In the news

The CDC, FDA, and local authorities investigate the multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections from cake mix. Sick people in this outbreak reported tasting or eating raw cake batter made from various cake mixes. A single brand or type of cake mix has not been linked to the illnesses. Of 16 people with information available, seven have been hospitalized. One person has developed a type of kidney failure (HUS), but no deaths have been reported. Most (75%) of sick people are children under the age of 18. All those sick are female, and illness dates range from Feb. 26 to June 21. Of the eight people interviewed, six reported tasting or eating raw batter made with a cake mix. People said they bought different varieties and brands. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio have two patients, while Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington all have one. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2021/O121-07-21/index.html

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reports that Loblaws Inc. (Brampton, Ontario) recalls batch/lots of President’s Choice branded Roquefort Blue Cheese from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Escherichia Coli (“E. Coli”) contamination. The Loblaws President’s Choice branded Roquefort Blue Cheese, sold in 150-gram packages with a batch/lots of 018139, a best-before date of 2021 OC 11. These Roquefort Blue Cheese products have been marketed, distributed, and sold in all Canadian provinces.  https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/76117r-eng.php

The FDA reported that Whole Foods Market voluntarily recalls Cahill Cheddar Porter and Whiskey Cheddar Cheeses from 44 stores across 22 states because of the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date. The two products, Cheddar with Porter and Whiskey Cheddar, were packaged in clear wrapping and sold in the specialty department with a Whole Foods Market scale label with “packed on” dates from May 17 – July 26, 2021. The products were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The contamination was discovered when a distributor notified Whole Foods Market of a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cahill-cheddar-cheeses-voluntarily-recalled-44-whole-foods-market-stores-due-possible-health-risk

The FDA reported that McCormick & Company, Inc. recalled McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning due to possible contamination with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The four products subject to this recall include McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 1.31 oz bottle, McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 2.25 oz bottle, McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning 1.75 lbs. bottle, and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning 153g bottle. The four products were shipped from June 20, 2021, through July 21, 2021. The products were shipped to  AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI. It was also shipped to Bermuda and Canada. The potential risk was brought to McCormick’s attention by FDA during routine testing. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-notice-mccormick-italian-seasoning-products-and-franks-redhot-buffalo-ranch?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery