In the news

Kareem Mart (Garden City, MI) is recalling its Kareem Chef brand “Halva”, “Halva with Pistachio”, and “Halva with Chocolate” because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled “Halva” were distributed, between March 2020 to February 2021, through Mediterranean food stores and wholesalers in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The products come in 1lb and 2lb plastic tubs. There is only one lot distributed. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the problem. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing from samples in the stores by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kareem-mart-recalls-halva-because-possible-health-risk

Scientists from the FDA published in J Food Prot (84 (4): 639–646, 2021) published a comparison of methods for the enrichment and detection of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes from environmental samples. Different enrichment procedures involving buffered Listeria enrichment broth (BLEB), University of Vermont medium (UVM), and Fraser broth (FB) were evaluated to determine the limits of detection (LODs) for L. monocytogenes and to assess the efficacy of composite sampling by wet (pooling of primary enrichments) and dry (pooling of swabs) procedures. A single-step BLEB yielded 0.33 CFU/225 ml, and two-step UVM-FB enrichment yielded 0.49 CFU/225 mL. The use of either two-step BLEB-FB or UVM-FB enrichments for stainless steel swabs yielded similar growth of L. monocytogenes. Compositing L. monocytogenes from culture up to 1:7 (1 positive sample to 7 negative samples) worked well. The BLEB-FB method allowed significantly faster detection (after 24 h of FB incubation) in composites of 1:4 and 1:7 samples compared with the UVM-FB method. @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/84/4/639/448753/Evaluation-of-Methods-of-Enrichment-and?redirectedFrom=fulltext

An investigation by Southern district health was initiated after 25 people were reported experiencing gastrointestinal illness symptoms. The investigation had confirmed at least one case of Norovirus. The investigation found a strong link to the Subway at 319 N. 10th Ave. in Caldwell. People that reported illnesses visited the Subway store during March 15-19. @ https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/health-district-inspects-caldwell-subway-amid-reports-of-illness-confirmed-norovirus-case/article_ad3f4392-f965-5cc3-a0af-f12716accc06.html

The FDA posted on its website that “Real Water” did not cooperate with the authorities in their investigation. As a result, the investigators have been unable to complete the investigation at the “Real Water” facilities in Henderson, NV, and Mesa, AZ, because the company provided no records. As a result, on March 23, FDA issued a Demand for Records under section 414 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  Although the investigation is ongoing, current epidemiologic information indicates that this alkaline water product may cause illnesses.  Currently, there are five illnesses associated with the product. @ 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