CA Firm Recalls Cheese Products After WGS Reveals Link to Ongoing Listeria Outbreak

The FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses in a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc., of Modesto, California.    According to the notice, cases may date back to 2014. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021. Epidemiologic evidence in previous investigations identified queso fresco and other similar cheeses as a potential source of the outbreak, but there was not enough information to identify a specific brand.  Thus far there have bee 26 total illnesses with 23 hospitalizations and 2 deaths.

Interestingly, Hawaii State Department of Health tested and found Listeria in a sample of product, and a recall was issued on January 11, 2024.  Using whole genome sequencing, they were able to link these additional cases and show that this firm's product was responsible for many cases over many years.  

"A sample of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during sampling conducted by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch in January 2024.In response to that finding, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled one batch of Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) on January 11, 2024. CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023 and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak."

Recalled products include all "Sell By” dates of cheese, yogurt, and sour cream (crema) sold under the brand names:

• Tio Francisco
• Don Francisco
• Rizo Bros
• Rio Grande
• Food City
• El Huache
• La Ordena
• San Carlos
• Campesino
• Santa Maria
• Dos Ranchitos
• Casa Cardenas
• 365 Whole Foods Market

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-queso-fresco-and-cotija-cheese-february-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese (February 2024)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Rizo Lopez Foods dairy products. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 2
Last Sample Collection Dates: June 15, 2014 - December 10, 2023
States with Cases: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, NC, OR, TN, TX, WA
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Canadian Firm Recalls Humus Product Shipped to US Due to Undeclared Sesame

Summer Fresh Salads Inc. of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada is recalling its Wegmans Harissa Hummus Topped With Harissa because they may contain undeclared sesame.  The recall was initiated when it was determined the sesame-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a labelling error.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/summer-fresh-salads-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-wegmans-harissa-hummus-topped-harissa
Summer Fresh Salads Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Wegmans Harissa Hummus Topped with Harissa
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 03, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 03, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen-Sesame
Company Name:   Summer Fresh Salads Inc.
Brand Name:  WEGMANS
Product Description:  Harissa hummus topped with harissa

Minnesota Establishment Recalls Deli Meat Found To Contain Cheese

Hormel Foods, an Austin, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 945 pounds of ready-to-eat spiced deli ham products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, in that the product may contain milk, an allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that retail deli employees observed cheese in the spiced deli ham product during slicing. The spiced deli ham product does not contain milk, a known allergen, therefore milk is not declared on the label.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/hormel-foods-recalls-ready-eat-spiced-deli-ham-products-due-misbranding-and
Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Spiced Deli Ham Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2024 - Hormel Foods, an Austin, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 945 pounds of ready-to-eat spiced deli ham products due to misbranding and undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

Canadian Firm Recalls Frozen RTE Pork Products Shipped to US Without Import Reinspection

Macgregors Meat and Seafood Ltd, a Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 2,745 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that the product was not presented for FSIS import reinspection.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/macgregors-meat-and-seafood-ltd-recalls-frozen-ready-eat-pork-products-imported
Macgregors Meat and Seafood Ltd Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2024 - Macgregors Meat and Seafood Ltd, a Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 2,745 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat pork products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Super Bowl and Chicken Wings

According to the National Chicken Council, Americans will consume 1.5 billion chicken wings during the day of the Super Bowl.

"This year’s projection is flat compared to 2023, with USDA reporting chicken production levels are slightly down from last year and wing stocks in cold storage down 13% in November compared to the year prior. This could explain the higher demand and thus the higher wholesale prices we are seeing on wings. At the retail level, fresh chicken wing prices are down approximately 5%, and frozen wing prices are down 11% compared to January of 2023, according to Circana data."

At Wings Over here in State College, 50 wings will cost you $68. At Buffalo Wild Wings in King of Prussia, a similar price of $67.  Remember to pre-order your wings as many establishments will run out of supply.

If one wishes to cook their own wings, food safety is a must ensuring that the internal meat has reached a temperature of 165F.  Nothing worse than a raw, rubbery chicken wing.  USDA provides some alternate cooking methods (below).

Will you be eating wings?  If so, what is your favorite sauce?


National Chicken Council
https://www.nationalchickencouncil.org/americans-to-eat-1-45-billion-chicken-wings-for-the-big-game/
Americans to Eat 1.45 Billion Chicken Wings for the Big Game

January 31, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the second biggest eating day of the year after Thanksgiving upon us, there’s no hotter time for chicken wings. According to the National Chicken Council’s 2024 Wing Report, Americans will devour 1.45 billion wings while watching Kansas City and San Francisco battle for the championship trophy.

Raw Milk from Central PA Dairy Linked to Over 10 Cases of Campylobacter Infection

There have been more than 10 reported cases of Campylobacter infection linked to the consumption of raw milk from a Pennsylvania dairy, Conoco View Dairy in Blain, PA.  The dairy distributes milk to about 5 counties in central PA.  From this report, "Although the source of the bacteria has been determined, the Department of Agriculture said specific production dates could not be identified, meaning consumers should throw away all Conoco View Dairy products regardless of how recent the purchase was."

"Individuals infected with Campylobacter typically experience loose, watery stools accompanied by a fever, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps — usually within two to five days after consuming the tainted products — the release said."

Pennlive.com
https://www.pennlive.com/health/2024/01/contaminated-raw-milk-sold-in-several-central-pa-counties-prompting-warning.html
Contaminated raw milk sold in several central Pa. counties, prompting warning
Updated: Jan. 31, 2024, 5:21 p.m.|Published: Jan. 30, 2024, 7:16 p.m.

By Madison Montag | mmontag@pennlive.com

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued a release Tuesday evening advising consumers in multiple counties to discard any raw milk sold by Conoco View Dairy.

In Memoriam - Dr. Nelson Cox

I have been fortunate over the years to have known many great food microbiologists. One of them, Dr. Nelson Cox, recently passed. A top-notch researcher with USDA ARS in Athens GA, he was a bigger-than-life personality that captured the attention of the room as soon as he entered.  He has published a extensively (close to 400 papers are on Reseachgate), primarily focused on pathogens that are associated with poultry.

https://www.onlineathens.com/obituaries/pgsc0704484
Dr. Nelson Anthony Cox, Jr.

Dr. Nelson Anthony Cox Jr., an award-winning research microbiologist who spent his career helping to protect the safety of the nation’s food supply, died on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was 81 years old. Dr. Cox spent over 50 years as a research microbiologist working with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, where he was one of the first young scientists hired to the staff of the Russell Research Center in Athens, Ga. Since retiring in 2022, he has split his time between Athens and Cary, North Carolina.

Illinois Establishment Recalls Chicken Flavored Base Containing Beef Base with Soy Allergen

Vanee Foods, a Broadview, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 9,564 pounds of chicken flavored base product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.  The problem was discovered when the recalling firm notified FSIS that they shipped beef base product that may be incorrectly labeled as chicken flavored base.  The product labeled as chicken flavored base may actually contain beef base, which contains soy and wheat, known allergens, that are not declared on the product label.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/vanee-foods-recalls-chicken-flavored-base-products-due-misbranding-and-undeclared
Vanee Foods Recalls Chicken Flavored Base Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2024 - Vanee Foods, a Broadview, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 9,564 pounds of chicken flavored base product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product labeled as chicken flavored base may actually contain beef base, which contains soy and wheat, known allergens, that are not declared on the product label.

MD Firm Issues Additional Recall for Soybean Sprout Product Potentially Contaminated with Listeria

Nam & Son of MD, Jessup, MD is recalling one-pound bags of soybean sprouts, with the sell-by date of December 21, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The company had posted a recall on December 28, 2023 for soybean sprout product with a different sell by date (12/14/2023)

"The recall was initiated after a random sample was collected and analyzed by the state of Maryland, which resulted in confirmation of presence Listeria Monocytogenes in the product. The company has actively started investigating the root cause of the problem. All retail stores who have this “Sell By” date on the packaging should remove this product from their shelves"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nam-son-md-recalls-soybean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk-0
Nam & Son of MD Recalls Soybean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 01, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  February 01, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  Nam & Son
Brand Name:  Sam Sung
Product Description:  Soy Bean Sprouts