and these amounts must not be described as already imposed or paid. Verification source: [S59]
2.
Time: November 2020 to June 2021, with investigation and response concentrated in 2021
Location: Nevada, California, and other locations; the products were sold nationwide
Incident: Real Water brand alkaline bottled water was associated with cases of acute nonviral hepatitis. Several children developed acute liver failure, and FDA’s investigation found that the patients’ only common exposure was this brand of drinking water; early in the investigation, the company also had problems including inadequate recall notification, continued online sales, and failure to promptly provide regulatory records.
Consequences: FDA ultimately recorded 21 probable cases and 4 suspected cases, including 23 hospitalizations and 1 death. The company recalled all Real Water drinking water and concentrate.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In 2021, the company was required to stop food operations and destroy affected food, with operations permitted to resume only after corrective measures and FDA approval. Civil damages: A separate 2024 jury verdict awarded approximately $5.23 billion (including $5 billion in punitive damages, according to AP); this is the verdict amount, and appeals and the amount actually enforced have not been verified. Verification sources: [S60, S61]
3.
Time: December 2020 to May 2021
Location: Four states, including California, Florida, and Tennessee
Incident: Plant-based Cashew Brie “cheese” produced by Jule’s Foods was contaminated with multiple Salmonella types, including Salmonella Chester, Duisburg, Typhimurium, and Urbana. FDA detected the relevant Salmonella in finished products, the production environment, and raw cashews used to make the products.
Consequences: 20 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On April 22, 2021, Jule’s Foods recalled all products and stopped production and distribution; FDA also traced the contaminated raw cashew supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: February to July 2021
Location: Four U.S. states; the products were imported from India
Incident: Frozen cooked shrimp produced by Avanti Frozen Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Weltevreden. FDA first detected Salmonella during import inspection, then linked product strains to patient strains through whole-genome sequencing.
Consequences: 9 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Avanti expanded its recalls in June and August, involving multiple brands including 365, Food Lion, Hannaford, Meijer, and Chicken of the Sea. FDA added Avanti to an import alert, allowing its relevant products to be detained without physical examination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: February to August 2021
Location: 11 U.S. states
Incident: Frozen, raw, breaded, and stuffed chicken products produced by Serenade Foods were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. These products were breaded and pre-browned on the outside, making it easy for consumers to mistake them for fully cooked products. Regulators detected the outbreak strain in retail products and unopened products in patients’ homes.
Consequences: 36 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On August 9, the company recalled approximately 59,251 pounds of products including Chicken Cordon Bleu and Chicken Broccoli & Cheese under the Dutch Farms, Milford Valley, and Kirkwood brands.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: April to June 2021
Location: Two states, including Texas and Delaware
Incident: Frozen fully cooked chicken produced at Tyson Foods’ plant in Dexter, Missouri, was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Case supply-chain and product investigations both pointed to Tyson’s precooked chicken, which was widely supplied to retailers, restaurants, schools, hospitals, eldercare institutions, and Department of Defense facilities.
Consequences: 3 confirmed infections, all 3 patients hospitalized, and 1 death. Tyson ultimately recalled approximately 8.955 million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken, prompting recalls of numerous downstream products made with the implicated chicken, including pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and burritos.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: June to August 2021
Location: Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan
Incident: Bagged salads produced at BrightFarms’ greenhouse in Rochelle, Illinois, were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Patient purchase records and supply-chain tracing both pointed to the greenhouse. FDA’s investigation also found other Salmonella in its production environment and water.
Consequences: 31 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. BrightFarms recalled multiple bagged leafy-green products, including Sunny Crunch, Butter Crisp, Harvest Crunch, and Baby Spinach, and expanded the recall’s sales regions.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: February to September 2021
Location: 12 U.S. states
Incident: Commercial cake mixes were associated with an E. coli O121 outbreak. Patient interviews showed that most respondents had directly tasted or eaten raw batter made with cake mix, but patients had purchased different brands and varieties, preventing identification of a single manufacturer.
Consequences: 16 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No product recall was conducted. CDC again warned against consuming unbaked cake mix and raw batter.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: August to October 2021
Location: The Roanoke area of Virginia
Incident: A hepatitis A outbreak occurred at three locations of the Famous Anthony’s restaurant chain. The investigation found that an unvaccinated food worker continued working while infectious, and widespread infections occurred among customers who ate there between August 10 and 26.
Consequences: CDC’s final investigation confirmed 51 restaurant-associated hepatitis A cases, 31 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths; at least 1 patient received a liver transplant. Direct medical and vaccination costs from this incident and subsequent community cases were estimated to exceed $3 million.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: May to October 2021
Location: 15 U.S. states, primarily concentrated in Colorado
Incident: Multiple seafood products processed and distributed by Northeast Seafood Products in Denver were contaminated with Salmonella Thompson. FDA directly detected the outbreak strain in the company’s production environment and found opportunities for cross-contamination caused by inadequate cleaning and sanitation.
Consequences: 115 confirmed infections, 20 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On October 8, the company recalled multiple seafood products, including haddock, trout, grouper, red snapper, salmon, and tilapia.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: May 2021 to January 2022
Location: 39 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; the products came from Chihuahua, Mexico
Incident: Fresh red, yellow, and white onions imported from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella Oranienburg. The investigation identified ProSource Produce and Keeler Family Farms as the main implicated suppliers, and supply chains for numerous restaurant case clusters were traced to onions from Chihuahua.
Consequences: A final total of 1,040 confirmed infections, 260 hospitalizations, and no deaths, making this the largest resolved multistate foodborne outbreak in the United States in 2021. The two main suppliers and numerous companies repacking and processing onions conducted recalls, including downstream products from HelloFresh and EveryPlate.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: May to October 2021
Location: 17 U.S. states
Incident: Fratelli Beretta prepackaged Uncured Antipasto Italian meat trays were contaminated with Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Typhimurium. The products contained ready-to-eat meats including prosciutto, salami, coppa, and soppressata.
Consequences: 40 confirmed infections, 12 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Fratelli Beretta recalled approximately 862,000 pounds of ready-to-eat Antipasto products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: September to October 2021
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Citterio brand Premium Italian-Style Salame Sticks were contaminated with Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-. California health authorities detected Salmonella in two unopened packages; most patients interviewed reported eating the product, and children made up a high proportion of patients.
Consequences: 34 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Euro Foods/Citterio USA recalled approximately 119,091 pounds of Salame Sticks in November.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: October to November 2021
Location: 10 U.S. states
Incident: Josie’s Organics prepackaged Baby Spinach was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Minnesota health authorities detected the outbreak strain associated with patients in leftover packaged spinach in a patient’s home.
Consequences: 15 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, 3 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. No formal recall was conducted because the affected products had already passed their shelf life during the investigation, but CDC required consumers to stop eating Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach bearing the specified dates.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: November to December 2021
Location: Alaska, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington
Incident: Simple Truth Organic and Nature’s Basket brand Organic Power Greens bagged leafy greens were associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The products contained a mixture of spinach, mizuna, kale, beet greens, and other greens. The supply chain involved the Yuma, Arizona, and Salinas, California, growing regions, but no single farm was identified.
Consequences: A final total of 10 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. The products had passed their shelf life before the investigation was completed, so no formal recall was conducted; CDC required consumers to discard products bearing the relevant dates.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: 2016 to 2021, with response efforts concentrated in December 2021
Location: Eight U.S. states; the production facility was in Streamwood, Illinois
Incident: Bagged salads produced by Fresh Express were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In December 2021, Michigan detected Listeria in Fresh Express Sweet Hearts bagged salad matching patient strains from multiple years, ultimately confirming that the contamination came from products of the Streamwood plant.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections, all 10 patients hospitalized, and 1 death. On December 20, Fresh Express recalled multiple brands of bagged salads produced at the Streamwood plant since November 20 and stopped production at the plant for corrective measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: 2014 to 2022; reconfirmed in 2021, with a large-scale response implemented
Location: 13 U.S. states; the main production facilities were in Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona
Incident: Dole bagged salads were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The strain had appeared sporadically over multiple years, and CDC reopened the investigation in November 2021 because of new cases. The outbreak strain was subsequently detected in Dole finished products, plant equipment, and iceberg lettuce harvesting equipment.
Consequences: A final total of 18 confirmed infections, 16 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths. On December 22, 2021, Dole recalled numerous Dole and private-label bagged salads produced at its Bessemer City and Yuma plants; the recall expanded again in January 2022. The implicated production facilities temporarily shut down for deep cleaning, and contaminated equipment was dismantled.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: Summer to the end of 2021
Location: Five U.S. states
Incident: Fresh-cut cantaloupe caused a multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak. The investigation confirmed that patients were associated with pre-cut cantaloupe produced by the same processing facility, with multiple cases concentrated in settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities with high-risk populations.
Consequences: CDC ultimately recorded at least 70 infections.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: June 2021
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Routine sampling in Alaska found inorganic arsenic in Beech-Nut Stage 1 Single Grain Rice Cereal above FDA’s guidance value. The product was a food consumed over extended periods by infants and young children, and excessive inorganic arsenic exposure poses health risks to children.
Consequences: Beech-Nut recalled the affected lots sold nationwide and announced its complete withdrawal from the Beech-Nut brand single-grain rice cereal market. No related acute illness cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: October 2021
Location: Nationwide in the United States, primarily sold through Walmart
Incident: FDA sampling found inorganic arsenic above FDA’s guidance level in three production lots of Parent’s Choice Rice Baby Cereal produced by Maple Island for Walmart.
Consequences: The company recalled the three lots nationwide, and Walmart removed the affected products from shelves and blocked sales through its checkout system. No related illness cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2022
1.
Time: September 2021 to June 2022, with response efforts concentrated from February to May 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States; the production facility was in Sturgis, Michigan
Incident: Similac, Alimentum, EleCare, and other infant formulas produced by Abbott Nutrition were involved in a Cronobacter sakazakii infection investigation. During inspection of the Sturgis plant, FDA detected multiple Cronobacter strains in environmental samples and found inadequate microbial process controls and problems with food-contact surface management. Patient strains and plant environmental strains were not shown by whole-genome sequencing to have an identical genetic link, so it cannot simply be stated that all cases were proven to have been caused by contaminated plant products.
Consequences: FDA’s investigation recorded 4 infants with Cronobacter infections, all 4 hospitalized, and 2 reported deaths; Cronobacter may have contributed to both deaths. Abbott conducted large-scale recalls of Similac, Alimentum, EleCare, and specified Similac PM 60/40 formula, and the Sturgis plant stopped production; the recalls further exacerbated the U.S. infant formula shortage.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: A 2022 court consent decree required corrective measures at the Sturgis plant. Civil settlement: In September 2026, Abbott agreed to pay $384,999,040 (federal and state), covering production practices at Sturgis and Casa Grande from 2018 to 2022; this was neither compensation specifically for the deaths in this incident nor a criminal fine, and the settlement did not determine liability. Verification sources: [S62, S63]
2.
Time: January to February 2022
Location: West Memphis, Arkansas; products were supplied to states including Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee
Incident: A large Family Dollar distribution center had a severe rodent infestation. FDA inspections found live rodents, dead and decomposing rodents, droppings, urine, gnawing, and nesting evidence throughout the warehouse; subsequent fumigation removed approximately 1,270 rodents. Goods at risk of contamination included human food, pet food, drugs, and other consumer products.
Consequences: Family Dollar recalled numerous foods and other FDA-regulated goods distributed from the warehouse to 404 stores since January 2021 and permanently closed the distribution center.
Penalty: Corporate guilty plea: In 2024, the fine and forfeiture totaled $41.675 million; DOJ’s announcement described this as the amount agreed in the plea agreement, and the entire amount must not be called a fine. No imprisonment of responsible individuals in this case was found. Verification source: [S64]
3.
Time: January to May 2022
Location: 13 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington; the oysters came from British Columbia, Canada
Incident: Raw oysters produced in some Baynes Sound harvesting areas in British Columbia, Canada, were contaminated with norovirus and entered U.S. restaurant and retail markets.
Consequences: 192 confirmed illnesses in the United States. FDA required restaurants and retailers to stop serving raw oysters from implicated harvesting areas including BC 14-8 and BC 14-15 and used supply-chain tracing to remove products from the market.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Skippy Foods found that some Reduced Fat Creamy, Reduced Fat Chunky, and Creamy Peanut Butter Blended With Plant Protein peanut butter may have contained stainless steel fragments from production equipment.
Consequences: The company recalled 9,353 cases, approximately 161,692 pounds, of peanut butter.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: February to April 2022; the recall occurred on April 25
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: USDA-FSIS testing found that multiple ground beef products produced by Lakeside Refrigerated Services may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103. The products had already been supplied to retail markets nationwide.
Consequences: The company conducted a Class I recall involving approximately 120,872 pounds of ground beef. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: February to May 2022
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Some ready-to-eat chicken breast products produced by Wayne Farms were found potentially to be undercooked. Although labeled ready-to-eat, the products had processing temperature deviations and could therefore retain pathogenic microorganisms.
Consequences: The recall initially covered approximately 30,000 pounds, then expanded to approximately 585,030 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken breast. USDA classified it as a Class I high-risk recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: February to May 2022
Location: 17 U.S. states; production was in Lexington, Kentucky
Incident: Jif peanut butter produced by J.M. Smucker was contaminated with Salmonella Senftenberg. Patient investigation showed that all 13 people ultimately interviewed in detail had eaten peanut butter and all reported eating Jif. FDA also found that an environmental Salmonella sample retained from the Lexington plant in 2010 was genetically closely related to the 2022 outbreak strain.
Consequences: 21 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. J.M. Smucker recalled multiple Jif peanut butter varieties, followed by successive recalls of numerous downstream foods using Jif as an ingredient, including candy, snacks, and fruit cups. FDA issued a warning letter to the company in 2023.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: March to May 2022
Location: California, Minnesota, and North Dakota; the products were sold nationwide, and the ingredient came from Baja California, Mexico
Incident: FreshKampo and HEB brand fresh organic strawberries were associated with a hepatitis A virus outbreak. Case purchase records and supply-chain investigations both pointed to a batch of strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico.
Consequences: The United States ultimately recorded 18 cases, including 1 probable case; 13 hospitalizations and no deaths. The implicated fresh strawberries had passed their normal shelf life during the investigation, so no traditional large-scale fresh-fruit recall was conducted, but FDA required consumers to discard the affected strawberries previously purchased and frozen.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: April to September 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Daily Harvest’s French Lentil + Leek Crumbles frozen food prompted numerous reports of serious gastrointestinal, liver, bile duct, and gallbladder illnesses. The product used tara flour, an ingredient that was relatively uncommon at the time. FDA’s investigation did not ultimately confirm the specific disease mechanism; subsequent assessment also stated that there was no evidence establishing tara flour itself as the definitive cause of this incident, but FDA considered the available information insufficient to demonstrate that tara flour was a lawful GRAS food ingredient.
Consequences: FDA received a cumulative total of 393 related illness complaints or adverse-event reports, with approximately 133 hospitalizations and no deaths. Daily Harvest recalled all lots of French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: January 2021 to August 2022, with confirmation and response concentrated in summer 2022
Location: 11 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Sarasota, Florida
Incident: Big Olaf Creamery ice cream was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Florida regulators detected Listeria matching the patient outbreak strain in both finished ice cream and the production environment.
Consequences: 28 confirmed infections, 27 hospitalizations, and 1 death; 7 cases involved pregnant women or newborns, and 1 pregnancy loss occurred. Big Olaf recalled all flavors and affected lots of ice cream, and Florida also issued an order to stop production.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: July to September 2022
Location: 11 U.S. states; the contamination source was in southwestern Indiana
Incident: Locally grown cantaloupes were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Supply-chain investigations traced the products to a common packing facility and three associated farms; FDA found multiple Salmonella types at farms, the packing plant, and surrounding environments. Some environmental strains were related to the outbreak strain or to strains from a 2020 outbreak in the region, indicating that agricultural environmental contamination may have persisted over time.
Consequences: 87 confirmed infections, 32 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No product recall or public consumer warning was issued because the implicated cantaloupes had already left the market when the investigation identified the source.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: August 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Kraft Heinz found that cleaning solution from Clean-In-Place equipment accidentally entered the product stream on a Capri Sun Wild Cherry juice drink production line. The problem was discovered through consumer complaints of an unusual taste.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry drinks.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: July to August 2022
Location: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
Incident: A multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak occurred. Among patients with complete dietary information, 83% had eaten at Wendy’s before becoming ill, and many had eaten romaine lettuce in burgers or sandwiches. However, the investigation obtained no laboratory or supply-chain evidence proving that romaine lettuce was the contamination source, so the food source was ultimately classified as undetermined.
Consequences: 109 confirmed infections, 52 hospitalizations, 13 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Wendy’s voluntarily removed the affected romaine lettuce from stores in impacted areas, but CDC ultimately did not identify Wendy’s lettuce as a confirmed contaminated food.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: June to August 2022
Location: Six U.S. states
Incident: Ground beef in some HelloFresh meal kits was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. All six patients interviewed reported eating ground beef from HelloFresh meal kits, and USDA supply-chain tracing confirmed that the affected products came from processing establishment M46841.
Consequences: 7 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. No traditional recall was conducted because the products had already been delivered and largely consumed; CDC and USDA required consumers to check refrigerators and freezers and discard specified lots of ground beef.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: 2017 to August 2022, with investigation and response concentrated from September to October 2022
Location: Six U.S. states; the production facility was in Michigan
Incident: Brie and Camembert soft cheeses produced by Old Europe Cheese were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FDA detected Listeria closely related to patient isolates in the plant’s cooling room environment. Products reached more than 700 stores in at least 38 states through wholesale channels, and some were repackaged under other brands.
Consequences: 6 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Old Europe Cheese recalled Brie, Camembert, and subsequently baked Brie products and suspended production; downstream companies including Swiss American continued recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: June to October 2022
Location: Four states, including California, Arizona, and Illinois; the main supplier was in California
Incident: Fresh fish sold by Mariscos Bahia were contaminated with Salmonella Litchfield. Many patients had eaten sushi, poke, or other raw fish foods, and Mariscos Bahia was the fresh salmon supplier for multiple restaurants associated with cases. FDA detected the outbreak strain in samples from the company’s processing environment.
Consequences: 39 confirmed infections, 15 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company recalled fresh fish including salmon, tuna, Chilean sea bass, swordfish, and halibut, and regulators required restaurants that had received the affected fish to stop serving it.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: July to October 2022
Location: Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Incident: Earth Grown brand frozen falafel sold by ALDI was contaminated with E. coli O121:H19. Michigan directly detected the outbreak strain, closely related to patient isolates, in frozen falafel products obtained from a patient’s home.
Consequences: 24 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Manufacturer Cuisine Innovations recalled Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel, and ALDI removed all affected products from stores.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: July to August 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States; the production facility was in Beloit, Wisconsin
Incident: Aseptically packaged nutritional drinks, plant-based milks, protein drinks, and medical nutrition products produced by Lyons Magnus posed a risk of loss of commercial sterility. Internal company testing found signs of Cronobacter sakazakii and other microbial contamination; subsequent FDA inspections found that the company had released approximately 37 lots of finished products for shipment despite abnormal internal microbial test results.
Consequences: The company initially recalled 53 products, then expanded to more brands and dates. The risks included Cronobacter sakazakii, and Clostridium botulinum risk could not be excluded because of processing failures. Lyons, Glucerna, and multiple other brands were involved, prompting further recalls of downstream foods, including bread, made with affected ingredients. No human cases related to this incident were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: April 2021 to September 2022; public health alerts were concentrated in November 2022
Location: Six U.S. states
Incident: Meats and cheeses sliced on site at deli counters caused a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. Patients had purchased ham, turkey, mortadella, salami, and cheese at different deli counters; the investigation could not identify a common brand or single food source, indicating that cross-contamination involving retail deli equipment and environments may have played an important role.
Consequences: 16 confirmed infections, 13 hospitalizations, and 1 death; there was also 1 pregnancy loss. No coordinated recall was conducted because a single supplier could not be identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: October 2022 to February 2023; the investigation began in November 2022
Location: California, Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada; the products were imported from China
Incident: Enoki mushrooms imported from China were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FDA and state regulators repeatedly detected Listeria in multiple brands of imported enoki mushrooms, with some sample strains matching patient strains. The investigation also found high bacterial counts in some products, reflecting a persistent contamination risk in imported enoki mushrooms.
Consequences: A final total of 5 confirmed infections, all 5 patients hospitalized, and no deaths; 1 case was pregnancy-related. Companies including Green Day Produce and Utopia Foods conducted successive enoki mushroom recalls.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: November to December 2022
Location: Texas, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee
Incident: Raw oysters from the TX 1 harvesting area in Galveston Bay, Texas, were contaminated with norovirus and distributed to restaurants and retail markets in multiple states.
Consequences: 211 confirmed illnesses as of December 15. Texas health authorities recalled all oysters harvested from the TX 1 area between November 17 and December 7, and other states took concurrent recall measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
22.
Time: December 2022 to February 2023
Location: Eight U.S. states, mainly Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas
Incident: Raw alfalfa sprouts produced by SunSprout Enterprises were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Patient dietary investigations and supply-chain tracing both pointed to Sun Sprouts brand products.
Consequences: 63 confirmed infections, 10 hospitalizations, and no deaths; four lots of raw alfalfa sprouts were recalled in December 2022, and FDA issued a warning letter in 2023.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
23.
Time: Throughout 2022
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by USDA-FSIS experienced multiple types of major food safety problems during the year, including pathogenic E. coli, Listeria, foreign materials, undeclared allergens, production without inspection, processing deviations, and import violations.
Consequences: In 2022, FSIS recorded 45 formal recalls, including 40 Class I high-risk recalls, with a total recalled quantity of approximately 1.7696 million pounds; it also issued 23 public health alerts. Foreign-material recalls involved approximately 477,000 pounds, processing deviations approximately 585,000 pounds, and production without inspection approximately 243,000 pounds.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2023
1.
Time: July 2018 to March 2023; the main investigation concluded in June 2023
Location: 16 U.S. states
Incident: Listeria monocytogenes infections involving the same strain had occurred over an extended period in the United States. The 2023 investigation found an unusually high proportion of patients reporting consumption of leafy greens, especially iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, and bagged salads. Leafy greens were therefore identified as the likely food source, but the investigation never identified a specific variety, brand, processor, or farm.
Consequences: 19 confirmed infections, 18 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No recall was conducted because a single product or supplier had not been identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: November 2022 to May 2023
Location: California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii; the products were sold nationwide, and the strawberries came from Baja California, Mexico
Incident: Multiple frozen organic strawberry products were associated with a hepatitis A outbreak. All 10 patients reported eating frozen organic strawberries, and supply-chain tracing linked some products to growing sources in Baja California, Mexico.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. California Splendor, Scenic Fruit, and multiple downstream brands conducted recalls, involving sales channels including Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Meijer; FDA also implemented import oversight measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: December 2022 to May 2023
Location: 13 U.S. states
Incident: Gold Medal flour produced at General Mills’ Kansas City plant in Missouri was contaminated with Salmonella Infantis. Many patients reported eating raw dough or batter; FDA detected the same outbreak strain as in patients in retained flour samples at the plant.
Consequences: 14 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On April 28, 2023, General Mills recalled specified dates of 2-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound Gold Medal bleached and unbleached all-purpose flour nationwide.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: March to April 2023
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Incident: Morel mushrooms served at a local restaurant caused serious gastrointestinal illness. A case-control investigation found a strong association between morel consumption and illness, with significantly greater risk from raw morels than from thoroughly cooked morels. Testing found no bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, or known specific toxins capable of explaining the incident.
Consequences: 51 confirmed illnesses, 3 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths. The restaurant was temporarily closed for inspection; health authorities and FDA subsequently warned that morel mushrooms must be thoroughly cooked.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: February to May 2023
Location: Six U.S. states
Incident: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and S’mores Bars raw dough sold at Papa Murphy’s stores were associated with a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak. Many patients reported directly eating unbaked raw dough, but FDA testing at two key ingredient suppliers and of store samples did not identify a specific contaminated ingredient.
Consequences: 26 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Papa Murphy’s required franchise stores nationwide to stop selling and destroy the affected raw dough and to stop using previously produced dry mix.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: February to August 2023
Location: Tacoma, Washington, and surrounding areas
Incident: Milkshake machines at a Frugals restaurant in Tacoma were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Six patients were infected with the same strain, and some had consumed milkshakes from the store before becoming ill. Health authorities found Listeria after sampling the restaurant’s milkshake machines, and the investigation found problems with equipment cleaning and sanitation.
Consequences: 6 confirmed serious infections and 3 deaths. The restaurant stopped using the affected milkshake equipment and thoroughly cleaned and sanitized it.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: May to August 2023
Location: States including New York and Pennsylvania; the products were sold to more than 20 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Incident: Real Kosher Ice Cream’s Soft Serve On The Go ice cream cups were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The same outbreak strain as in patients was detected in an unopened cup in a patient’s home, company finished products, and the production environment.
Consequences: 2 confirmed infections, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Real Kosher recalled all flavors of Soft Serve On The Go; actual manufacturer Ice Cream House further recalled all dairy and nondairy frozen desserts produced at the facility and stopped the affected production.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: June to July 2023
Location: Cases in Minnesota; products were distributed to 17 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and the oysters came from Nova Scotia, Canada
Incident: Fortune brand raw oysters from the NS 10 harvesting area in Nova Scotia, Canada, were contaminated with norovirus. Minnesota health authorities found that multiple patients developed acute gastroenteritis after eating raw oysters from the same source.
