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The FDA’s traceback investigation identified several farms that may have provided product used in the Fresh Express salads that were recalled. In Florida, FDA analyzed water samples from two public access points along a regional water management canal, located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. These samples tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis using FDA’s validated testing method. Given the emerging nature of genetic typing methodologies for this parasite, the FDA has been unable to determine if the Cyclospora detected in the canal is a genetic match to the clinical cases. Therefore, there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine the cause of this outbreak. As of August 14, 2020, CDC is reporting a total of 690 cases across 13 states (GA (1), IA (206), IL (209), KS (5), MA (1), MN (86), MO (57), NE (55), ND (6), OH (4), PA (2), SD (13), WI (45)). Based on the traceback, carrots are no longer being investigated for this outbreak. Two of the salad ingredients, red cabbage, and iceberg lettuce, continue to be items of interest in the investigation. On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, or carrots. These products were either branded with the Fresh Express label, or with several retail store brand labels. The recalled retail store brands were ALDI Little Salad Bar, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco Signature Farms, ShopRite Wholesome Pantry, and Walmart Marketside. The recalled products were made in the Fresh Express production facility in Streamwood, Illinois, and have the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020?utm_campaign=Outbreak_Bagged%20Salads%20_08142020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Public Health Agency of Canada announced that since August 7, there have been 100 additional illnesses reported in the ongoing Canadian investigation. There are now 339 confirmed cases in Canada. Salmonella Newport illness linked to this outbreak has cases in the following provinces: British Columbia (78), Alberta (208), Saskatchewan (19), Manitoba (19), Ontario (8), Quebec (6) and Prince Edward Island (1). Forty-eight people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. @

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2020/outbreak-salmonella-infections-under-investigation.html

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Sunsprout brand Micro-Greens Alfalfa & Radish because of possible Salmonella contamination. The CFIA is telling retailers, restaurants, and institutions not to sell or use the product. The warning was triggered by CFIA test results and has prompted a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. As of now, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. @ https://www.inspection.gc.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2020-08-11/eng/1597192109471/1597192115454

The FDA announced on its website that several stores are recalling selected cheese dips sold in their delis after being notified received red, yellow, and white onions from Thomson International, Inc., which had been implicated in the Salmonella-related outbreak. The stores include Fred Meyer Stores, based in Portland, Oregon (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fred-meyer-recalls-cheese-dips-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Fred%20Meyer%20Recalls%20Cheese%20Dips%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua), Fry’s Food Stores (Fry’s Food Stores, a company of The Kroger CO.) (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fred-meyer-recalls-cheese-dips-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Fred%20Meyer%20Recalls%20Cheese%20Dips%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua), and Smith’s (a company of The Kroger Co.) (https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/smiths-recalls-cheese-dips-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Smith%E2%80%99s%20Recalls%20Cheese%20Dips%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua).