In the news

In Canada, the CFIA and Poppies Bakeries LLC have announced a recall of Poppies-brand Mini Éclairs due to contamination with generic E. coli. The issue was identified during routine testing. The recalled product was sold in 455 g packages, and a best-before date of 2026 AL 03. The recall notice didn’t mention whether or not any illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The Éclairs pastries were sold in British Columbia and Ontario at the retail level. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/poppies-brand-mini-eclairs-recalled-due-generic-e-coli

The FDA and CDC, state and local partners, investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Lyons Ready Care and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes manufactured by Prairie Farms from the Prairie Farms Dairy facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Residents in long-term care facilities were given frozen supplement shakes found to be contaminated with a strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The outbreak sickened at least 42 people, 41 were hospitalized, and led to 14 deaths. In response to this investigation, Lyons Magnus LLC (a food service industry provider headquartered in Fresno, California ) voluntarily recalled 4 oz. Lyons Ready Care and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes with best by dates of 022125 to 022126 (February 21, 2025 – February 21, 2026). At this time, no frozen supplemental shakes should be available on the market. States with Cases are AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WA, and WV. Product Distribution: Nationwide. The products were not sold at retail stores, and none of the shakes should be available on the market. The CDC considers this outbreak over, and the FDA’s outbreak investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-frozen-supplemental-shakes-february-2025

The USDA/ FSIS issued a public health alert for Rachel’s Food Corp. RTE chicken and bacon wrap products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase. The RTE chicken and bacon ranch wrap products were produced on May 2, 2025. The product was sold in 10-oz. clear plastic clamshell packages containing “Big Y quick easy meals CHICKEN BACON RANCH WRAP” with “Sell By 05/07/2025” and lot code 25122. The products were shipped to distributors in Massachusetts and New York and further distributed to retail locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. The problem was discovered when a state public health partner notified FSIS of a product sample that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.  @ 

The CDC published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), May 15, 2025 / 74(17);293–295, that during December 2023–March 2024, an outbreak of Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infection linked to contaminated charcuterie-style meats in 33 states. Early usage of purchase records identified a common charcuterie product from one company and enabled a swift recall. On December 19, 2023, CDC’s PulseNet identified a cluster of 13 Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infections in five states that were found to be highly related by WGS, indicating a possible outbreak. The report describes the largest US infectious outbreak associated with charcuterie-style meats since 2010. Consumer purchase records were successfully used for hypothesis generation in this outbreak investigation and provided a critical foundation for traceback activities. Coupled with patient interview information, the use of purchase records enabled rapid identification and recall of contaminated products 17 days after the investigation began, likely preventing additional cases of illness. Purchase records are important tools supporting epidemiologic and traceback efforts and can facilitate the implementation of prompt regulatory action. @ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7417a2.htm#:~:text=During%20December%202023%E2%80%93March%202024,and%20enabled%20a%20swift%20recall.