In the news

The CFIA announced that its test result and a customer complaint caused the recall of Meta brand Enoki mushrooms due to Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the product. Lian Teng Produces Inc. distributed the product in Canada. The product was mainly distributed in Ontario. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/meta-brand-enoki-mushroom-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

The University at Albany researchers have been awarded $611,000 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop a new, fast-acting tool for Salmonella detection. If successful, the test will reduce the time it takes to detect Salmonella in food from days to hours, making it possible to quickly implement preemptive measures to prevent human illness and lost revenue. The proposed research is developing an ultra-sensitive, nanotechnology-enabled approach for rapid Salmonella detection that can easily be used anywhere without special instrumentation. This project will focus on Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium, the predominant serotypes responsible for half of all human infections in the U.S. The system will make it easy for anyone suspecting contamination to test a sample and receive verified results within six hours. Central to this work is developing a novel detection approach that relies on nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. The proposed diagnostic kit will include pre-filled vials, allowing the user to easily add their sample and induce the chemical reaction necessary to determine Salmonella presence or absence. When the processing is complete, color-coded results (purple/positive or red/negative) will be visible in a test-tube solution or on a paper test strip. The team is further exploring the development of an image analysis system, integrating machine learning techniques to interpret the color patterns exhibited on the nanoarray test strip. The team’s nano-diagnostic system will also serve as a template for foodborne bacterial detection beyond Salmonella, marking a significant step forward in the field of food safety. @ 

https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2024-ualbany-scientists-receive-usda-funding-develop-color-changing-salmonella

Irvington Seafood (Irvington, AL) recalled its 1 lb. packages of “Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat” because they can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled “Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat” was distributed to distributors in Alabama and Mississippi. Products may end up in retail seafood markets or restaurants. The product comes in 1 lb. tubs. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Kevin Sakprasit received Finish Product Testing results on May 17, 2024, at 4:31 pm Central from EMSL Analytical, Inc. Crabmeat was processed on May 12, 2024, and tested positive for L. monocytogenes. 94 samples were taken on May 13, 2024: 23 samples of Jumbo, 24 samples of Lump, 24 samples of Fingers, and 23 samples of Claw meat. Based on the lab report, 12 samples of Claw meat and 2 samples of Fingers that were taken came back positive. The production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/irvington-seafood-recalls-crabmeat-jumbo-lump-finger-and-claw-meat-because-possible-health-risk-0?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that the press release of Palmer Candy was updated to include additional best-by dates of the products, such as Caramel Swirl Pretzels 4oz, Cookies & Cream Yummy Chow 14#, Munchy Medley 4oz, Peanut Butter Snack Mix 12oz, Vanilla Yogurt Covered Pretzels 10oz, Zebra Fudge Cookies 7oz, and to include the following two items: Patriotic White Fudge Cookies 13.5oz, and Drizzled Caramel Corn 5oz and 12oz. The recalled confectionary items were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target, Dollar General, and to distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The product comes in various retail packaging like bags, pouches, and tubs. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was potential contamination with Salmonella from an ingredient that was potentially contaminated by one of their suppliers. Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/update-palmer-candy-company-recall-white-confectionary-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery