In the news

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) reports that SYSCO Toronto recalled batch/lots of Casa Italia branded Soppressata Piccante Salami products from the Canadian marketplace. The recall is due to suspected spoilage and rancidity with significant risks of bacterial infection, severe illness and/or possible complications, all serious health hazards. The products involved are Casa Italia branded Soppressata Piccante Salami, sold in 0.524 kilogram packages, and Casa Italia branded Soppressata Piccante Salami, sold in 0.524 kilogram packages. These products were marketed, distributed, and sold in Ontario.  @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/74975r-eng.php

The FDA announced that Shenandoah Growers, Inc (Harrisonburg, VA), has issued a limited, voluntary recall of approximately 3240 branded fresh-cut units due to Cyclospora. The product was packaged organic basil clamshells packed at its Indianapolis, Indiana location. The potentially contaminated basil was grown in Colombia and was harvested entirely from Puerto Vallarta Herbs SAS (Farm) and imported by Vallarta Organics LLC dba Organic Destiny. Recalled products were distributed to select retail stores between 2/3/2021 to 2/4/2021 in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. This recall notification was issued due to a sample of the bulk product pulled at the port of entry in Miami and tested by the FDA as part of routine surveillance and indicated the potential presence of Cyclospora. No illnesses were reported. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/shenandoah-growers-inc-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-specific-imported-organic-basil-because?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Precedence Research predicts that the global food safety testing market that was $17.43 billion in 2019 will reach $32.21 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 2020 to 2027. Different rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act have increased the need for testing. The growth is attributed to growing occurrences of food-borne diseases that have forced to implement stringent food safety regulations worldwide. Also contributing is the Increase in sales of processed and packaged food in developing and developed nations. The increasing popularity of quick-service restaurants and varying lifestyles is expected to push the requirement for safety testing. The microbiological testing segment had a sizable revenue share in 2019. Genetically modified organism testing is estimated to show the largest growth.  Europe had 35.3% of the food safety revenues in 2020. Asia Pacific is projected to gain market share. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India used about $72.3 million in food testing infrastructure. The global food safety testing marketplace is a very fragmented market. @ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/food-safety-testing-market

Canadian health officials confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 at an Olymel pork plant prompting the Union representing the plant workers to call for a temporary shutdown of the facility. Alberta Health Services announced that at least 80 active new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed among Olymel employees at the Red Deer, Alberta, pork plant. The local Union is calling for the facility to be temporarily shut down to stop the latest spread of coronavirus.  Olymel confirms covid has affected additional workers at the facility since late January. The Union estimates that about 80% of the plant’s employees are now afraid to go to work following one worker’s death in the latest outbreak. In October, at least 60 employees at its pork plant in Quebec were confirmed to have COVID-19 infections. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/97224