Author: Kit Redwine
Background The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a food safety alert for oysters harvested from Louisiana’s oyster harvest Area 3, following confirmed cases of norovirus contamination. The recall spans oysters harvested between January 10, 2025 and February 4, 2025, Distribution The affected oysters were distributed across multiple states including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas, with possible wider distribution to other regions. Product Details The notice encompasses a broad range of oyster products, including half-shell market oysters, shucked oysters, frozen varieties, breaded oysters, and post-harvest processed products. Consumer and Commercial Action For consumers who…
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) launched an investigation last Friday into a food poisoning incident involving porcini mushrooms that affected four Hong Kong residents. The victims, two men and two women ranging in age from 30 to 74, experienced symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever approximately two to three hours after consuming the mushrooms at a residential location on January 30. All four sought emergency medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and United Christian Hospital, where they were admitted for care. They have since been discharged following treatment. Laboratory analysis of uncooked mushroom samples from the…
A voluntary recall by Jack and the Green Sprouts, based in River Falls, Wisconsin, has been issued for its 5 oz packages of Alfalfa sprouts that expired on January 29, 2025 due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) remains ongoing. 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 was initiated after routine testing by the state of Minnesota uncovered the potential presence of Listeria in expired 5 oz packages of the recalled product. The…
A recall by FGF, LLC, first announced on January 7, 2025 for over 2 million cases of assorted donut products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) remains ongoing. 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 No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not released how the potential presence of Listeria was discovered. This recall is classified as a Class II recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning…
Pacific Coast Fresh Company, based in Portland, Oregon, is recalling a number of its hummus products sold at Kroger and Kroger-affiliated grocery stores due to potential contamination with pieces of plastic. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not revealed how the potential presence of plastic in the recalled products was discovered. Distribution The affected products were distributed to select Kroger, Fred Meyer, and QFC grocery stores. No additional information on specific states…
Outbreak Background – February 6, 2025 Federal health agencies are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to Italian-manufactured mini pastries distributed in the United States. The Sweet Cream-brand pastries, exported by Quebec-based Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc., have been linked to 18 infections across seven states. One person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. In interviews conducted with five of those affected, three confirmed consuming pastries before falling ill. A number of the victims have retained a nationally known Salmonella lawyer to file their Sweet Cream lawsuits for damages, including medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.…
United States NEW YORK – Raw Milk from New York Farm Tests Positive for Listeria New York state agriculture officials have issued a consumer warning about raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm in Ballston Spa, New York following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a routine sample. The farm has been temporarily prohibited from selling raw milk until follow-up testing confirms the product is safe. The contamination was identified in a sample collected by a state inspector, with preliminary results received on January 30 and confirmation obtained on February 4. The farm has advised customers who purchased raw milk between…
Restaurant inspections by local food safety officials are crucial for protecting public health by ensuring that food establishments adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards. These inspections help identify potential risks, such as improper food handling, inadequate storage temperatures, cross-contamination, and unsanitary conditions, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. Regular oversight encourages restaurants to maintain consistent safety practices, reduces the likelihood of outbreaks, and fosters consumer confidence in the food they consume. Additionally, inspections provide an opportunity for education, allowing food safety officials to guide staff on best practices and regulatory compliance, ultimately promoting a culture of health and safety…
The United States experienced its most severe impact on egg production since the current bird flu outbreak began, with more than 20 million egg-laying chickens lost in the last quarter, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. The deaths, which include both birds that succumbed to the virus and those culled to prevent further spread, have contributed to surging egg prices across the country, according to CBS News. The USDA reports that the 2024 outbreak has uniquely affected all major production systems, including conventional caged, cage-free, and certified organic operations. To manage the crisis, the federal government continues to…
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress on Tuesday would grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to investigate concentrated animal feeding operations during disease outbreaks. The Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act (EFSIA), sponsored by Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), addresses current limitations in FDA’s ability to collect microbial samples from large-scale animal farming operations. The legislation comes amid ongoing concerns about foodborne illness rates in the United States. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, foodborne illnesses affect one in six Americans annually, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Over…