Author: Kit Redwine

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…

Handsome Brook Farms, based in Franklin, New York, has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs sold under the Kirkland Signature brand name 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 recall was initiated after the company discovered that eggs meant for non-retail use were mistakenly packaged and sold in retail packaging. The company said it is taking multiple steps to prevent a recurrence of this incident. Distribution…

A large-scale E. coli outbreak in St. Louis County, Missouri has sickened at least 106 people, up from the 94 first reported, who attended various events catered by Andre’s Banquets & Catering, leaving health officials and community members searching for answers. Despite recent testing, the source of the contamination remains unconfirmed, according to ksdk.com. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted tests on an unopened package of iceberg lettuce from the catering, which returned negative results. However, health officials cautioned that this does not conclusively rule out the lettuce as the outbreak’s source. Bacteria like E. coli can…

As previously reported by Food Poisoning News, Wolverine Packing Co. recalled over 167,000 pounds of ground beef last week after an E. coli outbreak in Minnesota, with at least 19 people now reported to have fallen ill from the contaminated meat. The recall was initiated following multiple illness reports and a positive E. coli O157:H7 test by state agriculture officials. Four people have now been hospitalized, up from the two initially reported, including two patients who developed a potentially serious kidney-related complication, according to a report by the Associated Press. The infected individuals had consumed hamburgers from specific restaurants in…