Cornell University food scientists have discovered five previously unknown and novel relatives of Listeria (Catharine R. Carlin et al., Listeria cossartiae sp. nov., Listeria immobilis sp. nov., Listeria portnoyi sp. nov. and Listeria rustica sp. nov., isolated from agricultural water and natural environments, International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (2021). Volume 71, Issue 5). The soil and water samples resulted in 27 Listeria isolates that could not be classified to the species level. All of the novel species described here could not be placed into any existing species based on sigB sequence data. Of the five novel species, three clusters with the Listeria sensu strict clade and two clusters with sensu lato. One of the novel species, L. immobilis, lacked motility. Another of the novel sensu strict species, designated L. cossartiae sp. Nov. The two proposed novel sensu lato species are Listeria portnoyi sp. nov. Listeria rustica sp. nov. All five novel species are non-haemolytic. The discovery could help to identify potential growth niches that until now may have been overlooked. It will help understand the diversity of Listeria will help laboratories avoid confusion and errors, explain false positives, and help solve foodborne outbreaks. @ https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.004795
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A total of 27
Listeria
isolates that could not be classified to the species level were obtained from soil samples from different locations in the contiguous United States and an agricultural water sample from New York. Whole-genome sequence-based average nucleotide identity blast (ANIb) showed that the 27 isolates form five distinct clusters; for each cluster, all draft genomes showed ANI values of <95 % similarity to each other and any currently described
Listeria
species, indicating that each cluster represents a novel species. Of the five novel species, three cluster with the Listeria sensu stricto clade and two cluster with sensu lato. One of the novel sensu stricto species, designated L. cossartiae sp. nov., contains two subclusters with an average ANI similarity of 94.9%, which were designated as subspecies. The proposed three novel sensu stricto species (including two subspecies) are Listeria farberi sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-0091T=CCUG 74668T=LMG 31917T; maximum ANI 91.9 % to
L. innocua
), Listeria immobilis sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-1519T=CCUG 74666T=LMG 31920T; maximum ANI 87.4 % to
L. ivanovii
subsp.
londoniensis
) and Listeria cossartiae sp. nov. [subsp. cossartiae (type strain FSL L7-1447T=CCUG 74667T=LMG 31919T; maximum ANI 93.4 % to
L. marthii
) and subsp. cayugensis (type strain FSL L7-0993T=CCUG 74670T=LMG 31918T; maximum ANI 94.7 % to
L. marthii
). The two proposed novel sensu lato species are Listeria portnoyi sp. nov. (type strain FSL L7-1582T=CCUG 74671T=LMG 31921T; maximum ANI value of 88.9 % to
L. cornellensis
and 89.2 % to
L. newyorkensis
) and Listeria rustica sp. nov. (type strain FSL W9-0585T=CCUG 74665T=LMG 31922T; maximum ANI value of 88.7 % to
L. cornellensis
and 88.9 % to
L
.
newyorkensis
). L. immobilis is the first sensu stricto species isolated to date that is non-motile. All five of the novel species are non-haemolytic and negative for phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity; the draft genomes lack the virulence genes found in
Listeria
pathogenicity island 1 (LIPI-1), and the internalin genes inlA and inlB, indicating that they are non-pathogenic.
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On June 1, the FDA will launch low-cost or no-cost technology-enabled traceability. They ask stakeholders, including technology providers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, to develop traceability tools that can be implemented in a scalable, cost-effective way for food operations of all sizes. The affordability of such technologies can be a barrier to adaptation. The FDA would like to encourage the development of creative financial models that are low to no-cost solutions and act as catalysts for change. The goal of the FDA is to reduce foodborne illness in this country by doing everything we can to prevent the contamination of foods. Their way of doing so is to tap into the wealth of expertise and information found in government, industry, academia, and other resources in the public and private sectors. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices/fda-seeks-innovative-food-traceability-tools-and-opens-dialogue-advancing-food-safety-technology
FDA is working differently to enhance food traceability and support the use of technology to strengthen the food safety system.
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) warns against the consumption of Metro Brands Enoki Mushrooms from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Metro Brands (packed for) Enoki Mushrooms were sold in 99-gram packages; all units sold up to and including May 14, 2021, with a UPC of 0 59749 94854 8. The recalled Enoki Mushroom products have been marketed, distributed, and sold in Quebec. The Canadian recall came after last month similar mushroom recall in the US. No illnesses were reported. @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/75613a-eng.php
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Enoki Mushrooms described below due to Listeria monocytogenes.
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Food Safety News reports that Pure Éire Dairy recalls yogurt because Washington state officials reported it could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The dairy announced the recall on its Facebook page, saying that it has requested retailers to remove all PCC Markets brand and Pure Éire brand yogurt from sales. This container of PCC Market’s yogurt was in the home of one of the outbreak patients. 11 people across four counties are in the State of Washington are sick, and all but one are children. Food safety attorney Bill Marler is representing three of the patients. The yogurt subject to recall is PCC organic grass-fed yogurt in 8- and 16-ounce containers. According to the notice on the PCC Markets website, all flavors and all best-by dates are included in the recall. Additional products are listed in the recall as possibly containing the recalled yogurt. The additional products are yogurt on the salad bar, Butter Chicken from the hot bar and to-go casseroles, Spicy Yellow Curry Chicken from the hot bar and to-go casseroles, Tzatziki Sauce from grain bowl bar to-go spreads, and Sticky Toffee Pudding with the refrigerated desserts. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2021/05/dairy-recalls-yogurt-because-of-likely-connection-to-outbreak/#:~:text=Pure%20%C3%89ire%20Dairy%20is%20recalling,E.%20Coli%20infections%20in%20Washington.&text=The%20company%20is%20also%20advising,have%20it%20in%20their%20homes
Pure Éire Dairy is recalling certain yogurt because state officials reported it could be contaminated with E. Coli O157:H7. The health department is