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A survey among the EU/EFTA laboratory Networks for Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli (VTEC), Campylobacter, Coagulase Positive Staphylococci, Antimicrobial Resistance and bacteriological and viral contaminants of bivalve mollusks was conducted. By the end of 2016, WGS was in use in reporting laboratories from 17 out of 30 EU/EFTA countries. The main reason for not implementing WGS was the lack of capacity (budget and expertise). WGS was mainly used for outbreak investigations, followed by surveillance, and mostly for L. monocytogenes, E. coli and Salmonella analysis. WGS was used only to type subsets of isolates, and normally, in parallel to other molecular techniques (PFGE and MLVA). The intention to switch to only WGS for typing was indicated by some laboratories. This report provides a first picture of the state of the art in relation to the use of WGS in European food safety laboratories at the end of 2016. A new questionnaire to tackle the state of the art in 2018 has been recently launched @ https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/sp.efsa.2018.EN-1432

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are continuing to investigate the multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections. As of June 28, 2018, there are 185 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in persons who reportedly consumed pre-packaged Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip. Fout states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa), Seven of these people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.@ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2018/a-062018/investigation-maps.html

Neogen Corp is announced that it is combining Acumedia® and Lab M® products and rebranding them as Neogen Culture Media. Neogen culture media product line will include in addition to traditional culture media, a comprehensive offering of chromogenic media. The products will be manufactured in the USA and UK. The company will provide identical products around the world. @ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acumedia-and-lab-m-brands-become-neogen-culture-media-300672286.html

According to information on a German Government-run site, a batch of organic eggs has been found to have been infected with salmonella enteritidis. The recall affects 11 German states. According to the German Government site, the salmonella contamination has affected the states of Baden-Wurttemburg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The infections were reportedly discovered during a routine testing procedure. The infected organic eggs were stocked by several major German retailers, including Penny, Kaufland, Aldi Nord, Aldi Sued, Real, Lidl and Netto. @ https://www.farminguk.com/news/Eggs-contaminated-with-salmonella-recalled-in-11-German-states_49602.html