In the news

On August 31, 2023, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture (CT DA/BA) initiated an emergency precautionary closure of two approved harvest areas of oysters from Groton, CT. The US FDA advises consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell and to dispose of oysters harvested from Groton Approved area in Connecticut from 8/28/2023 through 8/30/2023 due to sample results showing potential contamination. Oysters were directly distributed to retailers and distributors in CT, MA, NY, PA, and VA. Oysters may have been distributed further from these states. The affected area will remain closed until the source of contamination is identified and corrected, and the CT Department of Agriculture has collected acceptable sample results to reopen the area. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-potentially-0?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Mid America Pet Food (Mount Pleasant, Texas) recalled one lot of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Hi-Pro Plus, produced at its Mount Pleasant, Texas production facility because it could be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was only sold in 5-pound bags. No human or pet illnesses have been reported to date. The products were distributed to various distributors and retailers in the United States. This voluntary recall is being issued due to a Victor Super Premium Dog Food sample that tested positive for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mid-america-pet-food-issues-voluntary-recall-due-possible-salmonella-health-risk#:~:text=Mid%20America%20Pet%20Food%2C%20Mount,to%20be%20contaminated%20with%20Salmonella

In collaboration with state and local partners, the FDA and CDC are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to products manufactured at The Ice Cream House facility in Brooklyn, NY. The Ice Cream House has voluntarily recalled all dairy and non-dairy products with the Ice Cream House logo. The products include ice creams, cakes, pies, ice cream logs, and novelty items with the “Ice Cream House” logo. Real Kosher Ice Cream has voluntarily recalled all flavors of Soft Serve On The Go 8-oz ice cream cups, including On The Go Vanilla Chocolate, On The Go Razzle, On The Go Caramel, On The Go Parve Vanilla Chocolate, On The Go Sorbet Strawberry Mango, and On The Go Lite Peanut Butter. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Ice Cream House products: Recalled products with the Ice Cream House brand were sold at the Ice Cream House storefront in Brooklyn, NY, and at retail supermarkets in NJ, NY, OH. Real Kosher Ice Cream Soft Serve On The Go cups: Multiple retailers in CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WV. All products were manufactured in the same facility in Brooklyn, NY. Product and environmental sampling conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at the Ice Cream House manufacturing facility were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. WGS confirmed that the strain of Listeria found in these samples matches the outbreak strain. All products manufactured at this facility have been recalled. The Ice Cream House has temporarily halted production and ceased retail service at this facility. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-ice-cream-august-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that the Ice Cream House recalled all Dairy Ice Cream Products and Non-dairy [Parve] frozen Dessert products due to the potential of Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were sold at the Ice Cream House in Brooklyn and through retail supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. This recall is related to the Soft Serve on the go cups, previously recalled by Real Kosher Ice Cream, Inc., where two illnesses have been reported in this outbreak in two states (NY and PA.) Both individuals were hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported to date. The company has ceased producing and distributing the products as the investigation is ongoing. Recalled products include all Ice Cream House branded items currently on the market. The products are packed in clamshells or cake trays with plastic dome covers in various sizes and styles and have an Ice Cream House label. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ice-cream-house-voluntarily-recalling-all-dairy-ice-cream-products-and-non-dairy-parve-frozen#:~:text=to%20Listeria%20Monocytogenes-,The%20Ice%20Cream%20House%20is%20Voluntarily%20Recalling%20All%20Dairy%20Ice,announcement%20as%20a%20public%20service