In the news

The multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to peaches from Prima Wawona that was sold in several regions of the United States and Canada, and internationally, is over. As of October 15, 2020, CDC reported a total of 101 cases across 17 states. Internationally the products were sold in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, United Arab Emirate, Panama, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. The cause and source of the outbreak have not yet been determined. The peaches were recalled on August 22, 2020 and are now beyond their expiration date. Recalls have also been initiated by companies that sold peaches or products containing recalled peaches. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-enteritidis-peaches-august-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) contamination of produce can often be traced back to the environment of packinghouses and fresh-cut facilities. Environmental “routine sampling” plans for LM and other Listeria spp. were developed and implemented in three packinghouses and five fresh-cut facilities in the United States. A total of 2,014 sponge samples were collected over six to eight separate samplings per operation. They were performed over 1 year; vector and preproduction samples (n= 156) were also collected as needed to follow up on positive findings.  LM prevalence varied from 0.8 to 5.8% for packinghouses and <0.4 to 1.6% for fresh-cut facilities. Validation sampling found a statistically significant higher LM prevalence compared with routine sampling for three of eight operations. 17 of 77 sponges that were positive for LM were positive at only one enrichment time (i.e., 24 or 48 h), indicating that LM testing after two different enrichment times provides enhanced sensitivity. The study supports the importance of either (i) a molecular screen of the enrichment media or (ii) chromogenic differential media when testing environmental samples specifically for LM. @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/83/10/1656/435359/Detection-and-Prevalence-of-Listeria-in-U-S

Health Canada announced on its website that National Herring Co. is recalling Adar brand Schmaltz Herring in Oil from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was triggered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2020/74127r-eng.php

The FDA announced on its website that Red Monkey Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled select organic parsley as part of a recall initiated by High Quality Organics (HQO). HQO has issued a recall for a lot of parsley because a sample was tested by one of HQO’s customers and was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella. A portion of the lot recalled by HQO was supplied to Red Monkey Foods, Inc and subsequently repacked into consumer containers for parsley and was also used to manufacture herbes de provence, which was then sold in consumer containers. To date, there have been no consumer complaints or reported cases of Salmonellosis in connection with these products. The affected product consists of retail packages weighing 0.3-0.65 oz. of Cost Plus World Market Herbes De Provence, Cost Plus World Market Organic Parsley, Great Value Herbes De Provence Organic, Great Value Organic Parsley Flakes, O Organics Herbes De Provence Organic, O Organics Parsley Organic, and Full Circle Parsley Organic. The products were distributed to all fifty states and Puerto Rico. The product was produced for sale at retail. There have not been any reported cases of Salmonellosis associated with the products. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/red-monkey-foods-inc-recalls-parsley-and-herbes-de-provence-because-possible-health-risk