In the news

The CFIA reported that the recall warning issued on 2023-02-15 had been updated to include additional products. The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to Listeria contamination. The products have been sold in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.@ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/1001-fondues-brand-cheese-fondues-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes#wb-auto-21

Reuters report that dairy giant Lactalis is under criminal investigation in France on charges of failure to recall, fraud, and negligent bodily harm, the company said. The investigation, which will also look into the smaller company Celia Laiterie de Craon, is linked to a major scandal in 2017 involving Salmonella agona contamination of infant formula, according to French media reports. The Salmonella agona outbreak caused the production at the Craon site in France to be suspended in December 2017. The outbreak caused 36 babies in France, two in Spain, and one in Greece to be sick. 18 infants were hospitalized. “In the coming weeks, we will have access to all the elements in the case, and we will be able to respond specifically to the totality of the points raised in this investigation,” Lactalis said. Lactalis, a privately held firm, is the world’s largest producer of cheese and one of the world’s largest dairy groups. Founded in 1933, the company has expanded steadily over generations. Its takeover of Italy’s Parmalat in 2011 made it a significant global player. Powdered milk in more than 80 countries was affected by the outbreak. @ https://www.reuters.com/business/dairy-giant-lactalis-under-criminal-investigation-france-company-2023-02-16/

The Canadian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with Boucherie L & L Boucher ( Mont-Saint-Grégoire), advises the public not to consume its Beef Jerky because this because it is likely to contain Listeria monocytogenes. The product was vacuum packed and sold refrigerated.

The operator voluntarily recalls the product in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ to issue this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. No illnesses were reported due to the product.  @ https://www.quebec.ca/nouvelles/actualites/details/avis-de-ne-pas-consommer-de-jerky-prepare-et-vendu-par-lentreprise-boucherie-l-l-boucher-45845

The commissioner of the FDA, Robert M. Califf, M.D., announced that Tracey Forfa, J.D., a 30-year veteran of the agency, is the new director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CMV). Ms. Forfa has been acting in the position since December 2022, when the previous director Steven M. Solomon, retired from Federal service. She has been with CVM since 2002 and was appointed the Deputy Center Director in 2008. She also previously served as Acting Director in 2016. Ms. Forfa is the first non-veterinarian to hold the CVM directorship. However, as recently determined by Commissioner Califf, when the center director is not a veterinarian, the agency will soon name a Chief Veterinary Officer to advise on various veterinary issues. @ https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/tracey-forfa-announced-new-director-fdas-center-veterinary-medicine#:~:text=Tracey%20Forfa%20Announced%20as%20New%20Director%20of%20FDA’s%20Center%20for%20Veterinary%20Medicine,-Share&text=Robert%20M.%20Califf%2C%20M.D.%2C,FDA’s%20Center%20for%20Veterinary%20Medicine.