In the news

The CDC is investigating an outbreak of salmonella in eight states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA) that has sickened 19 people and appears to be linked to wild songbirds. Eight people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Interviews with sick people and laboratory testing from sick or dead birds show that contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders is likely making people sick in this outbreak. The surprising thing here is that these states are on both sides of the nation, and generally, birds do not cross the nation from east to west.  The birds at the center of the investigation are the Pine Siskin. This outbreak is making both birds and humans sick. Salmonella can spread between species of birds, to pets, and to people. @ https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0401-salmonella-outbreak.html

The UK Food Standards Agency (“FSA”) reports the issue of Product Withdrawal Information Notices in the UK for Asda Stores Ltd.(Huddersfield, West Yorkshire) and a subsidiary of Walmart Inc. of Bentonville, Arkansas. The recall includes batch/lots of Asda 2 Original Chicken Chargrills from the British marketplace due to Salmonella contamination. The product recalled is Asda Original Chicken Chargrills, sold in 170 gram packages of two chicken pieces with a batch/lot code of 31120953 and a best-before date of 05 September 2022. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-23-2021

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) reports that North Shore Specialty Foods (Collingwood, Ontario) recalled batch/lots of Kolapore Springs branded Smoked Trout Fish products from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Clostridium botulinum contamination. The recalled batches are Kolapore Springs branded Smoked Trout, sold in variable-sized packages; affected batch/lots: all best-before dates up to and including 2021 MR 31 and a UPC of 6 27987 16383 4; and Kolapore Springs branded Smoked Trout – Peppercorn flavor, sold in variable-sized packages; affected batch/lots: all best-before dates up to and including 2021 MR 31 and a UPC of 6 27987 16383 4

https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/75241r-eng.php

The FDA has found that recalled “Real Water,” which is linked to a hepatitis outbreak, is being offered for sale online. The agency is working to locate any remaining products to ensure they are no longer available to consumers. The FDA will continue to monitor this situation closely and follow up with retailers as we become aware of recalled products being offered for sale. The FDA is conducting an audit to measure the effectiveness of the voluntary recall initiated by Real Water, Inc. As of March 31, 2021, the audit found that many distributors had not received notification directly before contact by the FDA.  Additionally, as of March 31, 2021, Real Water Inc. is still promoting the product via social media despite issuing a recall announcement. Given a lack of cooperation by the firm, FDA investigators have been unable to complete investigations at the “Real Water” Inc. facilities in Henderson, NV, and Mesa, AZ. The FDA is urging the public not to drink the water and to report any entity selling it. The FDA is also recommending that the water not be given to pets. “Five children were hospitalized in late 2020 in Clark County, but all of them have recovered,” according to the Southern Nevada Health District investigation report.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-acute-non-viral-hepatitis-illnesses-real-water-brand-alkaline-water-march-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery