In the news

The USDA / FSIS released a new document entitled “Guideline to Control Salmonella in swine slaughter and pork processing establishments.” FSIS recommends slaughtering and processing swine in a manner designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate contamination from occurring at every step of the process. The focus of the process of swine slaughter is to prevent and minimize the risk of Salmonella in their operation and finished products. FSIS also recommends establishments use decontamination and antimicrobial intervention treatments, as necessary, to address any contamination that may result from the slaughter process or that otherwise occurs on carcasses. They also recommend a multi-hurdle approach of interventions and controls to reduce Salmonella. FSIS recommends that regulated establishments focus on pre-harvest controls, effective sanitary dressing, and processing controls to prevent microbiological contamination, including Salmonella. The document also provides information on how to prevent, eliminate, or reduce levels of Salmonella on swine at all stages of slaughter and dressing. @ FSIS-GD-2023-0003: FSIS Guideline to Control Salmonella in Swine Slaughter and Pork Processing Establishments (usda.gov)

The CFIA reported that it triggered a recall of Nature’s Pick brand Fresh cut cubed butternut squash from the Canadian market due to Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product has been sold in Ontario. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/nature-s-pick-brand-fresh-cut-cubed-butternut-squash-recalled-due-listeria?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

The CFIA reported that Mountain Valley Dairy Ltd., doing business as Kootenay Meadows brand Nostrala  (Creston, British Columbia), recalled Surface-Ripened Organic Cheese sold in variable sizes recalled due to Staphylococcus aureus and generic E. coli. The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia and Alberta. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/kootenay-meadows-brand-nostrala-firm-surface-ripened-organic-cheese-recalled-due

The INFOSAN (International Food Safety Authorities Network) Secretariat reported that it was involved in 47 food safety incidents concerning 53 WHO Member States (MS) and territories from all WHO regions during this first quarter of the year. There were twenty-eight incidents involving a biological hazard [Salmonella spp. (9), Listeria monocytogenes (6), E. coli (3), Clostridium botulinum (2), Hepatitis A (2), Anisakis (1), Cronobacter (1), Entamoeba histolytica (1), Leptospira (1), Norovirus (1), and Shigella (1)]; nine involving a chemical hazard [methanol (2), aflatoxins (1), chlorothalonil (1), ergot alkaloids (1), histamine (1), lead (1), nitrogen (1), and patulin (1)]; six involving an undeclared allergen/ingredient [peanuts (2), egg (1), gluten (1), milk (1), soy (1)]; three involving a physical hazard [glass (1), metal (1), stones (1)]; and one of an unknown hazard. The food categories most commonly involved in the 47 incidents during the first quarter of 2023 were fish and other seafood (6),  meat and meat products (6), composite foods (5), nuts and oilseeds (5), cereals and cereal based products (3), fruit and fruit products (3), milk and dairy products (3), snacks, desserts, and other foods (3), vegetables and vegetable products (3), alcoholic beverages (2), food for infants and small children (2), herbs spices and condiments (2), legumes and pulses (1), non-alcoholic beverages (1), and two unknown food sources. The affected Member States were distributed as follows: 23/53 from the European Region, 9/27 in the Western Pacific, 8/35 in the Americas, 7/47 in Africa, 4/11 in South-East Asia, and 2/21 in the Eastern Mediterranean.@ https://www.who.int/news/item/31-05-2023-infosan-quarterly-summary-2023-1