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The CDC announced that several public health regulators and state officials are attempting to identify the food source of a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. As of February 1, 2021, a total of 16 people infected with the outbreak strain have been reported from 5 states (Arkansas (6), New York (1), Oklahoma (5), Virginia (2), and Washington (2)). Of 12 people with information available, 9 have been hospitalized. Of 11 people with information, 3 developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One death has been reported from Washington. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically, which means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from eating the same food. WGS also showed that this outbreak strain had been previously linked to various sources, including romaine lettuce, ground beef, and recreational water.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2021/o157h7-02-21/details.html

The USDA /FSIS issued a public alert because raw beef product produced by Greater Omaha Packing Co. Inc. that may be contaminated with E. coli. O157:H7. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. The raw beef item was produced on January 14, 2021, further processed into ground beef, and sold by Art’s Food Market located in Sandwich, Illinois. The recalled product is 2 pound (approximately) trays containing raw ground beef labeled with a retail label with “PACKED” dates ranging from January 28, 2021, through January 31, 2021. Greater Omaha Packing Co. determined that they inadvertently distributed the product associated with a positive sample for E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2021/pha-02022021-01

A study published at Food Science and Technology (LWT Vol. 139, March 2021, 110547) investigated pathogen (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, and Salmonella Typhimurium) due to γ-irradiation. The effect of additives (with 2.5% sodium citrate, 0.5% sodium carbonate, and 0.75% citric acid) combined with infant formula in powder form of frozen was studied in combination with the irradiation. The study showed that γ-irradiation alone was more efficient against pathogens in frozen infant formula. Combined treatments irradiation and food additive increased bacterial radiosensitization. Higher radiosensitization was observed under frozen conditions as compared to powdered form. Sodium carbonate gave the highest bacterial radiosensitization. The combination with γ-irradiation and Sodium Carbonate can be a good way to reduce the time of irradiation treatment to assure the IF product’s safety. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0023643820315358?via%3Dihub

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Orca Specialty Foods Ltd. (Surrey, British Columbia) recalled One Ocean brand Sliced Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was distributed in Alberta and possibly across Canada. No illnesses have been reported to the CFIA associated with the consumption of this product @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/74883r-eng.php