In the news

An EU project, called Campylobacter-Specific Nullification via Innovative Phage-mediated Enteropathogen Reduction (C-SNIPER), led by AZTI, a technology center in Spain, developed a phage-based technology to reduce Campylobacter. A bacteriophage-based solution was developed as a natural antimicrobial in the farm (pre-harvest), at slaughter, and in processing facilities (post-harvest). A prototype of a phage solution against Campylobacter has been obtained, optimized, and set for production at a mini-pilot scale. A survey among poultry producers and consumers found high acceptance of 90% and 85% respectively towards the use of bacteriophages. There is no regulation in Europe on bacteriophage applications in food production, so they cannot be used. The FDA has approved phage products for Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli but no Campylobacter. The project is at the commercialization stage with the goal of a commercial product in two years. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/11/eu-project-uses-phages-to-tackle-campylobacter-in-poultry/

recalled packaged single head romaine lettuce under the Tanimura & Antle brand. The product is labeled with a packed date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020 due to possible contamination with E. coli 0157:H7. Packages contain a single head of romaine lettuce with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the recalled product. The recall is based on the test result of a random sample collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of their routine sampling program. A total of 3,396 cartons of potentially affected product were distributed in the United States to the following states: AK, OR, CA, TX, AR, OK, IN, NE, MO, TN, WI, NM, SC, WA, NC, OH, VA, MA, PR, and IL. The potentially affected product was shipped in cases packed in the 12, 15, 18, or 24 heads per case. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the lettuce sample was collected at a Walmart in Comstock Park. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory “determined that the strain of E. coli recovered from the product sample is highly related genetically to E. coli causing two recent illnesses in Michigan.” @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tanimura-antle-voluntary-recalls-packaged-single-head-romaine-lettuce-due-potential-e-coli-0157h7#:~:text=Out%20of%20an%20abundance%20of,E.%20Coli%200157%3AH7

The Meatingplace reported that the state of New Mexico on Thursday ordered Stampede Meat to shut down its plant in Sunland Park for two weeks to stem COVID-19 infections among the company’s workers. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued the order because state health teams have at least four “rapid responses” by state health teams to infections among Stampede employees in the last two weeks. The agency then guides the company on testing, quarantining, disinfecting, and best safety practices. More than 50 cases of employee infections at Stampede were identified during several rounds of state testing in May. The company said it implemented more safety measures to limit spread, according to local media reports. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/95420

The CDC reported that at least 701 people from 14 states had been infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis that had trace evidence to bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage manufactured at Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, IL. On June 19, 2020, the company recalled the bagged salad mixes. The PHA of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis infections occurring in three Canadian provinces in which Fresh Express brand salad products. As a result, the FDA inspected the facility. The FD issued the facility a Form FDA 483. During the outbreak, environmental samples tested by the FDA detected the presence of Cyclospora in the surface water of a canal near a farm suspected of being a source of the red cabbage in your bagged salad mix. The FDA requested that Fresh Express improve traceability to get timely information as required. @ https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/fresh-express-inc-609899-div-chiquita-brands