In the news

The Meatingplace reported that the state of New Mexico on Thursday ordered Stampede Meat to shut down its plant in Sunland Park for two weeks to stem COVID-19 infections among the company’s workers. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued the order because state health teams have at least four “rapid responses” by state health teams to infections among Stampede employees in the last two weeks. The agency then guides the company on testing, quarantining, disinfecting, and best safety practices. More than 50 cases of employee infections at Stampede were identified during several rounds of state testing in May. The company said it implemented more safety measures to limit spread, according to local media reports. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/95420

The CDC reported that at least 701 people from 14 states had been infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis that had trace evidence to bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage manufactured at Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, IL. On June 19, 2020, the company recalled the bagged salad mixes. The PHA of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis infections occurring in three Canadian provinces in which Fresh Express brand salad products. As a result, the FDA inspected the facility. The FD issued the facility a Form FDA 483. During the outbreak, environmental samples tested by the FDA detected the presence of Cyclospora in the surface water of a canal near a farm suspected of being a source of the red cabbage in your bagged salad mix. The FDA requested that Fresh Express improve traceability to get timely information as required. @ https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/fresh-express-inc-609899-div-chiquita-brands

As of November 4, 2020, the CDC declared that this outbreak is over. On September 23, 2020, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. recalled Shirakiku brand imported dried fungus. This product was labeled as Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage) with UPC Code 00074410604305, imported from China. The product caused 55 illnesses with 6 hospitalizations, and no death was reported. States with Cases: AZ (1), CA (33), CT (1), GA (1), IL (5), LA (1), NJ (2), NY (1), OR (1), PA (2), WI (2). The product was distributed in six-packs of five-pound bags to restaurants in AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-stanley-wood-ear-mushrooms-dried-fungus-september-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA announced on its website that Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. (Lakewood, Colorado-based natural grocery retailer) Recalled Natural Grocers Brand 4-ounce Organic Whole Elderberries after being notified by its supplier of the potential presence of Salmonella. After initially certifying that this product had tested negative for Salmonella, their supplier subsequently reported the company of the possible presence of Salmonella in specific lots of organic elderberries. The recalled product is packaged in clear plastic bags weighing 4-ounces and bearing the “Natural Grocers” label. Only packages bearing the following pack dates are being recalled at this time: 20-216, 20-225, 20-246, 20-265, & 20-281. The product was distributed to 159 Natural Grocers stores located in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. To date, the company has not received any reports of illness or injury. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/natural-grocers-issues-voluntary-recall-organic-elderberries-due-potential-presence-salmonella?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery