In the news

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Dole packaged leafy greens. On April 4, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak was over. A total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states. Sixteen people were hospitalized, with three deaths.13 states (IA, ID, MD, MI, MN, NC, NV, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, and WI) reported cases in this outbreak. The investigation conducted by Dole detected the presence of Listeria on a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ, facility. On equipment used in harvesting the iceberg lettuce that was also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. FDA conducted WGS analysis of an isolate shared by Dole, and the results confirmed that this isolate of Listeria matched the strain causing illness in this outbreak. The strain also matched the strain of Listeria found in a positive product sample collected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported on December 23, 2021. Dole decommissioned and later dismantled this piece of equipment. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data indicated that leafy greens produced by Dole were the source of this multistate outbreak. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-dole-packaged-salad-december-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

According to the FSA, Ferrero UK has recalled Kinder Surprise Chocolate Confectionery Toy products from the British marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination. The following products are subject to the recall: Kinder Surprise, sold as one (1) 20 gram chocolate “egg” confection with best-before dates ranging from 11 July 2022 to 7 October 2022; and Kinder Surprise, sold in three (3) by 20 gram chocolate “egg” confection packages with best-before dates ranging from 11 July 2022 to 7 October 2022. Only Kinder Surprise products manufactured in Belgium are affected. In the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany, almost 100 people got sick due to the product, most of them children. The UK reported the most infections (57). @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-22-2022

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers not to eat raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada, because they may be linked to an outbreak of norovirus illnesses. Canadian officials continue to investigate the source of norovirus illnesses and have closed multiple growing regions in British Columbia. In Canada, 279 norovirus illnesses have been reported linked to the consumption of British Columbia oysters. In California, at least 34 persons have become ill following the consumption of oysters at nine restaurants located throughout the state. Twenty-nine cases have been reported in Minnesota. @ https://yubanet.com/california/california-department-of-public-health-warns-of-possible-norovirus-infections-from-imported-raw-british-columbian-oysters%EF%BF%BC/

The Public Health Agency of Canada and federal and provincial public health partners are investigating an outbreak of norovirus and gastrointestinal illnesses involving four provinces: British Columbia (B.C.), Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The outbreak is linked to the consumption of raw oysters from B.C. Some oyster harvesting areas in B.C. associated with illnesses have been closed as a part of the investigation. For oysters from B.C, food recalls were conducted on February 18, 2022, March 20, March 23, and March 27, 2022. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues its food safety investigation. As of March 30, 2022, there have been 279 cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness linked to the consumption of B.C. oysters reported in the following provinces: B.C. (262), Alberta (1), Saskatchewan (1), and Ontario (15). Individuals became sick between mid-January and late March 2022, and no reported deaths. Testing of several cases has confirmed the presence of norovirus infection. Some oyster harvest areas in B.C. associated with this outbreak have been closed as a part of the investigation.@ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2022/outbreak-norovirus-gastrointestinal-illness-linked-raw-oysters-british-columbia.html