In the news

The CDC declared that an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections related to romaine lettuce on Wendy’s sandwiches has ended. More than 80% of interviewed sick people reported eating at Wendy’s restaurants in several states before getting sick. Many ate burgers and sandwiches with romaine lettuce, but the specific ingredient that caused the outbreak could not be confirmed. The CDC reported that the total number of confirmed patients is 109, up from the 97 reported in its most recent update on Sept. 1. Fifty-two people were hospitalized, 13 developed HUS, in six states (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky). Michigan and Ohio were the hardest hit, with 70 and 25 patients. 83% of patients for whom the information was available reported eating at Wendy’s before becoming ill. CDC reported that WGS showed that E. coli from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2022/o157h7-08-22/index.html

In Canada, the CFIA announced that Gaton’s Foods Dairy recalled Nature’s Best Light Mozzarella 800 g, Zavat Chalav Light Mozzarella Thins 150 g, and Zavat Chalav Shredded Light Mozzarella 800 g due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The products affected by the CFIA recall were sold in Quebec and Ontario but may have been distributed elsewhere in Canada.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/certain-nature-s-best-brand-and-zavat-chalav-brand-mozzarella-cheese-products-recalled?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23&

Hy-Vee, Inc. (West Des Moines, Iowa) recalled gift baskets, cheese boards, and other products sold in eight states after being notified by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. (Benton Harbor, Michigan) that some cheese products that it manufactured for Saputo Cheese USA’s distribution may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall includes products with best-by dates from September 28 to December 14 sold at Hy-Vee grocery stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. No illnesses have been reported to Hy-Vee. @ https://www.hy-vee.com/corporate/news-events/news-press-releases/national-cheese-recall-causes-retailers-to-pull-certain-cheese-boards-brie–baskets-/

Albertsons Companies, in cooperation with its supplier Old Europe Cheese, Inc., has voluntarily recalled 34 ReadyMeals and in-store prepared items made with Brie and Camembert cheeses due to possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Old Europe Cheese recalled its Brie and Camembert cheeses because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no reports of injuries or adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. The items were available for purchase from the following Albertsons Cos. store banners: ACME, Albertsons, Andronico’s Community Markets, Balducci’s, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, King’s, Lucky, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb, and Vons. The stores are located in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, state of Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming. @ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005671/en/Albertsons-Companies-in-cooperation-with-Old-Europe-Cheese-voluntarily-recalls-select-ReadyMeals-and-in-store-prepared-items-made-with-certain-cheeses-due-to-potential-Listeria-monocytogenes-contamination