In the news

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced the appointment of Frank Yiannas to the company’s Food Safety Advisory Council. Chipotle had nearly 3,200 restaurants as of December 31, 2022, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Chipotle is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. Frank Yiannas most recently served as the Deputy Commissioner at the FDA. Yiannas will join a group of independent experts commissioned to ensure Chipotle’s food safety standards continue to evolve and serve as best practices for the restaurant industry. “In order to make sure our food safety culture and programs are as robust as possible, it’s critical to supplement our internal expertise with independent external guidance,” said Kerry Bridges, Vice President of Food Safety at Chipotle. @ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-appoints-former-fda-deputy-commissioner-frank-yiannas-to-food-safety-advisory-council-301796217.html

CORE update as of April 12, 2023

The CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events as of April 12, 2023, includes 4 cases. Two were updated this week. On 4/11/2023, an updated outbreak advisory was issued for the outbreak of hepatitis A virus linked to frozen organic strawberries (reference #1143). The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1127) linked to Enoki mushrooms has ended, and the FDA investigation is closed. The outbreak of Salmonella infantis in flour (reference 1141) has caused 12 ill people, three hospitalizations in 11 states. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported by a common supplier from Baja, California, Mexico. The frozen organic strawberries were sold to various retailers under multiple brand labels. Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 7/7 (100%) people (5 from WA and 2 from CA)who provided information about what they ate before becoming ill reported eating frozen organic strawberries. Two people were hospitalized. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common supplier of frozen organic strawberries. Strawberries were imported from farms in Baja, California, Mexico, in 2022. Additionally, the strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused the outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-infections-frozen-strawberries-february-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Meijer, its supplier, and Revolution Farms announced a voluntary recall of select Fresh from Meijer premade salads because they can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall is part of a broader Revolution Farms lettuce recall and includes premade salads carried at Meijer stores in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Meijer is unaware of any illnesses from Meijer brand salad products included in this recall. The recalled premade salads have a Fresh From Meijer sticker on a clear plastic container. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/meijer-recalls-select-premade-salads-due-potential-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery