In the news

The FDA reported that a previous press release was issued on 08/19/2024. This updated press release includes information on the addition of Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon to the recall. Gutierrez Distributor (Passaic, NJ)  is recalling El Servidor Corp and Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon because it can potentially be contaminated with elevated lead levels. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. El Servidor Corp ground cinnamon was distributed to retail stores in New York starting on January 14, 2024. Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon was sold to cash and carry customers. The product comes in a 1.5-ounce clear plastic bag. The recall resulted from a sample analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated lead levels. The company has ceased producing and distributing the product as the FDA and the company continue investigating what caused the problem. 

New Zealand Food Safety reported that Delmaine has recalled Delmaine Fine Foods and Woolworths-brand antipasto products due to a risk of Listeria monocytogenes. The recall includes 16 products, from olive mixes to marinated feta and sundried tomato mixes. New Zealand Food Safety said the products should not be eaten and should be thrown out immediately or returned to the place of purchase for a refund. The products are sold in 150g, 160g, 180g, 190g, 200g, or 215g plastic containers, 270g Jar or various weights sold in store from the Woolworths Deli Counter. There have been no reports of illness. 

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup infections with 551 illnesses in 34 states and the District of Columbia (AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV). As reported by CDC, this outbreak is over as of August 22, 2024. Laboratory, epidemiological, and traceback data have determined that cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Thomas Produce Company, of Boca Raton, Florida, are likely sources of illnesses in this outbreak. However, these growers do not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak. Bedner Growers, Inc.’s and Thomas Produce Company’s cucumber growing and harvesting season is over. There is no product from these farms on the market, and there is likely no ongoing risk to the public. FDA conducted an onsite inspection at Bender Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company and collected samples. Salmonella Braenderup was detected in samples of canal water at both farms. WGS analysis determined that the water used by Thomas Produce Company contained Salmonella, which matches a strain of Salmonella Braenderup that caused some of the illnesses in this outbreak. The water used by Bedner Growers, Inc. also contained Salmonella, which was a match to a different strain of Salmonella Braenderup that caused some of the illnesses in this outbreak. Additional types of Salmonella were detected in both soil and water samples collected at Bedner Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company. Multiple other strains of Salmonella, unrelated to this outbreak investigation, found at Bedner Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company matched clinical isolates from illnesses in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database that occurred in 2024 and previous years. 

The FDA reported that Authentik Fudge (Sainte-Julie, Quebec, Canada) recalled 840 Chocolate Fudge with Nuts branded MONTREAL FUDGE due to the potential of mold growth. The recalled Fudge with nuts branded MONTREAL FUDGE were distributed on 2024-06-19 and 2024-06-20 through MARSHALLS and sold in the retail chains TJ MAXX was sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. MARSHALLS was sold in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The product is packaged in a MONTREAL FUDGE gable box, Chocolate Fudge with nuts 5.6 Oz marked with lot 0241500805 with an expiration date of 2025/MR/01, lot 0241690105 with an expiration date of 2025/MR/17, and lot 0241690205 with an expiration date of 2025/MR/17, on the back of the box. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The company initiated this recall after a consumer complained about some mold pieces inside the purchased box. The company also found some remaining unpacked sealed products at the manufactured place that had beginning signs of mold.