#Nassau, November 26, 2019 – Bahamas – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on November 21, 2019, that a voluntary recall was made by a New Jersey company, Missa Bay, of over 75,000 pounds of salad products that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce ingredient may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7. The company announced that over 30 packaged salad products with tainted romaine were produced from Oct. 14 through Oct. 16, 2019 and have use-by datesbetween Oct. 28 and Nov. 1, 2019. The products being recalled bear establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. A list of the recalled products can be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov
There
have been seven hospitalizations, two of which developed kidney failure [haemolytic
uremic syndrome (HUS)]. To date, 17
persons have been infected with E. coli with no deaths reported.
The public is asked to dispose of any of the recalled products they may
still have in their freezers after the use-by
dates above.
The Ready Pac Foods Bistro Chicken Caesar Salad reportedly made persons sick in Maryland but did not account for those who became ill in other U.S. states, according to the CDC. An unopened package of this product from the home of an infected person also tested positive for E. coli.
The Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Unit have no reports of illnesses to date from these recalled products. Consumers usually become ill from E. coli 3 to 4 days after ingesting contaminated food with symptoms of vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea (often bloody). Most persons will recover within a week with the exception of those who develop severe infections. Persons who believe they may have consumed any of the recalled products are asked to visit the nearest clinic.
A day later, a second lettuce recall on November 22, 2019 was again, due
to the E. coli outbreak. The
CDC announced that 40 persons have been sickened with 28 requiring hospitalization. Consumers were urged to avoid lettuce grown
in the Salinas Valley region in California.
The CDC advises that any lettuce (whole heads, hearts, pre-cut packaged)
and salad mixes (baby romaine, spring mix, Caesar) from this region are to be
thrown out and not eaten.
Consumers can identify recalled lettuce from the Salinas valley region
by checking the label on the lettuce packaging.
Consumers are urged to practice these food safety principles to prevent
food-borne illnesses:
- Wash their hands
thoroughly in warm, soapy, potable running water;
- Clean and
sanitize the food preparation area;
- Keep raw meats separate
from raw, ready to eat foods such as lettuce;
- Cook foods at
the right temperature for the right time;
- Cover and
refrigerate left overs at the correct temperature; and
- Use a good
source of raw products and potable water (important when rinsing lettuce).
Visit us at bahfsa@bahamas.gov.bs for additional information on food safety measures you can take this Thanksgiving
and Christmas when preparing foods like salads and turkey; and for information
on the common food borne pathogens to be aware of.
Consumers who may have questions or concerns should contact BAHFSA at: christopherworrell@bahamas.gov.bs or patriciajjohnson@bahamas.gov.bs.
Release: BIS