In the news

The FDA reported that Drew’s Organics, LLC of Chester, VT recalled one lot code of Aldi Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing due to a processing issue allowing microbial growth. The recalled product comes in a 12 fl. oz. glass bottle with the Best if Used By date of Feb 15, 2023.  Product has been distributed to select Aldi stores between August 20th and September 10th in the following states Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. No illnesses related to this product have been reported.  The recall was initiated after Drew’s Organics, LLC observed a color difference in the Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing after manufacturing.  Investigation revealed out-of-spec pH potentially allowing for microbial growth, including Clostridium botulinum, rendering it unsafe for consumption. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/drews-organics-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-aldi-simply-nature-organic-poppy-seed-dressing-potential?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Researchers from North Carolina State University (Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine) published an article in Front. Vet. Sci., 01 September 2021. The researchers describe the genome sequencing of a virulent Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) strain that sickened two poultry flocks in consecutive years and found that it was antibiotic-resistant and could potentially infect humans. In a broiler embryo lethality assay, the SE strain designated SE_TAU19 was characterized through genome sequencing for antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence. SE_TAU19 was resistant to nalidixic acid and sulfadimethoxine. The strain was virulent to embryos with 100% mortality of all challenged broiler embryos within 3.5 days.  Screening the SE_TAU19 whole-genome sequence revealed seven antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, 120 virulence genes, and two IncF plasmid replicons corresponding to a single, serovar-specific pSEV virulence plasmid. This study revealed that the quinolone and sulfonamide resistance of the SE_TAU19 strain was lethal to broiler embryos and harbored a pSEV plasmid and typical SE virulence genes. The SE_TAU19 strain is deadly to poultry, antibiotic-resistant, and infectious, but it could also infect humans. @ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.725737/full

According to the CFIA, Covic International Trading recalled Jongilpoom branded Enoki Mushrooms from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The recalled product is Jongilpoom branded Enoki Mushrooms, sold in 200 gram vacuum-packs with a batch/lot of CE 158D and a UPC of 8 807076 000321. These Mushrooms were marketed, distributed, and sold in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/76453r-eng.php

The FDA reported that The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) recalled its 16-ounce Kroger bagged kale product, produced by Baker Farms, due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. To date, Kroger has not received any reports of illness related to the consumption of this bagged kale product. This voluntary recall includes 16-ounce bags of Kroger branded Kale, with the UPC 11110-18170 with a best by date of 09-18-2021. All affected products were pulled from our Produce departments on Sept. 16, 2021. The products were distributed by Kroger grocery stores in the Columbus, Nashville, and Atlanta Divisions, servicing Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; Knoxville, Tennessee; eastern West Virginia; and the states of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kroger-co-issues-voluntarily-recall-16-ounce-kroger-bagged-kale-due-possible-listeria-monocytogenes