Author: Kit Redwine
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) laboratory in Burnaby, British Columbia conducts extensive food safety testing across 60 different methods, screening for potential health risks in food products nationwide, with a level of precision that transforms scientific analysis into public protection, according to a recent article from the Winnipeg Free Press. The facility processes more than 100 bivalve samples weekly from the Pacific coast, testing for three primary shellfish toxins: paralytic, amnesic, and diarrheic shellfish poisoning. These marine toxins represent a significant threat, capable of causing severe illness and potentially fatal outcomes if left undetected. The lab’s testing strategy is…
A large-scale food poisoning outbreak occurred last Wednesday in Vung Tau City, in the south of Vietnam, linked to traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches from a local bakery. Health authorities reported extensive patient hospitalizations and initiated a comprehensive investigation. A total of 205 patients sought medical treatment after consuming banh mi from “C.B.” a bakery located on the city’s Nguyen An Ninh Street. Reports say that 170 patrons were treated at a local hospital and another 35 were treated at a different medical facility. By 10:00 pm Wednesday evening, 53 patients with mild symptoms had been discharged and the remaining…
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona have uncovered a novel mechanism by which bacteria may develop antibiotic resistance. The study, focusing on E. coli reveals how bacteria can modify their ribosomes when exposed to antibiotics, potentially reducing the drugs’ effectiveness, according to techexplorist.com. The majority of E. coli strains are not harmful and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem by assisting in breaking down the food, contributing to the production of essential vitamins, and acting as a defense mechanism against more dangerous microorganisms. However, not all E. coli are benign. Certain strains,…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert regarding ready-to-eat pork mortadella products illegally imported from Ecuador. Ecuador is not eligible to export meat and poultry products to the United States. Background FSIS discovered the issue during routine surveillance activities at a warehouse where they found the illegally imported pork mortadella bologna products that did not have a USDA mark of inspection. The agency is investigating how these products entered the country. More products could be affected. Distribution The affected products were distributed to retail outlets in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New…
Blue Ridge Beef, based in Statesville, North Carolina, has issued a voluntary recall of specific lots of its Puppy Mix due to potential Salmonella contamination. 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 problem was discovered when a customer reported that a litter of puppies became ill and reported the incident to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The company said it was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November…
Baker Farms, based in Norman Park, Georgia, has issued a voluntary recall for a specific lot of their Baker Farms Curly Mustard greens due to 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 testing by the Texas Department of State Health Services uncovered the presence of Listeria. Distribution The affected product was sent to distribution centers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee,…
A recall by Pero Family Farms Food Company LLC, based in Delray Beach, Florida, first initiated on November 5, 2024 for its Pero Family Farms Squash Sliced Zucchini, and Yellow Squash 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 the recall. How the potential for contamination with Listeria in the recalled items was discovered has not been released. This recall is…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and 1728435 Ontario Inc. have issued a recall for O’Ya hoho brand Enoki Mushroom due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). 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 revealed by CFIA testing. This is classified as a Class I recall, which means that eating or drinking the affected food product will lead to a serious health problem or death. The CFIA is currently conducting…
Gracie’s Kitchens Inc., based in New Haven, Connecticut, has issued a voluntary recall of all ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable products manufactured from November 4, 2024 to November 13, 2024 due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). 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 testing uncovered the presence of Listeria. The company said that it is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Distribution The impacted products were distributed…
Outbreak Background The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections associated with cucumbers from grower Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico. As of November 26, 2024, 68 people across 19 states have been infected with the outbreak strain. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially…