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The FDA reported that by November 9, 2020, 12 people from six states (CA (2), IL (4), MI (2), OH (1), PA (2), and VA (1)) were infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. Of 11 ill people with information available, five have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The strain of E. coli found in the Michigan sample is a third distinct strain not genetically related to the strains causing two distinct multi-state outbreaks of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) that FDA and CDC announced on October 28, 2020. There is not enough epidemiologic and traceback information available at this time to determine if ill people got sick from eating Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-unknown-food-fall-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

An EU project, called Campylobacter-Specific Nullification via Innovative Phage-mediated Enteropathogen Reduction (C-SNIPER), led by AZTI, a technology center in Spain, developed a phage-based technology to reduce Campylobacter. A bacteriophage-based solution was developed as a natural antimicrobial in the farm (pre-harvest), at slaughter, and in processing facilities (post-harvest). A prototype of a phage solution against Campylobacter has been obtained, optimized, and set for production at a mini-pilot scale. A survey among poultry producers and consumers found high acceptance of 90% and 85% respectively towards the use of bacteriophages. There is no regulation in Europe on bacteriophage applications in food production, so they cannot be used. The FDA has approved phage products for Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli but no Campylobacter. The project is at the commercialization stage with the goal of a commercial product in two years. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/11/eu-project-uses-phages-to-tackle-campylobacter-in-poultry/

recalled packaged single head romaine lettuce under the Tanimura & Antle brand. The product is labeled with a packed date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020 due to possible contamination with E. coli 0157:H7. Packages contain a single head of romaine lettuce with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the recalled product. The recall is based on the test result of a random sample collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of their routine sampling program. A total of 3,396 cartons of potentially affected product were distributed in the United States to the following states: AK, OR, CA, TX, AR, OK, IN, NE, MO, TN, WI, NM, SC, WA, NC, OH, VA, MA, PR, and IL. The potentially affected product was shipped in cases packed in the 12, 15, 18, or 24 heads per case. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the lettuce sample was collected at a Walmart in Comstock Park. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory “determined that the strain of E. coli recovered from the product sample is highly related genetically to E. coli causing two recent illnesses in Michigan.” @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tanimura-antle-voluntary-recalls-packaged-single-head-romaine-lettuce-due-potential-e-coli-0157h7#:~:text=Out%20of%20an%20abundance%20of,E.%20Coli%200157%3AH7

The Meatingplace reported that the state of New Mexico on Thursday ordered Stampede Meat to shut down its plant in Sunland Park for two weeks to stem COVID-19 infections among the company’s workers. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued the order because state health teams have at least four “rapid responses” by state health teams to infections among Stampede employees in the last two weeks. The agency then guides the company on testing, quarantining, disinfecting, and best safety practices. More than 50 cases of employee infections at Stampede were identified during several rounds of state testing in May. The company said it implemented more safety measures to limit spread, according to local media reports. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/95420