In the news

Norway Health authorities suspect that Spanish cucumbers are the source of a salmonella outbreak in Norway. A statement released on December 20 by health authorities in Norway points to cucumbers produced by a Spanish company as the ‘most likely source’ of a salmonella outbreak. 
There have been 72 cases in recent months, with 24 people hospitalized. 

The outbreak began at the beginning of October and was terminated after the whole batch of cucumbers expired. The total number of people affected is probably over a hundred since the Swedish and Dutch authorities are also investigating dozens of cases of food poisoning caused by the same strain of Salmonella agona identified in Norway. Cases with the same outbreak strain have also been reported in Sweden and the Netherlands in the same period. According to the latest official count by the Swedish authorities, there were 26 cases detected. Genetic sequencing tests have confirmed the relationship between diagnoses made in the three countries. Sources from AESAN, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition, pointed out that “the information reported by Norway through the Rapid Alert System of the European Union (RASFF) is not conclusive or sufficiently verified.” Epidemiological investigations and the work of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority resulted in the conclusion that cucumbers imported from Spain caused the outbreak. @ https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/12/20/spanish-cucumbers-suspected-of-causing-salmonella-outbreak-in-norway/

The FDA reported that Manzanola Feeds voluntarily recalled lots of Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Cubes because the product could potentially be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was distributed directly to the following states: AR, CO, IL, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK, TX, and WI. Further distribution may be possible. The recalled Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Cubes is approximately 1 inch cubes packaged in a 50 pound bag. There have been 45 horse deaths associated with this issue to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/manzanola-feeds-recalling-certain-lots-top-rockies-alfalfa-cubes-due-possible-clostridium-botulinum

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recalled baby spinach containing a plant contaminant causing nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, and confusion. As a result, Australia’s biggest supermarkets issued an urgent recall of a range of salad and plant products. Coles and Woolworths have recalled dozens of spinach products sold across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT, Northern Territory, and South Australia. Coles is recalling 11 Coles Own Brand products containing baby spinach. Among the products recalled are pre-packaged spinach bags and salad kits. Woolworths recalled products, including its Chicken Cobb Salad and Chickpea Falafel Salad. Aldi recalls packets of Fresh Salad Co Fresh and Fast Stir Fry with a use-by date of December 24. The product was available for sale in Victorian Aldi stores. The recall is due to Riviera Farms branded baby spinach, sold at Costco stores in Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT.  Packets of Riviera Farms branded baby spinach with use-by dates between December 16 and 28 are also being recalled. Riviera Farm said while its only major retail customer was Costco, it had been working proactively with wholesale customers and regulators to rectify the issue. “The advice to our customers remains to recall potentially contaminated spinach products from their shelves and to advise their customers to do the same.”@ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-17/woolworths-coles-aldi-recall-products-contamination-concerns/101784644