In the news

The FDA reported that Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.(Oxnard, CA) issued a recall advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 4 in/1.6oz Marketside Celery Sticks with best if used by date 03/23/2025. This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later use. The advisory is being initiated due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The potential for contamination was discovered during random sampling by the Georgia Department of Agriculture from a Georgia store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product. The specific products involved are 4 count 4 in/1.6 oz bundle packs of Marketside Celery Sticks sold at Walmart stores identified by having a UPC 6 81131 16151 0 on the back of the bag, with Best if Used by Date 03/23/2025. All potentially affected products are past their expiration date and are no longer for sale. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/duda-farm-fresh-foods-inc-issues-advisory-1587-cases-4-in16-oz-bundle-marketside-celery-sticks#:~:text=The%20specific%20products%20involved%20are,P047650%20on%20front%20of%20bag.

The CORE update list of outbreaks and adverse events includes five postings. A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes  (ref #1290) linked to an unidentified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback, an onsite inspection, and sampling. The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1292) linked to an unidentified product has ended. For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1291) linked to an unidentified product, the case count has been adjusted to 36 cases. FDA has initiated an inspection and sampling. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported a recall initiated on March 26 by Cabot Creamery. The company recalled 1,700 pounds of butter after testing found elevated levels of coliform bacteria in the product. The voluntary recall, initiated by Agri-Mark Inc, Cabot Creamery’s parent company, affects the brand’s 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Sea Salted Butter and was distributed in seven states. Coliform presence in food products indicates potential lapses in hygiene during production. Such lapses increase the risk of more harmful pathogens being present, including E. coli and salmonella. The affected products are sold in cardboard containers holding two 4-ounce sticks and have a best-by date of September 9, 2025. @ https://www.newsweek.com/butter-recalled-possible-fecal-contamination-coliform-bacteria-2057304

Over the past seven years, at least 27 people in Denmark and five abroad have been affected by a Listeria infection originating from fish products from the company Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks. The State Serum Institut (SSI), the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, and the National Food Institute of Denmark, in collaboration with foreign authorities, have identified Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks as the source of two separate Listeria outbreaks from 2018 to 2024. A total of 27 people in Denmark have been affected by two different types of Listeria monocytogenes, which have also been found in products and environmental samples from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks. All infected people have been hospitalized, and three have died within 30 days of detection of the Listeria. In a comparison of Listeria from patients to fish products from the manufacturer, it was concluded that the bacteria are identical at the DNA level. The bacteria has been found in fish products from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks sold in Italy and Sweden, and a total of five cases of illness have been registered in Italy, Sweden, France, and Germany. The authorities became aware of the first Listeria outbreak in 2020. The first finding in food from Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks of one of the Listeria types that has caused illness was in products sold in Italy in July 2023. The company has withdrawn infected batches of salmon spreads several times. Still, the company has not reported all findings in its self-control program, which has led to police reports for the sale of dangerous, ready-to-eat foods. The case is still being investigated further by the authorities. @ https://www.ssi.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2025/to-listeriaudbrud-kobles-til-fiskeproducent