In the news

The CFIA recall issued on August 30, 2019, has extended due to additional information identified during their food safety investigation. Les Spécialités Prodal (1975) Ltée recalled various brands of pâtés, mousses, terrines, and rillettes from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The following products have been sold in Ontario and Quebec. This product has been sold clerk-served from retail counters up to and including September 12, 2019, with or without a label. The products include The Deli-Shop various pates, Paysan pates, Les Specialites Prodal (1975) Ltee various pates, Première moisson Poultry rillettes, and Première moisson various pates. This recall was triggered by the company. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-09-12/eng/1568345193713/1568345200763

Meat Science published a study by Iowa State University researchers on the effect of in-package atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment on the control of spoilage organisms in chicken breast and found that t effectively control spoilage organisms. The treatment had a minimal effect of the product characteristics while allowing extending the refrigerated shelf-life by 6 days. The ACP treatment reduced by at least 1.5 log CFU/g the population of mesophiles, Enterobacteriaceae, and psychrotrophs, after 5 min of plasma treatment at 100 kV and in-pack storage for 24 h. The study demonstrates the efficacy of in-package cold plasma treatment in decontaminating chicken breast surface and extending the shelf-life. ACP is energy efficient and chemical-free decontamination intervention and is a promising alternative traditional chemical disinfection of poultry surfaces. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0309174019305996?dgcid=rss_sd_all

According to the CDC, the outbreak of Salmonella Uganda in multistate linked to Cavi Brand whole, fresh papayas appears to be over. The epidemiological and traceback information collected in the investigation confirmed that Agroson’s LLC of Bronx, New York, was the exclusive distributor of the imported papayas that made consumers from this outbreak sick. The FDA issued a statement on August 26, 2019, demanding that the papaya industry improve practices and better protects consumers. The FDA asked Agroson’s LLC, the exclusive distributor of this brand, to conduct a voluntary recall of Cavi brand papayas. Agroson’s LLC refused to initiate a recall. FDA contacted wholesale customers of Agroson’s LLC to ensure the fruit was no longer available for sale, had been discarded, or was not further processed or frozen. Additionally, the FDA issued a warning letter to Agroson’s LLC, the distributor of Cavi brand papayas implicated in this outbreak.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/salmonella-uganda-linked-cavi-brand-whole-fresh-papayas-june-2019?utm_campaign=Outbreak%20Salmonella%20Uganda%20Linked%20to%20Cavi%20Brand%20Whole%2C%20Fresh%20Papayas&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA announced the award of a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) to provide critical information and resources to help state and territorial regulatory agencies plan and help in the implementation of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association representing the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories.  The agreement provides funding to NASDA to assist state and territorial produce safety regulatory programs in developing produce safety programs. The programs should encourage the safe production of fresh fruits and vegetables, understanding of the Produce Safety Rule, and compliance with the Produce Safety Rule’s requirements. NASDA will work with the agency to plan and host an annual National Consortium meeting to provide program updates, sharing best practices, and providing the FDA with feedback on opportunities for enhancements and program adjustments. NASDA will work closely with the FDA to implement and update the On-Farm Readiness Review system and develop a national produce safety regulatory program that promotes a uniform foundation of produce safety. @

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-cooperative-agreement-implement-produce-safety-rule