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The FDA advises parents and caregivers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to children because the product may contain elevated lead levels. The FDA reported that it was recently made aware of a developing investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) regarding four children with elevated blood lead levels, indicating potential acute lead toxicity. The NCDHHS investigation identified WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches as a potential shared source of exposure. As part of their investigation, NCDHHS analyzed multiple lots of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree, detecting extremely high lead concentrations. The FDA has reviewed and supported NCDHHS’s analytical findings and found that analytical results at this level could result in acute toxicity. The FDA has shared the results with the firm whose representatives are cooperating with the FDA and have agreed to voluntarily recall all WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches regardless of expiration. WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and are available through multiple retailers, including Sam’s Club, Amazon and Dollar Tree.@ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-parents-and-caregivers-not-buy-or-feed-wanabana-apple-cinnamon-fruit-puree-pouches?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell and dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Future Seafoods, Inc. (PE 4217 SP), Prince Edward Island, Canada, from harvest area PE9B on 10/10/2023, and shipped on 10/10/2023 to importers in FL, MA, MD, ME, PA, and VA, due to the possible presence of Salmonella and E. coli. Future Seafoods, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of all oysters from the harvest area PE9B harvested on 10/10/2023 and distributed to their customers from October 10th through October 16th, 2023. Retailers should not serve raw oysters from Future Seafoods, Inc. harvested on 10/10/2023 from harvest area PE9B and distributed to restaurants and retailers in FL, MA, MD, ME, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, and VA. Additional distribution may have occurred, and the FDA continues to monitor the effectiveness of this recall. On 10/10/2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested oysters and discovered the presence of Salmonella and unacceptable levels of generic E. coli. On 10/18/2023, the CFIA informed the FDA of the testing results from the contaminated product. Canada is investigating the cause of the food safety problem. Future Seafoods, Inc. has not yet initiated a recall. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-oysters-future?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to recalled dairy and non-dairy products with the Ice Cream House logo sold at Ice Cream House and Real Kosher Ice Cream. The 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, and OH. Real Kosher Ice Cream Soft Serve On The Go cups were sold to multiple retailers in CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, and WV. Real Kosher Ice Cream Soft Serve On The Go cups were sold to multiple retailers in CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, and WV. FDA and state partners collected samples at the Ice Cream House facility in Brooklyn, NY. WGS analysis confirmed that the strain of Listeria monocytogenes found in these samples matches the outbreak strain. As of October 26, 2023, the CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of two illnesses in two states. The last illness onset was in May 2023. Since the recall, the company has taken corrective actions and is now back in operation. The company started placing a label that includes a lot code on their products. FDA’s investigation is complete. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-ice-cream-august-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The CC reported that REPTDK01 is a persistent strain of Salmonella Hadar that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the US. Illness caused by this strain was first reported to PulseNet in 2019, and the first outbreak was detected in 2020. Illnesses caused by this strain occur year-round but are more common in the spring and summer. In the past, the REPTDK01 strain has spread to people through animal contact and contaminated food. This strain is relatively diverse genetically. Starting in 2020, CDC and local, state, territorial, and federal health and regulatory partners have investigated several outbreaks of Salmonella Hadar illnesses caused by the REPTDK01 strain. This strain has been identified in both backyard poultry and food poultry products, but it is not yet understood how this contamination has occurred. Evidence collected during outbreak investigations indicates this strain is widespread in both industries. Overall, 197 isolates were detected in food products, 25 from backyard poultry or their habitats, and 24 in animal cecal (intestinal) contents during 2019–2023. In 2022, one isolate was obtained from a pet dog via endoscopy performed at a veterinary hospital. Salmonella from people’s samples most commonly showed resistance to the antimicrobials streptomycin and tetracycline.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dfwed/outbreak-response/rep-strains/reptdk01.html?ACSTrackingID=DM114569&ACSTrackingLabel=Copy%20of%20Food%20Safety%20Updates%20From%20CDC&deliveryName=DM114569