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The industry uses salmonella prevalence as an indicator of food safety. An article published in Risk Analysis by T. Oscar from the USDA claims that prevalence is only one of several factors that determine the risk of salmonellosis. He created a predictive model for the risk of salmonellosis from individual lots of ground turkey as a function of Salmonella prevalence and other risk factors. Scenario analysis was used to evaluate the effects of model variables on the risk of salmonellosis. Epidemiological data were used to simulate Salmonella serotype virulence in a dose‐response model that was based on human outbreak and feeding trial data Risk of salmonellosis.  AU (total arbitrary units per lot) was affected (p ≤ 0.05) by several factors including (Ii)Salmonella prevalence, (II) number of Salmonella, and virulence, (III) incidence and extent of undercooking, (IV) food consumption behavior (V) host resistance. However, it was not (p > 0.05) affected by serving size, serving size distribution, or the total bacterial load of ground turkey when all other risk factors were held constant. When other risk factors were not held constant, Salmonella prevalence was not correlated (r = −0.39; p = 0.21) with the risk of salmonellosis. Therefore, Salmonella prevalence alone was not a good indicator of poultry food safety. The author encourages the utilization of the process risk model developed in the present study, to better protect public health from foodborne pathogens like Salmonella.@ https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13563

Pillsbury’s announced that they would produce cookie dough that can be eaten raw or cooked. To achieve cookie dough free of pathogens, they use heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs, creating a unique product that can be eaten straight from the package. Raw cookie dough caused several E. coli outbreaks. In recent years (2016 and 2019), two outbreaks of E. coli infections linked to raw flour made more than 80 people sick. In July of 2019, there was an outbreak E. coli O26 linked to ADM Milling Co. flour that resulted in many product recalls including cookie dough. Raw eggs are another ingredient in uncooked batter and dough that can make people sick because they can contain pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella. The new process established remove these dangers and make the product safe to eat raw. @ https://www.generalmills.com/en/News/NewsReleases/Library/2020/July/Pillsbury-brings-childhood-dreams-to-life

Reuters reports that Tönnies, the meat processor that temporarily shut down operations in June after more than 1,500 plant employees were confirmed to have COVID-19 infections had 31 additional cases weeks after reopening the facility, authorities said on Friday. The Tönnies, the meat processor outbreak, in turn, led to about 600,000 people in the surrounding Guetersloh region being put back in lockdown, which has since been lifted. The original outbreak prompted Tönnies to launch a new health and safety plans at the pork plant, including testing all workers twice per week for exposure to coronavirus. The plant reopened last week after a new health and safety plan was introduced, including testing all workers twice a week for coronavirus. Since then, 7,300 tests have been undertaken with 31 people showing positive, said a statement from the local government authority in Guetersloh. But only three were regarded as new infections and have been quarantined. Germany has had more than 200,000 cases and over 9,000 deaths in total. @ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-meat/more-german-abattoir-workers-test-positive-for-coronavirus-idUSKCN24P1QL

The public Health Agency of Canada has notified the public that as of July 24, 2020, there have been 59 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness linked to an outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (23), Alberta (31), Manitoba (3), Ontario (1), and Prince Edward Island (1). Individuals became sick between mid-June and mid-July 2020. Out of 28 people, for whom information is available, six individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. In the US, the CDC is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in this outbreak. Investigators in Canada and the US are collaborating to exchange information to identify the source of the outbreak. @ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2020/outbreak-salmonella-infections-under-investigation.html