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An outbreak of 62 Salmonella Uganda illnesses potentially linked to whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico is being investigated by the U.S. FDA (https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-uganda-potentially-linked-whole-fresh-papayas-june-2019?utm_campaign=Outbreak%3A%20Salmonella%20Whole%2C%20Fresh%20Papayas_06282019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua), along with the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/uganda-06-19/index.html), and state and local partners. These illnesses have been reported in eight states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Florida, and Texas) and 23 people were hospitalized. The preliminary data generated indicates that whole, fresh papayas from Mexico are the source of this outbreak. There are no recalled products at this time. In 2017, at least 251 people across 25 states were sickened from papayas imported from Mexico. Maradol Papayas was indicated as the source of four outbreaks involving eight strains of Salmonella. These included Salmonella Urbana, Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Anatum, Salmonella Thompson, Salmonella Kiambu, Salmonella Agona and Salmonella Gaminara.

The FDA announced on its website that Central Aquatics of Franklin, Wisconsin recalled 96 cases of Aqueon Betta Food (.95 oz plastic jar) because it might be contaminated with Salmonella. Fish with Salmonella infections are not well documented and fish carrying salmonella typically does not show any signs of disease. The product was distributed to Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania via distribution centers. No illnesses have been reported to-date. An outside independent laboratory contracted to conduct Salmonella testing mistakenly indicated the two lots of the recalled product were negative for Salmonella, when in fact it was found to be positive for Salmonella. Central Aquatics immediately initiated steps to recall the subject product upon notification of the error by the independent laboratory. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/central-aquatics-recalls-aqueon-betta-food-95-oz-jar-because-possible-salmonella-health-risk?utm_campaign=Central%20Aquatics%20Recalls%20Aqueon%20Betta%20Food%20%28.95%20oz%20Jar%29%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Salmonella%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that top poultry processors, such as Tyson, Pilgrim’s Pride, Sanderson Farms, and Perdue Farms, conspired to keep prices artificially high. The investigation started after federal attorneys considered intervening in a lawsuit in which customers accused chicken processors, of illegally cooperating. The accusation is being denied by the processors. Allegations of price-fixing and collusion in the U.S. chicken industry surfaced in 2016 when chicken buyers filed a lawsuit alleging that poultry processors had worked together to curb meat supplies. @ https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-investigates-chicken-industry-11561495088

Food Protection (https://www.foodprotection.org/files/food-protection-trends/jul-aug-19-charlebois.pdf) published a study examining the consumer perspective of the Canadian food recall system. An online survey was used to determine if recall fatigue is a problem among consumers. Recall fatigue happens when consumers are inundated with such an excess of information on food recalls that it causes apathy toward food safety. Optimistic bias, the belief that others are at risk, but not one’s self, also contributes to recall fatigue, which can lead to public health risks. Results indicate that although consumers generally have some knowledge of food recalls, they do not retain or subsequently internalize information about all food recalls. Results also indicate that Canadians have confidence in the current recall system. However, Canadians across all demographics place the responsibility for food safety on others, namely the federal government. Despite the fact that foodborne illnesses can originate at home, the majority of Canadians believe they are more likely to occur as a result of actions taken before food reaches their home. The article concludes that the combination of apparent information overload, optimistic bias and inaccurate risk assessment regarding food recalls puts Canadians at risk of recall fatigue.