In the news

The USDA/FSIS announced on December 22, 2023, that Scanga Meat Company (Salida, Colorado) recalled approximately 563 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. The raw ground beef products were produced on December 11, 2023. The products include 6-lb. plastic tubes containing “It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat OUR REGULAR GROUND BEEF”;  1-lb. plastic chubs containing “SCANGA MEAT HAMBURGER”; and 1-lb. plastic trays containing “It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat GROUND ROUND.” These items were sold at the establishment’s retail location and shipped to restaurant locations in Colorado. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing, and the sampling results showed the presence of E. coli O103. There has been no reported illness due to consumption of these products. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/scanga-meat-company-recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e–coli-o103

The FSA reported on December 22, 2024, that Route des Terroirs recalled Morbier Maison Monts & Terroirs Chalet De Vevy Raw Cows’ Milk Cheese because Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) has been found in some batches of this product. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-49-2023

The FDA reported on December 21, 2023, that Blue Ridge Beef recalled all lot numbers and used by dates between N24 1124 to N24 1224 of their 2 lb log of Kitten Grind UPC 8 54298 00101 6; 2lb log of Kitten Mix UPC 8 54298 00143 6 and their 2lb log of Puppy Mix UPC 8 54298 00169 6 due to contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. On 12/15/2023, the firm was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that one lot of each of the products was sampled and tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. However, out of caution, the firm recalls all lots with the used by dates between N24 1124 and N24 1224. No illnesses have been reported to date. The products were distributed between 11/14/2023 – 12/20/2023. These products were packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in CT, MA, MD, NC, NY, PA & VA retail stores. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-blue-ridge-beef-kitten-grind-blue-ridge-kitten-mix-and-blue?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A publication in Food Protection (Vol 87, 1, January 2024) from ConAgra researchers developed a method for cultural confirmation following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes presumptive positive. The alternative method takes 2 days instead of 3-7 days. The alternative confirmation method consisted of two components: (i) a secondary screen using a different rapid method and (ii) concurrent cultural isolation followed by next-day colony identification. Four food matrices (hot dogs, peanut butter, frozen vegetables, and multi-component frozen meals) were inoculated with low levels (0.36–1.39 MPN/125 g) of L. monocytogenes. Analyses started with a PCR primary screen (Bio-Rad iQ-Check Listeria monocytogenes II). Enriched food samples underwent a secondary screen by bioMérieux’s GENE-UP LMO2 Real-Time PCR, VIDAS LMX ELFA, and streaking onto RAPID’L.mono Agar. Presumptive positive L. monocytogenes colonies were identified utilizing a high throughput rapid identification method (Hygiena’s BAX SystemL. Monocytogenes Real-Time PCR assay, Neogen’s ANSR isothermal nucleic acid amplification assay, and Bruker’s MALDI Biotyper). Overall, there was no statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between the number of L. monocytogenes-positive obtained by the cultural reference method and the alternative confirmation methods (regardless of which method combinations were evaluated). Additionally, this study supports that when the primary and secondary screen methods yield a positive result, the sample could be considered a confirmed positive for L. monocytogenes. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068771