In the news

The FDA reported that Salinas, CA (October 28, 2025) – Pacific International Marketing (“Pacific”) (Salinas, CA) recalled 474 cases of bulk Italian Parsley because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Italian Parsley was shipped to wholesalers in AZ, CA, FL, MN, MI, GA, OH, and NV between September 22 and September 25, 2025. The bulk Parsley was sold in cases of 30 or 60 bunches with a twist tie, and in 24 ct bunches with a twist tie in bags intended for wholesale distribution. The shelf life of Italian Parsley is 18 days from harvest, or October 10, 2025. The company was recently notified that a sample taken on October 6 tested positive for Salmonella. The product should no longer be available directly to consumers unless it is frozen. No illnesses have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pacific-international-marketing-recalls-fresh-italian-parsley-because-possible-health-risk

On October 23, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) provided an update on a multi-year, multinational outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona linked to tomatoes. Reporting that, between January 2023 and September 2025, 437 confirmed cases were identified across 17 European countries, as well as in the UK, the US, and Canada. It includes: Austria (76), Croatia (3), Czechia (11), Denmark (12), Estonia (2), Finland (5), France (43), Germany (113), Ireland (6), Italy (123), Luxembourg (5), the Netherlands (5), Norway (4), Slovakia (6), Slovenia (10), Spain (3) and Sweden (10). Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom (73), Canada (10), and the US (24). The most visited country among travel-related cases was Italy. In response to the outbreak, the Italian food safety authority has conducted comprehensive investigations. The detection of S. Strathcona in a sample of irrigation water collected at a tomato producer’s site in Sicily confirmed the role of the environment in tomato contamination. @ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/ROA_%20S_%20Strathcona-ST2559_multi-country.pdf

The recalls in Canada due to pistachios contaminated with Salmonella continue. A weekly summary includes (i) Green Pistachio distributed in Ontario, sold from August 19 to October 21, 2025, which was recalled due to Salmonella. (ii) Marche Daata (LVAL< Quebec), sold from August 20 to October 1, 2025. Various nuts from Perah, Vicinity Mart, and Afra Bakery & Market were sold online in Alberta and British Columbia; the products were recalled due to Salmonella contamination. (iii) Basha Foods sold recalled raw shelled pistachio kernels. The product was sold in Alberta due to Salmonella. (iv) Super Asia Wholesale Distributors Handi brand Green Pista Kernel. Sold until October 22, recalled due to Salmonella. (v) Ehsan Foods Canada Ltd Enayat Farm Pistachio raw kernel, best before Jan 2027. Recalled due to Salmonella. (vi) Agora Greek Market recalled baklava containing pistachios due to Salmonella. The product was sold from September 19 to October 3. (vii) Cocoa Bistro, The Dubai bar, sold from June 19 to August 28, 2025, in Kingston, ON.

The FDA reported that Peterson Company of Auburn, WA, recalled Twin Sisters Creamery brand item# 28855, Whatcom Blue, and item # 29608, Farmhouse Cheese products, which were made from raw milk, because they may be contaminated with STEC Escherichia coli and E. coli O103. Whatcom Blue and item #29608 Farmhouse cheeses are roughly 5 oz-6 oz half-moon-shaped pieces and are packaged in clear plastic wrap. Peterson Company was informed by its cheese supplier, Twin Sisters Creamery, that there have been three reports of STEC infections caused by E. coli O103 in OR and WA to date. The case in Oregon involved the Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese before the patient became ill. These illnesses are not associated with the consumption of cheese items repackaged by Peterson Company. The recall was initiated following notification from Twin Sisters Creamery of a recall after they were notified that the Farmhouse Cheese sample analyzed by a third-party lab confirmed the presence of E. coli O103, and that E. coli STEC was detected in Whatcom Blue samples analyzed by WSDA and FDA. The recalled products should no longer be available for purchase, but may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/peterson-company-recalls-twin-sisters-creamery-brand-whatcom-blue-and-farmhouse-cheese-products