In the news

The FDA reported that following a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled 12 types of ReadyMeals and store-made deli items supplied by Fresh Creative Foods due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was initiated because these products contain a recalled ready-to-eat chicken ingredient supplied by BrucePac (Durant, Oklahoma), which was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes during routine tests by the USDA-FSIS. The ReadyMeals and store-made deli items were available for purchase at the following stores: Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb and Vons. These stores are in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-voluntarily-recalls-12-readymeals-and-store-made-deli-items-containing-recalled?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA reported that its Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of this outbreak. Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by the FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using this type of onion in these states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s are not implicated in this outbreak. FSIS is conducting traceback on hamburger patties served at McDonald’s in affected states to determine if ground beef is a source of illness. McDonald’s has also temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounder beef patties in affected states while an ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine the outbreak’s source. The outbreak is centered in Colorado. Forty-nine illnesses, 10 hospitalizations, and one death are reported. The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers. As a result, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply. The company has paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area. As of October 22, 49 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 10 states – Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

On October 22, 2024, the CDC reported that public health and regulatory officials in several states, the FDA, and the USDA-FSIS are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Epidemiologic data show that Quarter Pounder hamburgers served at McDonald’s are contaminated with E. coli, making people sick. Early information from the FDA indicates onions may be a source of this outbreak. Investigators from all agencies are working quickly to determine the contaminated ingredient. As of October 22, 49 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 10 states. Illnesses started from September 27, 2024, to October 11, 2024. Of 28 people with information available, 10 have been hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This is not the same person with HUS. Of the 18 people interviewed, all 18 (100%) reported eating at McDonald’s, and 16 reported eating a beef hamburger. Of 14 people who remember the beef hamburger they ate at McDonald’s, 12 (86%) reported eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger. Some people in this outbreak reported traveling to other states before their illness started. At least one person ate at McDonald’s during their travel. Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties in Quarter Pounder burgers are the specific source of this outbreak. Preliminary traceback information reviewed by the FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. FSIS is conducting a traceback of hamburger patties served at McDonald’s to determine if ground beef is a source of illness. Mcdonald’s has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states to protect their customers while a source of illness is confirmed.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html

The CFIA reported that TreeHouse Foods (Oak Brook, Illinois) has recalled frozen waffles of  Compliments, Great Value, No Name, Selection, and Western Family branded Frozen Waffles from the Canadian marketplace due to suspected Listeria monocytogenes. The products were sold throughout Canada. Similar frozen waffle products manufactured by TreeHouse Foods, Inc. have been recalled from the United States. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-frozen-waffles-recalled-due-listeria-monocytogenes