In the news

The FDA announced that a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel is over as of December 1, 2022. There have been a total of 24 illnesses in six states (FL (2), IA (2), KS (1), MI (13), OH (1), and WI (5)). The last illness onset was October 24, 2022. Five people were hospitalized, and one person died. On October 7, 2022, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected Earth Grown frozen falafel for testing from a sick person’s home. WGS done at the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services showed that the E. coli strain in the falafel sample was closely related to the strain causing illness in this outbreak. On October 6, 2022, the manufacturer of Earth Grown frozen falafel, Cuisine Innovations, initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products include Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel distributed and sold exclusively by ALDI. Additional information on recalled products is available in the firm’s recall notice. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o121h19-frozen-falafel-october-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Food Safe News reported that almost 200 people had been sickened in a multi-country Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak that has been ongoing for more than a year. 196 infections have been reported, with 89 people sick in Finland and 81 in the United Kingdom. Patients also live in the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Israel. Nineteen people were hospitalized, five had septicemia, and one in the UK died. Based on patient interviews from Finland and the UK, ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products or fresh chicken used in sandwiches and wraps are the likely sources of infection. Epidemiological data and microbiological data from WGS indicate several sources through different distribution chains, with a likely common source further up the supply chain. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/12/nearly-200-sick-in-eu-and-uk-salmonella-outbreak/?utm_source=Food+Safety+News&utm_campaign=c8a41c21fc-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f46cc10150-c8a41c21fc-40253059

In the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events as of December 1, 2022, the For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (reference #1127) linked to Enoki mushroom, the FDA has initiated sample collection and analysis. For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (reference #1113) in an unidentified product, one additional case has been added for a total case count of 270 cases, and the outbreak has ended. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Israeli Health Ministry recalled ten different types of Sabra hummus products produced by the Osem (the food manufacturing giant) after salmonella was identified in one of the production lines. The directive was issued for the various types and variations of Sabra hummus products whose labeled expiration date is December 26, 2022. Stores have been ordered to remove these products from their shelves, and customers that purchased them were warned against consuming them. The Health Ministry stated that Osem identified the salmonella in a routine exam at one of its factories and believed one of the raw materials was responsible for the contamination. @ https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-announces-mass-recall-of-sabra-hummus-over-salmonella-contamination/amp/