In the news

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that Hilly Acres Farm recalled eggs from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The Ottawa-based company’s eggs have been sold in Newfoundland, Labrador, and Nova Scotia. The recall was triggered after Hilly Acres Farm test results found Salmonella in the product. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to other products’ recall. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. @ https://www.inspection.gc.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2020-10-08/eng/1602201895741/1602201901982

The Packer reports that the new Canadian food safety import rule imposed on US romaine lettuce is estimated a drop of $11 million to $13 million in trade a week, and the mandate to test Salinas Valley romaine for E. coli add to costs for California shippers. Even more concerning, industry leaders say, is the precedent the testing mandate will have on future trade between the countries. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is working with the authorities to mitigate the new regulations’ impact. A task force is being created to review the CFIA requirements for romaine imports from the US. The task force will also provide suggestions back to CFIA on making the procedure workable for the industry. California LGMA is hoping for a change in the rule. One of the industry concerns is that Canadian action could be a precedent that might be used for other commodities. LGMA believes that Canada’s post-harvest E. coli testing requirement hasn’t proven to be an effective way to protect consumers in the past. Currently, LGMA said that for October and November, shipments aren’t going to go to Canada. @ https://www.thepacker.com/article/canadian-romaine-requirement-could-be-costly-precedent

On September 2, 2020, Sunshine Mills recalled certain pet food products after a retail product sample was found by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry to contain an unsafe aflatoxin level. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, and at high levels, it can cause illness and death in pets. The toxin can be present even if there is no visible mold. On October 8, Sunshine Mills expanded the recall to include additional products. The affected products were distributed to retailers nationwide within the United States. Principle Super Premium Natural Dog Food is exported exclusively to a distributor in Japan. Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food is also exported to a distributor in Japan and Colombia.@ https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-pet-food-multiple-brands-recalled-aflatoxin?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

According to the CDC, the outbreak of Salmonella Newport in red onions from Thomson International appears to be over. The outbreak resulted in the recall of multiple onion varieties and products containing the onions. The FDA has completed testing of 2,000 products and environmental samples. A variety of genetic strains of Salmonella Newport have been detected, as well as multiple other Salmonella serotypes, from multiple Thomson International Inc. locations and surrounding areas, including water, soil, and scat samples. In all the samples collected, a genetic match has not been identified. In the US, 1,127 illnesses have been reported with 167 hospitalizations and no death. States with Cases: AK (25), AL (2), AZ (39), AR (2), CA (128), CO (32), CT (2), DE (2), FL (8), GA (11), HI (3), ID (43), IL (54), IN (4), IA (31), KS (3), KY (3), ME (6), MD (7), MA (2), MI (47), MN (19), MS (5), MO (11), MT (72), NE (10), NV (11), NH (1), NJ (12), NM (3), NY (14), NC (6), ND (9), OH (11), OK (1), OR (109), PA (27), RI (3), SC (1), SD (23), TN (7), TX (2), UT (115), VA (10), WA (150), WV (3), WI (11), WY (27). Canadian officials reported that there were 515 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (121), Alberta (293), Saskatchewan (35), Manitoba (26), Ontario (14), Quebec (25) and Prince Edward Island (1). 79 individuals were hospitalized.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-newport-red-onions-july-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery