FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to enoki mushrooms. FDA has identified imported enoki mushrooms distributed by Utopia Foods, Inc. of Glendale, N.Y., as a likely source of illnesses in this outbreak. These mushrooms are long thin white mushrooms, usually sold in clusters. They are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, seafood, or lily mushrooms.

As of January 18, 2022, CDC reports three illnesses included in this outbreak. Two sick people reported eating the mushrooms or eating at restaurants with menu items containing them. One patient did not report eating the mushrooms but reported shopping at various Asian grocery stores.

Through ongoing sampling efforts, FDA and state partners have been collecting and testing samples of the mushrooms. An import sample of enoki mushrooms branded as Utopia Foods, Inc. was collected by FDA and was reported as being positive for L. monocytogenes. Whole genome sequencing analysis determined that the strain of Listeria found in this sample matches the strain of Listeria linked to two illnesses in this outbreak. FDA also detected an additional strain of L. monocytogenes in this sample, which is linked to one additional illness. Both strains are now included in this outbreak investigation.

As a result of this testing, Utopia Foods, Inc. voluntarily expanded their original recall (first issued on December 13, 2022) to include their 200g packages of enoki mushrooms, imported from China, with clear and blue plastic packages with clear markings of “best before 03/02/2023” or “best before 03.09.23.” These products were distributed between January 6 and January 13, 2023, in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, to wholesale companies for further distribution.

FDA is continuing its investigation to determine a potential source of contamination and whether any other products are contaminated or linked to illnesses. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The post FDA Investigates <i>Listeria</i> Outbreak Linked to Enoki Mushrooms appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

FDA has announced that it has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update the protocol for the development and registration of treatments for pre-harvest agricultural water to remove Listeria monocytogenes from the organism test panel.

FDA says that this change is being made because pilot studies have found that sanitizer treatments that will likely be effective for E. coli and Salmonella may be different from those that are most effective for L. monocytogenes. This is likely due to the physical characteristics of E. coli and Salmonella being distinctly different from those of L. monocytogenes. In light of recent outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella linked to produce, FDA and EPA agreed and decided to move forward with removing this pathogen from the panel.

“We expect that doing so will facilitate the registration of antimicrobial treatments against STECs (and other E. coli) and Salmonella in pre-harvest agricultural water, the availability of which will be a significant resource for farms to protect their crops against these pathogens,” FDA said in a statement. “While we are removing L. monocytogenes from the protocol at this time, companies may opt to continue testing against L. monocytogenes for inclusion in their registration with EPA.

Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of romaine lettuce and other leafy greens have highlighted the need for a viable option for treating agricultural water against foodborne pathogens.

The post FDA Eliminates <i>Listeria</i> from Test Panel for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Protocol appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

The CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. The epidemiologic and laboratory data collected show that meat and cheese from deli counters contaminated with Listeria are making people sick. Investigators are still working to identify any specific products or delis that may be contaminated with the outbreak strain.

As of November 9, a total of 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from six states—California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. The agencies collected samples from sick people from April 17, 2021 to September 29, 2022. CDC says that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. Thirteen people have been hospitalized and one person became sick during their pregnancy, which resulted in pregnancy loss. Additionally, one death has been reported from Maryland.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 12 people interviewed, 11 reported eating meat or cheese from deli counters. Among seven sick people in New York, five bought sliced deli meat or cheese from at least one location of NetCost Market, a grocery store chain that sells international foods. Sick people from other states purchased deli meats or cheeses from other deli counters. The investigators do not believe that NetCost Market delis are the only source of illnesses because some sick people in the outbreak did not shop at a NetCost Market. A contaminated food likely introduced the outbreak strain of Listeria into delis in multiple states.

Symptoms from Listeria can take several days to two weeks to appear, contributing to the difficulty in determining the source of the contamination. Symptoms include neck stiffness, confusion, headache, fever, loss of balance, muscle aches, nausea, and intestinal distress.

CDC is advising that people at higher risk of severe Listeria illness—people who are pregnant, people who are 65 years of age and older, and people with a weakened immune system—to not eat meat or cheese from any deli counter unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F. Consumers should discard any deli meats or cheeses and thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces that came into contact with these products and wash hands after handling.

The post <em>Listeria</em> Outbreak Linked to Deli Meats and Cheese appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Brie and Camembert soft cheese products, including all baked Brie cheeses, manufactured by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, Mich., and sold at various retailers under multiple labels and brands.

The outbreak has resulted in six illnesses and five hospitalizations, with cases in six states.

On September 30, 2022, Old Europe Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled multiple brands of Brie and Camembert cheeses produced at their Michigan facility and, on October 5, expanded their recall to include multiple brands of baked Brie products. The firm has also halted production and distribution of their Brie and Camembert products from this facility and is working with FDA on corrective actions. The recall impacts product distribution nationwide.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled products and should throw them away; this includes “best by” dates ranging from September 28, 2022 to December 14, 2022, and all flavors and quantities.

