In the news

On Thursday, July 5, 2025, Vincent Marino announced the recall of Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil due to histamine. Excessive histamine, or histamine intolerance, can impact multiple systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, skin, and nervous system. There have been reported reactions associated with the consumption of the product. The product is Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil, 80g/42g; UPC: 80268215; Lot #24171, Exp: 12/2025. The product was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and possibly other provinces and territories. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/vicente-marino-brand-anchovy-fillets-olive-oil-recalled-due-histamine?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

A publication by scientists from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in J Food Protection entitled “Challenge testing to determine growth of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh enoki mushrooms at 4°C and 10°C storage temperatures” demonstrates that L. monocytogenes can grow to high levels on enoki mushrooms at 4°C and 10°C. Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in enoki mushrooms imported from South Korea and China. The study used challenge tests to investigate the potential for harvested enoki mushrooms stored under refrigeration to support the growth of L. monocytogenes. Counts of L. monocytogenes rose significantly on enoki mushroom portions from 30 to 1000 CFU/g within 4 days at 10°C (n=202) and 9 days at 4°C (n=138). Curve fitting into the Baranyi growth model indicated a 100-fold increase in 3.7 days (10°C) and 8.8 days (4°C). A high prevalence of L. innocua was observed in imported enoki (15 of 18 lots), which is of concern as this species shares environmental niches with L. monocytogenes and thus poses a risk factor; therefore, monitoring for it should be promoted. L. monocytogenes growth on enokis was accelerated when residual enoki growth substrate was present, with a significant (p < 0.05) impact on L. monocytogenes levels by Day 2 at 10°C and Day 3 at 4°C, which prompts consideration for removing substrate before packaging. Finally, small-scale sampling suggests a lack of consistency in baseline contamination of L. monocytogenes among individual packages of the same lot, which is of interest with regard to sampling approaches for imported enoki mushrooms prior to retail. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X25001292

The USDA/FSIS reported that Kraft Heinz Foods Company (Newberry, S.C.) recalled approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The turkey bacon was produced from April 24, 2025, through June 11, 2025. The following products are subject to recall: (i) 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” with “use by” dates ranging from “18 JUL 2025” to “02 AUG 2025. (ii) 36-oz. packages containing three 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” with “use by” dates ranging “23 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” (iii) 48-oz. packages containing four 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” with use by” dates ranging “18 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” and lot codes “RS19,” “RS40,” or “RS42.” These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide, and some were exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. The problem was discovered after the establishment’s laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Lm. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.  @ 

The CORE update list of outbreaks and adverse events includes seven postings. The only update this week is for the outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo (ref #1304) linked to cucumbers. As of June 30, 2025, 69 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 21 states. Of the 60 people for whom information was available, 22 were hospitalized. Of the 35 people interviewed, 29 (83%) reported eating or likely eating cucumbers. The CDC has declared the outbreak over. The FDA’s investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cucumbers-may-2025