ruth
The FSA reported that the supermarket chain Morrison had recalled its brand of Spanish Chorizo ring due to Salmonella contamination. The product is packaged in a 200 g package with best before 08 December 2023. Morrisons is recalling the above product and has issued customer point-of-sale notices. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-34-2023
ruth
In collaboration with state and local partners, the FDA and CDC investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico. This outbreak caused 10 illnesses, 4 hospitalizations, and no deaths. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common supplier of organic strawberries. Strawberries used by this supplier were imported from farms in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. The strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused the outbreak of Hepatitis A in 2022. Due to the matching strains of hepatitis A, investigators considered traceback and epidemiological data from the 2022 and 2023 outbreaks. When both data sets were considered together, investigators found that a single farm was associated with the distribution of strawberries consumed by ill people in both outbreaks. As of September 15, 2023, no additional illnesses have been reported, and CDC has announced that this outbreak has ended. There were four states (CA (2), HI (1), OR (1), and WA (6)) with cases. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over. Do not eat recalled Frozen Strawberries.
ruth
CORE update of September 13, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes six active cases. No new cases were reported this week. The only addition this week is for the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1179) in a not yet identified product, the FDA has initiated on-site inspection and sample collection. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The following is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams.
ruth
Japanese researchers from the Toyo University published in J. Food Protection V86, issue 10 (October) 2023, 100149 on a case study of Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs)in food manufacturing facilities for Listeria. EMPs for Listeria were conducted at three food production facilities to assess the efficacy of sanitation control and establish effective sanitation control methods. In Facility A, L. monocytogenes was detected in Zone 3, non-food-contact surfaces. Normal cleaning and disinfection with carbonated hypochlorite water (chlorine concentration, 150 ppm) proved effective. At Facility B, a salad product and its ingredients (pastrami and salami) were positive for L. monocytogenes serotype 3b. The bacterial count was <10/g in all samples. Sliced salami and pastrami were contaminated with L. monocytogenes from the slicer. In Facility C, L. monocytogenes serotype 4b (4e) was detected in all the dirty, semi clean, and clean areas. The strain was also isolated from the wheels of a smoking cart transported across the zones. EMP revealed the sources of Listeria in the facilities.@ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068333
