In the news

The FDA announced on its website that Emesa Foods, from Taylor, MI recalled “Premium Sesame Tahini” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed in states of Michigan and Texas and is sold in 800 grams (28.2 Oz).  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the Emesa Foods Tahini. This potential problem was revealed as a result of a random sampling by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Although we have not received the final laboratory reports, Emesa Foods is taking the precaution of recalling products with the product code listed above. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/emesa-foods-recalls-premium-sesame-tahini-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Emesa%20Foods%20Recalls%20Premium%20Sesame%20Tahini%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

 The CDC posted another update on the outbreak relating to romaine lettuce from Salinas, CA. They report that since the previous update on December 4, an additional 36 ill people have been reported. As of December 17, 2019, a total of 138 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 25 states. Illnesses started on September 20, 2019. Of 136 ill people with information available, 72 hospitalizations have been reported, including 13 people who developed HUS. No deaths have been reported. The outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 in this outbreak matches the strain responsible for outbreaks in 2017 and 2018. Those outbreaks were linked to leafy greens and romaine lettuce, respectively. CDC and FDA continue to warn against eating romaine from Salinas. @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html

Listeria illnesses and a death were reported in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine are linked to Almark Foods hard-boiled eggs. The CDC is concerned that bulk, fresh hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, Georgia, are contaminated with Listeria and have made people sick. These products were packaged in plastic pails for use nationwide by foodservice operators. The products have not been recalled. However, because Listeria can cause severe infections, the CDC is warning against selling, serving, or using these eggs to make other food products. Seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported. Four hospitalizations have been reported. One death has been reported from Texas. One illness was reported in a newborn that was infected with Listeria while the mother was pregnant, but the newborn survived.  In this investigation, WGS showed that bacteria isolated from ill people are closely related genetically.  In the PulseNet database, CDC noted two environmental samples from February 2019 that are closely related genetically to bacteria from ill people in this outbreak.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/eggs-12-19/index.html

Romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing region is a likely source of an outbreak of illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7, according to the FDA and its investigating partners (CDC, and state health authorities). According to the FDA, the data showed that ill people in Maryland were exposed to romaine lettuce harvested in Salinas, California. Additionally, FDA is investigating two other E. coli outbreaks, each caused by strains that are different from each other and different from the larger outbreak. The FDA is investigating two other E. coli outbreaks, each caused by strains that are different from each other and different from the larger outbreak.  One of the additional outbreaks, in Washington state, is linked to romaine lettuce, and the other outbreak, with cases in the U.S. and Canada, is linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. As part of these investigations, FDA and state partners are conducting traceback investigations to trace romaine exposures to the source. Currently, the tracebacks on all three outbreaks have identified a common grower in Salinas. FDA, CDC, and California partners are deploying a team to conduct new investigations at several ranches used by this grower as we try to identify the source of the contamination. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-romaine-salinas-california-november-2019?utm_campaign=OutBreak_Romaine_Ecoli_12122019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua