In the news

Food Safety News reported that Federal officials confirmed another E. coli outbreak that they had previously not revealed to the public.  At least four states have reported E. coli O157:H7 cases with confirmed patients, who ate at fast food locations, were lettuce on Subway sandwiches, according to a source close to the investigation.  Neither the FDA nor the CDC would confirm that Subway products are involved.  “No new illnesses have been reported since the CDC initially identified this cluster, and the outbreak is over. CDC is continuing to work with the FDA to identify the source of the outbreak.” The four states are Nevada, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, according to a source close to the investigation. Spokespeople from FDA and CDC told Food Safety News that because they believed all of the implicated romaine had passed expiration dates by the time the outbreak was discovered, agency officials did not think the public needed to know. @ https://w...

The FDA announced on their website that Lipari Foods is expanding their January 6, 2020, and January 13, 2020, recalls of Premo and Fresh Grab sandwiches to include all sandwiches with a Best By date of 2/6/20 and prior, due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.  The products were distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods in Warren, Michigan to foodservice and retail stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. This recall was brought to Lipari’s attention by JLM Manufacturing (of Shelbi, MI) after environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and as a result, further expanding their recent recall to include additional sandwiches with additional Best Buy dates. The company has ceased production at the producing facility while continuing to work in close collaboration with the FDA to further investigate the issu...

The FDA advised consumers to stop using certain lots of Nopalina Flax Seed Fiber (powder) and Nopalina Flax Seed Fiber (capsules) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The FDA collected a product sample of senna leaves powder, an ingredient used to manufacture the Nopalina Flax Seed Fiber (powder) and Nopalina Flax Seed Fiber (capsules), that tested positive for three types of Salmonella including Salmonella Gaminara, Salmonella Kentucky, and Salmonella Oranienburg. The FDA notified the firm of the results. To date, we are not aware of illness linked to these products. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/public-health-alert-concerning-nopalina-flax-seed-powder-and-nopalina-flax-seed-capsules-and?utm_campaign=Outbreak_SalmonellaFlaxSeed_01232020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA announced on its website that Northern FishFive Star Food Inc, Garden City, MI is recalling 100 cases of Excellent tahina 800 g and 100 cases of excellent tahina 400 g containers because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed in states of Michigan, Ohio, New York, Florida, North Dakota, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas and is sold in 800 grams and in 400 grams. Expiration dates (Best By Nov 2020) are printed on the lid of the container. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the Sham Gardens Tahini. This potential problem was discovered as a result of random sampling by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/five-star-food-recalls-sham-gardens-excellent-tahina-because-possible-health-risk