In the news

A study by North Carolina State University studied the persistence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella in residential broiler production systems and made comparisons with commercial systems. Ten backyard and 10 commercial farms were sampled at three time points across bird production. Both fecal (n = 10) and environmental (soil, n = 5, litter/compost, n = 5, feeder and waterer swabs, n = 6) samples were collected at each visit on days 10, 31, and 52 of production for backyard farms and days 10, 24, and 38 of production for commercial farms. Salmonella was more prevalent in commercial farm samples (52.31%) over backyard farms (19.10%). Kentucky was the most common serotype found in both backyard and commercial farms. Multidrug-resistant (MDR, resistance to ≥3 or more antimicrobial classes) isolates were found in both production systems. In contrast, ciprofloxacin- and nalidixic acid-resistant intermediate isolates were more prevalent in commercial (33%) than backyard samples (1%). Plasmids associated with MDR were found in Kentucky and Infantis isolates, particularly IncFIB(K)_1_Kpn3 megaplasmid (Infantis). Our study emphasizes the need to understand the selection pressures in disseminating megaplasmids in MDR Salmonella in distinct broiler production systems. @ https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/fpd.2023.0181

 Schnucks (St. Louis) recalled three types of cream cheeses (Schnucks Whip Cream Spread and Schnucks Cream Cheese Spread due to possible Salmonella contamination. The products were sold at the chain stores. No illnesses were reported. @ https://schnucks.com/news-releases/schnucks-recalls-three-cheese-spreads

The FDA reported that McCormick & Company (Hunt Valley, MD), Inc. has voluntarily recalled a batch of French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions due to the potential growth of Staphylococcus aureus (SA). The recall was initiated on March 18 and reported by the FDA on May 2. The recalled products are 720 pouches of 26.5-ounce French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions and 3,456 units of six-ounce French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions. The recalled products were distributed to Arizona and Illinois. The FDA recall reports do not disclose whether the products were further distributed to stores beyond these two states or whether the recalled products were removed from store shelves. The recall was initiated on March 18, 2024, and is ongoing. @ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/mccormick-frenchs-recalls-may-8642887

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC recalled a limited number of two PLANTERS® products produced at one of its facilities in April. This recall only impacts two retailers in five states. These products are being recalled because they can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were shipped to Publix distribution warehouses in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina, as well as to Dollar Tree distribution warehouses in South Carolina and Georgia. The recalled product is limited to 4 oz. packages of PLANTERS® Honey Roasted Peanuts and 8.75 oz cans of PLANTERS® Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts. There have been no reports of illness related to this recall, and all retailers that received the affected product have been properly notified. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hormel-foods-sales-llc-recalls-limited-number-plantersr-honey-roasted-peanuts-4-oz-and-plantersr