In the news

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published an annual report on trends and sources of zoonoses> They reported that nearly one in three foodborne outbreaks in the EU in 2018 were caused by Salmonella. In 2018, EU Member States reported 5,146 foodborne outbreaks affecting 48,365 people. Slovakia, Spain, and Poland accounted for 67% of the 1,581 Salmonella outbreaks. These outbreaks were mainly linked to eggs. Salmonellosis was the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans in the EU (91,857 cases reported) after campylobacteriosis (246,571). West Nile virus and STEC infections were at unusually high levels. By far, the highest increase in 2018 was in the number of West Nile virus infections. Cases of West Nile virus were seven times higher than in 2017 (1,605 versus 212) and exceeded all cases reported between 2011 and 2017. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) has become the third most common cause of foodborne disease with 8,161 reported cases – replacing yersiniosis with a 37% increase compared to 2017. The number of people affected by listeriosis in 2018 is similar to 2017 (2,549 in 2018 against 2,480 the previous year). However, the trend has been upward over the past ten years. Listeriosis accounts for the highest proportion of hospitalized cases (97%) and the highest number of deaths (229), making it one of the most severe foodborne diseases. @ https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/salmonella-most-common-cause-foodborne-outbreaks-european-union

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported that the food recall warning issued on June 23, 2021, for tahini products, has been updated to include additional products. Phoenicia Group Inc. also recalls Al-Rabih brand Halva / Halawa – Plain / Traditional from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall was triggered by CFIA discovering Salmonella in a sample during a routine inspection. The product was distributed in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, and perhaps nationwide. No illnesses have been reported.@ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/75915r-eng.php

The FDA reported that Dole Diversified North America, Inc. recalled a limited number of cases of Dole™ Fresh Blueberries packaged in various clamshell sizes for potential Cyclospora contamination. This voluntary recall is due to possible Cyclospora contamination on Dole™ Fresh Blueberries. Dole Diversified North America, Inc. is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported to date in association with the recall. The impacted products were distributed in four US states (IL, ME, NY, and WI) and two Canadian provinces (Alberta and British Columbia). @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-diversified-north-america-inc-announces-limited-recall-doletm-fresh-blueberries-potential?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that  Avanti Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd recalls consignments of various sizes of frozen cooked, peeled, deveined shrimp (with some packaged with cocktail sauce) sold in various unit sizes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The frozen shrimp products were distributed nationwide from late December 2020 to late February 2021. There have been six reports of Salmonella-related illness to date associated with these cooked shrimp distributions. The FDA identified the potential for contamination based on its prior testing of frozen cooked shrimp imported by Avanti Frozen Foods containing Salmonella.  Avanti Frozen Foods did not distribute and destroyed that prior shipment found to be violative. The company has taken preventative steps to eliminate the potential for future contamination. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avanti-frozen-foods-recalls-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery