In the news

CORE update as of July 19, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes five active cases. In the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1166), the case count has increased from 11 to 12. In the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1163), the case count has increased from 112 to 118 cases. In the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1159), the case count has increased from 38 to 43 cases. This incident now includes additional illnesses based on similarities in reported exposures. The outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1156) linked to raw cookie dough has ended, and the FDA’s investigation is closed. In the investigation linked to Morel mushrooms (ref #1152), The data was updated on July 19, 2023. The outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Dan-D Pak brand Raw Macadamia Nuts recalled due to Salmonella in Canada
The CFIA reported that on July 18, it had recalled Dan-D-Pak nuts from the Canadian marketplace due to possible salmonella contamination. The products were sold in Alberta and British Columbia. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date associated with the consumption of the product. The recalled product is packaged in a 100 gram bag. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting a food safety investigation, which may trigger the recall of more products. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/dan-pak-brand-raw-macadamia-nuts-recalled-due-salmonella

The Jerusalem Post reported that Cronobacter had been found in the Israeli production line of Materna Mehadrin (phase one) powdered milk formula for babies aged 0 to 6 months. The Israeli Health Ministry and the company maintained that the abnormal findings were discovered as part of quality control at the factory and that the infected formula did not reach the market. The Materna factory said there would probably be a shortage of the product, which Orthodox Jews families favor because of a “higher level of rabbinical supervision” and the fact that it is made from cow’s milk at farms run by Jews. Cronobacter is naturally found in the environment and is particularly good at surviving in low-moisture, dry foods such as powdered infant formula. In a processing facility, Cronobacter can get into powdered formula if the manufacturer uses contaminated ingredients to make the formula or if the powder touches a contaminated surface. The news brought back unpleasant memories of a scandal precisely 20 years ago in which German-made Remedia-Mehadrin pareve soy-based infant formula approved by the Health Ministry lacked the vital vitamin B1 and caused the deaths of three infants and severe injury to more than 20.@ https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-750520.

The CDC has been tracking the outbreak of Cyclospora since April 1, 2023. From April 1 to July 21, there were 581 laboratory-confirmed patients, with 55 people hospitalized in 31 states. The report from June 22 had 317 patients listed. The initial investigation related to an outbreak of cases in Georgia and Alabama linked to broccoli that included 20 illnesses. People reported eating broccoli in the 14 days before they got sick. FDA, state, and local partners conducted traceback investigations and determined that the broccoli was imported. However, FDA investigators could not confirm the specific type or producer of the imported broccoli as the outbreak’s source. The broccoli outbreak is currently over. @ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2023/index.html