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The FDA is advising consumers and retailers not to eat, sell, or serve products distributed by Pan-African Food Distributors of Louisville, Kentucky. A May 2025 FDA inspection of the firm’s distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky revealed the presence of an active rodent infestation and numerous rodent droppings on multiple product containers. The state of Kentucky has mandated the firm halt operations due to the absence of a required permit and has implemented a blanket quarantine of product. The state is urging the voluntary disposal of all contaminated food and will prohibit the business from reopening until the infestation is completely addressed. FDA has recommended Pan-African Food Distributors recall all products of concern currently on the market, and the firm has agreed. FDA is issuing this public health alert to notify the customers and consumers about the public health risk that these products pose. Retailers and distributors that purchased or received products described below from Pan-African Food Distributors should not sell or serve potentially contaminated products and should clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated products.   @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-consumers-retailers-and-distributors-not-eat-sell-or-serve-products-pan-african-food?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Scientists from the FDA published in the Journal of Food Protection. (Vol 88, issue 7, June 2025) “An Overview of Farm Investigation Findings Associated with Outbreaks of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infections Linked to Leafy Greens: 2009–2021.”  The authors emphasize that leafy greens are a reoccurring source of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreaks. They summarize data from farm investigations following STEC outbreaks linked to leafy greens conducted by the FDA, CDC, and state and local partners from 2009 to 2021. Between 2009 and 2021, there were 49 STEC outbreaks associated with leafy greens; 37 of these were linked to a specific type of leafy green. Traceback investigations were conducted for 25, and farm investigations for 17.  Seven outbreaks were traced back to a single farm, and 10 were traced back to multiple farms. Environmental samples collected per investigation increased over time, and farm investigations since 2018 included a more diverse collection of environmental sample types. The outbreak strain was identified in 6 of 17 investigations through genomic analysis, although sample and testing methods changed over time, thereby increasing the sensitivity for pathogen detection. Improved traceability in the supply chain can help identify individual farms for investigations and targeted product actions. Continued grower outreach, education, and adoption of regulations and best practices can help improve the safety of leafy greens. Research to address food safety gaps can help minimize the impact of future outbreaks. @ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100542

The FDA reported that following a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., Albertsons Companies (Boise, Idaho) has voluntarily recalled three store-made deli items supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Salmonella contamination. The three products are (i) Salad Greek Authentic FS, sold from ACME, Safeway, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market stores in the US states of CT, DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, and VA with sell-thru dates from May 23, 2025 to May 24, 2025. (ii) Ready Meals Salad Greek SS, sold from Shaw’s and Star Market stores in the US states of MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT with sell-thru dates from May 20, 2025 to May 24, 2025. (iii) Salad Greek FS, sold from Shaw’s and Star Market stores in the US states of MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT with sell-thru dates from May 20, 2025 to May 24, 2025. The recall was initiated because these products contain a recalled cucumber ingredient grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida. The three store-made deli items were available for purchase at the following stores: ACME, Balducci’s Food Lovers Market, Kings Food Markets, Safeway, Shaw’s, and Star Market. These stores are located in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-three-store-made-deli-items-containing-recalled-cucumber

The FSA reported that Castelli UK (Sevenoaks, England) had recalled Le Superbe Raclette Cheese, which was sold exclusively at Tesco Stores from the British marketplace, due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The cheese was sold in 150 gram plastic-wrapped flats with a best-before date of 12 May 2025. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-22-2025