In the news

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) reports that Northfork Bison Distributions (Saint-Leonard, Québec) Inc. recalled ground bison products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O121 and O103 contamination. The following Bison Meat products are subject to this recall: Natural Frontier branded Bison Ground Meat, sold in 280 gram packages; Sensations branded Extra Lean Ground Bison, sold in 280 gram packages;  La Terre des Bisons branded Bison ground (lean), sold in 1.5 pound packages;  Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Ground Regular, sold in 1.25 kilogram packages;  Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Ground Regular, sold in 4.54 kilogram /10 pound packages; Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Ground Regular, sold in 4.54 kilogram /10 pound packages;  Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Ground Regular, sold in 0.45 kilogram / 1 pound packages; Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Burger, sold in 20 by 8 ounce packages; and  Northfork Canadian Bison Ranch branded Bison Burger, sold in 4 by 4 ounce packages. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products in Canada. However, there have been reported illnesses in the United States linked to these products. This recall was triggered by the company and a recall in the US. @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2019/70459r-eng.php

A joint study of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes (EURL Lm, hosted by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – ANSES) was commissioned. In February 2010, ECDC invited the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHRLs) to start storing all available L. monocytogenes isolates with accompanying background data from human cases of listeriosis voluntarily until the end of 2011. This collaborative study, called ‘the European Listeria Typing Exercise’ (ELiTE). The goal of the study was to describe the molecular epidemiology of L. monocytogenes in humans and food. The most significant human-food cluster involved 30 human and 56 food L. monocytogenes isolates from 15 countries. Fishery products showed a high prevalence of L. monocytogenes with the highest proportion of samples with bacteria counts exceeding microbiological criterion 100 cfu/g. @ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/European-listeria-typing-exercise-ELiTE-joint-report.pdf

The FDA announced that Guan’s Mushroom Co (Commerce, CA) is recalling all cases of its 200g/7.05-ounce packages of Enoki Mushroom (Product of China) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recalled products were distributed from CA, NY, and PA through produce distributors or wholesalers to retail stores nationwide. The Enoki comes in a 200g/7.05ounces, clear plastic package with the description “Enoki Mushroom” in English, Korean and French, and Guan’s logo on the front.  The product is being shipped in a white cardboard box with 25 pcs of 200g.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 200g package of Enoki. The distribution of the product has been suspended. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/guans-mushroom-co-recalls-enoki-because-possible-health-risk-0

While insects have been part of the regular diets of many cultures in various regions through the centuries, the practice is not widespread in the Western world. A recent Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publication reviews food safety concerns associated with edible insects. Farming insects for human as well as animal consumption is now on the rise. The report emphasizes the need to mitigate food safety concerns. The risk of the consumption of insects is highest when harvested from the wild and consumed raw. Farmed insects present less of a risk of microbial contamination. A better understanding of shelf-stability and exposure to microbial and chemical contaminants is needed. Specific legislation and standards are missing in most countries.  @ http://www.fao.org/3/cb4094en/cb4094en.pdf