In the news

Scientist from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, published in Microbiology Spectrum the article entitled “Commensal Escherichia coli inhibits the growth and modulates the fitness, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella Heidelberg in vitro”. Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) are major foodborne pathogens primarily transmitted to humans through contaminated poultry products. Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in NTS, including Salmonella Heidelberg (SH), has recently become a public health issue. Current control measures are inadequate, emphasizing the need for novel approaches to mitigate NTS colonization in poultry and contamination of poultry products. Several genes involved in bacterial growth, pathogenicity and virulence, biofilm formation, metal-ion homeostasis, signal transduction and chemotaxis, stress response, transmembrane transport of xenobiotics, and cellular metabolism were downregulated by as much as 86-folds in SH as compared to the control. The study revealed the downregulation of genes associated with AMR and drug efflux in SH by up to 12 folds. These findings highlight that commensal E. coli may reduce the fitness, persistence, virulence, and AMR dissemination of SH, implying that E. coli strains could be utilized to mitigate antibiotic-resistant SH in poultry, ultimately enhancing food safety. The study provides insights into the ability of commensal E. coli to reduce SH colonization of chicken intestines and the genes involved in that change. The study showed that commensal E. coli significantly reduced antibiotic-resistant SH counts and expression of Salmonella genes, which play a vital role in their growth and persistence. Suggesting the potential use of commensal E. coli to control antibiotic-resistant SH colonization in poultry, leading to improved food safety through reduced NTS contamination of foods of poultry origin and reduced dissemination of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella to humans via the food chain. @ https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/spectrum.03336-24

In Canada, the CFIA reported that additional pistachio-containing products (Pistachio Baklava, Pistachio Butter Cookies, Baklava, Pistachio Paklava) were recalled due to Salmonella. The recall was triggered by the CFIA due to a growing Salmonella outbreak investigation into a foodborne illness. Two recalling companies are involved in the recall (Alkadour Sweets, Mr. Kaak, Kamo Bakery). The products were distributed in British Columbia and Ontario. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-pistachio-containing-products-recalled-due-salmonella?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are continuing to investigate illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Anatum linked to Deep-brand frozen products. As part of this investigation, the manufacturer of the Deep-brand frozen sprouted mat (moth) beans and frozen sprouted moong (mung) bean products was placed under increased screening for ready-to-eat products entering the US. Additionally, the FDA conducted an inspection and sample collection at one of Chetak, LLC Group’s US locations. On August 20, 2025, the FDA was informed that a sample collected and tested upon entry into the US of Deep-brand Premium Select Frozen SURTI UNDHIU MIX in 12-oz (340 g) packages with the lot code of IN25158K and Use By date of December 06, 2026, tested positive for Salmonella. WGS analysis determined that the strain of Salmonella found in this product matches the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak. Based on these sample results, the FDA is advising that retailers and consumers not eat, sell, or serve Deep-brand Premium Select Frozen SURTI UNDHIU MIX in 12-oz (340 g) packages; lot code: IN25158K and Use By date of December 06, 2026. All sprouted bean samples that were positive for Salmonella were included in the recall that was initiated on July 16, 2025, and should not be available for sale at this time. Consumers should still check their freezers for recalled products and throw them away. The outbreak caused 11 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations. States with Cases: CT, FL, IL, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TN, VA, and WA. @! https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-frozen-sprouted-beans-july-2025?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that Southwind Foods, LLC (Carson, California) recalled a limited quantity of  Frozen Shrimp due to possible radionuclide (Cesium-137) contamination. Cs-137 is a man-made radioisotope of cesium. The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body. The bagged, frozen shrimp product was distributed between July 17 and August 8, 2025, to retailers, distributors, and wholesalers in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state. The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia. No illnesses have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/southwind-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery