In the news

Since May 1, 2019, there have been more than 100 reports of Cyclospora infection cases in Massachusetts, when, over the past three years, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has received between 18 and 33 reported cases. Most cases this year have occurred in greater Boston area, but infections have been reported in residents across the Commonwealth.  Other states have also reported increases in the number of cyclosporiasis cases; the cause of the outbreak is not yet known. In the past, most cases of cyclosporiasis were associated with travel abroad. However, this year only a small number of the recent Massachusetts cases have been tied to international travel. Historically, outbreaks of this illness in the US and Canada have been linked to imported fresh produce including Guatemalan raspberries and snow peas (2000 and 2004); Thai basil (2001); Mexican bagged salad mix (2013); and prepackaged commercial fresh vegetable trays (2018).  DPH is working with local Boards of Health, other states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to trace the cause of the outbreak. @ https://blog.usfoodsafety.com/2019/07/23/100-reports-of-cyclospora-in-massachusetts/

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) is warning residents from drinking milk from a Creamworks Creamery (a Wayne County dairy farm). The milk products may contain Yersinia enterocolitic. The PA DOH is currently investigating 17 laboratory-confirmed Yersinia illnesses and numerous additional reports of digestive illnesses. The illnesses seem to be connected to only milk sold at the Creamworks Creamery.  The dairy pasteurizes milk at the farm and sells bottles milk on the farm for distribution to local customers including restaurants and grocery stores, as wells selling it on-site. @ https://www.makefoodsafe.com/creamworks-creamery-yersinia-outbreak/

The FDA announced on its website that Mountain Rose Herbs (MRH) of Eugene, Oregon recalled Fennel Seed Whole, Lot #25031, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled Fennel Seed Whole was sold directly to customers who ordered from mountain rose herbs website, purchased at the company’s retail shop in Eugene, Oregon, or placed mail orders by phone or fax. The affected product was also distributed to vitamin and health food stores in AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, MA, MI, MN, MT, NC, NE, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV and to one consignee in Canada. Product has been sold and distributed between April 2019 and up to July 18, 2019. No illnesses have been reported to date. The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a portion of its active inventory. Production of the product has been suspended while MRH continues our investigation. @  https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mountain-rose-herbs-recalls-fennel-seed-whole-because-possible-health-risk

The FDA announced it had suspended the food facility registration of Topway Enterprises Inc., also doing business as Kazy’s Gourmet, of Houston, Texas. As a result, Topway now cannot sell or distribute any food into commerce. The suspension is due to serious sanitation issues were observed, including several samples confirming the presence of Listeria and pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes. The company did not implement adequate corrective actions. This is the sixth time the FDA has suspended a facility’s registration since receiving the authority under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Topway ships RTE fresh seafood products to restaurants and retail food outlets. The FDA is not aware of any confirmed illnesses related to these seafood products.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-suspends-facility-registration-texas-based-seafood-producer-after-significant-repeated-food?utm_campaign=072219_pr_FDA%20suspends%20facility%20registration%20of%20Texas-based%20seafood%20producer&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua