The recent wave of salmonella-related recalls has heightened awareness about food safety and what consumers need to know about foodborne illnesses.
Whether linked to eggs, milk powder and more recently, jalapenos, salmonella contamination can trigger widespread recalls — sometimes before a single illness is reported – that affect multiple companies and retailers.
Just this year, there have already been three major recalls involving products sold nationwide due to potential Salmonella contamination, including a recall of jalapeños linked to an outbreak that resulted in 345 reported cases across 27 states, including Texas.
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Grocery stores like H-E-B, Kroger, Target, Aldi and Whole Foods have pulled items from their shelves as federal food safety and health entities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention trace the origins of contamination and its trickle-down effects on consumers.
And while salmonella is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the U.S., that doesn’t mean every recall means there’s an outbreak
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Several recalls have been issued due to concerns over Salmonella contamination, with three major recalls that were made and resulted in some hospitalizations. Here’s what to know
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Jalapeños recall – Citrus Coast Distributors
Cases reported:
345 cases of salmonella across 27 states
Hospitalizations & deaths: 36 hospitalizations, no deaths reported
Investigation status: Ongoing
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Green powder products recall – Food To Live
Recall issued: Aug. 7
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:
Ongoing
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Pistachio nut butter recall – bettergoods
Recall issued: Aug. 3
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:
Ongoing
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Egg recall – Midwest Poultry Services
Recall issued: July 22
Cases reported: 98 cases of salmonella across 17 states, including Texas
Hospitalizations & deaths: 26 hospitalizations, no deaths reported
Investigation status:
Ongoing
Powdered milk and buttermilk recall – California Dairies Inc.
Recall issued: April 20
Cases reported: No illnesses reported in connection with downstream recalls
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:FDA continues to list the event as a major product recall involving multiple downstream products
Powdered beverage mix recall – Ghirardelli
Recall issued: April 27
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Potato chips recall – Zapp’s & Dirty, Utz Quality Foods
Recall issued: May 4
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Sour cream and onion topping recall – Wildlife Seasoning
Recall issued: May 6
Cases reported: No illnesses or injuries reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Angel Specialty Products recall
Product: Royal Gold, Boba Time, Fanale and Denda specialty beverages
Recall issued: May 22
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Garlic croutons recall – Kroger
Product: Homestyle cheese garlic croutons
Recall issued: May 15
Cases reported: No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Pork King Good recall
Product:Sour Cream & Onion pork rinds and seasoning
Recall issued:
April 29
Cases reported:
No illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths:
No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:
Part of the California Dairies downstream recall event
Live it Up Super Greens recall
Product: Dietary supplement powder
Recall issued: Jan. 15
Cases reported: 131 cases across 38 states, including Texas
Hospitalizations & deaths: 36 hospitalizations, no deaths reported
Investigation status:Ended — outbreak declared over July 22
Spring & Mulberry recall
Product: Chocolate bars
Recall issued: Jan. 12; expanded Jan. 14 and May 8
Cases reported: No confirmed illnesses reported
Hospitalizations & deaths: No hospitalizations or deaths reported
Investigation status:Root-cause investigation identified a lot of date ingredient as the most likely
What is salmonella?
Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, an illness typically associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and fever, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The bacteria can contaminate food when proper hygiene and food-handling practices aren’t followed, including when hands, surfaces or utensils aren’t adequately washed between preparation steps
Eating raw or undercooked foods can also increase the risk of infection
Salmonella can also pass from animals to people, particularly through contact with animals such as poultry and reptiles. Pets that consume contaminated food may also introduce or spread the bacteria in the home
Recalls vs. outbreaks
Not all recalls made due to concerns over salmonella contamination mean an outbreak has occurred, the FDA’s website states.
A recall announcement means a product is to be removed from the shelves because there is reason to believe there is a health risk. This can happen if salmonella is found through routine sampling or testing, because an ingredient supplier identifies possible contamination, or because a product is connected to another recalled ingredient
An outbreak occurs when two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink
What are the symptoms of salmonella infection?
Symptoms of salmonellosis typically develop six hours to six days after infection and commonly include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Nausea, vomiting and headaches can also occur
In more severe cases, diarrhea can become bloody or severe enough to require hospitalization. In rare cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream or other parts of the body and can become life-threatening. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness
Salmonellosis typically lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment
How common are salmonella outbreaks?
Salmonellosis is the second leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. and is the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths from food poisoning, the FDA’s website states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 1.35 million cases of salmonellosis are reported annually, with 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.
Earlier this year, a salmonella outbreak reached 38 states, including Texas, and was linked to dietary supplements containing contaminated moringa leaf powder sold nationwide. The outbreak lead to 131 hospitalizations, however, no deaths were reported.
Between 2009 to 2015, there was a total of 896 salmonella outbreaks
