In the news

The CFIA reported that Springbank Cheese Co.( Woodstock, Ontario) and Le Grand Fromage (Fernie, British Columbia) recalled Gorgonzola Truffle Italian Cheese products from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes. Le Grand Fromage Gorgonzola Truffle Italian Cheese was sold in various packages at 672E 2nd Ave, Box 1614 Fernie, British Columbia, from December 12 to 24, 2023. Springbank Cheese Gorgonzola Truffle Cheese was sold in variable size packages at Springbank Cheese Co. 7422 Crowfoot Rd NW, Calgary Alberta, from December 4 to 24, 2023, inclusively from December 12 to 24, 2023. The recalled products were sold in Alberta and British Columbia. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.@https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-gorgonzola-truffle-cheese-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

CORE update of December 28, 2023: the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes five activity cases. This week’s only change to the table is for the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198). The advisory was updated to include additional adverse event reports and investigation updates. As of December 26, 2023, the FDA has received 82 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA provided additional context about the amount of lead in testing results from cinnamon used as an ingredient in the recalled applesauce pouches. The FDA tested samples of the cinnamon collected from the Austrofoods manufacturing facility in Ecuador and used in the recalled applesauce pouches. The highest result was 5,110 parts per million (ppm), more than 2,000 times the level of 2.5 ppm being considered for bark spices (including cinnamon) by the international standard-setting body. The testing results for the sample of recalled WanaBana cinnamon apple puree pouch collected from Dollar Tree had a lead concentration of 2.18 ppm, which, for context, is more than 200 times greater than the action level of 0.01 ppm. No further products are being added to the recall at this time. The FDA and state partners have tested at least 136 samples of non-cinnamon-containing products, and all have been negative for elevated lead levels. As of December 26, 2023, the FDA has received 82 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products. To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom a complaint or adverse event was submitted and met the FDA’s complainant definition, are between zero and 53 years of age. As of December 22, the CDC has received reports of 73 confirmed cases, 157 probable cases, and 21 suspected cases for 251 cases from 34 different states through their reporting structure. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

According to the FSA, Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd (Goosnargh, Lancashire) has recalled Mrs. Kirkham’s branded Lancashire Cheese products from the British marketplace due to suspected Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (“STEC”) contamination. Four kinds of cheese purchased after October 1, 2023, are subject to the recall: (i) Mrs. Kirkham’s branded Mild & Creamy Lancashire; (ii) Mrs. Kirkham’s branded Tasty Lancashire Cheese; (iii) Mrs. Kirkham’s branded Mature Lancashire Cheese; and (iv) Mrs Kirkham’s branded Smoked Lancashire Cheese. The cheeses are s sold as a full block or served as individual portions. The cheese they have purchased is from the businesses and batches affected. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-50-2023