DPH Advises Delaware Residents of Multi-State Listeria Outbreak Involving Deli Ham, and Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak Involving Raw Chicken Products

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Delawareans of a multi-state outbreak of Listeria infections linked to deli ham. Several companies have recalled ham products that could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria and could make people sick. To date, there have been no confirmed cases reported in Delaware, but DPH urges consumers to take precautions to prevent illness. Listeria is particularly harmful to pregnant women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported in North Carolina and Virginia. All four had been hospitalized and one death was reported by Virginia health officials.

Johnston County Hams, Inc. recalled the following ready-to-eat ham products:
• Johnston County Hams, Inc. Country Style Fully Cooked Boneless Deli Ham
• Ole Fashioned Sugar Cured The Old Dominion Brand Hams Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham with sell-by dates from April 10, 2018, to September, 27 2019
• Padow’s Hams & Deli, Inc. Fully Cooked Country Ham Boneless Glazed with Brown Sugar
• Premium Fully Cooked Country Ham Less Salt Distributed by Valley Country Hams, LLC. with sell-by dates from April 10, 2018, to September 27, 2019
• Goodnight Brothers Country Ham Boneless Fully Cooked

The recalled ham products were produced from April 3, 2017, through October 2, 2018. In addition, the recalled products are labeled with establishment number “EST. M2646” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Ladyfingers Gourmet to Go recalled the following ready-to-eat ham rolls:
• Signature Shaved Country Ham Rolls. The rolls are made with ham produced by Johnston County Hams and bear the UPC: 8 56149 00509 9.

Consumers who have any of these recalled products at home should not eat them, even if some of it was consumed and no one has gotten sick. If you do not know if the product has been recalled, do not eat it. Before purchasing deli ham at a grocery store or eating it at a restaurant, consumers should confirm with the store or restaurant that it is not one of the recalled products.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any of the recalled products. Retailers should also clean and sanitize deli slicers and other areas where recalled deli ham was prepared, stored or served. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for sanitizer strength and application to ensure it is effective. For more information, visit: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/compliance-guides-index/controlling-lm-retail-delicatessens.

If you believe you might have a recalled product, return it to the store for a refund or throw it away. If you do not know if the ham you purchased was recalled, ask the business where you purchased it or throw it away. If you have questions, contact the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 24/7 at 888-295-5156.

People with invasive listeriosis usually report symptoms starting one to four weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria. Pregnant women and their newborns, adults age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick with listeriosis. The symptoms differ for pregnant women compared to non-pregnant individuals:

Women who are or may be pregnant: Pregnant women typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
People other than pregnant women: Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. Medical providers should report suspected cases of Listeria to the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 24/7 at 888-295-5156.

For more information regarding the outbreak, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/countryham-10-18/index.html. For more information regarding the food recalls, visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-084-2018-release or https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm622719.htm. For additional information on Listeria infection, visit https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html.

DPH Also Advises Residents of Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Chicken Products

DPH is also taking this time to make Delaware residents aware of a multi-state outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis infections linked to raw chicken products. According to the CDC, 92 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis have been reported in 29 states, including two cases in Delaware. Of the cases reported nationally, 22 people have been hospitalized (including two Delawareans). No deaths have been reported.

The CDC says the outbreak strain has been found in samples taken from raw chicken pet food, raw chicken products, and live chickens, and is resistant to multiple antibiotics, including first-line treatment options. This means if antibiotics are needed for severe infections, alternative or second-line treatments may need to be used. Advice to clinicians can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/infantis-10-18/advice.html.

A single, common supplier of chicken has not been identified. There is no need for consumers to avoid eating properly cooked chicken, and retailers are not being advised to stop selling raw chicken products. However, individuals should follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw chicken:

• Always handle raw chicken carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw chicken can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and make you sick.

• Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another if hands have Salmonella germs on them. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.

• Cook raw chicken thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Chicken breasts, whole chickens, and ground poultry, including chicken burgers and chicken sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check and place it in the thickest part of the food.

• Don’t spread germs from raw chicken around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw chicken can spread to other foods and kitchen surfaces. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw chicken. Use two separate cutting boards for raw chicken, meats and seafood; and the other for fruits and vegetables. Wash boards completely with soap and warm water between each use to kill germs.

• CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets (https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/publications/pet-food-safety.html). Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.

For more information about this outbreak, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/infantis-10-18/index.html. For more information about preventing Salmonella infection, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/prevention.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Delaware Impacted by Food Recall, Public Health Advising Consumer Caution


DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Delawareans of a voluntary recall of certain House-Autry biscuit and cornbread mixes that were shipped to Food Lion and Harris Teeter grocery stores in all three counties. House-Autry Mills, Inc. is voluntarily recalling limited quantities of House-Autry Buttermilk Cornbread Mix, House-Autry Buttermilk Biscuit Mix, and House-Autry Cheese Biscuit Mix as a precaution because one of the company’s third-party ingredient suppliers, Franklin Farms, had purchased milk powder from Valley Milk Products, Inc. This milk powder is potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

DPH through its Office of Food Protection, has confirmed that all recalled products have been pulled from shelves in both grocery store chains locally. However, store managers are unable to confirm if any of the product had been purchased.

At this time, there are no illnesses associated with these products in Delaware. Out of an abundance of caution, DPH is encouraging consumers to check their pantries for these products, and to discard or return them to the store where they were purchased.

