In the news

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recalled Igor brand Gorgonzola mild ripened blue-veined cheese due to possible Listeria contamination. Jan K. Overweel Limited distributed the product in 350g packages with a best-before date of Feb. 01, 2023. The product has been sold in Ontario and Quebec. @ There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/igor-brand-gorgonzola-mild-ripened-blue-veined-cheese-recalled-due-listeria?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23&

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported that 259 got sick with a virulent form of E. coli O157 STEC that may have been linked to lettuce grown in the UK. The cases occurred across the country from 23 August to 29 October 2022, but the full details have only just been made public by the FSA. The FSA, its counterpart in Scotland, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) started an investigation. FSA chief executive Emily Miles told board members that this outbreak linked to E.coli STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E.coli) is the largest since whole genome sequencing of such bugs began in 2014. There have been no deaths or reported cases of HUS linked to the latest outbreak. @ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11512733/Almost-260-Britons-sickened-E-coli-outbreak-linked-SALADS.html

Frozen stuffed chicken products remain a source of Salmonella outbreaks despite education and increased awareness around the importance of fully coking these products in ovens, including the elimination of the use of microwaves or air fryers. Regardless, more than half of a survey reported an appliance that is not an oven was used. The CDC published in MMWR (Marshall KE, Canning M, Ablan M, Crawford TN, Robyn M. Appliances Used by Consumers to Prepare Frozen Stuffed Chicken Products — United States, May–July 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1511–1516) a survey on cooking appliances used for stuffed chicken products. Cooking frozen stuffed chicken products in appliances other than a conventional oven has been associated with frequent salmonella outbreaks. However, the survey finds that ingrained habits and socio-economic challenges result in ignoring the cooking instructions included on packages and using alternative appliances. The survey found that 54.0% of respondents reported using other appliances instead of ovens, 30% of respondents reported using an air fryer, 29% a microwave, and 14% a toaster oven. Respondents with lower incomes and who live in mobile homes reported lower oven use and higher microwave use. The survey findings suggest that companies should consider implementing additional interventions that rely less on labeling and consumer preparation practices. Instead, control or reduce levels of Salmonella in these products, such as selling them fully cooked or monitoring and testing Salmonella levels, to ensure safety. @ http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7148a2

The FDA reported that Lidl US recalled the 8.4 oz Favorina branded Advent Calendar (Premium Chocolate with a Creamy Filling) due to potential Salmonella contamination. The products were available for sale at Lidl stores between October 12, 2022, and December 5, 2022. This contamination was found during routine testing. Lidl US has received no reports or complaints of illness related to this product to date.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lidl-voluntarily-recalls-84-oz-favorina-branded-advent-calendar-premium-chocolate-creamy-filling-due