In the news

Giant Eagle Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) recalls frozen bags of Giant Eagle diced green peppers because the product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. These recalls have not been posted on the FDA’s recall web page. And they do not appear on Giant Eagle’s recall page. There are two recalls; the first is for Giant Eagle Diced Green Peppers packaged in 10 ounces (283 gram) bags. The product is frozen. There are 12 packages per case. The best by date for this product is 10/14/2023. The recalling firm is Giant Eagle Inc. at 101 Kappa Drive in Pittsburgh. The second recall is for Giant Eagle Diced Green Peppers packaged in 10 ounce poly bags. There are 12 10 ounce bags per case, and the product is also in 22-pound cartons. Frozen Food Development recalls firm at 156 W. Harrisburg Avenue in Rheems, Pennsylvania. The product was distributed to Giant Supermarkets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. @ https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2022/giant-eagle-diced-green-peppers-recalled-for-possible-listeria/

The CFIA reported that Abbott recalled infant formula products from the marketplace due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella contamination. A recall in the US triggered this recall. There have been reported illnesses in the United States associated with the consumption of these products in Canada. The recalled products have been sold nationally. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/certain-abbott-brand-powdered-infant-formula-products-recalled-due-cronobacter?utm_source=r_listserv

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated four consumer complaints of infant illness related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility received from 9/6/2021 to 12/18/2021. All cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula (IF) produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of Salmonella Newport infection in infants. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized, and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case. FDA found several positive Cronobacter results from environmental samples. As a result, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) initiated a voluntary recall of powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan. During testing in the facility, the company found Cronobacter sakazakii in the plant in non-product contact areas. We found no evidence of Salmonella Newport. The recalled products have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, containing K8, SH, or Z2, and an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after. A total of 4 adverse events (3 Cronobacter, 1 Salmonella)I MN (1), OH (1), TX (2). All affected infants were hospitalized. One death has been reported but has not been confirmed as solely attributable to Cronobacter infection. Products made at the Sturgis facility were distributed across the United States and were likely exported to other countries. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/abbott-voluntarily-recalls-powder-formulas-manufactured-one-plant?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The USDA/FSIS issued the Enforcement report for 1Q 2022, covering the period of October 1, 20221 to December 31, 2021. The report summarizes the enforcement actions FSIS has taken to ensure that meat, poultry, and egg products reaching consumers are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. This report is a snapshot in time of a dynamic process. In 1Q, 1.8 million inspections were performed, and 23,002 Noncompliance Records (NR) were issued (98.7%). An NR can be appealed. In 1Q, 457 appeals were filled, 102 granted and 190 denied, and 88 cases were pending when the period ended. Additional 77 appeals ended with modified NRs. FSIS also re-inspect 1,291,263,334 lb of imported meat and poultry in 1Q, and accepted 1,289,477,260 lb. Domestic inspections are also included.@