In the news

On October 31, the FDA shared news of a recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, involving 23 illnesses that were likely associated with romaine lettuce. No deaths were reported. It looks like the authorities kept the investigation hidden for six weeks before going public after it was over. It raises the concern that failing to reveal the outbreak as soon as the CDC and FDA became aware of it is an example of an uncalled-for lack of transparency. said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said that “E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was likely associated with romaine lettuce. We do not believe there is a current or ongoing risk to the public and we are not recommending the public avoid consuming romaine lettuce”. The FDA announced that the active investigation had reached its end, and the outbreak appears to be over.  The CDC notified the FDA of this illness cluster in mid-September 2019. A total of 23 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 12 states: Arizona (3), California (8), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (1), North Carolina (1), Nevada (1), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2) and South Carolina (1). Eleven people were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 12, 2019, to Sept. 8, 2019. No illnesses were reported after the CDC began investigating the outbreak on Sept. 17, 2019. Investigators were sent to visit farms located in California’s central coast region, which were identified through the traceback investigation. The investigation did not identify a common source or point where contamination occurred. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-cdc-and-other-health-partners-investigated-outbreak-e-coli-o157h7-possibly-linked-romaine

The FDA announced on its website that Wawona Frozen Foods recalled packages of frozen raspberries and frozen berry mixes containing raspberries sold at Aldi Grocery Stores and frozen raspberries sold at Raley’s Family of Fine Stores because they have the potential to be contaminated with Hepatitis A. The recall is due to a positive test result obtained as part of a government sampling program. There have been no illnesses associated with this voluntary and precautionary recall to date. The frozen raspberries and frozen berry mixes containing raspberries were distributed throughout stores in Aldi and Raley’s Family of Fine store chains. The recalled frozen raspberries were imported from Chile.  @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wawona-frozen-food-voluntarily-recalls-frozen-raspberries-due-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=Wawona%20Frozen%20Food%20Voluntarily%20Recalls%20Frozen%20Raspberries%20Due%20to%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

In its 2018-2019 Annual report, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reported showed a record high of 106 incidents of recalls. This is the highest number of recalls in 12 months. The recalls were mainly due to undeclared allergens (35%), microbial contamination (32%), and foreign material (13%). This number of recalls compares to 81 recalls in the same period from 2017 to 2018 and 61 from 2016 to 2017. A strawberry tampering incident in September of 2018 was one of the most significant events of the year, involving sewing needles inserted into strawberries. FSANZ identified four cross-contamination causes of allergen-related recalls, including lack of skills and knowledge of labeling requirements, supplier verification, packaging errors and accidental cross-contamination. During 2018-19 fourteen issues were referred to the network, including Listeria in frozen vegetables from Belgium, Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs, and the strawberry tampering incident. @ https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/annualreport201819/Pages/default.aspx

The FDA announced on its website that North Bay Produce, Inc. of Traverse City, Michigan recalled 2,297 cases and two bulk bins of fresh apples due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac, and Red Delicious apples. Recalled apples were sold in plastic bags under the brands; Great Lakes, North Bay Produce Pure Michigan as well as unbranded in clear plastic tote bags, white paper tote bags, and individually from retailers display trays. The recalled apples were shipped between October 16th, 2019, and October 21st, 2019 from one North Bay facility to wholesalers, retailers, and brokers in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. The recall was initiated as a result of a finished product test that indicated the presence of L. monocytogenes. Upon notification, North Bay Produce immediately ceased the production and distribution product from the identified facility and continues our investigation as to what caused the issue in cooperation with the FDA. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/north-bay-produce-voluntarily-recalls-fresh-apples-because-possible-health-risk