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FDA is conducting an onsite inspection at the Austrofoods facility located in Ecuador. Cinnamon samples collected from the lots used in recalled products will undergo laboratory analysis. As of December 12, 2023, the FDA has worked with Ecuadorian authorities to gather information about Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofoods, including whether the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products exported to the United States. Working with Ecuadorian authorities, the FDA has confirmed that, of Negasmart’s direct customers, only Austrofoods ships products to the US. In addition, the FDA has confirmed that Negasmart does not directly export products to the US. As of December 11, 2023, the FDA has received 65 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled products. To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom an adverse event was submitted, are under 6 years of age. As of December 8, the CDC has received reports of 46 confirmed cases, 68 probable cases, and 11 suspected cases for 125 cases from 22 different states through their reporting structure. FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the point of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA advised consumers not to eat, restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of Red’s Best chopped clams that were illegally harvested from prohibited waters in MA on 11/25/2023 and 11/26/2023 with lot numbers # 331 and # 333 and shuck dates of 23/331 and 23/333, because they may be contaminated. The chopped clams were directly distributed to distributors and retailers in CT, MA, NY, and RI and may have been distributed further from these states. Clams harvested illegally may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic elements, or poisonous or deleterious substances and can cause illness if consumed. All chopped clams were packed in one-gallon (8 lbs) plastic containers with “Red’s Best” printed on the sidewall. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-chopped-clams?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The ripple effect due to contaminated cantaloupes continues. According to the CFIA, Loblaw Companies Limited (Brampton, Ontario) has recalled Fresh-Cut Fruit Cups and fruit Trays from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination. The Loblaw Fresh-Cut Fruit Cups and Fruit Trays containing Cantaloupe were known to be marketed, distributed, and sold in all Canadian provinces. The recall was initiated after an expanded recall of Fresh, Whole Cantaloupe, the primary ingredient supplier to Loblaw for these products, was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/fresh-cut-cantaloupe-products-recalled-due-salmonella-0

The FDA reported an update of states to include Florida and remove Alabama. No additional products or dates have been added. The FDA also reported that GHGA, LLC is voluntarily recalling select fresh-cut products made from whole cantaloupe subject to a previously announced product recall initiated by Sofia Produce, LLC dba Trufresh, due to potential Salmonella contamination. All GHGA fresh-cut fruit products associated with the recalled whole cantaloupe associated with the outbreak have expired. However, consumers who have purchased these items may have frozen them for later use. No illnesses related to GHGA fresh-cut products have been reported. The fresh-cut fruit products containing recalled cantaloupe were distributed to Kroger stores in Alabama and Georgia, Sprouts stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Trader Joe’s retail stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The products are packaged in clear square or round plastic containers, marked with a “sell by” date and a lot code on the label. According to the CDC, several illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the whole cantaloupe recalled by Sofia Produce, LLC. However, as of November 29, no illnesses have been confirmed to be associated with GHGA products.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-ghga-llc-coordination-sofia-produce-llc-dba-trufresh-voluntarily-recalls-select-fresh-cut?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery