In the news

Several Kinder chocolate products, including the popular Kinder Eggs, are recalled across Europe and Canada due to a salmonella outbreak in the EU. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said they are investigating dozens of reported and suspected cases of salmonella linked with eating chocolate in at least nine countries. Italian confectionery group Ferrero recalled several Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs from various countries. Britain has the highest number of incidents, with 63 confirmed cases as of April 5, the ECDC said, adding that other countries with confirmed cases are France, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. EFSA reported a total of 134 confirmed or probable cases of salmonella. Canada also announced a recall of kinder products. Ferrero says it was able to track down the origin of the salmonella outbreak to a filter at the company’s plant in Arlon, Belgium. At the outlet of two raw material tanks, the filter has now been removed. Ferrero says the presence of salmonella was detected on December 15. The recall applies to products manufactured in Belgium and, in addition to the Kinder Eggs, includes batches of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g, and Kinder Schoko-Bons. @ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-investigates-chocolate-linked-salmonella-outbreak-before-easter-2022-04-06/

The CDC, the FDA, PHAC of Canada, CFIA, and local agents investigate a multistate outbreak of Norovirus linked to oysters from British Columbia. As of April 6, 2022, at least 103 norovirus illnesses have been reported from 13 states (CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX, and WA). The CDC is working with state and local partners to determine a more accurate number of illnesses. The FDA had advised restaurants and retailers not to serve oysters from British Columbia. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. However, state, local, and health departments are not required to report individual cases of norovirus illness to a national surveillance system. As a result, the actual number of cases is unknown. There are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States each year. Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year but are most common from November to April. Meanwhile, there are more recalls reported in Canada. @ https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/outbreaks/index.html

The CFIA reported that Ferrero Canada Ltd. recalled Kinder brand chocolate products from the Canadian marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products have been sold nationally. The Kinder brand chocolate products include Schoko-Bons, Happy Moments – Kinder Confections Assortment, Mini Eggs, Mix – Egg Hunt Kit, Mix – 7 Easter treats, Surprise, Miraculous, Surprise, Natoons, and Surprise. This recall was triggered by the company. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products in Canada. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/certain-kinder-brand-chocolate-products-recalled-due-possible-salmonella?utm_source=r_listserv

Our Table Cooperative (Sherwood, Oregon) is recalling Frozen Blueberries packaged from 03/12/2022 to 03/29/2022 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in Oregon. The product comes in bulk cases, 2½ pound or 5-pound plastic bags. The contamination with Listeria monocytogenes was discovered during routine sampling by the company. No illnesses have been reported to date. @  https://mediumpublishers.com/our-table-cooperative-recalls-frozen-blueberries-after-testing-finds-listeria/