In the news

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 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/

In 2021, the FDA collected domestic ready-to-eat (RTE) refrigerated dips and spreads to test for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. The assignment was established due to the five recalls of hummus products and six recalls of multi-commodity dips due to contamination with L. monocytogenes or Salmonella from FY2017 through FY2020. In FY2019, there were two outbreaks of Salmonella linked to Tahini (12 confirmed cases, 1 hospitalization). In FY2017, two outbreaks of L. monocytogenes were linked to hummus (31 confirmed cases, 26 hospitalizations, 3 fetal losses); one of the outbreaks may have contributed to 3 deaths. The result of the assignment suggests that Salmonella spp. And L. monocytogenes were not widespread in the multi-commodity RTE dips and spreads collected nationwide. From FY2017 through FY2022, there were a total of 22 recalls of dips and spreads due to potential Salmonella or L. monocytogenes contamination; of these, hummus and cheese dips and spreads make up 64% of the recalls (10 hummus recalls, 4 cheese dips and spread recalls). The FDA detected Salmonella spp. in one sample and L. monocytogenes in three samples out of the 747 collected. The FDA found 23 positive environmental samples, all from one firm, indicating that the firm’s established controls were ineffective. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/fy21-22-sample-collection-and-analysis-domestic-refrigerated-rte-dips-and-spreads

The CFIA reported that Phoenicia Group (Montreal, Quebec) has recalled Al Kanater branded Tahini Spread products from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination. The Al Kanater Tahini Spread was sold in 330 gram bottles with a best-before date code of 2025 JA 31. The recalled product has been sold in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/al-kanater-brand-tahini-recalled-due-salmonella