In the news

The CFIA reported that Loblaw Companies Ltd ( Brampton, Ontario) recalled President’s Choice branded White Sliced Mushrooms from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The Loblaw President’s Choice White Sliced Mushrooms were sold in 200 gram plastic wrapped tray packages with a batch/lot designation of 2023 OC 30 CM and a UPC of 0 60383 05934 7. The product was sold in  Alberta and British Columbia. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/president-s-choice-brand-white-sliced-mushrooms-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes

The FDA reported that Mid America Pet Food, Mount (Pleasant, Texas) recalled three lots of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula produced at its Mount Pleasant, Texas production facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This voluntary recall was initiated after a third party conducted random sampling, and product associated with three lots tested positive for Salmonella. No human or pet illnesses have been reported to date. Products were distributed to various distributors and retailers in the United States. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mid-america-pet-food-issues-voluntary-recall-victor-beef-meal-rice-dog-food-due-possible-salmonella?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A publication in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (Vol 89, October 2023) reports that Antimicrobial blue light (aBL) in the 400–470 nm wavelength range can kill multiple bacteria. The study assessed its potential for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), to be inactivated, focusing on surface decontamination. Three wavelengths were tested, with gallic acid as a photosensitizing agent (Ps), against dried cells obtained from bacterial suspensions, and biofilms on stainless-steel (SS) coupons. Within 16 h of exposure at 405 nm, viable Lm dried cells and biofilms were reduced by approx. 3 log CFU/cm2 with doses of 2,672 J/cm2. Application of Ps resulted in an additional 1 log CFU/cm2 at 668 J/cm2, but its effect was not consistent. The highest dose (960 J/cm2) at 420 nm reduced viable counts on the biofilms by 1.9 log CFU/cm2. At 460 nm, after 800 J/cm2, biofilm counts were reduced by 1.6 log CFU/cm2. The effect of material composition on Lm viability was also investigated. Irradiation at 405 nm (668 J/cm2) of cells dried on polystyrene resulted in one of the largest viability reductions (4.0 log CFU/cm2), followed by high-density polyethylene (3.5 log CFU/cm2). Increasing the dose to 4,008 J/cm2 from 405 nm (24 h), improved its efficacy only on SS and polyvinyl chloride. Biofilm micrographs displayed a decrease in biofilm biomass due to the removal of biofilm portions from the surface and a shift from live to dead cells suggesting damage to biofilm cell membranes. These results suggest that aBL is a potential intervention to treat Lm contamination on typical material surfaces used in food production. The data shows the ability of the blue light to exert antimicrobial activity, with and without the addition of an exogenous photosensitizing agent, against Listeria monocytogenes.  @ https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.01147-23

The FDA reported that Blue Ridge Beef recalled Breeders Choice 2# log dog food Lot# 8/2/24 UPC 8 54298 00193 1 due to Salmonella. On October 27, 2023, Blue Ridge was notified by the FDA that the dog food tested positive for Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product was distributed between 8/9/2023 and 8/25/2023. The product was packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia retail stores. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-ridge-beef-issues-voluntary-recall-breeders-choice-2-dog-food-due-salmonella-health-risk