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In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Infection (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/human-foodborne-listeriosis-in-england-and-wales-1981-to-2015/FEB0F76B4D49205B36E8F2DB81108DBE/core-reader#

 ) foodborne listeriosis in England and Wales prior to the introduction of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is reviewed.   The study finds that in nearly all cases of human listeriosis are foodborne. However, cases, where a specific exposure is identified, is small.  The proportion of all cases linked to specific foods was 3% between 2002 and 2006 with the implementation of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and 5% between 2007 and 2015 with fluorescent AFLP as the primary discriminatory typing tool. WGS has increased the percentage of detected cases linked to specific foods to around 10%. Between 1981 and 2015, 5252 human listeriosis cases were reported in England and Wales. There was a single outbreak of 378 cases (7% of the total) which was associated with pâté consumption and 112 cases (2% of the total) attributed to specific foods in all the other incidents. Ten incidents (one sporadic case and nine outbreaks of 2–9 cases over 4 days to 32 months) occurred in hospitals: all were associated with the consumption of pre-prepared sandwiches.

The FDA, 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. On March 16, 2020, Chicago Indoor Garden recalled all products containing Red Clover sprouts, because the FDA found the products to be contaminated with E. coli O103. Whole Genome Sequencing of this bacteria showed that it matches the outbreak strain. The recalled products have “Best By” dates between 12/1/2019 and 3/12/2020 that were distributed to Whole Foods throughout the Midwest, Coosemans Chicago Inc., Battaglia Distributing, and Living Waters Farms. The products include Red Clover 4oz. Clamshell, Red Clover 2lb. Boxes, Sprout Salad 6oz. Clamshell, Mixed Greens 4oz. Clamshell, and Spring Salad 6oz. clamshell @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o103-clover-sprouts-february-2020?utm_campaign=Outbreak_E.coliCoverSprouts_03172020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

An article published in Food Microbiology volume 89, August 2020(@ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740002020300411?via%3Dihub) scientists from Cornell University, the Mars Global Food Safety Center in Beijing and the University of Georgia developed a method for completing whole genome sequencing (WGS) to determine salmonella serotypes in just two hours and the entire identification process within eight hours. Emerging long-read sequencing platforms developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) provide an alternative WGS method to meet the needs of industry for rapid and accurate Salmonella confirmation and serotype classification. Advantages of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platforms used in this study include portability, real-time base-calling, and long-read sequencing. All 38 Salmonella strains, representing 34 serotypes, were accurately predicted to the serotype level using WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing). The turnaround time of this method from pure culture to prediction results was within one day. The study systematically assessed the accuracy of using the combination of ONT sequencing method and corresponding data analysis pipelines for Salmonella serotype prediction. The study identified the most efficient data analysis workflow to achieve a balance between accuracy and turnaround time, delivering a more rapid, molecular-based Salmonella confirmation and serotype classification. 

AFC Distribution Corp. of Rancho Dominguez, California recalled Cooked Butterfly Tail-On Whiteleg Shrimp (Sushi Ebi) because it might be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The Butterfly shrimps were used in various prepared foods with sell-by dates ranging from 02/19/2020 to 03/13/2020. The recalled Cooked Butterfly Tail-On Whiteleg Shrimp (Sushi Ebi), were distributed to AFC sushi counters, where it was further processed into prepared sushi items, within grocery stores, cafeterias, and corporate dining centers. The products were distributed in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, AD, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY. To date, there have been no confirmed illnesses. AFC has stopped using the recalled ingredient in its products.  @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cooked-butterfly-tail-whiteleg-shrimp-sushi-ebi-lot-20191002?utm_campaign=Cooked%20Butterfly%20Tail-On%20Whiteleg%20Shrimp%20%28Sushi%20Ebi%29%2C%20Lot%20%232019.10.02&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua