In the news

FSIS, the CDC, and state public health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak. The state of Minnesota tested the unopened, intact, charcuterie sampler that led to this recall, and the results showed it was positive for the outbreak strain. Further traceback of the charcuterie meat used to produce the recalled products is ongoing. These items were shipped to Sam’s Club distribution centers in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for Salmonella. FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fratelli-beretta-usa-inc–recalls-busseto-foods-brand-ready-eat-charcuterie-meat

On May 15, 2024, the FDA posted on its website its determination that tara flour in human food does not meet the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) standard and is an unapproved food additive. The FDA must authorize any ingredient used or intended for use in food for use as a food additive unless that use is GRAS. An unapproved food additive is deemed to be unsafe under the FD&C Act. In 2022, Daily Harvest used tara flour in a leek and lentil crumble product associated with roughly 400 adverse event reports. The firm took prompt action to voluntarily recall the product and conduct its root cause analysis, during which it identified tara flour as a possible contributor to the illnesses. To date, the FDA has found no evidence that tara flour caused the outbreak; however, it did prompt the agency to evaluate the regulatory status of this food ingredient. The FDA’s evaluation revealed insufficient data on the use of tara flour in food or a history of its safe use, so GRAS should be considered. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-update-post-market-assessment-tara-flour

News networks reported that CN Frozen Foods, Inc. of Coral Gables, Florida, recalled Sysco Classic Riced Cauliflower after the product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. According to the details posted online by the FDA, the recall was initiated on April 27, 2024, and is ongoing. The Sysco Classic Riced Cauliflower is packed in a 4lb plastic bag (6 units of 4 lb. per carton box). The recalled product was sold in Texas, and it was packaged as Sysco Classic Riced Cauliflower. The recall impacted 3,240 cases of the product with a Best-By Date of 05/2025. @ https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/riced-cauliflower-recalled-over-listeria-concerns/ar-BB1mnCiD

A research letter by scientists from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the CDC published a letter in Emerging Infectious Diseases ( vol30, June 2024)claims that Food irradiation can reduce foodborne illnesses but is rarely used in the United States. The letter claims that outbreaks related to Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes were linked to irradiation-eligible foods. Of 482 outbreaks, 155 (32.2%) were linked to an irradiation. The FDA has approved various foods for irradiation, including meat, poultry, fresh shell eggs, and spices. However, irradiation has not been widely adopted in the United States because of high fixed costs and the perception of consumer unwillingness to purchase irradiated food. Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes are among the most common bacterial foodborne pathogens causing illnesses, hospitalizations, and death in the United States and can be neutralized by irradiation. The study identified 2,153 foodborne outbreaks during 2009–2020 caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria monocytogenes. Of those, 482 (22.4%) and 155 (32.2%) were linked to a food eligible for irradiation. The illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths associated with outbreaks linked to irradiation-eligible foods might have been prevented or reduced had these foods been irradiated. @ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/6/23-0922_article#:~:text=Food%20irradiation%20has%20been%20studied,life%20(1%2C2)

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