In the news

The USDA/FSIS issued a public health alert due to concerns that a specific ground beef product may be contaminated with E. coli O103. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. The raw ground beef items were produced on October 4, 2022. 1-lb. vacuum-packed plastic packages containing “FRANK’S BUTCHER SHOP GROUND BEEF” with “PACKED ON” dates of 10-07-2022 and 10-09-2022 on the label. The problem was discovered when FBS Hudson alerted FSIS that its routine microbial testing results found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103 in a sample of ground beef. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to the consumption of these products. Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs 2-8 days (average of 3-4 days) after consuming the organism. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-due-possible-e–coli-o103-contamination

According to the CFIA, Bright Cheese & Butter Mfg. Company (Bright, Ontario)  recalled  Unbranded Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes. The unbranded Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese was sold in twenty (20) kilogram containers. The recalled product has been sold in Quebec. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/no-brand-low-fat-mozzarella-cheese-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes

The FDA reported that Cut Fruit Express (Inver Grove Heights, MN) recalled Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate 6.2oz because of potential contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes. Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USED BY DATES are 9/30/2022, 10/2/2022, 10/4/2022, 10/7/2022, and 10/9/2022. Cut Fruit Express learned that their supplier is issuing a recall on Brie Cheese for potential contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes. Cut Fruit Express is initiating a recall on the affected product that contains the recalled Brie Cheese. The affected products were shipped between September 26th through October 5th, 2022. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cut-fruit-express-recalls-caribou-coffee-fruit-and-cheese-plate-because-possible-health-risk

The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121H19 infection linked to Earth Growth frozen falafel. Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC (180 Lehigh Avenue, Lakewood, NJ) recalled its Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL, due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The products were distributed in ALDI retail stores in the following states:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut,  Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. There have been 20 reported cases in six states (FL, IA, KS, MI, OH, and WI), with onset dates reported between July 24, 2022, and September 19, 2022, with 5 hospitalization and no deaths. On October 6, 2022, ALDI removed any remaining Earth Grown frozen falafel from stores. These items are no longer available for sale but were sold frozen and have a long shelf-life of 18 months, so consumers should check their freezers for these products. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o121h19-frozen-falafel-october-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery