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Ecuadorian officials in Agencia Nacional de Regulación, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria (ARCSA) have reported that Carlos Aguilera of Ecuador, the processor of the ground cinnamon supplied by Negasmart to Austrofoods and later used in recalled apple cinnamon products, is the likely source of contamination and it is not in operation at this time. According to ARCSA, the unprocessed cinnamon sticks used in the recalled products were sourced from Sri Lanka and sampled by ARCSA, and no lead contamination was found. ARCSA’s investigation and legal proceedings to determine the ultimate responsibility for the contamination are ongoing. The FDA has no indication that this issue extends beyond these recalled products and has no confirmed reports of illnesses or elevated blood lead level adverse events reported for other cinnamon-containing products or cinnamon. As of February 5, 2024, the FDA has not received any additional confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to the recalled product. As of February 2, through their reporting structure, CDC has received reports of 100 confirmed cases, 277 probable cases, and 36 suspected cases for 413 cases from 43 different states. 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-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The CFIA reported that Bauman’s County Meat Shop Summer Sausage was recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. The Canadian government’s test results triggered this recall. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. The product was distributed in Ontario. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/bauman-s-country-meat-shop-brand-summer-sausages-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

On February 5, 2024, the FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, reported investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. (Modesto, California). This outbreak includes cases dating back to 2014 and is currently ongoing. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand. A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January 2024. In response to that finding, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled one batch of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) on January 11, 2024. CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023. WGS analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that the same strain of Listeria is causing illnesses in this outbreak. An environmental sample collected during that inspection tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. In response to this investigation, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. has voluntarily recalled all of its dairy products. The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market. The firm has temporarily ceased the production and distribution of these products. A total of 26 illnesses with 23 hospitalizations and 2 deaths were reported.States with Cases: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, NC, OR, TN, TX, and WA. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Nam & Son (Jessup, MD) recalled one-pound bags of soybean sprouts with a sell-by date of December 21, 2023, because they might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product has been distributed to retail stores in MD starting from December 14, 2023. The affected product is packaged in a 1lb plastic bag (retail), labeled under the Nam & Son of MD DBA Sam Sung S & M Food, and has a “Sell By” date of December 21, 2023. No illness has been reported to date. The recall was initiated after a random sample was collected and analyzed by the state of Maryland, which confirmed the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in the product. The company has actively started investigating the root cause of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nam-son-md-recalls-soybean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk-0?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery