In the news

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Update on the investigation of E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak due to Romaine from Salinas, California

According to the CDC, as of December 2, 2019, 102 people from 23 states were infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. The case patients report that illnesses started on dates ranging from September 24, 2019, to November 18, 2019. Illness onset dates reported to date are before the public warning issued on November 22. FDA continues to investigate the cause of this outbreak. Samples and information collected as part of farm investigations are currently being analyzed. The FDA and state partners are conducting a traceback investigation to determine whether a common supplier or source of contamination can be identified.  The Salinas region includes Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties in California. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-romaine-salinas-california-november-2019?utm_campaign=Outbreak%20E.%20coli%20Romaine%2012042019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

FDA continues to warn against eating romaine from Salinas, investigate farms, conduct traceback

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CFIA announced that President’s Choice brand Coleslaw recalled due to Salmonella

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that Loblaw Companies Ltd. recalls President’s Choice brand Coleslaw from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. 

This recall was triggered by CFIA due to positive Salmonella test results. The recalled product was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and possibly nationally and n Saskatchewan. No reported illnesses have been associated with the consumption of the recalled product. @ https://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-12-03/eng/1575413977507/1575413982486?utm_source=r_listserv

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling President’s Choice brand Coleslaw from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

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Fuji Food Products, Inc. recalls ready-to-eat Sushi, salads and spring rolls due to Listeria monocytogenes

The FDA announced that Fuji Food Products, Inc. (Fuji) voluntary recall of ready to eat sushi, salads and spring rolls sold to select retailers and distributors along the East Coast and Upper Midwest, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No reported any illness associated with these products. The problem was discovered in their Brockton Massachusetts facility by a routine inspection conducted by the FDA. The company has ceased production and distribution of its products in this facility. The products are packed in plastic trays with clear lids, and the sell-by dates are on the labels. The products were sold and/or distributed in the following states Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin The products were sold at 7 Eleven, Walgreens, Food Lion, Hannaford, Trader Joe’s, Giant Eagle Supermarkets, Porkys, Bozzutos, Supreme Lobster and Superior Foods. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fuji-food-products-inc-voluntarily-recalls-ready-eat-sushi-salads-and-spring-rolls-manufactured-east

Fuji Food Products, Inc. (Fuji) announced today the voluntary recall of ready to eat sushi, salads and spring rolls sold to select retailers and distributors along the East Coast and Upper Midwest.

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Increased cases of contamination of poultry meat with Salmonella infantis in the EU

The EU Regulation of fresh poultry meat considers only S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium as Food Safety Criteria, but not the isolation of other Salmonella spp. According to the CDC, last year in the USA, an outbreak caused by S. infantis strain, resistant to multiple antibiotics, ended with 129 sick people, 25 hospitalizations, and a death. In a study published in the European Journal of Public Health and presented at the European Public Health conference this past November in Marseille In 2019, highlighted several outbreaks caused by fresh chicken meat contaminated with S. infantis strains. 

The food control department of IZSLER analyzed 156 samples, for a total of 780 sampling units, for Salmonella spp. A total of 72 samples were positive for Salmonella. 42 strains were serotyped as S. enteritidis, 149 as S. infantis, 26 as S. newport, 4 as S. kentucky, and 1 as S. mbandaka. This study indicates that there is a trend of increasing isolation of S. infantis from poultry. Therefore, many of the contaminated chicken will be considered compliant. @ https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/29/Supplement_4/ckz186.609/5623768

Contamination of Poultry Meat with Salmonella infantis should be considered a Risk for Food Safety?

AbstractIssue/problem. EU Regulation regarding fresh poultry meat considers only S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium as Food Safety Criteria. On the contrary, the