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As consumers prepare for potential home quarantine due to the Coronavirus, analysts at Bernstein said consumption of shelf-stable and frozen packaged foods would temporarily increase.  This will likely benefit companies such as Campbell Soup, Conagra Brands in frozen, General Mills, and Kellogg in cereal, Mondelez International, and Kellogg in crackers, J.M. Smucker in peanut butter, jams and jellies, and Kraft Heinz in macaroni and cheese. Campbell Soup said last week that it is increasing production due to the increased demand. Consumers are raiding supermarket shelves and stockpiling on cleaning supplies and durable foods. There is an increased demand for companies producing frozen and canned goods, but there are challenges with production and international sales. Many companies have facilities in other countries where the Coronavirus is more widespread, and it has already had a significant impact on workers and their supply chain. The Bernstein report also cautioned that Big Food companies with a lot of involvement in the foodservice channel could face challenges if the outbreak continues to spread in the U.S. because consumers may not want to go out to eat. Analysts said companies like Beyond Meat, Tyson Foods, and McCormick are the most exposed to disruption in that segment. @ https://www.fooddive.com/news/coronavirus-will-lift-near-term-sales-of-shelf-stable-and-frozen-foods-ana/573676/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Food%20Dive%2003-14-2020&utm_term=Food%20Dive%20Weekender

The FDA has released an update on the E. coli O103 outbreak likely linked to clover sprouts. The current warning recommends that consumers not eat Chicago Indoor Garden red clover sprouts, sprouts salad, mixed greens, and spring salad. The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Utah likely linked to clover sprouts. E. coli O103 was found in some of these products, and the FDA’s analysis of a sample of this firm’s product identified the presence of E. coli O103. Whole Genome Sequencing of this bacteria showed that it matches the outbreak strain. The last illness onset date was February 11, 2020. The update did not mention Jimmy John’s outlets as it did in the February 26, 2020 update. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o103-clover-sprouts-february-2020?utm_campaign=OutbreakAlert_ChicagoIndoorGardenCloverSprouts_03132020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The CDC reported that as of March 9, 2020, 36 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 17 states (Arizona 2, California 9, Florida 2, Hawaii 3, Indiana 1, Kentucky 1, Maryland 2, Massachusetts 2, Michigan 1, Missouri 1, Nevada 1, New Jersey 1, New York 4, North Carolina 1, Rhode Island 1, Tennessee 1, and Virginia 3). Thirty hospitalizations have been reported.  Four deaths have been reported from California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. Six pregnancy-associated cases have been reported, of which two resulted in fetal loss. Epidemiological and laboratory evidence indicates that Enoki mushrooms are most likely the source of the outbreak. Sun Hong Foods, Inc. had recalled the product because due to Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.WGS showed that bacteria isolated from ill people were closely related genetically. Two samples of Enoki mushrooms yielded the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. @ https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/enoki-mushrooms-03-20/index.html

Sun Hong Foods, Inc recalled all of Cases Enoki Mushroom imported from Korea because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was distributed in CA, TX, OR, WA, TX, IL, and FL. The products were sold in Asian Supermarkets, J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermarket, and Galleria Market. Enoki mushrooms are white and packaged in a White Cardboard Box with 25 packages of 200g. Sun Hong Foods became aware of contamination after being notified by the FDA that samples of the product tested by the State of Michigan tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses were reported due to this product. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sun-hong-foods-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Sun%20Hong%20Foods%2C%20Inc.%20Recalls%20Enoki%20Mushroom%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua