In the news

A multi-country outbreak that affected 53 people and caused ten deaths between 2015 and 2018 in Austria, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom trigger an investigation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Greenyard’s frozen vegetable factory in Baju, Hungary, was the source of the Listeria outbreak. The study found that the main factors affecting contamination and growth of Listeria monocytogenes during processing are hygiene of the raw materials and process water; hygienic conditions of the food processing environment; and the time and temperature combinations used for storage and processing such as blanching and cooling. Investigations in the Greenyard outbreak showed that some frozen items could be defrosted and used in salads or as ingredients in other ready‐to‐eat (RTE) products sold to consumers without undergoing a kill step. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/04/efsa-identifies-ways-to-reduce-listeria-risk-in-frozen-vegetables/

The FDA announced on its website that Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. recalled a single lot of 5.5oz cans of Pink Lite Cranberry Juice Drink because it may contain undeclared sulfites, which were erroneously added by a contract manufacturer. Sulfites are a common preservative added to many food products; however, consumers who have a sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of allergic reactions if consumed. The 5.5oz cans of Pink Lite Cranberry Juice Drink were distributed to retail supermarkets, retail wholesalers and online retailers. The recall was initiated after the contract manufacturer revealed their error after a root cause investigation of consumer complaints regarding an “off” odor in the identified lot. Analysis by the food safety and quality personnel revealed that sulfites were added to the identified lot of product erroneously by a contract manufacturer. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ocean-spray-cranberries-inc-recalls-single-production-lot-55-oz-cans-pink-lite-cranberry-juice-drink?utm_campaign=Ocean%20Spray%20Cranberries%2C%20Inc%20Recalls%20Single%20Production%20Lot%20of%205.5%20Oz%20Cans%20of%20Pink%20Lite&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

A meatpacking plant in west Michigan had 60 employees test positive for COVID-19, according to reports. JBS Meat Packaging in Gun Plain Township had to shut down over the weekend after the employees tested positive COVI-19. However, the plant was back open on Monday with limited staffing, Allegan County health officials said. On Monday, JBS announced the indefinite closure of its Worthington, Minnesota, pork production facility because it could not “safely operate.” The facility employs more than 2,000 and processes 20,000 hogs per day. When COVID-19 is prevalent in the community, fear is heightened, absenteeism rises. When absenteeism levels become too high, facilities cannot safely operate.” @ https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/04/21/reports-60-workers-at-michigan-meat-packing-plant-test-positive-for-covid-19/

Proponents of hydroponic and aquaponic systems suggest their growing methods would reduce or eliminate any risk of contamination.  However, food safety concerns have been raised over vegetables and herbs grown in aquaponics and hydroponics systems. The concerns relate to the reuse of wastewater and spent nutrients. A Purdue University study has found the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems. STEC was found in fish feces in the water of both aquaponics and hydroponics.  It was also found on the surface of the roots of lettuce, basil, and tomato regardless of the system. Importantly, contaminated water did not lead to the internalization of STEC into the roots, leaves, and/or fruit of the plants. Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not present in any samples examined. Fish feces were considered the primary source of the pathogenic bacteria in the aquaponic system, possibly due to the introduction of contaminated fish.  @ https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/6/1/1/htm