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Above 60% of the seeds inoculated by either Salmonella or EHEC were positive for the pathogens during the germination process. The internalization of food pathogens into vegetable seeds could occur naturally and represents a possible pathway of vegetable seed contamination by pathogens. The study demonstrates the importance of pathogen-free seeds in the prevention pathogens in sprouts. @ http://aem.asm.org/content/84/1/e01888-17.abstract?etoc

Hom/Ade Foods, Inc recalled Mary B’s® brand biscuits due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The problem was discovered in a product sampling conducted by an outside co-packer, who manufactured the product. The effected products are frozen bagged biscuits. Products were distributed to AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV and sold in retail stores. Although these products are not ready-to-eat items and have baking instructions there remains some risk that the mishandling of this product prior to or without adequate baking may cause illness. There has been no illness to date associated with these products. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm592293.htm?utm_campaign=Hom%2FAde%20Foods%2C%20Inc.%20Voluntarily%20Recalls%20Frozen%20Biscuits%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=E1B30BBBA7DF08F31611C2196A60B88B&elq=e151c98a9db6493db3ae2d215cc221bd&elqaid=2070&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=1423

On January 5th Fieldbrook Foods Corporation recalled Tops brand of Orange Cream Bars and Meijer Purple Cow brand Orange Cream Bars due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The product has a production date of December 18, 2017, and a “best by” date of December 18, 2018. No illnesses have been reported to date. On January 11th the company added cases of Raspberry Cream Bars that were included with Orange Cream Bars in ALDI seasonal split-case purchases to their recall. The recalled orange cream bars, raspberry cream bars, and chocolate coated vanilla ice cream bars were sold @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm592326.htm?utm_campaign=Fieldbrook%20Foods%20Corporation%20Clarifies%20Scope%20of%20its%20Voluntary%20Recall.&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

CDC announced that it is expanding its use of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to 38 states and two cities. By the end of fiscal 2017, six health departments successfully implemented WGS. The WGS allows to differentiate between closely related organisms allows outbreaks to be detected with fewer clinical cases and can help stop outbreaks sooner. @ http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/77505