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FDA released results of a study on foodborne illness risk factors in retail food store deli departments in the United States in retail food store deli departments during 2015-2016. Of the foodborne illness risk factors investigated in this study, inadequate cooking was best controlled. The two most commonly occurring risk factors found out of compliance were improper holding (91.2%) and poor personal hygiene (71.5%). Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) were the strongest predictor of the compliance status of data items.  Establishments with well-developed FSMS had significantly fewer out-of-compliance food safety behaviors/practices than those with “less developed” food safety management systems. Approximately 32% of delis had well-developed or well-developed and documented FSMS. Analysis of the study data showed that deli departments had the best control over ensuring no bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods and cooking raw animal foods to required temperatures. The most common food safety behaviors and practices needing improvement include ensuring employees practiced proper handwashing, holding foods requiring refrigeration at the proper temperature, and cooling foods properly. @ https://www.fda.gov/media/148247/download?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA updated the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Duisburg and Salmonella Urbana infections linked to the consumption of Jule’s Cashew Brie, a vegan or plant-based cheese alternative. On April 23, 2021, Jule’s Foods of Carlsbad, California, conducted a voluntary recalled of all varieties of Jule’s Foods products. As of May 7, 2021, seven people (CA (4), FL (1), and TN (2)) infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Duisburg and Salmonella Urbana have been reported from three states. Three of the patients (from CA, TN, and FL) had to be admitted to hospitals. WGS analysis determined that the samples of Jule’s Cashew Brie were contaminated with the same strain of Salmonella Urbana that made people sick. Samples of unopened, raw cashews collected from the Jule’s Foods facility also tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella Urbana as product samples. According to the CDC, the actual number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-duisburg-and-urbana-jules-cashew-brie-april-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Food Safety News reports that the Swedish authorities are investigating a Salmonella outbreak that has affected 14 people from April 13 to 24, 14. The people have been infected with Salmonella Braenderup in 10 different regions of the country. According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) WGS has shown the patients to be linked. The source of infection has not been identified but is suspected to be a food widely distributed in Sweden. A Salmonella outbreak in Denmark has now affected 40 people with 24 of them needing hospital treatment since November 2020. People were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium between mid-November 2020 and mid-April 2021, according to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI). Three people positive for the Salmonella strain linked to the outbreak died. All three had underlying diseases but Salmonella infection is considered to be a contributing cause of death. The source of infection was traced to capsules of HUSK Psyllium imported from India and sold by Orkla care.  Orkla Care also found a Salmonella positive sample during self-controls but supplements were discarded before being sold. Products were sent to Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Bulgaria, according to a RASFF notice. German and Polish authorities have also publicized national recalls. In Poland, this includes the Colon brand dietary supplement as it contains Psyllium seed husks. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2021/05/salmonella-sickens-14-in-sweden-40-sick-in-danish-outbreak/?utm_source=Food+Safety+News&utm_campaign=570504bbcf-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f46cc10150-570504bbcf-40253059

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) reported that Goldenway International Trade Co. (Mississauga, Ontario) recalled Golden Mushroom brand Enoki Mushroom from the Canadian marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Golden Mushroom Enoki Mushrooms, a fresh vegetable product marketed, sold, and delivered in 200-gram clear plastic bags; affected batch/lots: all products sold up to and including May 7, 2021, with a UPC of 8 809201 000039. These food products may be close to or past their use-by dates; they may be in your freezers or storage chillers. The recalled products have been marketed, distributed, and sold in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.  @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/75561r-eng.php