Author: Kit Redwine
“Under the new guidelines, poultry processing facilities would implement microbial monitoring programs to control pathogen contamination. The July proposal includes a 60-day public commentary period for industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the new requirements. After that, we are hopeful it will be adopted.”
In cooperation with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, Oregon, has issued a voluntary recall of one batch of its Northwest Naturals brand 2 pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) contamination. HPAI, also known as bird flu, is highly contagious and an often deadly disease that affects birds, animals, and sometimes humans. Background The recall notice said that the specific batch tested positive for HPAI. Distribution The affected product was distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington states…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Schep’s Bakeries Ltd., based in Norwich, Ontario, Canada, have issued a voluntary recall of Heavenfull brand Brownie Skillet with Vanilla Ice Cream due to 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 The recall notice did not state how the potential presence of plastic contamination in the recalled product was discovered. Distribution The affected product was distributed only through retail channels in the Canadian province of Ontario. Product Details Consumer Action As with all food…
Vietnam HANOI -Two Dead, Fifteen Hospitalized After Food Poisoning Incident A suspected case of food poisoning at a conference center in Hanoi has resulted in two fatalities and fifteen hospitalizations, health officials confirmed Friday. The incident occurred during a corporate seminar hosted by NBC Pacific Co., Ltd., which was attended by 80 participants. Food safety officials reported that the affected individuals ate both lunch and snacks at the event. Fourteen patients were admitted to medical facilities in Hanoi, split between Bach Mai Hospital’s Poison Control Center and Duc Giang General Hospital, while one patient sought treatment in Nghe An Province.…
A major operation by European law enforcement agencies has resulted in the seizure of 30 tons of contaminated mollusks and six tons of glass eels, with a market value of approximately USD 10,000,000. The operation, coordinated across France, Portugal, and Spain, led to the arrest of 62 people connected to organized criminal groups. The criminal enterprise primarily focused on harvesting Japanese clams, a seasonal delicacy popular during Christmas celebrations in Spain and Portugal. The operation uncovered a scheme where the groups falsified documentation to present contaminated seafood as safe for human consumption. The investigation revealed exploitation of Asian workers who…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland is recalling 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the products were manufactured without required federal inspection oversight. The affected products include “Old World Italian Sausage” in both rope and link varieties, packaged in 10-pound white cardboard boxes containing plastic bags. The items, produced between October 3 and December 19, 2024, bear the establishment number “EST. 10827” within the USDA inspection mark. Distribution of these sausage products extended to restaurants…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Aux Terroirs, based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, have issued a voluntary recall for Fromagerie des Grondines brand Festin Soft Cheese due to contamination with generic E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, both pathogens that can cause serious, and sometimes severe, foodborne illness in certain populations. Background The recall notice did not specify how the presence of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were discovered in the impacted product. This is classified as a Class II recall, which means the affected products may pose a moderate health risk, but the probability of serious health consequences is…
A series of Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination incidents has led to numerous recalls of enoki mushrooms across North America over the past year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to investigate why these long, thin white mushrooms, commonly used in East Asian cuisine, appear particularly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to a recent article on eatingwell.com. The sequence of recalls began in October 2023 when Qilu Enterprises issued a recall spanning six states after their enoki mushrooms tested positive for Listeria. In December 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced a recall of Good brand enoki mushrooms…
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the conclusion of a significant E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated carrots. The impacted carrots are past their shelf life and no longer available for retail or commercial sale. Background – December 18, 2024 update A nationwide investigation by federal and state health authorities to examine an outbreak of E. coli O121:H9 infections connected to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms has ended. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led the investigation and worked closely with state and local health partners…
SACRAMENTO – California health officials have issued a warning about raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada, following a norovirus outbreak that has affected multiple counties across the state. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 57 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus infection between December 1 and December 9, 2024, all connected to the consumption of raw oysters at California restaurants. The investigation conducted by CDPH and local health authorities has traced the source to oysters harvested from specific areas in British Columbia during late November and early December 2024. While no official recalls have been announced, several distributors…