In the news

The FDA, CDC, the CFIA, and state and local partners investigate a multi-state outbreak of Norovirus linked to raw oysters linked to British Columbia. The FDA has confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX, and WA. It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution within the U.S. The FDA and the states conducted a trace forward investigation to determine where the raw oysters were distributed and ensure they were removed from the food supply. Retailers should not serve raw oysters harvested from the locations in BC. Oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, especially in people with compromised immune systems. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-potentially-contaminated-raw-oysters-canada?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Dole packaged leafy greens. On April 4, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak was over. A total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states. Sixteen people were hospitalized, with three deaths.13 states (IA, ID, MD, MI, MN, NC, NV, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, and WI) reported cases in this outbreak. The investigation conducted by Dole detected the presence of Listeria on a piece of equipment in their Yuma, AZ, facility. On equipment used in harvesting the iceberg lettuce that was also used in finished products processed in the Dole Springfield, OH, and Soledad, CA, facilities. FDA conducted WGS analysis of an isolate shared by Dole, and the results confirmed that this isolate of Listeria matched the strain causing illness in this outbreak. The strain also matched the strain of Listeria found in a positive product sample collected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported on December 23, 2021. Dole decommissioned and later dismantled this piece of equipment. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data indicated that leafy greens produced by Dole were the source of this multistate outbreak. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-dole-packaged-salad-december-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

According to the FSA, Ferrero UK has recalled Kinder Surprise Chocolate Confectionery Toy products from the British marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination. The following products are subject to the recall: Kinder Surprise, sold as one (1) 20 gram chocolate “egg” confection with best-before dates ranging from 11 July 2022 to 7 October 2022; and Kinder Surprise, sold in three (3) by 20 gram chocolate “egg” confection packages with best-before dates ranging from 11 July 2022 to 7 October 2022. Only Kinder Surprise products manufactured in Belgium are affected. In the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany, almost 100 people got sick due to the product, most of them children. The UK reported the most infections (57). @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-22-2022

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers not to eat raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada, because they may be linked to an outbreak of norovirus illnesses. Canadian officials continue to investigate the source of norovirus illnesses and have closed multiple growing regions in British Columbia. In Canada, 279 norovirus illnesses have been reported linked to the consumption of British Columbia oysters. In California, at least 34 persons have become ill following the consumption of oysters at nine restaurants located throughout the state. Twenty-nine cases have been reported in Minnesota. @ https://yubanet.com/california/california-department-of-public-health-warns-of-possible-norovirus-infections-from-imported-raw-british-columbian-oysters%EF%BF%BC/