In the news

CORE update of October 04, 2023, the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes three active cases. One new case was added to the list: An outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to a not yet identified product. FDA’s investigation is ongoing. The outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1179) has ended, but the FDA investigation is still ongoing. The outbreak of Cryptosporidium  (ref #1174) has ended, and the FDA investigation has closed. Both outbreaks have ended for the two Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreaks (reference #1163 and #1159), and the FDA investigations have closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Central Seafoods Whole Octopus was recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date. This is not a notice posted on the FDA’s Enforcement Reports page or the regular recall page. The recalling firm is CenSea Inc. of Northbrook, Illinois. The octopus was sold in these states: Ohio, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois, at the retail level. About 281 cases are included in this recall, weighing about 30 pounds. The recalled product is individually quick frozen (IQF). The product is a 2 to 4 pound whole octopus, 4 to 6 pound whole octopus, and 6 to 8 pound whole octopus. @ https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2023/central-seafoods-whole-octopus-recalled-for-salmonella/

In a study (Microorganisms 2023,  11(6), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061414), a set of Pseudomonas isolates originating from cleaned and disinfected surfaces in a salmon processing facility were screened for biofilm formation at 12 °C. A high variation in biofilm formation between the isolates was observed. In both planktonic and biofilm states, selected isolates were tested for resistance/tolerance to a commonly used disinfectant (peracetic acid-based) and antibiotic florfenicol. Most isolates showed a much higher tolerance in the biofilm state than the planktonic state. In a multi-species biofilm experiment with five Pseudomonas strains with and without a  Listeria monocytogenes strain, the Pseudomonas biofilm appeared to aid the survival of L. monocytogenes cells after disinfection, underscoring the importance of controlling the bacterial load in food-processing environments. The study showed how the biofilm-forming and disinfectant tolerance of Pseudomonas spp. can aid the survival of Listeria monocytogenes. By doing so, Pseudomonas spp. residing in the food processing environment indirectly threatens food safety. @ https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/6/1414

The new Rule establishes requirements addressing common routes of microbial contamination, including agricultural water; biological soil amendments of animal origin; worker health and hygiene; equipment, tools, buildings, and sanitation; and domesticated and wild animals. Sprouts represent a distinct food safety concern. Between 1996 and 2020 in the United States, the FDA observed 52 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with sprouts. The outbreaks resulted in at least 2700 cases of illness, 200 hospitalizations, and three deaths. Because the distinctive practices and conditions for growing sprouts present unique risks, the FDA established sprout-specific requirements in Subpart M (Sprouts) of the Produce Safety Rule. Sprout operations are subject to the Produce Safety Rule. The guidance also briefly discusses certain requirements (in Subparts E and O of the Rule relating to Agricultural Water and Records) of particular relevance to a sprout operation. Some of the material in this guidance relates to regulatory requirements of the Produce Safety Rule that are also covered in the draft “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: Guidance for Industry.” The final guidance focuses specifically on insights drawn from the FDA’s experience with sprout operations, such as from inspections and sprout-associated foodborne illness outbreak investigations, and elaborates on how the broader records and cleaning and sanitizing standards in part 112 could apply to and be implemented in a sprout operation. @ https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-standards-growing-harvesting-packing-and-holding-sprouts-human-consumption#:~:text=FDA%20has%20also%20issued%20the,address%20chemical%20or%20physical%20hazards.