In the news

The FDA reported that Ballreich Snack Food Co. Tiffin, Ohio, recalled its 1.5oz, 2.75oz, and 7oz packages of BAR-B-Q Potato Chips due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled BAR-B-Q seasoned Potato Chips were distributed regional at retails and convenience stores within Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Central Ohio and around Southern, MI, and Northeast Indiana. The product is sold in 1.5oz, 2.75oz, and 7oz bags. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this occurrence. The potential for contamination was discovered after routine testing conducting by the seasoning provider. The production of the product has been suspended. The FDA and the seasoning company continue to investigate the source of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ballreich-snack-food-company-recalls-bar-b-q-seasoned-potato-chips-because-possible-health-risk

The FAO and WHO published a “Review of Risk Assessment Tools for Vibrio,” reporting on an expert meeting held at the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in the United Kingdom in May 2019. The number of Vibrio species being recognized as potential human pathogens is increasing. There have been a series of pandemic outbreaks of V. parahaemolyticus foodborne illnesses due to seafood consumption. The meeting evaluated an existing risk calculator and modifications needed. The development of microbiological monitoring methods, particularly molecular methods for V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, is evolving rapidly, and the method of choice is not yet ready. A linear relationship between levels of the vibrios in seawater was not found. Several models were found appropriate for estimating growth. If the models are used, there should be a clear understanding of the associated uncertainty. A data gap was found, which needs to be addressed before the risk assessments could be expanded in a meaningful manner. @ https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/330867

FSIS announced that Serenade Foods (Milford, Indiana) recalled approximately 59,251 pounds of frozen, raw, breaded, and pre-browned stuffed chicken products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. FSIS, CDC, and public health partners investigate a multistate outbreak of 28 Salmonella Enteritidis in 8 states. The frozen, raw, breaded and pre-browned, stuffed chicken items were produced on February 24, 2021, and February 25, 2021. The products include 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “Dutch Farms Chicken with Broccoli & Cheese,” 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “MILFORD VALLEY CHICKEN WTH BROCCOLI & CHEESE,” 10-oz box of two individually plastic-wrapped packages of “MILFORD VALLEY CHICKEN CORDON BLEU,” 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “KIRKWOOD Raw Stuffed CHICKEN, BROCCOLI & CHEESE,” 5-oz individually plastic-wrapped packages of “KIRKWOOD Raw Stuffed CHICKEN CORDON BLEU.” Unopened, intact packages of raw, frozen, breaded chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese were collected from an ill person’s home and tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. These items were shipped to distributors nationwide.   @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/serenade-foods-recalls-frozen-raw-breaded-stuffed-chicken-products-due-possible

According to the ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission), Sapro Australia (Frenchs Forest, New South Wales ) has recalled batch/lots of Assorted KOO Canned Vegetables from the Australian marketplace due to suspected microbial contamination. The recall is a result of a canning failure that could cause microbial contamination. The canned products include KOO Baked Beans in Chilli Sauce, KOO Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, KOO Butter Beans in Flavored Brine, KOO Butter Beans in Tomato Sauce, KOO Corn Cream style Sweet corn, KOO Mixed Vegetables in Brine, KOO Mixed Vegetables in Curry Sauce, KOO Mixed Vegetables in Hot Curry Sauce, KOO Whole Kernel Sweet corn in Brine.  These Canned Vegetable products have been marketed, distributed, and sold in all Australian states.@ https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/sapro-australia-%E2%80%94-assorted-koo-canned-vegetables-410g-415g-and-420g