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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) collaborates with provincial public health, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and Health Canada are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to PHAC. The investigation indicates that exposure to eggs is the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported consuming, preparing, cooking, and baking at home with eggs. Some individuals reported exposure to eggs at an institution (including nursing homes and hospitals) where they resided or worked before becoming ill. As of February 18, 2021, there have been 57 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness. The outbreak was identified in Newfoundland and Labrador (25) and Nova Scotia (32). Individuals became sick between late October 2020 and late January 2021. Nineteen individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. @ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2021/outbreak-salmonella-infections-eggs.html

The USDA, FDA, and CDC emphasize that there is no credible evidence of food or food packaging associated with or as a likely source of viral transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19. The three government bodies believe that based on currently available reliable scientific information and supported by an overwhelming international scientific consensus, the foods they eat and food packaging they touch are highly unlikely to spread SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person, unlike foodborne or gastrointestinal viruses. Only the virus genetic fingerprint was detected on food packaging rather than evidence of virus transmission resulting in human infection. International publications agree with this finding. None of the worldwide cases of COVID-19 show epidemiological evidence of food or food packaging as the source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/covid-19-update-usda-fda-underscore-current-epidemiologic-and-scientific-information-indicating-no?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses. As of February 11, 2021, seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from four states (Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia). CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses are the leading hypotheses for the cause of the illnesses. No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed as the source of illness. Of the four people interviewed, three reported eating queso fresco. All seven people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically, indicating that the outbreak likely from the same food. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-hispanic-style-fresh-and-soft-cheeses-february-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) reports the updated recall of Orca Specialty Foods Ltd.(Surrey, British Columbia) One Ocean branded Sliced Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon Fish products from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The products were distributed and sold in British Columbia. @ https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/inspection/2021/74995r-eng.php