Update - Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Duisburg and Urbana: Jule's Cashew Brie (April 2021)

Outbreak Investigations & Safety Advisories Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition  The following is an update from FDA of concern to our subscribers. Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Duisburg and Urbana: Jule's Cashew Brie (April 2021) May 7, 2021 The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Duisburg and Salmonella Urbana infections linked to the consumption of Jule's Cashew Brie, a vegan, or plant-based cheese alternative. On April 23, 2021, Jule's Foods of Carlsbad, California, conducted a voluntary recall of all varieties of Jule's Foods products. As of May 7, 2021, seven people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Duisburg and Salmonella Urbana have been reported from three states. As part of this investigation, investigators from the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) collected product samples of Jule's Cashew Brie. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis, or DNA fingerprinting, conducted independently by both TDH and CDPH determined that the samples of Jule's Cashew Brie were contaminated with the same strain of Salmonella Urbana that made people sick. FDA investigators collected samples of several ingredients, in-process (or aging) products, and finished cashew-based products at the Jule's Foods facility. Samples of un-opened, raw cashews collected from the Jule's Foods facility also tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella Urbana as the TDH and CDPH product samples and two California clinical isolates. Based on FDA traceback investigation and these sample results, the cashews have been identified as the likely source of contamination in the Jule's Cashew Brie products. The FDA is working with the firm that supplied the cashews to ensure that all potentially contaminated product has been withdrawn from the market. When notified about the potential contamination of their product by the FDA, the firm that supplied cashews to Jule's Foods contacted their customers to request that the product be removed from use. The firm reported that it does not sell products directly to consumers. The FDA will continue to work with the supplier of cashews to determine if additional lots/products may have been affected. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Recommendation Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Jule's Foods products. Consumers should throw away recalled Jule's Foods products or return to the place of purchase for a refund. FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received recalled Jule's brand products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, and storage bins. Read the full update Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Help This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Food and Drug Administration ·  10903 New Hampshire Ave · Silver Spring, MD ·  20993-0002 ·  1-888-INFO-FDA