In the news

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In Quebec, Olymel pork processing plant has an outbreak of COVID-19 involving 62 employees and one death

At an Olymel-owned pork processing plant in Quebec’s 62 workers tested positive for COVID-19 (out of 159 workers tested), and one worker died after testing positive the day before. The regional health authorities are trying to determine whether the coronavirus caused the worker’s death. The Olymel Vallee-Jonction union, representing 1,050 workers at the plant, has called for the facility to be temporarily closed. The company said that sanitary measures put in place during the first wave of the pandemic had been relaxed over the summer. However, public health officials have not yet recommended the plant be closed. The company claims that mitigation measures remain in place, and employees are encouraged to get tested as Olymel continues to follow public health directives. @ https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/10229002-one-dead-amid-covid-outbreak-at-quebec-pork-plant/

Quebec COVID-19 restrictions likely to be extended

Union calls for Quebec slaughterhouse to be closed after COVID-19 outbreak

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Do faster slaughter lines speed for chicken increased Salmonella contamination risks?

A study published in the Journal of Poultry Science by Louis Anthony Cox from the University of Colorado investigated how differences in slaughter line speeds cause differences in their microbial quality, specific frequencies of positive  Salmonella samples. Data was collected in 2018-2019 from 97 slaughter establishments processing young chickens. The study showed that the presence of Salmonella or other indicators of process control (such as non-compliance records for regulations associated with process control and food safety) is not significantly increased with higher line speeds (e.g., above 140 birds per minute) compared to establishments with lower line speeds.  A null hypothesis advanced over 30 years ago by the National Research Council, that increased line speeds result in a product that is not contaminated more often than before line speeds were increased, appears to be entirely consistent with these recent data. The analyses presented here indicate that today’s establishments running at higher line speeds do not increase Salmonella risk under the conditions present during this study. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579120307367

Higher Line Speed in Young Chicken Slaughter Establishments Does Not Predict Increased Salmonella Contamination Risks

Do faster slaughter line speeds for young chickens increase risk of Salmonella contamination? We analyze data collected in 2018-2019 from 97 slaughter…

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MAPAQ warns the public not to consume ham dried tomatoes and basil sold by Meats Charlevoix

The ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Charcuterie Charlevoisienne company, warn consumers not to consume “Ham, Dried Tomatoes and Basil” due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The product was available for sale at several locations across the province. It was packaged in clear plastic wrap with a black underside and was sold refrigerated. The label includes, in addition to the proper name of the product, the words “CHARCUTERIE CHARLEVOISIENNE.” To date, no illnesses were reported. @ https://www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/fr/Consommation/rappelsaliments/2020/10/Pages/4212.aspx

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CDC reports: Listeria Outbreak linked to deli meats

The CDC reported that ten people were infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in three states (Florida, Massachusetts, and New York). All 10 ill people were hospitalized. One death has been reported from Florida. Epidemiological data suggest that deli meat is a likely source of this outbreak. In interviews with 9 ill people, all reported eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. They reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations. The specific type of meat has not been identified yet. WGS showed that bacteria isolated from ill people were closely related genetically. @ https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeat-10-20/index.html