Eighteen people, mostly in Florida, have been confirmed with E. coli O26 infections, spurring Publix Super Markets Inc. to recall an undetermined amount of eight different ground beef products.

“Traceback information indicated that case-patients consumed ground chuck products purchased at various Publix Super Markets that was supplied by a yet-to-be determined source,” according to the recall notice posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The FSIS reported it was notified about the outbreak on Aug. 16.

Other than the FSIS recall notice, no other federal or state agencies appeared to have posted any information about the outbreak as of last night. The FSIS reported that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is assisting Florida officials with their outbreak investigation. 

Officials with FSIS and the Publix grocery chain are urging consumers to check their home freezers for unused portions of the ground beef products. Publix told outbreak investigators that all of the implicated products would have been purchased by customers from June 25 through July 31. The recalled products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Although the producer was unknown as of yesterday afternoon, the recall notice says the ground beef products were shipped to Publix retail locations in several Florida counties, including Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.  

Products subject to the Publix recall are:

  • Ground chuck
  • Ground chuck burgers
  • Several flavors of gourmet burger — Jalapeno & Cheddar, Pimento & Cheese, Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Blue Cheese, and Swiss & Mushroom
  • Several flavors of seasoned ground chuck burgers — Badia, Mesquite, Montreal, and Steakhouse
  • Several flavors of meatballs — Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Blue Cheese, Jalapeno & Cheddar, Swiss & Mushroom, and Spanish
  • Two types of meatloaf — seasoned and grillers
  • Several flavors of sliders — Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Ground Chuck, Blue Cheese, Jalapeno & Cheddar, and Swiss & Mushroom
  • Stuffed peppers

Other than the number of patients, no other information about the outbreak victims was included in the FSIS recall notice except the known dates of symptom onset, which range from July 5 through July 25.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to E. coli O26. Specific lab tests are necessary to diagnose E. coli infections. The infections can mimic other illnesses, making them difficult to identify.

It generally takes two to eight days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms to develop. Most people develop some or all of the following,  diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. 

Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment for E. coli infections. Antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure most frequently associated with E. coli O157 infections, is uncommon with E. coli O26 infections, according to the FSIS recall notice. 

HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

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Additional distribution details are now available from Country Fresh Orlando LLC showing the company’s freshcut vegetable products that were recalled because of Listeria concerns went to Walmart and Publix stores in addition to other retailers.

The recall includes diced bell peppers, vegetable kabobs, and creole and fajita mixed diced vegetables packaged under the Country Fresh and store brand labels. Retailers in five states received the recalled products: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

News of the recall broke during Labor Day weekend when multiple media outlets across the Southeast reported the Country Fresh products, packaged under the SEG brand, were being recalled. The reports identified Southeast Grocers LLC as the recalling entity for the products, which had been distributed to that company’s retail grocery banners BI-LO, Harveys, Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más.

On Tuesday, in a recall alert from the Food and Drug Administration, products packaged under the Marketside brand for Walmart and the house brand for Publix Supermarkets Inc. were included with the products packaged for the Southeast Grocers chains.

“The potential for contamination was uncovered as the result of a single routine sample taken at a retail store in Georgia which revealed that the finished product tested contained the bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes”, according to the recall notice on the FDA website, which is dated Sept. 2 but was not available until Sept. 5.

“The company has ceased distribution of the affected product as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Country Fresh continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.”

No illnesses had been confirmed in relation to the recalled products as of the posting of the notice on the FDA website.

The recalled products described in the chart below are in clear plastic containers and Styrofoam trays that are overwrapped with clear plastic film.

Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 281-453-3305.

Advice to consumers
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure. It can take up to 70 days after exposure to the bacteria for symptoms to develop.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In some cases an invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Listeria bacteria can also cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, including cancer patients.

Description Store Description
of Packaging
Use by
Date Range
States Distributed
Fajita Blend 12 oz Southeastern Grocers Overwrap 8/12/2017
8/18/2017
FL
Stir Fry Vegetable Southeastern Grocers Overwrap 8/12/2017
8/18/2017
FL
Vegetable Kabob 23 oz Southeastern Grocers Overwrap 8/12/2017
8/18/2017
FL
Green Pepper Diced 6 oz Southeastern Grocers Clamshell 8/13/2017
8/20/2017
FL, GA
Creole Mix 6 oz Southeastern Grocers Clamshell 8/13/2017
8/19/2017
AL, FL, GA, LA, MS
Tri-Pepper Dice 6 oz Southeastern Grocers Clamshell 8/12/2017
8/19/2017
AL, FL, GA, LA, MS
Fajita Mix 6 oz Southeastern Grocers Clamshell 8/13/2017
8/19/2017
AL, FL, GA, LA, MS
Kabob Sensations
Veggie Kabob 15 oz
Publix Supermarkets Inc. Overwrap 8/12/2017
8/18/2017
AL, FL, GA
Dice Tri-Pepper 7 oz WalMart Stores Inc. Clamshell 8/13/2017
8/20/2017
AL, FL, GA
Marketside Veggie
Kabobs 23 oz
WalMart Stores Inc. Overwrap 8/13/2017
8/20/2017
AL, FL, GA

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Publix Super Markets Inc. of Lakeland, FL, is issuing a voluntary recall for Apple Coffee Cakes due to the possible presence of small metal shavings. The Apple Coffee Cakes were sold at Publix bakery departments in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and in the following counties in Florida: Alachua, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota. recalltag_406x250The product has a UPC of 002-19562-00000 and includes all date codes. “As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from store shelves,” said Maria Brous, the company’s media and community relations director. “To date, there have been no reported cases of illness or injury. Consumers who have purchased the product in question may return the product to their local store for a full refund.” Publix customers with additional questions may call the company’s customer care department at 1-800-242-1227 or visit the website at www.publix.com.

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Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC of Seattle, WA, is recalling some Publix brand frozen “Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets” after a consumer discovered an error that resulted in the wrong product in packages. The error resulted in undeclared soy in the improperly boxed product. 

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Photos courtesy of FDA

“The problem was discovered when a consumer reported that the Teriyaki sauced salmon was found inside the retail box labeled as Parmesan-crusted salmon,” according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Further investigation by the co-packer UniSea Cold Storage of Redmond, WA revealed that the that the loading box machine operator must have inadvertently grabbed the Parmesan-crusted salmon retail box instead of the correct boxes.”

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled product in their freezers. The affected Teriyaki sauced product is in a clear vacuum package inside the retail box. The implicated salmon packages can be identified by label codes: 

  • 12-ounces
  • UPC number 41415 30245 7
  • “Best Before/Use By date 021122”

Ocean Beauty reports distributing the implicated salmon directly to Publix Super Markets Inc. distribution warehouses in Florida and Georgia between Sept. 18 through and Nov. 4, 2020. Publix further distributed product to their various retail stores in the southeast.

“We estimate only 300 units of 8,450 Teriyaki sauced salmon packages were mis-packaged as Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets,” according to the recall notice.

As of the posting of the recall notice there had been no confirmed reports of allergic reactions, according to the notice.

The company wants consumers who find any affected product as described in this recall notice to either dispose of the product or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 206-286-2566 or via email to info@oceanbeauty.com.

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Lancaster Foods LLC is recalling processed butternut squash items because they may be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogene.

This recall comes after two other butternut squash product recalls from Pero Family Farms Co. LLC and Publix Super Markets Inc. because of possible Listeria contamination. There has been no confirmation as of this posting that the Lancaster Foods recall is connected to the other two.

The recalled items were distributed mainly through retail stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Lancaster Foods has temporarily halted the production of these items as the FDA and the company investigate the source of the issue. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers can use the following label information to determine whether they have any of the recalled products on hand in their homes.