Consequences: At least 9 confirmed norovirus cases. FDA required consumers to stop eating, and restaurants and retailers to stop selling, the affected oysters and conducted multistate supply-chain tracing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: June 2023
Location: Minnesota; the products were imported from South Korea
Incident: Raw oysters produced by South Korea’s Dai One Food and associated companies were contaminated with norovirus GII. Five Minnesota patients had eaten the affected imported oysters at restaurants; regulatory testing also detected norovirus GII in product samples.
Consequences: 5 confirmed illnesses. FDA required consumption and sale of the affected South Korean oysters to stop and issued alerts to state shellfish regulatory agencies.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: August to November 2023
Location: 23 U.S. states
Incident: Fresh diced onions processed by Gills Onions were contaminated with Salmonella Thompson. Patients were associated with restaurants and long-term care facilities, and epidemiological evidence, supply-chain tracing, and environmental testing all pointed to Gills Onions.
Consequences: 80 confirmed infections, 18 hospitalizations, and 1 death. On October 23, Gills Onions recalled multiple products, including diced yellow onions, red onions, and celery-onion mixtures, prompting further recalls of some downstream foods.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: 2018 to August 2023, with confirmation and recall concentrated in November 2023
Location: Seven U.S. states; the products were sold nationwide
Incident: Peaches, nectarines, and plums produced and packed by HMC Farms were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Whole-genome sequencing showed that Listeria detected by FDA in the packing facility environment matched the patient outbreak strain.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, with all 10 patients for whom information was available hospitalized, and 1 death; 1 pregnant woman experienced premature delivery. HMC Farms recalled conventional peaches, plums, and nectarines sold nationwide during specified sales periods in 2022 and 2023.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: October to December 2023
Location: 44 U.S. states; the cantaloupes primarily came from Mexico
Incident: Fresh cantaloupes under brands including Malichita and Rudy were contaminated with Salmonella Sundsvall and Salmonella Oranienburg. Cases occurred in homes, long-term care facilities, and childcare facilities, and laboratory and supply-chain evidence confirmed cantaloupe as the food vehicle.
Consequences: A final total of 407 confirmed infections, 158 hospitalizations, and 6 deaths. Multiple importers, distributors, and retailers conducted successive recalls of whole cantaloupes, pre-cut cantaloupes, and mixed-fruit products; FDA implemented import control measures.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: Exposure began from 2022 onward; first detected in October 2023, followed by a large-scale response
Location: 44 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; the products were produced in Ecuador
Incident: WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brand apple cinnamon fruit puree/applesauce pouches were severely contaminated with lead and chromium. The investigation ultimately confirmed cinnamon used in the formulation as the contamination source. Lead concentrations detected in some products reached hundreds of times FDA’s proposed action level for infant and toddler fruit purees.
Consequences: Nationwide recalls were conducted from October to November 2023. CDC subsequently received a final total of 566 cases meeting the investigation definition: 130 confirmed, 401 probable, and 35 suspected; 96% were children under age six, and no hospitalizations were reported. FDA imposed import restrictions on the implicated Ecuadorian manufacturer and issued warning letters in 2024 to the manufacturer, import-related companies, Dollar Tree, and others; Dollar Tree also received a formal regulatory warning because some stores continued selling products after the recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: December 2023 to January 2024
Location: Multiple Southern California counties; the oysters came from two separate harvesting regions in Mexico
Incident: Two simultaneous but independent raw oyster-associated gastrointestinal illness outbreaks occurred in Southern California. Testing detected norovirus GI and GII, as well as enteric viruses including sapovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. The supply-chain investigation ultimately confirmed that the implicated oysters came from two different production areas in Mexico.
Consequences: Approximately 400 people reported gastrointestinal illness; under a strict case definition, 179 outbreak-associated cases were confirmed, including 24 laboratory-confirmed norovirus infections. Sale and importation of the affected Mexican oysters were halted.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: August to September 2023
Location: Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio
Incident: Regulatory sampling found that ground beef produced by American Foods Group’s Green Bay Dressed Beef may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103.
Consequences: On September 15, 2023, the company conducted a Class I recall involving approximately 58,281 pounds of raw ground beef. Public information did not confirm related human cases.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: June to September 2023
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Banquet Chicken Strips Meal frozen chicken strip meals produced by Conagra Brands were found potentially to contain hard plastic fragments. The investigation was triggered after a consumer found plastic in the chicken and was injured.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 245,366 pounds of products; FSIS recorded 1 related oral injury and classified the incident as a Class I high-risk recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: September 2023
Location: Multiple U.S. locations
Incident: A malfunction in Kraft Heinz’s individual wrapping machine for Kraft Singles American processed cheese could leave a strip of transparent plastic film attached to the cheese after the wrapper was opened, creating a choking or suffocation risk.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 83,800 cases of products. Multiple complaints of plastic remaining on the cheese were received before the recall, including reports of choking or gagging from six consumers, but no serious injuries were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: September to November 2023
Location: Nine U.S. states
Incident: Consumers found small metal foreign materials in Fun Nuggets fully cooked chicken patties produced by Tyson Foods.
Consequences: On November 4, Tyson recalled approximately 29,819 pounds of products. At least 1 minor oral injury was reported, and USDA-FSIS classified the incident as a Class I recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: December 2023
Location: All 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan
Incident: Numerous Quaker Oats granola bars and granola cereals posed a potential Salmonella contamination risk, involving multiple product lines including Chewy, Dipps, and Simply Granola.
Consequences: Quaker initiated a large-scale nationwide recall on December 15 and continued to expand its scope afterward. No human cases associated with the affected products were confirmed when the recall began.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: Throughout 2023
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by USDA-FSIS experienced multiple public food safety problems, including E. coli, Listeria, processing deviations, foreign-material contamination, production without inspection, illegal imports, and undeclared allergens.
Consequences: In 2023, FSIS conducted 65 formal recalls, including 58 Class I high-risk recalls, with a total recalled weight of approximately 4.005 million pounds. Processing deviations alone involved approximately 2.66 million pounds of products, foreign-material contamination approximately 394,000 pounds, and import violations approximately 399,000 pounds; 24 public health alerts were also issued.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2024
1.
Time: Cases continued from 2014 to 2023; investigation and response were concentrated from January to October 2024
Location: 11 U.S. states; the production facility was in Modesto, California
Incident: Queso fresco, Cotija, and other Mexican-style cheeses produced by Rizo-López Foods were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In 2024, Hawaii detected the outbreak strain in Rizo Bros Aged Cotija cheese; FDA subsequently again detected the same Listeria as in patients in plant environmental samples, ultimately resolving the outbreak that had persisted for years.
Consequences: 26 confirmed infections, 23 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths; pregnancy-related cases also occurred, with pregnancy loss and premature birth. The company recalled cheese, yogurt, sour cream, and other products, affecting 19 brands.
Penalty: Permanent injunction: In October 2024, Rizo Lopez and its responsible individuals were required to complete corrective measures and obtain FDA approval before resuming food production. No major criminal fines or imprisonment of responsible individuals were found. Verification source: [S65]
2.
Time: October 2023 to February 2024
Location: Five U.S. states; production was in California
Incident: Raw Farm brand unpasteurized raw milk cheddar cheese was associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Epidemiological investigation showed a strong concentration of patients who had eaten this brand’s raw milk cheese. Although regulatory sampling did not directly detect the outbreak strain in products, CDC concluded that the epidemiological evidence was sufficient to establish the association.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Raw Farm initiated a recall and later withdrew it, but CDC continued advising consumers not to eat the affected products until the investigation ended.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: October 2023 to January 2024; the main public health response occurred in January 2024
Location: Utah
Incident: A rare Salmonella Livingstone outbreak occurred at a restaurant. All 11 ultimately confirmed patients had eaten at the same restaurant before becoming ill. Regulators detected the outbreak strain at multiple locations, including cleaning equipment, sinks, kitchen utensil racks, sauce bottles, vegetables, and other ingredients, indicating widespread environmental contamination at the restaurant.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, 6 emergency department visits, 2 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Health authorities closed the restaurant on January 19; it reopened on January 29 after comprehensive cleaning and sanitation.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: February to May 2024
Location: 14 U.S. states; the basil came from Colombia
Incident: Infinite Herbs and Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Supply-chain investigation linked patients to the affected imported organic basil.