An expanded list of recalled products and stores that potentially sold these products is available on FDA’s website. Swiss American has also issued a voluntary recall of their St. Louis Brie products sourced from Old Europe Cheese Inc.’s Michigan facility. A full list of their products can also be found on FDA’s site.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine if additional products are potentially contaminated. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

The post Certain Brands of Brie and Camembert Cheeses Recalled Nationwide appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is assisting the Florida Department of Health (FL DOH) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to ice cream supplied by Big Olaf Creamery, which is based in Sarasota, Fla.

In response to the outbreak investigation, Big Olaf Creamery ceased production and distribution of its ice cream products on July 1, 2022. Big Olaf Creamery is now working to voluntarily recall all flavors and all lots of Big Olaf brand ice cream products, which were sold in plastic pint-sized containers, plastic half-gallon containers, and plastic 2.5-gallon tubs.

All flavors, lots, codes, and expiration dates through June 30, 2022 are included in this recall. The recalled product was sold at Big Olaf retailers in Florida as well as to consumers in restaurants and senior homes, and at one location in Ohio.

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Big Olaf ice cream products and should throw the product away, regardless of the “best by” or expiration date.

FDA is concerned that retailers may still be selling the recalled products. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received any recalled Big Olaf ice cream products should throw the products away and use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

This is an ongoing investigation, and FDA is continuing to work with FL DOH and FDACS to investigate.

The post Big Olaf Creamery Recalls Ice Cream Linked to <i>Listeria</i> Outbreak appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections that caused the death of two people (one in Michigan, one in Wisconsin) has been linked to packaged salads produced by Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., according to a CDC investigation.

The CDC says the outbreak linked to Dole products has also been responsible for 17 illnesses and 13 hospitalizations reported in Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. Those impacted range in age from 50 to 94 years of age, and 82% percent are women.

A second outbreak linked to salad products involves branded and private label products produced by Fresh Express products according to CDC.

In December 2021, Dole issued a voluntary recall on packaged salads produced at its Bessemer City, NC, and Yuma, AZ processing facilities. In January 2022, Dole issued a second voluntary recall, removing all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at its Springfield, Ohio, and Soledad, Calif.-based production facilities that contained iceberg lettuce.

In addition to Dole packaged salads,  private label brands containing the contaminated lettuce include Ahold, HEB, Kroger, Lidl, Little Salad Bar, Marketside, Naturally Better, Nature’s Promise, President’s Choice and Simply Nature.

The recall is for products showing “Best if used by” dates from November 30, 2021, through January 9, 2022. The products affected include Caesar kits, mixed greens, garden salads, and more, sold in either bags or clamshells. Additionally, the  products involved include  product lot codes that begin with the letter “B,” “N,” “W” or “Y” displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the package. Consumers and retailers who still have products in their refrigerators involved in either recall are urged to discard them immediately.

A spokesperson for Dole told The Washington Post that the company was confident it had identified and corrected all issues related to the listeria outbreak. “Throughout the FDA and CDC investigations, Dole provided full access and transparency into all of our facilities, our processes, and our operations,” spokesperson William Goldfield told the paper. “Delivering safe, high-quality fruits and vegetables is our top priority, and we are deeply saddened and sorry that we did not meet our standard.”

The post Dole Packaged Salads Linked to <i>Listeria</i> Outbreak appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. According to the CDC, as of December 21, 2021, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from eight states, with ten hospitalizations and one death. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 26, 2016 to October 19, 2021.

As a part of routine sampling, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collected a product sample of Fresh Express Sweet Hearts salad mix with a Use-By-Date of December 8, 2021, for testing. The sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis determined that the Listeria monocytogenes present in the samples matches the strain that has caused illnesses in this outbreak.

In response to the sample results and the ongoing outbreak investigation, Fresh Express voluntarily ceased production at its Streamwood, Ill., facility and initiated a recall of certain varieties of its branded and private label salad products produced at the facility and distributed across 19 states. The recall includes all use-by dates of fresh salad items with product codes Z324 through Z350. Product codes are located on the front of the packages below the use-by date. No other Fresh Express products are subject to recall. A full list of recalled products is available on FDA’s website.

This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The post CDC, FDA Investigate <i>Listeria</i> Outbreak in Fresh Express Packaged Salads appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

Low-income residents are at a greater risk than residents in high-income communities of contracting foodborne illness, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Houston. The study, published last month in the Journal of Food Protection, examined the safety and quality of loose-leaf romaine lettuce accessible to low-income populations living in Houston, Texas.

Sujata Sirsat, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management in Texas and lead author of the study, tells Food Quality & Safety that this was a subject she wanted to explore because of the nutritional disparities she’s seen in low-income neighborhoods. “This is fundamentally characterized by lack of access to fresh, nutritious, and healthful foods,” she says. “As we have more federal and state programs addressing this need, our research question was: Is the produce accessible to low-income communities safe and of high quality from a microbial standpoint?”

The researchers purchased fresh greens from five different retailers in both low- and high-income socioeconomic status areas over a six-month period. The samples underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing for pathogen contamination. The investigators found a disparity between the microbial quality and safety of the produce accessible to low-income communities and those collected from the high-income areas.

While both communities saw positive results for Staphylococcus aureus—38% of samples in high-income areas tested positive for the pathogen and 87% tested positive in those collected from low-income areas—no other pathogens were found in the produce sampled in the high-income areas. However, greens collected from the low-income areas tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 (4%), Salmonella spp. (53%), and Listeria monocytogenes (13%).

The research also showed that romaine lettuce in low-income communities had higher levels of spoilage microorganisms, fecal contaminants, and pathogens.

“It’s a big, big problem,” Dr. Sirsat says. “We shouldn’t see this type of empirical evidence.”

Though the study did not identify why the disparity exists, Dr. Sirsat theorizes it could be because of time and temperature abuse of produce; potential cross contamination at various stages in the supply chain; or challenges and differences in the supply chain contributing to contamination.

“There is no quick fix to this problem. Further studies will be needed to identify and address the issue or issues at its root,” she adds. “Investing in fresh produce is critical to the long-term health of communities. We need to be able to investigate the supply chain in depth to be able to identify what is happening, from farm to fork.”

The post Major Disparity in Quality and Safety of Leafy Greens in Low- versus High-Income Areas: Study appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

Baker Farms is recalling their Baker Farms, Kroger, and SEG Grocers brands of bagged kale due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall impacts one-pound bagged kale with a best buy date of September 18, 2021.

On September 15, Baker Farms was notified by a customer that the product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The products were distributed in plastic bags between August 30 and September 1 and packaged in clear plastic bags. They were sold to distribution centers in 11 states:  Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, and Virginia.

No illnesses have been reported to date, and no other bagged greens are included in the recall. For more information on the specific products affected, visit the FDA website.

The post Baker Farms Recalls Bagged Kale Due to Possible Listeria Contamination appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.

Listeria monocytogenes soon may become easier to track down in food recalls and other investigations, thanks to a new genomic and geological mapping tool created by Cornell University food scientists. The national atlas will tell scientists where Listeria and other related species reside within the contiguous United States. This could help trace and pinpoint sources of the pathogen found in ingredients, food processing facilities, and finished products, according to research published in Nature Microbiology.

Knowing that the pathogen occurs naturally in soil, the researchers asked hundreds of scientists across the country to collect soil samples from generally undisturbed places in the natural world, such as the off-trail areas of state and national parks. From these samples, the group developed a nationwide atlas of 1,854 listeria isolates, representing 594 strains, and 12 families of the bacteria, called phylogroups.

“As we’re trying to figure out the risk of getting Listeria from soil and different locations, our group created a more systematic way of assessing how frequently different Listeria are found in different locations,” says senior author Martin Wiedmann, PhD, a food safety and food science professor in the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Ithaca, N.Y. “We’ve studied Listeria in places as diverse as New York, Colorado, and California, but before this atlas, [it] was difficult to make comparisons and assess Listeria diversity in different locations.”

Lead author Jingqiu Liao, PhD, who worked in Dr. Wiedmann’s laboratory as a graduate student, is now a post-doctoral researcher at Columbia University. She found Listeria present across a wide range of environmental circumstances. This bacterium is controlled mainly by soil moisture, salinity concentrations and molybdenum—a trace mineral found in milk, cheese, grains, legumes, leafy vegetables, and organ meats.

“The goal of this work was to systematically collect soil samples across the United States,” says Dr. Liao, “and to capture the true large-scale spatial distribution, genomic diversity, and population structure of Listeria species in the natural environment.

“With whole genome sequencing and comprehensive population genomics analyses,” Dr. Liao says, “we provided answers to the ecological and evolutionary drivers of bacterial genome flexibility—an important open question in the field of microbiology.”

Dr. Liao says that this work can serve as a reference for future population genomics studies and will likely benefit the food industry by locating Listeria contaminations that may have a natural origin.

If the pathogen is found in a processing facility in the western U.S., for example, and that facility had used ingredients from a distant state, Dr. Wiedmann says, “Knowing the genomic information of Listeria isolates and their possible locations across the U.S., we can better narrow the origins to a specific region. You can use this information almost like a traceback; it’s not always proof, but it leads you to evidence.”

The post Cornell Scientists Create National Genomic Atlas for <i>Listeria</i> appeared first on Food Quality & Safety.