  • 16 oz Autumn Medley – UPC 8 13055 01115 6; with the expiration dates of 01/05/21, 01/07/21, and 01/09/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 12 oz Butternut Squash Noodles – UPC 8 13055 01749 3; with the expiration date of 01/10/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper evident clamshell.
  • 12 oz Butternut Squash Noodles – UPC 8 13055 01864 3; with the expiration dates of 01/05/21, 01/08/21, 01/10/21, 01/11/21, 01/12/21, 01/15/21, and 01/17/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 12 oz Butternut Squash Noodles – UPC 6 88267 17259 5; with the expiration dates of 01/08/21, 01/10/21, 01/12/21, 01/13/21, 01/14/21, 01/15/21, and 01/17/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Store Brand and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 21 oz Butternut Squash Planks – UPC 8 13055 01272 6; with the expiration dates of 01/02/21, 01/08/21, 01/12/21, 01/15/21, and 01/17/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 20 oz Squash Noodle Medley – UPC 8 13055 01836 0; with the expiration dates of 01/05/21, 01/08/21, 01/13/21, 01/14/21, and 01/16/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 20 oz Squash Noodle Medley – UPC 6 88267 18585 4; with the expiration dates of 01/03/21, 01/08/21, 01/11/21, 01/17/21, 01/18/21, and 01/19/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Store Brand and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 2.5# Butternut Squash Chunks – UPC 8 13055 01596 3; with the expiration dates of 01/04/21, 01/12/21, 01/15/21, and 01/18/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 20 oz Butternut Squash Chunks – UPC 8 13055 01150 7; with the expiration dates of 01/05/21, 01/08/21, 01/09/21, 01/13/21, and 01/16/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 24 oz Butternut Squash Chunks – UPC 8 13055 01300 6; with the expiration dates of 01/12/21, 01/13/21, 01/15/21 noted on the bottom scan label. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 12 oz Butternut Squash Chunks – UPC 8 13055 01391 4; with the expiration dates of 01/04/21, 01/05/21, 01/07/21, 01/11/21, 01/12/21, 01/15/21, 01/17/21, and 01/20/21 noted on the bottom scan labels. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a clear plastic tamper-evident clamshell.
  • 15 oz Veggie Rice Blend – UPC 8 13055 01014 2; with the expiration dates of 01/07/21 and 01/09/21 noted on the bottom scan labels. The brand name is Lancaster Foods and the package is a stand-up steam pouch with ‘grab & steam’ printed on the header.

As of the posting of this article, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.

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A recall initiated by Pero Family Farms Co. LLC of possible Listeria contamination of certain butternut squash ingredients has resulted in multiple recalls. Publix Super Markets Inc. is recalling select Publix “Steam In Bag” products prepared in-store containing a specific butternut squash ingredient provided by Pero Family Farms Co..

Two Pero products are recalled:

  • Butternut Squash Cubed Tray expiration dates from 01/15/2021 to 01/20/2021; and
  • Butternut Squash Veggie Spirals Tray, expiration dates from 01/15/2021 to 01/20/2021.

Publix Super Markets Inc. is recalling the products listed below:

Product Name GTIN Sold between
Publix Steam In Bag
Green Bean Butternut Squash
002-24887-00000 01/03/2021-01/14/2021
Publix Steam In Bag Season Butternut Medley 002-25399-00000 01/03/2021-01/14/2021
Publix Steam In Bag Butternut Brussel Pecan 002-25677-00000 01/03/2021-01/14/2021
Recalled Product

Publix says it has removed the impacted product from all store shelves. According to Publix, to date, there have been no reported cases of illness. 

Consumers who have purchased the products in question may return them  to their local store for a full refund.

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

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A week after Cargill Meat Solutions recall of 66 tons of ground beef, some concerns remain. Experts at Consumer Reports suggest tossing out any ground beef in your freezer purchased between June 21 and July 11 of this year “out of an abundance of caution.”

And a top food safety advocate in Congress, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, is demanding more information from the USDA about the associated outbreak of E. coli O26, which has caused 18 illnesses and one death.

The recalled meat, produced at Cargill’s Fort Morgan, CO, facility, was sold nationally at retail outlets during the summer. None is currently being sold, but there’s concern some of the ground beef was likely purchased for future use and remains stored in both home and commercial freezers.

In a Sept. 26 letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, DeLauro demanded more information on the recall and outbreak investigation.

“I write today out of concern regarding the USDA’s investigation into the ongoing multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O26, which has been linked to ground beef,” DeLauro wrote. “According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the agency was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses on Aug. 16, 2018.

“However, it was not until Aug. 30, 2018, that the first recall related to this outbreak was initiated by Publix Super Markets Inc.,” continued DeLauro. “At that time, according to FSIS, the source of the outbreak was ‘yet-to-be-determined.’ Then, twenty days later on Sept. 19, 2018, 132,606 pounds of ground beef products from Cargill, the apparent source of the outbreak, were finally recalled. In total, it was more than 35 days from when FSIS first learned of the outbreak when the traceback investigation was able to identify the source. Such a timeline is simply unacceptable and unnecessarily jeopardizes public health.”

In the letter, DeLauro tells Perdue that “prolonged traceback investigations are not just risks to consumer safety.” She cites USDA’s Economic Research Service’s work showing the negative consequences of food illness outbreaks and recalls in the food and agriculture business sectors.

