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The CDC reported that each year in the United States, an estimated 9 million people get sick, 56,000 are hospitalized, and 1,300 die of foodborne diseases caused by known pathogens. The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) is a tri-agency group created by the CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS. Salmonella illnesses come from a wide variety of foods. More than 75% of Salmonella illnesses were attributed to seven food categories: Chicken, Fruits, Pork, Seeded Vegetables (such as tomatoes), Other Produce (such as fungi, herbs, nuts, and root vegetables), Beef, and Turkey. E. coli O157 illnesses were most often linked to Vegetable Row Crops (such as leafy greens) and Beef. More than 80% of illnesses were linked to these two categories. Listeria monocytogenes illnesses were most often linked to Dairy products, Fruits, and Vegetable Row Crops. More than 75% of illnesses were attributed to these three categories, but the rarity of Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks makes these estimates less reliable than those for other pathogens. @ https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ifsac/pdf/P19-2020-report-TriAgency-508.pdf?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_485-DM93178&ACSTrackingLabel=Food%20Safety%20Updates%20From%20CDC&deliveryName=USCDC_485-DM93178

An article (PATHIRAJAH et al. 2022, Influence of Different Stainless Steel Finishes on Biofilm Formation by Listeria monocytogenes, J Food Prot (2022) 85 (11): 1584–1593) investigates the effect of Stainless steel (SS) roughness on the attachment of  Listeria monocytogenes. The goal was to see whether there were finishes with significantly lower bacterial attachment. The number of adhered cells increased with time on all stainless steel finishes. Eight-hour results showed a significant difference (P< 0.05) in biofilm cell counts in biofilms between the roughest and finest surfaces. Data gained after 4-h, 24-h, and 24-h plus an additional 24-h continuous flow cultivation showed no significant difference in attachment among surfaces. No correlation between roughness data and attachment was found after all four incubation times, suggesting that roughness values at these ranges are insufficient in determining the surfaces’ affinity to bacteria. Overall, this study suggests that roughness values cannot be used to predict the degree of L. monocytogenes attachment to a specific stainless steel surface. @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/85/11/1584/485622/Influence-of-Different-Stainless-Steel-Finishes-on?redirectedFrom=fulltext

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal and the company Les Aliments Felix Mish inc.(1903, rue Jolicoeur, Montreal), warned the public not to consume ready-to-eat cooked bacon because this food may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The product subject to this warning was sold until October 25, 2022. Les Aliments Felix Mish recalled e product in question. No case of illness associated with the consumption of this food has been reported to MAPAQ to date. @ https://www-quebec-ca.translate.goog/nouvelles/actualites/details/avis-de-ne-pas-consommer-de-bacon-cuit-pret-a-manger-prepare-et-vendu-par-lentreprise-les-aliments-felix-mish-inc-43840?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

November 3, 2022, the FDA announced that Kalera Public Limited Company (Nasdaq: KAL) is voluntarily recalling 633 cases of Krunch, Butter, and Romaine whole head variety of lettuce with lot codes 001293 and 001294 on the label due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The distribution of the products was limited to a small number of retail and foodservice customers in Florida. The Company has notified the customers about the contamination. It is working with the distributors to ensure consumers do not receive any of the products affected by the recall. The FDA was also notified. No illnesses have occurred or been reported to date.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kalera-voluntarily-recalls-fresh-lettuce-products-because-possible-health-risk