Consequences: 36 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Infinite Herbs and Melissa’s recalled the affected organic basil, which had been sold through Trader Joe’s and other retail channels.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: February to April 2024
Location: California and Washington; the products were distributed to multiple western U.S. states
Incident: Organic walnuts supplied by Gibson Farms and sold in bulk at natural food stores and cooperatives were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. All patients interviewed in detail reported eating walnuts, and FDA supply-chain tracing identified Gibson Farms as the common supplier.
Consequences: 13 confirmed infections, 7 hospitalizations, 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. Gibson Farms recalled bulk Organic Light Halves and Pieces walnuts and required retailers to empty, clean, and sanitize bulk food containers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: March to July 2024
Location: 34 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.; the main contamination sources were in Florida
Incident: Fresh cucumbers were contaminated with Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup. FDA ultimately combined two outbreaks originally investigated separately. The investigation traced the products to Florida farms including Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce; Salmonella was detected in irrigation canal water at both farms, with some strains matching patient strains.
Consequences: 551 confirmed infections, 155 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Fresh Start Produce Sales recalled the affected cucumbers. FDA subsequently took regulatory measures against the implicated growers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: January to October 2024
Location: 34 U.S. states; the products were sold nationwide
Incident: Diamond Shruumz brand “microdosing” chocolates, gummies, and cone-shaped snacks caused serious neurological and cardiovascular adverse events. FDA testing found muscimol, 4-acetoxy-DMT, and other psychoactive compounds in different products; their actual ingredients did not correspond to consumers’ understanding of “mushroom foods.”
Consequences: The investigation recorded 180 related illness reports, 73 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths classified as potentially related. Prophet Premium Blends recalled all Diamond Shruumz chocolates, gummies, and Cones; after the recall, FDA continued to find sales at some smoke shops and retailers and continued requiring removal from sale.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: May to September 2024
Location: 19 U.S. states; the production facility was in Jarratt, Virginia
Incident: Boar’s Head deli meat products were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Maryland detected the outbreak strain in unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst, and subsequent evidence confirmed deli meats produced at the plant as the contamination source.
Consequences: A final total of 61 confirmed infections, 60 hospitalizations, and 10 deaths. Boar’s Head recalled all affected deli products produced at the Jarratt plant, expanding the recall to approximately 7 million pounds and 71 products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: May to September 2024
Location: 12 U.S. states; production was in Wisconsin
Incident: Chicken and duck eggs produced by Milo’s Poultry Farms were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FDA detected Salmonella matching patient strains in the packing facility and poultry houses.
Consequences: 93 confirmed infections, 34 hospitalizations, and no deaths. The company recalled all chicken and duck eggs under the Milo’s Poultry Farms, Tony’s Fresh Market, and Happy Quackers Farm brands, as well as affected food-service eggs.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: Summer 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Spinach was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and caused a multistate outbreak. FDA confirmed spinach as the food vehicle through epidemiological and supply-chain investigations, but the contaminated products had largely left the consumer market by the time the source was confirmed, so no separate large-scale consumer recall announcement was issued.
Consequences: FDA ultimately recorded 28 infections. The investigation conducted supply-chain tracing, on-site inspections, and product/environmental sampling, and the case was closed after the contamination source investigation ended.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: Summer 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Fresh jalapeño peppers were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium, causing a multistate outbreak. FDA supply-chain tracing and on-site sampling confirmed jalapeños as the food vehicle, but the specific products had left the market by the time they were identified, so no large-scale public consumer recall was conducted.
Consequences: FDA ultimately recorded 90 infections and completed supply-chain tracing, on-site inspections, and sample testing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: Summer 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: A batch of commercial shrimp salad was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. FDA identified shrimp salad as the food vehicle through case investigation and supply-chain tracing.
Consequences: 61 confirmed infections. The investigation initiated supply-chain tracing, on-site inspections, and sampling, but no separate consumer recall announcement was issued because the implicated short-shelf-life products had left the market by the time they were identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: Summer 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states; the parsley was imported
Incident: Imported fresh parsley was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis, causing a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Consequences: FDA ultimately recorded 49 infections and completed supply-chain tracing, on-site inspections, and sampling.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: Beginning in March 2024, with continued expansion throughout the year
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: Targeted FDA sampling of retail ground cinnamon found abnormal lead levels in multiple brands, including La Fiesta, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar. The first group of affected products contained approximately 2.03 to 3.4 ppm lead; a subsequent El Servidor sample reached approximately 20 ppm.
Consequences: FDA required multiple distributors to recall the affected ground cinnamon and issued nationwide consumer alerts, while sending letters to cinnamon manufacturers, processors, and importers across the United States requiring stronger controls for heavy metal hazards. Unlike the 2023 applesauce incident involving extremely high lead levels, no related illness cases were confirmed for this 2024 ground cinnamon, but it constituted a systemic chemical contamination food safety incident.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: May to October 2024
Location: Nationwide in the United States; the production facility was in Durant, Oklahoma
Incident: FSIS finished-product sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in numerous ready-to-eat chicken and meat products produced by BrucePac. The affected ingredients had already been used by downstream companies in salads, pasta, sandwiches, and other ready-to-eat foods and supplied to retailers, restaurants, schools, and other institutions.
Consequences: BrucePac recalled approximately 11.765 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, prompting numerous secondary recalls of downstream products. No human cases directly related to this group of products were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: October 2024
Location: Nationwide in the United States and Canada
Incident: Frozen waffles, Belgian waffles, and pancakes produced by TreeHouse Foods may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The contamination issue originated at a single production facility, which manufactured products for numerous supermarkets and private labels.
Consequences: The recall expanded to all affected products from the plant still within their shelf life, involving numerous retail brands including 365, Aldi, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, and Target, and covering every U.S. state and Canada. No related human cases were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: September to October 2024
Location: 14 U.S. states, primarily McDonald’s stores in western and central regions
Incident: Fresh slivered yellow onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Among interviewed patients, 99% had eaten at McDonald’s, and the supply chain ultimately identified the implicated onions as products supplied by Taylor Farms.
Consequences: 104 confirmed infections, 34 hospitalizations, 4 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. McDonald’s suspended use of the affected onions in impacted areas and temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounders; Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions supplied to McDonald’s and other food-service customers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: September to November 2024
Location: 19 U.S. states; the supplier was in California
Incident: Organic whole carrots and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms were contaminated with E. coli O121:H19. Among interviewed patients, 96% reported eating carrots, and supply-chain tracing identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier.
Consequences: 48 confirmed infections, 20 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 1 death. Grimmway Farms recalled multiple brands of organic carrots, prompting downstream recalls involving approximately 20 brands. The products had also been exported to Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and other locations.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: October to December 2024
Location: 23 U.S. states; the products came from Sonora, Mexico
Incident: Imported fresh cucumbers produced by Agrotato were contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Supply-chain and epidemiological investigations identified Mexican cucumbers distributed by SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms, and others as the outbreak source.
Consequences: A final total of 113 confirmed infections, 28 hospitalizations, and no deaths. SunFed and multiple companies recalled cucumbers and downstream products made with them; FDA subsequently implemented import alert measures for the relevant Mexican cucumber supply chain.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: Cases continued from 2021 to 2025; the main contamination confirmation and recalls occurred from October to November 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states; the production facility was in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Incident: Ready-to-eat chicken, pork, and other meat foods produced by Yu Shang Food were contaminated with multiple strains of Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS detected strains closely related to patient isolates in finished pork head meat, other products, and the production environment.
Consequences: By December 2024, 19 infections and 17 hospitalizations had been confirmed, and an infant death had occurred; the subsequent final investigation expanded to 24 cases and 22 hospitalizations, with multiple cases involving pregnant women and infants. The company recalled products on November 9, 2024, and expanded the recall to more ready-to-eat meat and poultry products on November 21.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
21.
Time: Fall 2024
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Romaine lettuce was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, causing a multistate outbreak. FDA confirmed romaine lettuce as the food vehicle through epidemiological and supply-chain investigations and conducted farm and supply-chain tracing.
Consequences: FDA recorded 89 infections and completed on-site inspections and sample testing. No separate consumer recall announcement was issued because the contaminated food had left the market by the time the investigation identified the source.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
22.
Time: Throughout 2024
Location: Nationwide in the United States
Incident: In 2024, CDC investigated 203 possible multistate enteric disease outbreaks, of which 62 were ultimately confirmed as multistate outbreaks; confirmed or suspected sources were identified for 45, including 29 determined to be foodborne.
Consequences: The 62 confirmed multistate outbreaks caused 2,605 illnesses, 861 hospitalizations, and 36 deaths. The 29 confirmed foodborne outbreaks caused 1,533 illnesses, 519 hospitalizations, and 19 deaths.
