In the news

December 20, 2021-The FDA announced that Fresh Express Incorporated (Orlando, Florida) recalled an estimated 23 varieties of Fresh Express branded Salads and Salad Kits produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Recalled salad items were distributed through retailers in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States and distributors and retailers in Canada. US distribution includes the states of CT, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, WI. Canadian distribution includes the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. The recall was necessitated when the Michigan Department of Agriculture received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Fresh Express 9 oz. Sweet Hearts salad mix.  The CDC has reported 10 illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death associated with the product. The isolated strain of Listeria monocytogenes detected in the Michigan Department of Agriculture sample is similar to the strain isolated from the beginning in 2016 to the present.  @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-announces-recall-fresh-salad-products-due-potential-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

According to the CFIA, Fraser Valley Meats (British Columbia) has recalled Whole Kernel Corn (frozen) products from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination.  Fraser Valley Meats branded Frozen Whole Kernel Corn was sold in two (2) kilogram bags between December 3, 2021, and December 15, 2021. This recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/fraser-valley-meats-brand-whole-kernel-corn-frozen-recalled-due-salmonella

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) advised consumers not to eat Fresh Express Sweet Hearts Romaine Lettuce Sweet Butter Lettuce due to Listeria monocytogenes. A sample of product collected as part of routine sampling in December and analyzed by MDARD has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The product is packaged in a 9 oz. clear plastic bag with a green and red label with white lettering and has a use-by date and lot code of “DEC 08 Z324B05A 16:04 07; Product of USA” located on the upper right corner of the front of the bag. Currently, no cases of illness have been associated with this product in Michigan. @ https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125–574207–,00.html

The EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control report present the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2020 in 27 EU Member States (MS) and nine non-MS. In 2020, the first and second most reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis, respectively. The EU trend for confirmed human cases of these two diseases did not change from 2016 to 2020. Fourteen of the 26 MS reporting data on Salmonella control in poultry met the reduction targets for all poultry categories. For Campylobacter, quantification results from broiler carcasses for the MS group were similar to Salmonellosis. Yersiniosis was the third most reported zoonosis in humans, with 10-fold fewer cases reported than Salmonellosis, followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes infections. The most severe zoonotic diseases with the highest case fatality are caused by L. monocytogenes and West Nile virus infections. In 2020, 27 MS reported 3,086 foodborne outbreaks (a 47.0% decrease from 2019) and 20,017 human cases (a 61.3% decrease). Salmonella remained the most frequently reported causative agent for foodborne outbreaks. @ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/efs2_6971-FINAL.pdf