In the news

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommended that consumers avoid eating raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon in Baja California Sur, Mexico because they are linked to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses in California. Twelve California customers that consumed raw oysters sold by restaurants and retailers located in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego Counties, have been reported sick in February, March, and April. The raw oysters have been distributed throughout the state. Laboratory testing was performed for eight cases and multiple pathogens were identified: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (3), Vibrio albensis (1), Vibrio species unidentified (1), Shigella flexneri serotype 1 (2), and norovirus (1). One of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases was co-infected with non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The investigation is ongoing. Traceback evidence collected to date confirms that the oysters were harvested from Estero El Cardon. Shellfish authorities in Mexico have been notified about the outbreak and are investigating. @ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR19-010.aspx

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that DOM International Limited recalled DOM RESERVE brand Atlantic Salmon Strips (Hot Smoked) Cracked Black Pepper from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was triggered by CFIA test results. No illnesses had been confirmed in relation to the recalled smoked salmon. @ http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-05-05/eng/1557104244672/1557104247484

The FDA is alerting the public to possible contamination of l’Explorateur soft-ripened cheese with Listeria monocytogenes. This pasteurized, cow’s milk cheese was made by in St. Simeon, France and distributed throughout the U.S. L’Explorateur cheese has been packaged in clear plastic containers and is sold in the form of small, circular wheels in 250g quantities. The sell-by dates on the package include May 7, 2019, and May 14, 2019. The Société Fromagère de la Brie firm is subject to an FDA Import Alert, allowing the agency to detain the food without physical examination until the firm demonstrates that its products no longer appear to violate the FDA’s requirements. The same cheese was recalled in several other countries. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/public-health-alert-concerning-possible-listeria-contamination-french-soft-ripened-cheese

The recall of French cheese associated with E. coli O26 contamination is causing recalls around the world. In Canada, La Fromagerie Hamel recalled Le Pic model Saint-Félicien cheese as a result of E. coli O26 contamination. All 180-gram packages with date codes as much as and together with April 29 are affected. No reported diseases due to the cheese that was distributed in Quebec. In New Zealand, Le Marche Francais recalled particular batches of La Fromagerie Alpine model Saint Felicien and Saint Marcellin cheeses were recalled due to the E. coli contamination. There haven’t been any E. coli infections reported in New Zealand in relation to the cheeses. International organizations are tracking contamination around the world. A few of the cheeses were distributed in Belgium at numerous shops. @ https://myhealthylifeplanet.com/?p=6193