The recalled UPC codes and better if used by dates of the affected products are:

  • House-Autry Buttermilk Cornbread Mix
    • 8 oz. box 0 73484-15500 9 Best By 06/28/17 096216 (located on the top fold)
    • Best By 07/19/17 097106 (located on the top fold)
  • House-Autry Buttermilk Biscuit Mix
    • 8 oz. box 0 73484-15510 8 Best By 05/18/17 094782 (located on the top fold)
    • Best By 07/19/17 097105 (located on the top fold)
  • House-Autry Cheese Biscuit Mix
    • 8 oz. box 0 73484-15512 2 Best By 08/03/17 097754 (located on the top fold)

The products were shipped to Food Lion stores in Bear, Bridgeville, Claymont, Delmar, Dover, Harrington, Laurel, Middletown, Milford, Millsboro, Milton, New Castle, Newark, Seaford, Selbyville, Smyrna, and Wilmington; and to the Harris Teeter stores in Millsboro and Selbyville.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) inspections found that quantities of Valley Milk Products’ bulk milk powder contained Salmonella. According to Franklin Farms, testing has proved that no pathogenic bacteria have been found in the powdered milk product supplied to House-Autry Mills, and in addition, when consumers follow the preparation instructions, there is no risk because the heat kills potential salmonella. However, it is out of an abundance of caution the company has decided to recall products produced from the specific lot received from that ingredient supplier.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discontinue use and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling 800-849-0802, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST daily, or by emailing Retail@House-Autry.com.

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. This organism can elicit serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, 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), endocarditis and arthritis. Salmonella is killed by cooking and pasteurization.

Symptoms may appear six hours to three days after exposure, but generally within 12-36 hours.

Most people with symptoms of Salmonella recover on their own. Some people may require fluids to prevent dehydration. If you or a member of your family has consumed (or believe that you have consumed) one of the recalled products and are experiencing dehydration, seek medical attention.

For any questions regarding illness, contact your health care provider. For medical providers to report suspected cases of Salmonella associated with consumption of the recalled food, call the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 24/7 at 888-295-5156.

The single most important way to prevent the spread of Salmonella is careful hand washing:
– Before and after food preparation;
– After using the toilet or changing diapers;
– After handling domestic or wild animals, and pets such as reptiles, birds or baby chicks, dogs, cats and hamsters;
– After contact with pet feces.

Additional Tips:
• Thoroughly cook all food derived from animal sources. Do not eat or drink food containing raw eggs or raw (unpasteurized) milk.
• Refrigerate foods promptly. Do not hold foods at room temperature any longer than necessary.
• Wash cutting boards, utensils, and food preparation counters with soap and water immediately after use.
• Make sure that the correct internal cooking temperature is reached. The correct temperature is 160ºF for beef and pork, and 180ºF for poultry.
• Prevent cross contamination. Never let raw meat and poultry, or their juices, come in contact with cooked meat or any other food, raw or cooked.

To see the recall, visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Delaware Public Health Urges Disposal of Hummus from Sabra Dipping Co., LLC

DOVER – Hummus distributed by Sabra Dipping Co., LLC is being voluntarily recalled due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date. The products listed are being recalled because a routine sample collected by the State of Michigan at a retail location on March 30, 2015, tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall notices, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is working to identify establishments in Delaware that may have received the affected product, and ensure that all affected products have been removed from Delaware shelves.

DPH is urging consumers who purchased these products to throw them out or return them to the store where they were purchased. At this time the recall is limited to hummus; no other Sabra Dipping Co., LLC products have been identified as potentially contaminated.

  • UPC/SKU: 040822011143 / 300067  Item: Sabra Classic Hummus 10 oz  Use By Date:  3 059 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11
  • UPC/SKU: 040822011143 / 300067  Item: Sabra Classic Hummus 10 oz  Use By Date:  3 060 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 15
  • UPC/SKU: 040822014687 / 300074 Item: Sabra Classic Hummus 30 oz  Use By Date:  3 059 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11
  • UPC/SKU: 040822342049 / 301216  Item: Sabra Classic Hummus without Garnish 32oz  Use By Date:  3 059 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11
  • UPC/SKU: 040822017497 / 301290  Item: Sabra Classic Hummus 17oz Six Pack  Use By Date:  3 058 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11
  • UPC/SKU: 040822017497 / 301290  Item: Sabra Classic Hummus 17oz Six Pack  Use By Date: 3 059 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11
  • UPC/SKU: 040822342209 / 301283 Item: Hummus Dual Pack Classic/Garlic 23.5oz  Use By Date: 3 058 Best Before/Meilleur Avant 2015 May 11

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

For more information, Delawareans can contact DPH’s Office of Food Protection at 302-744-4546, or visit the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov/safety/recalls/.

DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

###
Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social ServicesDivision of Public Health


Delaware Impacted By Recall of Products Containing Frozen Spinach

DOVER – Products containing spinach that are potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are being voluntarily recalled out of an abundance of caution. Based on a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall notice, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is working with the FDA and local retailers to ensure that all affected products are removed from Delaware shelves. While no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products in Delaware or nationwide, DPH is urging consumers who purchased these products to throw them out, or return them to the store where they were purchased.

The voluntary recall involves products that contain spinach from the Coastal Green Vegetable Company, LLC, of Oxnard, CA, which supplied the product to several companies in the US. The affected products that may have been shipped to or sold in Delaware include Wild Harvest Organic Cut Leaf Spinach (16 oz. frozen package), several types of Rising Moon Organics ravioli, Simply Balanced Organic Chopped Spinach (10 oz. steam in bag), and various products from the brand Amy’s Kitchen.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

For more information, Delawareans can contact the DPH Office of Food Protection at 302-744-4546; or go to the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov/safety/recalls/.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit delawarerelay.com .

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

###
Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social ServicesDivision of Public Health