FDA is Sampling Fresh Herbs, Guacamole and Processed Avocado for Pathogens

From January 1 to April 4, 2019, the FDA has tested 441 domestic, 306 import fresh herb samples (total of 747), Of these samples, 4 domestic, 5 import tested positive for Salmonella, and 6 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. FDA also tested 435 domestic, 91 import processed avocado or guacamole samples (total of 526). Of the processed avocado or guacamole samples, 11 tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (9 domestic, 2 import), and 2 domestic samples tested positive for Salmonella. 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 2 of the 141 samples of domestically grown fresh herbs tested, and in 4 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. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm597356.htm