In the news

In Belgium, MARMA, in agreement with the AFSCA, is withdrawing the chocolate product “Classic style fairtrade (organic)” from the Ichoc brand from the market due to the possible presence of Salmonella. The Barry Callebaut Company said Thursday (July 24, 2025) that its plant in Wieze, which it says is the world’s largest chocolate factory, shut down all production lines as a precaution while the contamination is investigated. The Barry Callebaut factory produces chocolate for multiple brands sold worldwide. The Salmonella was detected on Monday (July 21, 2025), and all chocolate products made at the plant were placed on hold pending investigation, the company said. It identified lecithin, an emulsifier commonly used in chocolate production, as the source of the contamination. The Barry Callebaut Company reported that it informed Belgian food safety authorities and is contacting customers who might have contaminated products in their possession. There have been no reports of illness among customers resulting from the consumption of the product. The same product was also recalled in Finland. @ https://favv-afsca.be/fr/produits/rappel-de-marma-1

In Belgium, the Afsca reported that the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) and supplier Cérélia have recalled “Chef Select” puff pastries from Lidl supermarkets’ shelves due to a possible presence of Salmonella. Lidl Belgium asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of purchase. The product was sold through Lidl stores in Belgium. @ https://favv-afsca.be/fr/produits/rappel-de-cerelia

The FDA reported that W.W. Industrial Group, Inc. (NY) is recalling Parashore Pear Slices in juice, 15 oz, because they have the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead and cadmium. The product was distributed through Grocery Outlet stores in California and other Grocery Outlet stores across the US. The recalled product is packaged in a 15oz can and labeled as PARASHORE Pear Slices in Juice, 15oz (425 g). No illnesses have been reported as of 07/22/2025. The heavy metal contamination was discovered via sampling by the Maryland Department of Health. The company has recalled the products and is continuing an investigation to determine the cause. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ww-industrial-group-recalls-pear-slices-juice-due-elevated-levels-lead-and-cadmium?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

On July 16, 2025, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food informed the FDA of an outbreak of norovirus illnesses associated with the consumption of oysters from the Republic of Korea with Lot Code: B250112 harvested from Designated Area No. 1 in the ROK on January 12, 2025, and processed by JBR KR-15-SP in Tongyeong-si, ROK.  Wang Globalnet of Vernon, CA, recalled the product on July 21, 2025. The FDA issued an alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell, and consumers not to eat, frozen, raw, or half-shell oysters with Lot Code B250112, which were distributed in AZ, CA, CO, MT, and UT due to possible norovirus contamination. Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated frozen, raw, half-shell oysters. Consumers should not eat these potentially contaminated oysters. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-frozen-raw-1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery