In the news

A study conducted by scientists from the Agricultural University of Athens, the University of Patras in Greece and North Carolina State University and published in Foods 2021, 10(3), 533 studied the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in chicken nuggets. Battered poultry products, such as chicken nuggets may be wrongly regarded as ready-to-eat. Commercially prepared chicken breast nuggets were inoculated with L. monocytogenes and stored at different isothermal conditions (4, 8, 12, and 16 °C). The study found that uncooked, frozen, commercially prepared chicken nuggets could potentially promote Listeria growth over the course of their shelf life.  L. monocytogenes may grow in battered chicken nuggets to levels potentially hazardous even under well-controlled refrigerated storage conditions. @ https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/3/533

The FDA announced on 3/9/2021 that it received confirmation that the cheeses were also distributed in Rhode Island. The states with confirmed distribution now include AL, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, NE, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, and WI. Recalled brands by cheese type include: Queso Fresco: El Abuelito, Rio Grande, Rio Lindo; Quesillo: El Abuelito, El Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, Ideal Brands; Requeson: El Abuelito, El Viejito. Some of the cheeses were sold in bulk quantities and could have been repackaged by retailers. There have been a total of 11 Illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and 1 death. States with Cases: CT (1), MD (4), NY (4), and VA (2). @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-hispanic-style-fresh-and-soft-cheeses-february-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA announced that Mediterranean Food Inc.(Warren, MI) recalled 2Lb plastic jars of “Alqosh Sesame Oil” because they can be contaminated with Salmonella.  The recalled, “Sesame Oil” were distributed in Michigan retail stores and distributors through their company’s staff. The product was distributed in the period from 11/06/2020 to 12/10/2020. The product comes in a 2Lb, clear plastic jar marked with lot # 16082020 on the jar’s side and with a Production date of 08/16/2020 stamped on the side. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) at one of the retailers that sold the product to which revealed Salmonella’s presence in some of the 2 Lb plastic jars of “Sesame Oil.” Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue investigating the source of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mediterranean-food-inc-recalls-alqosh-sesame-oil-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery