The CFIA reported that 365 Whole Foods recalled organic frozen blackberries from the Canadian marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was triggered by a large recall in the US by Sun Opta Inc., a subsidiary of Sunrise Growers. The product was sold at Whole Foods Market stores in British Columbia and Ontario. The Organic blackberries were sold frozen in 284 gram plastic bags. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this item. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/365-whole-foods-market-brand-organic-blackberries-frozen-recalled-due-possible?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23
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Recall of frozen fruit products due to Listeria monocytogenes
The FDA reported that SunOpta Inc’s subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of specific frozen fruit products linked to pineapple provided by a third-party supplier due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were distributed via the following retailers: Walmart: Great Value Mixed Fruit, Great Value Dark Sweet Cherries, and Great Value Mango Chunks sold at stores in AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WV, and WY from January 19, 2023, to June 13, 2023. Whole Foods: 365 Organic Tropical Fruit Medley, 365 Organic Pineapple Chunks, 365 Pineapple Chunks, 365 Organic Whole Strawberries, 365 Organic Slice Strawberries and Bananas, and 365 Organic Blackberries distributed to select stores throughout the US from November 1, 2022, to June 21, 2023. Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend distributed to select distribution centers or stores in AK, AL, CT, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, and Washington DC from March 28, 2023, to April 11, 2023. Target: Good & Gather Organic Cherries and Berries Fruit Blend, Good & Gather Dark Sweet Whole Pitted Cherries, Good & Gather Mango Strawberry Blend, Good & Gather Mixed Fruit Blend, Good & Gather Mango Chunks, Good & Gather Blueberries, and Good & Gather Triple Berry Blend distributed nationwide from October 14, 2022, to May 22, 2023. Aldi: Season’s Choice Tropical Blend distributed to select distribution centers or stores in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WV from October 11, 2022, to May 22, 2023. AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers): Best Choice Pitted Red Tart Cherries Unsweetened distributed to select distribution centers or stores in KS, MO, NE, and OK from April 5, 2023, to May 4, 2023. To date, there have been no illnesses associated with this voluntary recall. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-specific-frozen-fruit-products-due-possible-contamination-listeria-monocytogenes
SunOpta Inc’s subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of specific frozen fruit products linked to pineapple provided by a third-party supplier due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Action
Status
Core update as of June 21, 2023
CORE update as of June 21, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes five active cases. For the outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ (ref #1157) in a not yet identified product, the case count increased from 31 to 33. For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1159), the case count has increased from 28 to 34 cases. For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1155), CDC, FDA, and state and local partners have determined that the outbreak has ended and have closed the investigation. Based on epidemiological investigations conducted by CDC and state and local partners, ill people reported eating broccoli before becoming sick. FDA and state and local partners conducted traceback investigations and determined that the product of interest was imported broccoli. FDA, state, and local partners also collected and analyzed product samples; all samples were negative for Cyclospora. Due to the absence of supporting evidence from traceback and sample collection, investigators could not confirm a specific type or producer of imported broccoli as the outbreak’s source.# 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.
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USDA’s new initiative called the grand challenge: Salmonella
The USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) started a new Salmonella Grand Challenge initiative. The ARS-led Salmonella Grand Challenge team comprises 18 ARS scientists representing eight fields of expertise and six national program areas, working on 12 projects at eight ARS research laboratories nationwide. Research partners include five USDA agencies and 22 stakeholders that cross all commodities and scales of operation. The project goal is to integrate Salmonella research on where Salmonella causes the highest risk in meat and poultry products and, as a result, to develop better monitoring tools to prevent Salmonella in meat and poultry operations. The project goal is to reduce sick people by 25% by 2030. @ https://tellus.ars.usda.gov/stories/articles/the-grand-challenge-salmonella/
