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A model was developed for a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model for Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on cantaloupe along the fresh-cut supply chain and evaluated potential risk reduction strategies. The developed model starts at harvest and includes conditions during transportation from the field to intermediate facility (packinghouse or cooling facility), handling at the intermediate facility, and transportation to the fresh-cut facility, storage pre-processing at the fresh-cut facility, processing and handling at the fresh-cut facility, as well as conditions during distribution, retail, transportation to home, and home storage. The model was simulated to (i) provide an estimate of LM concentration in a single serving (134 g) and (ii) estimate annual illnesses and deaths in the US attributed to LM contaminated fresh-cut cantaloupe. The baseline model predicted the median risk of listeriosis per serving in general and susceptible populations was 1.4 x 10-12 and 6.4 x 10-11, respectively. The median (5th, 95th percentiles) predicted number of illnesses and deaths annually attributed to fresh-cut cantaloupe were 0 (0, 1070) and 0 (0, 264), respectively. Time and temperature conditions post-packaging, and the initial number of LM at harvest had the greatest impacts on LM per contaminated serving and the number of annual illnesses; the initial LM levels at harvest and cross-contamination parameters at the fresh-cut facility had the greatest impacts on prevalence of contaminated servings. Assessment of interventions demonstrated that reducing temperature and/or time conditions post-packaging can be an effective risk reduction strategy. Overall, the developed tool estimates the risk associated with the consumption of LM contaminated fresh-cut cantaloupe and facilitates the identification and assessment of potential risk reduction strategies across the supply chain. Published in Farm-to-consumer quantitative microbial risk assessment model for Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut cantaloupe by Ingersoll Murphy et al J. Food Protection, available aniline 26 September 2025. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X25001784

The FSAI has announced that a batch of Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red & Mozzarella cheese, sold in 200g packs with a best-before date of 30/11/2025, has been recalled in Ireland due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red & Mozzarella was sold in Aldi Supermarkets and has been pulled from shelves due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. @  https://www.fsai.ie/news-and-alerts/food-alerts/recall-of-a-batch-of-cheese-due-to-possible-presen

The FDA reported on October 3, 2025, that Best Buy Bones, Inc. of Mount Morris, Michigan, is recalling four lots of Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites 1 Pound pet treats in 16 oz. bags with a shared expiration date of September 2027, as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 34 bags of Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites 1 Pound pet treats were distributed out of Minnesota and sold through retail stores in Wisconsin after September 23. Nature’s Own Pet Chews brand Bully Bites, are sold in a 16 oz., resealable plastic pouch 11” high, 9.5” wide, 3.5” deep on the bottom and have a Best Buy date of September 2027. No illnesses in dogs have been reported to date. The health risk was discovered when samples of the product were collected on September 11, 2025, and tested by the FDA. The product tested positive for Salmonella. The company has ceased production and distribution of this product as the FDA, and the company continue their investigation into what caused the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/best-buy-bones-inc-recalls-natures-own-pet-chews-bully-bites-because-possible-salmonella-health-risk

On September 30, 2025, Nate’s Fine Foods, the supplier of the pasta, expanded the recall of precooked pasta, including fettuccine, linguine, and farfalle (Bow Tie), after a sample of linguine pasta collected and tested by FreshRealm tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA, USD-FSIS, and the CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared meals. On October 2, 2025, Kroger announced a recall of certain bowtie and penne pasta salads sold at the deli service counter and in grab-n-go packages from the deli department from Kroger stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Greater Cincinnati (including Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio plus South Eastern Indiana); Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle; Michigan; Indiana (except SE Indiana, -Evansville-); Illinois; Eastern Missouri; Greater Louisville area (including Indiana) and Lexington, Kentucky; Hopkinsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; Texas and Louisiana; Dillons, Baker’s, Gerbes, King Soopers: City Market, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Smith’s stores. As of September 25, 2025, a total of 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 15 states (CA, FL, IL, IN, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, UT, VA). Of the 13 people interviewed, 7 (54%) reported eating precooked meals, and 4 specifically reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo. Of 20 people with information available, 19 have been hospitalized, and 4 deaths have been reported. There is one illness in a pregnant mother that resulted in a fetal loss.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-prepared-pasta-meals-june-2025?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery