Author: Kit Redwine
Sprouted beans, celebrated globally for their crisp texture and nutritional benefits, simultaneously present significant food safety challenges. Health agencies consistently link sprouts to bacterial outbreaks, with Salmonella emerging as a particular concern. Just yesterday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an investigation into frozen sprouted beans that, so far, has sickened 11 and lead to four hospitalizations. The reasons lie in the very nature of sprout production and inherent biological vulnerabilities. The germination process creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Sprouting requires warm temperatures (typically 85-95°F) and high humidity – conditions that also…
Paleteria La Providencia, based in Smyrna, Georgia has announced a recall of several popsicle products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The presence of Listeria was discovered after through routine finished product testing. Distribution The recalled items were distributed in the Atlanta, Georgia area but the company’s distribution records are incomplete. The company is working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety division to identify what businesses may…
An unnamed Cape Town, South Africa restaurant temporarily ceased operations after health authorities linked 46 suspected cases of bacterial gastroenteritis to the establishment, according to findings released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), according to an article in the Cape Times. The outbreak involved Shigella bacteria and enteroinvasive E. coli, pathogens that cause severe digestive illness in humans. The investigation began on February 8, 2024, when a general practitioner contacted the NICD about two patients presenting with acute diarrhea and elevated temperatures. Both individuals reported dining at the restaurant as part of a five-person group that consumed prawns during their meal. Three…
Health authorities have identified tomatoes as one of several food sources linked to Salmonella outbreaks that affected hundreds of people across the United Kingdom in 2024, according to an article in the Independent and other media sources. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) documented seven separate Salmonella outbreaks throughout the year, resulting in 304 total cases with 280 confirmed through laboratory testing. The tomato-related cases involved two distinct Salmonella strains: Blockley and Strathcona. Laboratory analysis confirmed 81 cases of Salmonella Blockley, leading to 14 hospitalizations. An additional 24 people contracted Salmonella Strathcona, also traced to tomato consumption. Cases linked to tomatoes were distributed throughout…
The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency has announced a recall of Ballymaguire Foods’ Turkey and Ham Dinner due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall notice did not say how the potential presence of Listeria was discovered in the affected product. Distribution The recalled item was distributed to unnamed retailers in Northern Ireland. Product Details BrandProductSizeBatch CodeBest by DatesGood Food Turkey and Ham DinnerAll pack sizesAll batch codes18.0719.0720.0721.0722.0723.0724.0725.0726.07Supervalu18/07/25, 19/07/25, 20/07/25,…
A voluntary recall has been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for multiple brands of salami due to potential Salmonella contamination remains ongoing. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was initiated as part of an investigation by the CFIA into a foodborne illness outbreak. This recall is related to an outbreak of Salmonella in Canada connected to other salami products from the company. Distribution The recalled products were distributed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta,…
In mid‑July 2025, the CDC and FDA issued an alert about a multistate salmonella outbreak traced to Deep‑brand frozen sprouted beans, specifically mat (moth) and moong (mung) varieties. As of the July 17 update: Though the case count is low, the illnesses began as far back as October 22, 2024, with the latest onset on June 24, 2025, indicating a long-running, intermittent outbreak likely tied to contaminated production batches. What Are Sprouted Beans, and Why Are They Risky? Sprouted beans are seeds (like mung and moth) allowed to germinate before freezing. The FDA labels them “sprout outbreaks” because sprouts have repeatedly…
Health authorities in western France have reported six hospitalizations following a botulism outbreak in the Maine-et-Loire department near the town of Cholet, according to connexionfrance.com. The Agence régionale de santé Pays de la Loire confirmed that all affected individuals developed severe symptoms between July 7 and 14. The outbreak has been traced to homemade canned carrots consumed by the victims. Regional health officials emphasized that the contaminated product was not commercially available and was produced through home canning processes. Investigators are working to identify additional family members and friends who may have consumed the same food product. Understanding Botulism Contamination Botulism is a…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection of a raw pet food manufacturing facility operated by Answers Pet Food at 38 South Franklin Street, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, from July 18 through October 4, 2024. The inspection revealed significant violations of federal manufacturing and safety requirements for animal food products. Contaminated Products Identified FDA investigators purchased samples of Answers raw pet food from a Nevada retailer in August 2024 following consumer complaints. Laboratory analysis revealed that all four sampled product lots contained dangerous bacteria. The contaminated products included Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula, Answers Pet Food Raw…
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued an urgent recall advisory for all raw milk and raw-milk cheese products from The Family Cow dairy operation in Chambersburg. State officials are directing consumers to immediately dispose of any products purchased from the farm’s retail store or through online ordering. The recall encompasses all production dates and sell-by dates for milk and cheese varieties produced by the Franklin County dairy. Products were distributed through the farm’s retail location at 3854 Olde Scotland Road in Chambersburg and made available for pickup at more than 50 locations throughout Pennsylvania via the company’s website, yourfamilyfarmer.com. Laboratory…