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          FDA Sampling Fresh Herbs, Guacamole and Processed AvocadoCFSAN Constituent Updates FDA Sampling Fresh Herbs, Guacamole and Processed Avocado
  
  	
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**February 5, 2021**

As of January 12, 2021, the FDA has resumed the fresh herbs sampling assignment and will be collecting imported cilantro and parsley samples. The assignment had been paused due to COVID-19 and we anticipate completing it this spring. After we finish collecting and analyzing the herb samples, we will publish the results in a final report.

Please note that we already concluded the processed avocado and guacamole sampling assignment at the close of fiscal year 2019. We are completing analyses of the results and will publish a final report.

For more details, please see Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY18-19 Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Basil & Parsley) and Processed Avocado and Guacamole Assignments.


Previous Constituent Update

**October 9, 2020**

As of March 31, 2020, the agency had collected and tested 1,272 samples of fresh herbs (759 domestic and 513 imported). The agency plans to collect 1,600 fresh herbs samples (761 domestic, and 839 of international origin) under this assignment.

Of the fresh herb samples, 15 tested positive for *Salmonella*(6 domestic, 9 import), and 10 tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli*(STEC) (5 domestic, 5 import). Further study showed that only one of the domestic STEC positive samples was pathogenic, and that all others did not have the potential to cause severe illness. The FDA did not detect *E. coli*O157:H7 in any of the fresh herb samples. In July 2018, the FDA also began testing its fresh herb samples for *Cyclospora cayetanensis* given that *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur during the summer. The agency detected *Cyclospora*in 17 of the 691 fresh herbs samples tested (5 domestic, 12 import).

The current fresh herbs sampling assignment is on pause while travel restrictions and social distancing measures make it temporarily impractical to continue most surveillance sampling work. The assignment is expected to resume when it is safe to do so, and an analysis of the data and final report will be provided at the conclusion of the study.

The FDA concluded its collection of processed avocado and guacamole samples with the close of fiscal year 2019. The agency has recently begun its analysis of the processed avocado and guacamole samples and the results will be published in the final report.

**February 11, 2020**

As of September 30, 2019, the FDA has tested 1,214 fresh herb samples (746 domestic, 468 import). As of October 15, 2019, the FDA has tested 887 processed avocado or guacamole samples (777 domestic, 110 import).

Of the fresh herb samples, 13 tested positive for *Salmonella*(4 domestic, 9 import), and nine tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli*(STEC) (4 domestic, 5 imported). Further study showed that the STEC were incapable of causing severe illness. The FDA did not detect*E. coli*O157:H7 in any of the fresh herb samples. The FDA also began testing its fresh herb samples for *Cyclospora cayetanensis*in July 2018, given that *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur during the summer. The agency detected *Cyclospora*in 16 of the 666 fresh herbs samples tested (4 domestic, 12 imported). With respect to the fresh herb samples, testing is still underway. No conclusions can be drawn at this time.

Of the processed avocado or guacamole samples, 15 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*(13 domestic, 2 import), and two tested positive for *Salmonella*(both domestic samples). The FDA concluded its collection of processed avocado and guacamole samples with the close of fiscal year 2019. The FDA has recently begun its analysis of the processed avocado and guacamole samples and the results will be published in the final report.

**February 23, 2018**

In its continued efforts to protect consumers and ensure food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun testing fresh cilantro, parsley and basil, as well as processed avocado and guacamole, for certain microbial contaminants. These two large-scale sampling assignments will help the FDA assess the rates of bacterial contamination in these commodities, as well as help to identify possible common factors among the positive samples.

The FDA plans to collect 1,600 samples for each assignment. As of January 1, 2018, the agency had collected 35 domestic samples (4.6 percent) and 104 import samples (12.4 percent) of the total for fresh herbs. None of the domestic samples tested positive. Of the 104 import samples tested, 4 tested positive for *Salmonella*, 3 tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing *E. coli*, and none tested positive for *E. coli* 0157:H7.

As of January 1, 2018, the agency had collected 58 domestic samples (7.3 percent) and 49 import samples (6.1 percent) of the totals for processed avocado/guacamole. Of the 58 domestic samples tested, 3 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*. Of the 49 imported samples, 1 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*. It is important to note that no conclusions about overall contamination rates can be made until all of the data are collected, validated and analyzed.

If samples are found to be positive for microbial hazards, the FDA will pursue an appropriate regulatory and enforcement option, which may include encouraging a voluntary recall, ordering a mandatory recall, ordering administrative detention to prevent food from being distributed, issuing public warnings to alert consumers to the potential danger, or, in the case of imported products, refusing their entry into the United States and subjecting future shipments to an import alert. In the case of the positive samples identified in the first quarter of data collection, imported products capable of causing disease were prevented from entry into the United States and domestic products were voluntarily recalled.

The agency chose to sample fresh herbs because they are typically eaten without having undergone a ‘kill step,’ such as cooking, to reduce or eliminate bacteria. These herbs are also often eaten as part of multi-ingredient foods, and thus people may not report having eaten them when they become ill.

From 1996 to 2015, the FDA reported nine foodborne outbreaks linked to basil, parsley and cilantro, which resulted in 2,699 illnesses and 84 hospitalizations. Of the nine outbreaks, seven were attributed to *Cyclospora cayetanensis*; one was attributed to *E. coli*O157:H7; and one was attributed to *Shigella sonnei*. The FDA is seeking to obtain baseline estimates of the prevalence of *Salmonella* and Shiga toxin-producing *E. coli*(STEC) in cilantro, basil and parsley. The agency also intends to test for *Cyclospora cayetanensis* during the summer months, when  *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur.

The agency chose to sample processed avocado because avocados have a high moisture content and a non-acidic pH level, conditions that can support the growth of harmful bacteria. Processed avocado products, including avocado that is fresh cut, refrigerated and frozen, may be packaged and eaten without having undergone a ‘kill step’ prior to consumption. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 12 outbreaks of foodborne illness related to avocado, avocado products or guacamole products from 2005 to 2015. Of those 12 outbreaks, nine involved *Salmonella* and three involved *E. coli*, resulting in 525 illnesses and 23 hospitalizations. Though no *Listeria* outbreaks were reported in connection with avocados from 2005 to 2015, a recent sampling assignment by the FDA detected *Listeria monocytogenes* in samples collected from the fruit’s pulp and skin. The agency is seeking data on the prevalence of *Salmonella* and *Listeria monocytogenes* in processed avocado and processed avocado products.

The  assignments are anticipated to last 18 months. The agency will post results on a quarterly basis and also post a comprehensive report once sampling and analysis is complete.

**September 20, 2019**

As of July 1, 2019, the FDA has tested 958 fresh herb samples (521 domestic, 437 import), and 685 processed avocado or guacamole samples (584 domestic, 101 import). Testing for all pathogens is still underway and no conclusions can be drawn at this time.

Of the fresh herb samples, 12 tested positive for *Salmonella*(4 domestic, 8 import), and seven tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli*(STEC). Further study showed that the STEC were incapable of causing severe illness. The FDA did not detect*E. coli*O157:H7 in any of the fresh herb samples. Of the processed avocado or guacamole samples, 13 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*(11 domestic, 2 import), and two tested positive for *Salmonella*(both domestic samples).

The FDA also began testing its fresh herb samples for *Cyclospora cayetanensis*in July 2018, given that *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur during the summer. The agency detected *Cyclospora cayetanensis*in two of the 221 samples of domestically grown fresh herbs, and in eight of the 205 samples of imported fresh herbs. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working together to prevent illnesses caused by *Cyclospora*.

**April 4, 2019**

As of January 1, 2019, the FDA has tested 747 fresh herb samples (441 domestic, 306 import), and 526 processed avocado or guacamole samples (435 domestic, 91 import). Of the fresh herb samples, nine tested positive for *Salmonella*(4 domestic, 5 import), and six tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli*(STEC), with further characterization determining that the STEC were incapable of causing severe illness. The FDA did not detect*E. coli*O157:H7 in any of the fresh herb samples that it tested. Of the processed avocado or guacamole samples, 11 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes*(9 domestic, 2 import), and two tested positive for *Salmonella*(both domestic samples).

The FDA also began testing its fresh herb samples for *Cyclospora cayetanensis* in July 2018, given that *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur during the summer. The agency detected *Cyclospora cayetanensis*in two of the 141 samples of domestically grown fresh herbs tested, and in four of the 74 samples of imported fresh herbs tested. Testing for all pathogens is still underway and no conclusions can be drawn at this time.

**December 7, 2018**

As of October 1, 2018, the FDA has tested 683 fresh herb samples (407 domestic, 276 import), and 474 processed avocado or guacamole samples (386 domestic, 88 import). Of the fresh herb samples, nine tested positive for *Salmonella*(4 domestic, 5 import), and six tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli* (STEC), with further characterization determining that the STEC were incapable of causing severe illness. The FDA did not detect *E. coli*O157:H7 in any of the fresh herb samples that it tested. Of the processed avocado or guacamole samples, 11 tested positive for *Listeria monocytogenes* (9 domestic, 2 import). The FDA did not detect *Salmonella* in any of the samples of processed avocado or guacamole.

The FDA also began testing its fresh herb samples for *Cyclospora cayetanensis* in July given that *Cyclospora*-related illnesses typically occur during the summer. The agency detected *Cyclospora cayetanensis* in two of the 107 samples of domestically grown fresh herbs tested, and in two of the 44 samples of imported fresh herbs tested. Testing for all pathogens is still underway and no conclusions can be drawn at this time.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      02/05/2021
              
              
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