The Food and Drug Administration has released an update concerning the ongoing outbreak of Salmonella linked to recalled Italian sausage products. The FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, are working closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and other states in the investigation.
To date, the CDC reports 213 people have been infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Montevideo in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Although the source of Salmonella contamination has not been definitively identified, Daniele International Inc. has recalled a variety of ready-to-eat Italian style meats in response to the outbreak.
According to the FDA, recent samples of black pepper collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health at Daniele International Inc. tested positive for Salmonella. One sample from an open container matched the outbreak strain. The remaining supply of pepper testing positive for Salmonella has been voluntarily placed on hold by both of Daniele’s suppliers, Mincing Oversees Spice and Wholesome Spice. Both companies import fresh pepper from Vietnam.
Vietnam denies any of the contaminated products originated from Vietnam suppliers, claiming the pepper must have become contaminated during processing at the Daniele Inc. plant.
The FDA is continuing the investigation into the supply chain of black pepper used in the manufacturing of the recalled meat products to see if it poses a risk to consumers. The agency has collected and is currently analyzing both domestic and imported black pepper samples. To date, all the samples collected and analyzed by the FDA have tested negative for Salmonella.
Sources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA updates statement on the investigation into the Salmonella Montevideo outbreak,” http://media-newswire.com/release_1112056.html; 09 Feb. 2010.
Food Safety News. “Vietnam: Pepper not contaminated,” http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/02/vietnam-says-its-pepper-is-not-contaminated/; 09 Feb. 2010.