DeLauro asked Perdue to respond to her questions about the timeline. She wants to know what FSIS knew by specific dates as the traceback investigation continued, such as when did the agency become aware the Publix Super Markets recalls involved Cargill.

Cargill’s Sept. 20 recall notice includes a product list of the specific brands and labels for consumers to use in checking their home or rental freezers. However, Consumer Reports (CR) issued its broader warning because some bulk purchasers likely repackaged the ground beef into units, not on the recall list.

“E coli O26 is quite serious, ” said James E. Rogers, CR’s director of food safety testing and research. “You don’t want to risk your health, or your family’s.” CR’s recommends tossing any ground beef stored in a freezer that was purchased between June 21 and July 11.

“If the meat has been repackaged, the brands and codes provided on the FSIS list so far won’t help consumers figure out if their purchase was part of this ground beef recall,” Rogers said. “This combined with the fact that people may take meat out of its packaging and wrap it themselves before they freeze it means many consumers may have no way of knowing if they purchased affected Cargill beef, or know the use-by date that was on the original package.”

Food Safety News previously published the entire recall list here.

The FSIS also warns that some recalled Cargill beef could be in people’s freezers and if so, it should be thrown out and not consumed.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the recalled Cargill beef is associated with a four-state outbreak of E. coli O26 involving 18 illnesses and one death. In a Sept. 20 Food Safety Alert, the CDC said the multistate incident is probably over. Fifteen of the illnesses and the death were in Florida. Colorado, Tennessee, and Massachusetts each reported one O26 case.

FSIS has released a list of retail outlets that sold the Cargill beef.

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A four-state outbreak of E. coli O26 with 18 illnesses including six hospitalizations and one death was reported late Thursday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issued a Food Safety Alert about the incident. CDC’s alert followed by several hours the announcement by Cargill Meat Solutions of a recall of beef produced in Colorado that was likely contaminated with E. coli O26.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the Cargill recall was associated with an epidemiological investigation into illnesses with onset dates ranging from July 5 to July 25.   CDC said that outbreak “appears to be over.”   One death in Florida is associated with the outbreak. Also, CDC reported one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which results in kidney failure.

CDC also said 15 of the 18 illnesses involved people in Florida. Colorado, Massachusetts and Tennessee each reported one case.

Cargill early Thursday recalled approximately 132,606 pounds, or 66.3 tons, of ground beef produced at its Fort Morgan, CO, facility. Cargill shipped the recalled beef to retailers nationwide. Made from the chuck portion of the carcass, the recalled beef may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26, according to FSIS.

Public health officials are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS learned of the outbreak investigation of the E. coli O26 illnesses on Aug. 16. FSIS, the federal CDC, and state public health and agriculture partners determined that raw ground beef was the probable source of the illnesses.

Investigators determined that Cargill supplied ground beef that was recalled on Aug. 30 by Florida’s Publix Super Markets Inc. for E. coli O26-contamination. Traceback showed that patients had consumed ground beef purchased at various retail stores that were supplied by Cargill Meat Solutions. The outbreak was centered on Florida.

The ground beef items listed in Cargill’s Sept. 20 recall and associated with the illnesses were produced and packaged on June 21, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:

  • 3-lb. chubs of “OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a USE OR FREEZE BY JUL/11/18 and case code 00228749057646.
  • 3-lb. chubs of “OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a USE OR FREEZE BY JUL/11/18 and case code 00228749002653.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749089098.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749002751.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749003536.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749003568.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749402773.
  • 20-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF COMBO” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749073935.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “Sterling Silver CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749702416.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749802405.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 with case code 00228749802413.
  • 10-lb. chubs of “Fire River Farms CLASSIC GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a USE/FREEZE BY: 07/11/2018 with case code 90734730297241.

The recalled products bear establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Cargill shipped the products to retail locations nationwide.

E. coli O26, like the more common E. coli O157:H7, is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). People usually become sick for a few days after exposure to the organism.

Most people infected with STEC O26 develop diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing patients’  stool samples. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended.

Many people recover within a week, but some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is common with STEC O26 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

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

TAMPA, FL — The International Association for Food Protection will present awards recognizing excellence in food safety to the following organizations and individuals during its annual meeting and conference this week at the Tampa Convention Center.

With more than 4,000 members worldwide, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) is committed to its trademarked slogan: Advancing Food Safety Worldwide. The association includes educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives and quality control professionals who are involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing and preparing all types of foods.

Working together, IAFP members, representing more than 70 countries, help the association achieve its mission through networking, educational programs, journals, career opportunities and numerous other resources.

The following individuals and organizations are being recognized this year at the annual conference, which has attracted more than 3,400 attendees.

IAFP Fellow Awards recognize professionals who have contributed to IAFP and its affiliates with distinction over an extended period of time. This year, five recipients will receive this honor: Judy D. Greig from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario; Dale Grinstead from Sealed Air Core Research & Development, Racine, WI; Vijay K. Juneja of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA; Jeffrey L. Kornacki of Kornacki Microbiology Solutions Inc., Madison, WI; and Donald W. Schaffner of  Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Christine M. Bruhn, University of California – Davis, retired. This award, given at the discretion of the IAFP president, recognizes an individual who has made a lasting impact on Advancing Food Safety Worldwide through a lifetime of professional achievements in food protection.

Honorary Life Membership Awards will be presented to David Blomquist of Ecolab, retired, Hastings, MN; Maria Teresa Destro of bioMérieux, São Paulo, Brazil; Marilyn Lee of Ryerson University, retired, Toronto, Canada; John Sofos of Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO; and Katherine M.J. Swanson a consultant from Mendota Heights, MN. This award recognizes IAFP Members for their dedication to the high ideals and objectives of IAFP and for their service to the Association.

Harry Haverland Citation Award will be awarded to J. Santos Garcia A. of Universidad Autonoma de Neuvo Leon, Mexico, for his years of devotion to the ideals and objectives of the Association.

Food Safety Innovation Award goes to Novolyze, Orliénas, France, for its SurroNov products.

International Leadership Award will be presented to George-John Nychas, Agricultural University, Athens, Greece, for his dedication to the high ideals and objectives of IAFP and for promotion of the mission of the Association in countries outside of the United States and Canada.

GMA Food Safety Award will go to the Center for Food Safety Engineering and the Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in recognition of a long history of outstanding contributions to food safety research and education.

Frozen Food Foundation Freezing Research Award will be presented to Mark Harrison, University of Georgia, Athens. This award honors an individual, group, or organization for preeminence and outstanding contributions in research that impacts food safety attributes of freezing.

Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award will be presented to Arun K. Bhunia, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, to recognize his service for outstanding contributions in the laboratory and recognizing a commitment to the development of innovative and practical analytical approaches in support of food safety.

Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award will go to Xiaonan Lu, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. This award is presented to a young researcher who has shown outstanding ability and professional promise in the early years of his or her career.

Ewen C.D. Todd Control of Foodborne Illness Award will be presented to Frank Bryan of Food Safety Consultation and Training, retired, Lithonia, GA. New this year, this award recognizes an individual for dedicated and exceptional contributions to the reduction of risks of foodborne illness.

Sanitarian Award will be presented to Candace A. Jacobs, Washington Department of Agriculture, Olympia, WA, to recognize her dedication and exceptional service to the profession of sanitarian, serving the public and the food industry.

Elmer Marth Educator Award will be presented to Judy Harrison of the University of Georgia, Athens, to recognize her dedication and exceptional contributions to the profession of the educator.

Harold Barnum Industry Award will go to Michael Roberson of Publix Super Markets Inc., Lakeland, FL, recognizing his outstanding service to IAFP, the public and the food industry.

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Bailey Farms of Oxford, NC, is voluntarily recalling 6,215 pounds of Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers because they could be contaminated with Salmonella. The peppers were distributed to Meijer Inc., and customers may have purchased this product from Oct. 14-19 at Meijer stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The product was also distributed  to Publix Super Markets Inc., Merchants Distributors Inc., Walmart, Food Lion, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers, US Foods, Military Produce Group, LLC, C&S Wholesalers, John Vena Inc. and Harris Teeter. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers from these companies between the dates of Oct. 2-21, 2014, should check with the store to verify if the product was subject to recall. A random sample was taken by the Michigan Department of Agriculture on Oct. 13, 2014, from a warehouse in Lansing, MI. Bailey Farms received notice that the sample tested positive for Salmonella on Oct. 20, 2014. This recall is the result of the possibility that the remainder of these lots could be contaminated with this bacteria. The company is working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate the root cause of the potential contamination. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (e.g., infected aneurysms), endocarditic and arthritis.