The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reported that each spring and summer, Canada sees an increase in non-travel-related Cyclospora illnesses. PHAC is working with its public health and food safety partners to identify possible ways infections occur in Canada. Previous Cyclospora illnesses have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, including pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, berries, lettuce, and snow and snap peas. Currently, there are 310 cases, mainly in Ontario (252). Quebec has 51 cases, British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Labrador 3 cases each, and one in Alberta. There have been 13 hospitalizations and no death.
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Lamb’s Supreme shredded IQF hash browns recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes
According to the CFIA, Gordon Food Service (Milton, Ontario) recalled Lamb’s Supreme branded Shredded Individual Quick Frozen (“IQF”) Hash Browns from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The Lamb’s Supreme Shredded IQF Hash Browns sold in 18-pound (6/3 pound) bulk containers. The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This is an update of the recall from August 30,2022. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/lamb-s-supreme-brand-shredded-iqf-hash-browns-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes-0
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Bonvallis Nevat cheese recalled in Canada due to generic E. coli
According to the CFIA, Bonvallis (Montreal, Quebec) brand Nevat (cheese) was recalled in the province of Quebec due to generic E. coli. The cheese was sold in 2.4 Kg. packages. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/bonvallis-brand-nevat-cheese-recalled-due-generic-e-coli
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FDA Announces Targeted Sampling, Additional Efforts to Enhance the Safety of Leafy Greens
On September 8, 2022, the FDA announced its continued commitment to enhancing the safety of leafy greens. As part of this effort, the FDA is announcing a targeted sampling of leafy greens grown on farms and ranches during the fall 2022 harvest season in the Salinas Valley region of California. One key of the LGAP is sampling efforts to detect and prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers. This will help leafy greens growers and processors identify practices or conditions that may present microbial risks so they can strengthen the microbiological safety of their operations. During the fall 2022 harvest season, the FDA plans to collect about 240 lettuce samples at farms/ranches in the Salinas Valley. In recent years, traceback investigations identified these farms/ranches as potentially associated with a foodborne illness outbreak in which lettuce or leafy greens were the likely or suspect food vehicle. All samples will be tested for Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7, and sampling will begin in mid-September 2022 and run through October 2022. In 2021 the FDA detected a Salmonella enterica in one green leaf sample and STEC in two other samples. Over the next two months, multi-disciplinary food safety experts across the FDA will visit leafy greens producers in California to learn more about leafy greens operations. Recent outbreaks have raised concerns about the sanitary design of harvest equipment and how field production and processing practices may contribute to contamination. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-targeted-sampling-additional-efforts-enhance-safety-leafy-greens
The FDA is announcing targeted sampling of leafy greens grown on farms and ranches during the Fall 2022 harvest season in the Salinas Valley region of California, releasing results from a 2021 sampling assignment, and providing an update on other work under the action plan.