Penalty: This entry is an annual/multiple-incident summary and does not correspond to a single responsible entity; see individual incident records for specific penalties.
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2025
1.
Time: August 2018–March 2025; identification and recalls were concentrated from February to May 2025
Location: 21 U.S. states; the production facility was in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Incident: Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental nutrition shakes produced by Prairie Farms for Lyons Magnus were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were supplied extensively to hospitals, residential care facilities for older adults, and similar settings. After inspecting the plant, FDA detected Listeria in environmental samples from processing areas. Epidemiological, laboratory, and supply-chain evidence ultimately confirmed that the shakes were associated with a longstanding cluster of cases.
Consequences: 42 confirmed infections, 41 hospitalizations, and 14 deaths. On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus recalled the affected 4-ounce frozen nutrition shakes.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: Late 2024–March 2025; the main response occurred in 2025
Location: 7 U.S. states; products were produced in Italy and exported to the United States through Canada
Incident: Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. New Jersey health authorities obtained pastry samples from a warehouse. Whole-genome sequencing showed that Salmonella detected in 3 samples matched patient strains.
Consequences: 18 confirmed infections, 1 hospitalization, and no deaths. U.S. importers and distributors recalled the affected mini pastries. FDA further added the Italian manufacturer Sweet Cream S.R.L.S. to the red list of an import alert, allowing its affected ready-to-eat pastries to be detained directly upon entry into the United States.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: March 2025
Location: Nationwide, United States; production was in Michigan
Incident: Liquid egg products, including Egg Beaters and Bob Evans products produced by Cargill Kitchen Solutions, may have been mixed with equipment cleaning solution containing sodium hypochlorite. This was a chemical contamination incident resulting from loss of control of the production cleaning system.
Consequences: The company recalled approximately 212,268 pounds of liquid egg products and ultimately recovered approximately 209,208 pounds. FSIS classified this as a Class III recall; no associated illnesses were confirmed.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: Cases continued to occur from 2023 to 2024; the contamination source was identified from April to July 2025
Location: California and Nevada; products were also sold in Arizona, Washington, and other states
Incident: Ready-to-eat sandwiches, Bistro Box products, and snacks produced by Fresh & Ready Foods were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FDA detected Listeria in the company’s environment during a routine 2025 inspection. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a match to patient strains whose source had remained unidentified for years.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections; all 10 patients were hospitalized, and 1 died. On May 10, the company recalled ready-to-eat foods under brands including Fresh & Ready Foods, City Point Market Fresh Food to Go, and Fresh Take Crave Away. FDA subsequently issued a warning letter to the associated operators.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: April–May 2025
Location: 21 U.S. states; the contamination source was in Florida
Incident: Cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales and others were contaminated with Salmonella Montevideo. Supply-chain traceback from cases identified the farm. FDA investigated the farm, packing operations, and agricultural environment.
Consequences: 69 confirmed infections, 22 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Bedner Growers recalled the affected cucumbers on May 19, prompting numerous downstream recalls of salads, sandwiches, and other ready-to-eat foods made with the implicated cucumbers.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: February–June 2025
Location: 10 U.S. states; the eggs came from August Egg Company in California
Incident: Brown free-range and organic eggs supplied by August Egg Company were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FDA obtained 3 positive environmental samples during an inspection of the laying-hen facility. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the strains matched the outbreak strain from patients.
Consequences: Ultimately, 134 infections were confirmed, with 38 hospitalizations and 1 death. The company recalled eggs under multiple brands, including Clover, Marketside, O Organics, Raley’s, Simple Truth, and Sunnyside, and diverted some eggs to liquid-egg processing facilities capable of killing Salmonella.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: February–May 2025
Location: Nationwide, United States; the production facility was in Georgia
Incident: Consumers found wood fragments in Dinty Moore Beef Stew canned products produced by Hormel Foods. The company notified USDA-FSIS after receiving multiple consumer reports.
Consequences: On May 28, 2025, Hormel recalled approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: Spring–July 2025
Location: Minnesota and New Jersey; the products came from Turkey
Incident: Emek-brand Pistachio Cream was associated with a Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak. All 3 Minnesota patients had consumed foods containing the product at the same restaurant. The outbreak strain was detected in both sealed and opened pistachio cream samples. Subsequent sampling detected multiple different Salmonella serotypes in associated products.
Consequences: 4 confirmed infections, 1 hospitalization, and no deaths. World Market recalled some Emek Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif. FDA added the Turkish manufacturer to Import Alert 99-43, allowing detention of its affected products upon entry.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: August 2024–November 2025; the main outbreak and recalls occurred in 2025
Location: 19 U.S. states
Incident: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Linguine with Meatballs, and other ready-to-eat meals containing precooked pasta produced by FreshRealm and other companies were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Investigators ultimately identified the shared contaminated ingredient as precooked pasta supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods, including Fettuccine, Linguine, and Farfalle.
Consequences: Ultimately, 28 infections were confirmed, with 27 hospitalizations, 7 deaths, and 1 additional pregnancy-related case resulting in fetal death. FreshRealm, Nate’s Fine Foods, and multiple downstream retail brands successively recalled large quantities of refrigerated and frozen ready-to-eat meals, affecting channels including Marketside, Home Chef, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: October 2024–August 2025; the main response took place from July to September 2025
Location: 11 U.S. states; products were sold nationwide
Incident: Deep-brand frozen sprouted Moth Beans, Moong Beans, and other frozen fruits and vegetables were contaminated with Salmonella Anatum. FDA repeatedly detected Salmonella in imported products, with some strains matching patients exactly. The same outbreak strain was subsequently found in products including Surti Undhiu Mix.
Consequences: 12 confirmed infections, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Chetak LLC Group successively expanded recalls of Deep-brand frozen sprouted beans, vegetables, and fruit products. FDA also increased entry screening for imported ready-to-eat products of this type.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: June–September 2025
Location: 4 U.S. states
Incident: Clusters of Cyclospora cayetanensis cases occurred at multiple restaurants and food service establishments. Food ingredient analysis and supply-chain traceback ultimately confirmed fresh parsley as the shared food vehicle, but investigators could not determine the farm or production stage at which contamination occurred.
Consequences: 69 laboratory-confirmed infections. FDA conducted supply-chain traceback, company inspections, and import and product sampling but did not identify the ultimate contamination source. No large-scale public recall was conducted because of the food’s short shelf life.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: January–August 2025
Location: 14 U.S. states; the eggs came from Country Eggs in California
Incident: Brown free-range “sunshine/omega-3 golden yolk” eggs produced by Country Eggs were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FDA obtained 3 positive environmental samples during a company inspection; all matched patient strains by whole-genome sequencing.
Consequences: 105 confirmed infections, 19 hospitalizations, and no deaths. On August 27, Country Eggs recalled eggs under brands including Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, Nijiya Markets, and Country Eggs. Products were sold primarily in California and Nevada.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: August–October 2025
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Prepackaged ready-to-eat Organic Baby Spring Mix mixed baby-leaf salad caused a Salmonella Lomalinda outbreak. Purchase records from multiple patients and supply-chain traceback converged on the same processing supplier. During an inspection of the processing plant, FDA did not detect Salmonella again in products or the environment, but found problems with sanitation, supply-chain management, and cleaning, and issued Form 483.
Consequences: 40 confirmed infections, 5 hospitalizations, and no deaths. No recall was conducted because the affected short-shelf-life products had left the market by the time the source was identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: May–September 2025; recalls were concentrated in October–November
Location: 7 U.S. states; the contaminated ingredient came from India
Incident: A batch of organic Moringa Leaf Powder produced by Vallon Farmdirect was contaminated with Salmonella Richmond. The ingredient entered products including Member’s Mark Super Greens, Food To Live Organic Moringa Leaf Powder, and Organic Supergreens Powder Mix. FDA and state laboratories detected Salmonella matching the outbreak strain in multiple unopened products and products from patients’ homes.
Consequences: 11 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Sam’s Club recalled all Member’s Mark Super Greens. Food To Live and Africa Imports further recalled the associated moringa powders and powder blends, affecting nationwide retail and online channels including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Etsy, and eBay.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: August–November 2025
Location: 17 U.S. states; products were sold nationwide and internationally
Incident: ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula was associated with an infant botulism outbreak. Unusual cases were first identified through clinical surveillance. Subsequent investigations examined unopened products and the production supply chain, ultimately finding Clostridium botulinum in associated formula ingredients. Because infant botulism itself is extremely rare, the concentration of cases among ByHeart formula users was clearly unusual.
Consequences: The final investigation recorded 48 infant cases, including 28 confirmed and 20 probable cases; all 48 infants were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. ByHeart initially recalled 2 batches, then expanded the recall to all ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula cans and Anywhere Pack single-serving packages, including products sold nationwide in the United States, in Guam and Puerto Rico, and overseas.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: August–October 2025
Location: 2 U.S. states
Incident: Raw sprouts caused a Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak. Patients’ food histories and supply-chain traceback collectively pointed to sprouts. Investigators considered seeds the likely initial source of contamination. FDA found sanitation and building violations during inspection of a sprout production facility and issued Form 483, but on-site product and environmental testing did not detect Salmonella again.
Consequences: 5 confirmed infections, with no hospitalizations or deaths. No recall was conducted because the affected products had already left the market. FDA ultimately confirmed sprouts as the food vehicle.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: Fall 2025
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: In addition to fresh Spring Mix, FDA investigated and confirmed another public safety incident involving a batch of fresh vegetables: Cyclospora contamination of fresh parsley. This event involved multiple independent clusters at food service establishments, indicating that the contaminated ingredient had entered food service supply chains across regions.
Consequences: Same as 2025 entry 11: 69 infections. FDA conducted supply-chain traceback, company inspections, and product and water sampling, but did not identify the specific contamination location. Cases in this entry are not counted separately.
Penalty: Same as 2025 entry 11, as this is the same outbreak; no major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: November–December 2025
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Fresh mangoes caused a multistate Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak. Case interviews and supply-chain traceback ultimately confirmed mangoes as the food vehicle. Multiple retail supply chains converged on a shared import channel, but missing brand information in purchase records, incomplete producer records, and commingling of different batches prevented further identification of a single farm or producer.
Consequences: Ultimately, 56 infections were confirmed. FDA increased import screening of the associated mango suppliers. No large-scale recall targeting a single brand was conducted because the harvest season had already ended by the time the food source was identified.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
United States Public Food Safety Incident Archive, 2026
1.
Time: August 2025–June 2026; the main investigation and response took place from January to July 2026
Location: 38 U.S. states; the moringa leaf powder ingredient came from India
Incident: Moringa leaf powder used in dietary supplements including Live it Up Super Greens, Why Not Natural, and TNVitamins was contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium, Newport, and Richmond. FDA obtained multiple positive samples from products in patients’ homes and ingredients in the supply chain. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that multiple samples contained outbreak strains.
Consequences: Ultimately, 131 infections were confirmed, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths. Multiple associated products were recalled. FDA increased Salmonella screening of moringa powder imported from India.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
2.
Time: September 2025–April 2026; the main response took place from February to April 2026
Location: 8 U.S. states; products were sold nationwide and online
Incident: Rosabella-brand moringa powder capsules were contaminated with Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Kentucky. The strains were extensively drug-resistant, with resistance to both first-line and alternative antimicrobial drugs commonly used to treat Salmonella infections. Salmonella Newport matching the outbreak cases was detected directly in unopened products from a patient’s home.
Consequences: 10 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Ambrosia Brands recalled 52 batches of Rosabella moringa capsules. FDA subsequently continued to increase screening of imported moringa powder.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
3.
Time: Early 2026–March 2026
Location: Multiple U.S. states; the cantaloupes came from Guatemala
Incident: Imported cantaloupes caused a multistate Salmonella Newport outbreak. FDA’s supply-chain traceback traced cantaloupes used at locations where multiple patients had eaten to associated farms and packing facilities in Guatemala, and detected multiple types of Salmonella in the on-site environment.
Consequences: Ultimately, 70 infections were confirmed. Ayco Farms recalled specific batches of whole cantaloupes on March 24. On April 1, FDA placed the associated Guatemalan companies on Import Alert 99-35, allowing detention of the affected products without physical examination.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
4.
Time: September 2025–February 2026; the main investigation and response took place from March to April 2026
Location: California, Florida, and Texas; products were sold nationwide
Incident: RAW FARM unpasteurized dairy products were associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. All 8 patients interviewed reported consuming raw-milk products, and all those for whom brand information was available reported RAW FARM products. The 2026 cases were primarily associated with raw-milk cheddar cheese.
Consequences: 9 confirmed infections, 3 hospitalizations, 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. RAW FARM recalled raw-milk cheddar cheeses including Original and Jalapeño.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
5.
Time: February–June 2026
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: MOGO-brand Pure Moringa Oleifera capsules caused another, independent Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, distinct from the Live it Up and Rosabella moringa outbreaks described above.
Consequences: Ultimately, 34 infections were confirmed, with 11 hospitalizations and no deaths. MOGO Moringa recalled the affected batches of capsules. FDA conducted supply-chain traceback, company inspections, and sample collection.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
6.
Time: March 2023–July 2026; the contaminated food was identified in 2026
Location: 4 U.S. states; the production facility was in Mechanicsville, Maryland
Incident: Soft cheeses, including Requeson, produced by Clover Hill Dairy were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The investigation began with household cases associated with a retailer in New York. Epidemiological evidence and the product supply chain subsequently linked cases spanning several years to this cheese plant.
Consequences: Ultimately, 15 infections were confirmed, with 14 hospitalizations and 1 death. Clover Hill Dairy expanded the recall to all cheeses produced at the plant, including requeson, cuajada, and hard cheeses. Multiple brands selling relabeled products were also affected.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
7.
Time: November 2025–August 2026; the main response took place from July to September 2026
Location: 18 U.S. states; the production facility was in Texas
Incident: Shell eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FDA obtained 3 Salmonella-positive samples during an inspection of the farm environment. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a match with the outbreak strain from patients.
Consequences: Ultimately, 134 infections were confirmed, with 34 hospitalizations and no deaths. The company recalled white-shell eggs and brown cage-free eggs produced at its Texas facility, including products supplied for retail or food service under names such as Kroger, Brookshire’s, Sunups, and Country Morning.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
8.
Time: April–May 2026
Location: California, Pennsylvania, and Washington; products were sold nationwide
Incident: Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula was associated with an infant botulism outbreak. All 4 affected infants had consumed this brand of formula. California regulators also detected Clostridium botulinum in an opened formula container from one affected infant’s home.
Consequences: 4 confirmed cases of infant botulism; all 4 infants were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. Nara Organics recalled all Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, affecting nationwide sales channels including Target, Target.com, and Nara’s official website.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
9.
Time: Spring and summer 2026
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Romaine lettuce was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, causing a multistate outbreak. FDA conducted supply-chain traceback but did not issue a consumer recall announcement identifying a particular brand or farm as the source of contamination.
Consequences: 14 confirmed infections. FDA ultimately listed the investigation as a closed 2026 romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
10.
Time: May–August 2026
Location: Florida, Georgia, and other states; products were sold in more than 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and the ingredients came from Chile
Incident: Organic frozen blueberries produced by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur in Chile were contaminated with E. coli O145:H28. Sampling of GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries by Publix directly detected E. coli matching the patient strain.
Consequences: 17 confirmed infections, 6 hospitalizations, and no deaths. GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries were recalled. The recall was subsequently expanded to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
11.
Time: May–August 2026
Location: 21 U.S. states; the iceberg lettuce came from central Mexico
Incident: Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis. The incident was initially identified through numerous patients who had eaten at Taco Bell. Food analysis showed that the vast majority of patients had consumed iceberg lettuce. The supply chains ultimately converged on Taylor Farms de Mexico.
Consequences: Ultimately, 12,883 infections were confirmed, with 570 hospitalizations and 2 deaths, making this the largest foodborne outbreak in the United States in 2026 to date. Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled and withdrew the affected iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, including products supplied to Walmart Marketside and numerous food service products.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
12.
Time: June–August 2026
Location: 34 U.S. states; the peppers came from Sinaloa, Mexico
Incident: Mexican jalapeño peppers distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors were contaminated with Salmonella Javiana. Before becoming ill, 91% of interviewed patients had eaten at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle and QDOBA. Supply-chain traceback identified a single shared pepper grower in Sinaloa.
Consequences: Ultimately, 488 infections were confirmed, with 65 hospitalizations and no deaths. Coast Citrus conducted a recall.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
13.
Time: May–August 2026
Location: 15 U.S. states; the sprout producer was in Minnesota
Incident: Alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts caused infections involving multiple Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains and Salmonella Agona, including E. coli O26:H11, O103:H25, and O168:H8. Some patients were infected with both Salmonella and E. coli. Traceback further pointed to a shared batch of alfalfa seeds.
Consequences: 55 confirmed infections: 46 E. coli infections, 7 Salmonella infections, and 2 infections involving both pathogens; 4 hospitalizations and no deaths. Everything Sprouts recalled Calco- and Everything Sprouts-brand alfalfa sprouts and mixed sprouts. The seed supplier subsequently recalled the associated alfalfa seeds.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
14.
Time: July–September 2026
Location: Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington; production was in Moyie Springs, Idaho
Incident: Broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts were contaminated with Salmonella Bovismorbificans. Washington state detected the same outbreak strain as that found in patients in sprout samples from both a retail store and a patient’s home.
Consequences: To date, 32 infections have been confirmed, with 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts recalled broccoli sprouts with multiple expiration dates. As of October 4, FDA continued to list this investigation as ongoing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
15.
Time: Summer–September 2026
Location: 9 U.S. states; products were sold nationwide and online
Incident: Graziers-brand unpasteurized raw-milk cheeses produced by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company were contaminated with E. coli O26:H11. All 9 patients interviewed reported consuming this brand of raw-milk cheese.
Consequences: As of September 25, 13 infections were confirmed, with 8 hospitalizations, 3 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths. The company recalled all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese, including Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, and Monterey Jack. The investigation remained ongoing as of October 4.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
16.
Time: August 2026–present
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: FDA is investigating a multistate Salmonella Newport outbreak. The food vehicle has not yet been identified. FDA has initiated supply-chain traceback and sample collection.
Consequences: As of early October 2026, 116 infections had been recorded, and the investigation remained ongoing. FDA had not publicly identified a specific brand or food pending sufficient evidence.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
17.
Time: August 2026–present
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: Another multistate Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- outbreak is under investigation. FDA has not yet identified the specific food vehicle but has initiated supply-chain traceback, on-site inspections, and sample collection.
Consequences: As of early October 2026, 43 infections were confirmed. The food source remained unidentified, and the investigation was ongoing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
18.
Time: September 2026–present
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: FDA and USDA are jointly investigating a multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. A specific food source has not yet been publicly identified. FDA has initiated supply-chain traceback and sampling. The case also has USDA investigation number 2026-04.
Consequences: As of early October, 38 infections were confirmed. No common product recall had been announced, and the investigation remained ongoing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
19.
Time: September 2026–present
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: FDA is investigating a relatively large Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The specific food source has not yet been identified.
Consequences: As of early October, 44 infections had been recorded. FDA had initiated supply-chain traceback but had not yet announced a product or brand to which the outbreak could be attributed. The investigation remained ongoing.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
20.
Time: September 2026–present
Location: Multiple U.S. states
Incident: On September 30, FDA added another, independent Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation. The food vehicle has not yet been identified.
Consequences: As of October 4, 2026, 11 infections were recorded. FDA had initiated supply-chain traceback, and no product recall had been publicly announced.
Penalty: No major criminal or administrative penalties against the company or responsible individuals were found in this review
Penalty Verification Sources (S numbers in the text correspond to the URLs below)
[S01] https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=84266
[S02] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg49777/pdf/CHRG-110hhrg49777.pdf
[S03] https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/enforcement-story-archive/center-food-safety-and-applied-nutrition-2002
[S04] https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/rssExec.pl?Path=Y2006%2FD10-20%2FC%3A05-3361%3AJ%3A_%3Aaut%3AT%3Aop%3AN%3A0%3AS%3A0&Submit=Display
[S05] https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/enforcement-story-archive/center-food-safety-and-applied-nutrition-2003
[S06] https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/waw/press/2008/jun/puckett.html
[S07] https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploadedfiles/Another/About_the_Office/Annual_Reports/2006_annual_report_final.pdf
[S08] https://marlerclark.com/news_events/state-to-fine-dee-creek-dairy-8000
[S09] https://marlerclark.com/news_events/most-claims-over-e-coli-outbreak-settled
[S10] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/conagra-subsidiary-sentenced-connection-outbreak-salmonella-poisoning-related-peanut-butter
[S11] https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1041061/000104106108000197/form10q072208.htm
[S12] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5644a3.htm
[S13] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg49369/pdf/CHRG-110hhrg49369.pdf
[S14] https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2008/03/14/castleberry-plant-closed-over-safety-fears/
[S15] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephanie-smith-and-cargill-meat-solutions-settle-e-coli-lawsuit-93594709.html
[S16] https://www.fda.gov/files/Chapter-4–Center-for-Food-Safety-and-Applied-Nutrition-%28CFSAN%29.pdf
[S17] https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-supplier-beef-national-school-lunch-program-settle-allegations-improper
[S18] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-peanut-company-president-receives-largest-criminal-sentence-food-safety-case-two
[S19] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-peanut-company-officials-sentenced-prison-their-roles-salmonella-tainted-peanut
[S20] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-files-suit-against-cheese-manufacturer
[S21] https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914621cadd7b0493424beaf
[S22] https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/fls/PressReleases/2010/101203-03.html
[S23] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/quality-egg-company-owner-and-top-executive-sentenced-connection-distribution-adulterated
[S24] https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/1-1-million-awarded-in-listeria-death-lawsuit-1600535.php
[S25] https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/waw/press/2012/November/estrella.html
[S26] https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/statements-regarding-sentencing-eric-and-ryan-jensen
[S27] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/us-obtains-injunction-against-chicago-food-processing-firm-after-alleging-unsafe-food
[S28] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-new-mexico-based-producer-peanut-butter
[S29] https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2019/11/27/18-55067.pdf
[S30] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-houston-based-producer-egg-rolls-and-other
[S31] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-pennsylvania-based-dairy-firms-and
[S32] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/permanent-injunction-entered-against-michigan-based-manufacturer-soy-products
[S33] https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/petaluma-slaughterhouse-owner-sentenced-12-months-and-one-day-imprisonment-conspiring
[S34] https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/petaluma-slaughterhouse-employee-sentenced-scheme-distribute-adulterated-meat
[S35] https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/delaware-cheese-company-pleads-guilty-food-adulteration-charge
[S36] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-prevent-chicago-company-and-two-individuals
[S37] https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/miami-dade-resident-sentenced-fifteen-months-prison-distributing-contaminated-cheese
[S38] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/blue-bell-creameries-ordered-pay-1725-million-criminal-penalties-connection-2015-listeria
[S39] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/blue-bell-creameries-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-1935-million-ice-cream-listeria
[S40] https://www.justice.gov/doj/case/us-v-blue-bell-creameries-us-v-paul-kruse-related
[S41] https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/03/plea-agreement-brings-closure-to-blue-bells-last-case-involving-the-2015-listeriosis-outbreak/
[S42] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/chipotle-mexican-grill-agrees-pay-25-million-fine-and-enter-deferred-prosecution-agreement
[S43] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-virginia-company-and-employees-prevent
[S44] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-san-francisco-rice-noodle-company-and
[S45] https://www.justice.gov/civil/case/united-states-v-johannes-vulto-and-vulto-creamery-llc
[S46] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-new-york-food-manufacturer-linked
[S47] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-enters-permanent-injunction-against-illinois-caviar-supplier-prevent
[S48] https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/federal-district-court-brooklyn-enters-permanent-injunction-requiring-staten-island
[S49] https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdar/pr/alma-grocery-store-ordered-stop-distributing-products-insanitary-conditions
[S50] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-orders-texas-company-stop-selling-adulterated-food
[S51] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-orders-california-firm-stop-manufacturing-and-distributing-adulterated-food
[S52] https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/district-court-enters-injunction-against-new-york-company-and-corporate-executives
[S53] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-orders-michigan-seafood-and-salad-processor-comply-food-safety-requirements
[S54] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/district-court-orders-illinois-sprouts-and-soybean-products-company-comply-food-safety-rules
[S55] https://www.justice.gov/d9/press-releases/attachments/2021/01/15/valley_processing_consent_decree_signed_2021.1.14_0_0.pdf
[S56] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/fruit-juice-manufacturing-company-and-its-former-president-plead-guilty-food-safety-crimes
[S57] https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article308794045.html
[S58] https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/philadelphia-food-distributor-admits-it-sold-uninspected-and-misbranded-meat-and
[S59] https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-abuelito-cheese-inc
[S60] https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/nevada-bottled-water-companies-and-owners-ordered-stop-distributing-adulterated-and
[S61] https://apnews.com/article/aa005d843c180dfd1af66d3cddbbf6b1
[S62] https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2026_0914_Abbott_Settlement_PR
[S63] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/la-fda-proporciona-nuevas-actualizaciones-sobre-las-actividades-para-mitigar-los-retos-del
[S64] https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/family-dollar-stores-llc-pleads-guilty-holding-consumer-products-under-insanitary-conditions
[S65] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/federal-court-enters-consent-decree-against-rizo-lopez-foods-inc-following-multistate-outbreak
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