In the news

The CFIA has recalled two types of Date squares sold in Ontario due to Salmonella contamination. The recall includes two types of Palm bites, the original date squares, and Chocolate date squares. Both products were sold in 1 and 3 pieces per package. The products were produced between October 8 and February 14. There are no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the product. The product was sold in Ontario and online. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/palm-bites-brand-date-squares-recalled-due-salmonella

SeaBear Company (Anacortes, Washington)  is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder were distributed through physical retail stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and direct home delivery via SeaBear’s website nationwide between 10/1/2024 and 03/14/2025. The recalled SeaBear Smokehouse chowder products are shelf-stable and packaged in a 12oz dark blue pouch. No illnesses have been reported to date. SeaBear initiated a voluntary recall after they became aware of a pouch seal issue from a customer complaint. Upon further investigation, they identified a mechanical issue with the equipment, which caused the seals to not fully bond and caused some pouches to leak. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seabear-company-recalls-smoked-salmon-chowder-and-alehouse-clam-chowder-because-possible-health-risk

The CFIA reported that in Canada, various brands of “ham in jelly” (jelly pork) were recalled due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, including products from Wagener’s Meat, Coppa’s King City, and others, primarily distributed in Ontario. Santa Maria Foods (Brampton, Ontario) recalled ~ 2,600 pounds of whole boneless ham prosciutto product due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The food recall warning issued on 2024-10-18 has been updated to include additional product and store information. The recalled products may have been sold by various retailers, clerk-served, sliced, chunked, or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand product name. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety investigation. Findings by the CFIA triggered this recall during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. The USDA announced that the ham product was shipped to California and Michigan for further distribution. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-ham-jelly-jelly-pork-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes

Savage Pet (El Cajon, CA) recalled 66 Large Chicken Boxes, 84 oz., and 74 Small Chicken Boxes, 21 oz. with the lot code/best by date of 11152026 due to its potential to contain H5N1, bird flu. Savage Cat Food products were distributed to retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. While no human infections have been identified among people handling raw pet food products, humans can become infected if a live virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. In February, Savage Pet was made aware of one cat in Colorado who contracted H5N1, got sick, and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1. The PCR test results were “non-negative.” The product with “non-negative” PCR results was sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for virus isolation testing. The product in question was removed from the market while awaiting final test results. On 03/06/25, the NVSL virus isolation testing results confirmed the virus to be negative. On 3/13/2025, Savage Pet was made aware of an additional case in New York of a kitten that was feeding lot 11152026 and contracted avian flu. Further testing is ongoing. The company decided to recall the product. The product with lot code/best by date of 11152026 was distributed in November 2024. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packets inside. The lot code/best by date is stamped on the bottom of each packet. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savage-pet-recalls-savage-cat-food-chicken-large-and-small-boxes-because-possible-bird-flu-health