No source yet for new Salmonella outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration has identified a new outbreak of Salmonella infections.

On April 10, the agency reported 11 patients in the outbreak, but did not report where the patients live. The FDA has begun traceback efforts, but has not reported which food or foods are being traced.

The FDA’s only other active investigation at this time concerns lead in cinnamon used in the children’s applesauce product market. On April 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 519 children in 44 states had elevated lead levels after eating the affected cinnamon applesauce.

All cinnamon applesauce sold under the Wanabana, Schnucks and Weis brand names has been recalled. The cinnamon applesauce in question was produced by Astrofoods in Ecuador, with the cinnamon supplied by a third party.

Officials at the FDA have said the current theory is that the cinnamon was deliberately contaminated with lead to make it heavier and therefore more profitable.

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