In the news

The FDA reported that David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC (Seattle, Washington) recalled all one-pound clamshells of organic green kiwifruit from the US market because they can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled organic green kiwifruit is grown in New Zealand, exported to North America, and repacked locally for sale in one-pound clear plastic clamshells bearing the Zespri brand. The organic green kiwifruit subject to the voluntary recall was shipped between June 14, 2023, and July 7, 2023, and sold in clamshells at retail locations in FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WI.  The recall resulted from a routine sampling by the Kentucky Department for Public Health on July 7, 2023. Since being notified on August 3, David Oppenheimer and Company I LLC has worked with Zespri to trace the product through the supply chain to two grower lots and immediately ceased the distribution of organic green kiwifruit from the related grower lots as it continues its investigation in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration. No illnesses have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/david-oppenheimer-and-company-i-llc-voluntarily-recalls-organic-green-kiwifruit-due-possible-health

The USDA/ FSIS issued a public health alert due to concerns that ready-to-eat (RTE) salads and wraps with meat and poultry may contain contaminated lettuce. The lettuce, which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may be contaminated with deer feces. The RTE salad and wrap products were produced on August 1-2, 2023. The products include (i) 8.65-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” ; (ii) 7.2-oz. plastic film packages containing “Chicken Caesar Wrap FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” ; (iii) 8.5-oz. plastic clamshell packages containing “Chicken Caesar Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen” ; (iv) 8.55-oz. plastic clamshell packages containing “Chef Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen”; and (v) 5.85-oz. plastic clamshell packages containing “Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Salad FRESH SEASONS Kitchen.” The products were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The problem was discovered when an FSIS-regulated establishment notified FSIS that its supplier of FDA-regulated lettuce was conducting a recall because the lettuce may be contaminated with deer feces. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. @ 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-fresh-salads-and-wraps-meat-and-poultry-due-possible

The CDC reported that of 1,063 cases of Cyclosporiasis in the US during 2023, at least 79 patients were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. Thirty-four states reported cases. One outbreak of cyclosporiasis cases in Georgia and Alabama linked to raw broccoli included 20 illnesses. The FDA investigators could not confirm the specific type or producer of the imported broccoli. This outbreak appears to be over, and there is no indication that broccoli continues to be a source of illness for other cyclosporiasis reported in the United States. Most cases could not be linked to a specific source of food. @ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2023/index.html