Investigative Report for 2023 / 2024 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to California Raw Milk Dairy

An investigative report was issued on a 2023/2024 Salmonella outbreak that was linked to raw milk and raw milk cheese from a California dairy farm.  There were 171 cases with 70% being youth (<18 years old).  "This outbreak is one of the largest foodborne outbreaks linked to raw milk in recent U.S. history. During 2009–2021, a total of 143 enteric disease outbreaks that were confirmed or suspected to be associated with consumption of raw milk were reported to CDC (6). Of these, 16 were salmonellosis outbreaks, all of which were small (median number of cases = 10; range = 2–33). "

"S. Typhimurium was detected in three of the 40 brand A product samples collected; isolates were indistinguishable by WGS from the clinical isolates collected from patients in the outbreak. The positive samples included two from bottled raw whole milk collected by CDFA at the bottling facility operated by dairy farm A on October 19 and 25, 2023; one retail sample of raw milk with a best-by date of October 27, 2023. No Salmonella bacteria were detected in the remaining samples from retail stores and patients’ homes. In addition, the outbreak strain was detected in a sample of raw cheese aged for 60 days made from the contaminated milk and collected from the dairy during January 2024; S. Typhimurium was not detected in any raw milk cheese samples collected before January 2024."

"In California, unpasteurized (raw) milk is regulated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). CDFA requires raw milk dairy farms to hold a permit and pass dairy farm and bottling sanitation inspections. Livestock must be tested for brucellosis and tuberculosis annually. Raw milk must meet strict bacterial and cell count limits and be kept at 45°F (7.2°C) or below (1). Raw milk may be legally sold at retail stores but requires warning labels alerting customers of potential contamination by disease-causing microorganisms."


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7427a1.htm
Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Commercially Distributed Raw Milk — California and Four Other States, September 2023–March 2024
Weekly / July 24, 2025 / 74(27);433–438
Eva Weinstein, MPH1; Katherine Lamba, MPH1; Christian Bond1; Vi Peralta, MPH1; Michael Needham, MPH1; Stephen Beam, PhD2; Francine Arroyo, MSc1; David Kiang, PhD1; Yishi Chen, PhD1; Seema Shah, MD3; Mark E. Beatty, MD3; Stephen Klish, MPH4; Akiko Kimura, MD1 (View author affiliations)

Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Unpasteurized (raw) milk has been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks caused by Escherichia coli bacteria and certain species of Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, and Salmonella.

Supermarkets Recall Tuna Salad Products After Breadcrumb Ingredient Potential Source for Listeria

Two supermarket chains are recalling products made with tuna salad produced by Reser's Fine Foods because the breadcrumb ingredient used to make the tuna salad may be contaminated with Listeria.

This is an issue for companies that make ingredients that in themselves, do not support the growth of Listeria, but then are added to foods where that new food matrix can support the growth of Listeria.  It may be that for the company making breadcrumbs, there may a bigger concern with Salmonella than with Listeria.  However, for the company buying those breadcrumbs for use in a RTE refrigerated product such as tuna salad, Listeria in a concern and with that, will test ingredients for Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albertsons-companies-stores-arkansas-louisiana-oklahoma-and-texas-voluntarily-recalls-select-items
Albertsons Companies Stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Voluntarily Recalls Select Items Containing Tuna Salad from Reser’s Fine Foods Due to an Ingredient Recall Linked to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 17, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 21, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Albertsons
Brand Name:  Randalls, Albertsons
Product Description:  Tuna Salad products

FDA to Revoke 52 Food Product SOIs (Standard of Identity)

FDA announced that it plans to revoke 52 obsolete food standards, or Standards of Identity (SOI) of the more than 250 that exist.  According to FDA, "The FDA’s Standards of Identity efforts have helped ensure uniformity, boost consumer confidence and prevent food fraud. But many of these standards have outlived their usefulness and may even stifle innovation in making food easier to produce or providing consumers healthier choices."

The list of items are provided below.  The only one I saw of interest to me was removal of the standard for raw, lightly breaded shrimp.  While it was removed, the standard for raw breaded shrimp remains.  The difference is that with lightly breaded shrimp, the shrimp constitutes 65% of the product whereas with raw breaded shrimp, the standard is that the product is comprised of at least 50% shrimp with the rest breading.  

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-revoke-52-obsolete-standards-identity-food-products
FDA to Revoke 52 Obsolete Standards of Identity for Food Products
Today’s action builds on Trump Administration’s deregulatory initiative.

For Immediate Release:
July 16, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it is revoking, or proposing to revoke, 52 food standards after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The 52 standards are for canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products and other foods.

USDA Announces Plans to Improve Food Safety for Meat and Poultry

USDA's new Secretary launched a new plan to bolster USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness.

1. Enhancing Microbiological Testing and Inspection Oversight

• FSIS is making continued enhancements to its Listeria testing method to provide quicker results to industry and to detect a broader set of Listeria species
• FSIS is opening its new, modernized Midwestern Laboratory in Normandy, Missouri.
• FSIS is also mobilizing its resources to perform more robust, in-person Food Safety Assessments (FSAs), prioritizing RTE meat and poultry establishments

2. Equipping FSIS Inspectors with Updated Training and Tools

• FSIS implemented a new weekly questionnaire for frontline inspectors to collect data on specific Listeria monocytogenes-related risk factors at all RTE establishments
• FSIS continues to enhance its instructions and related training for inspectors to help them recognize and elevate problems with an establishment’s food safety system. New instructions aid inspectors in recognizing how to look beyond individual noncompliances and determine when an establishment has systemic problems that should be elevated and addressed.

3. Charging Ahead to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses

• FSIS is pursuing a new, common-sense strategy on Salmonella to protect public health while preventing unnecessary regulatory overreach, which will begin by convening listening sessions with key stakeholders to collaborate on best approaches moving forward.

4. Strengthening State Partnerships

• Announced an additional $14.5 million in funding to reimburse states for their meat and poultry inspection programs and called on Congress to more sustainably fund these critical programs moving forward. This funding is needed to support more than 1,500 American businesses that rely on state inspection, including small and very small meat and poultry processors. The Secretary also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in May to improve collaboration between USDA and states moving forward.
• FSIS signed updated, comprehensive cooperative agreements with all 29 states that operate state meat and poultry programs.

5. Empowering FSIS Inspectors to Take Action to Drive Compliance

• FSIS is exercising its enforcement authorities and issuing notices of intended enforcement or suspending operations at establishments to address recurring noncompliance and ensure safe food production. 

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/07/15/secretary-rollins-announces-new-plan-bolster-meat-and-poultry-safety

Secretary Rollins Announces New Plan to Bolster Meat and Poultry Safety

Published: 
July 15, 2025

NJ Firm Recalls Golden Raisins Due to Undeclared Sulfites

Nirwana Foods of NJ is recalling its 28-ounce pouches Golden Raisin with lot number (24/351-2410) because they may contain undeclared sulfites. The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed that the sulfites containing product Golden Raisin 28Oz Pouch distributed in the packages that did not reveal the presence of sulfites.

The recalled Golden Raisin was distributed at retail stores of Maharaja Super Market, NY and Villager Farmers Market stores located at NY and NJ.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nirwana-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sulfites-golden-raisin-28oz-pouch-label
Nirwana Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites on Golden Raisin 28Oz Pouch Label
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 28, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared sulfites
Company Name:  Nirwana Foods LLC
Brand Name:  Nirwana Foods
Product Description:  Golden Raisins

Imported Cookie Products Recalled For Undeclared Allergens

Jalux Americas, Inc.(dba J.sweets) of El Segundo, CA is recalling 32 units of L’espoir Brand L’espoir cookies and 28 units of L’espoir Brand Drycapot cookies, because they may contain the following undeclared allergens: in L’espoir – undeclared milk; and in Drycapot – undeclared tree nuts (almond and macadamia nuts).  The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an inventory audit that L’espoir product containing Milk and the Drycapot product containing Tree Nuts were inadvertently distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of those allergens.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jalux-americas-inc-dba-jsweets-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nuts-and-milk-lespoir-brand
Jalux Americas, Inc. (dba J.sweets) Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts and Milk in L’espoir Brand Cookies
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 14, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 17, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk and tree nuts (almonds and macadamia nuts)
Company Name:  Jalux Americas, Inc.(dba J.sweets)
Brand Name:  L'espoir
Product Description:  L’espoir and Drycapot cookies,

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Barbeque with Undeclared Allergens from Colorado Establishment

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert for two ready-to-eat products, barbecue pulled pork and pulled pork burrito filling, for undeclared allergens - they were prepared with Worchester sauce, which contains soy, a known allergen that is not declared on the product labels. The pulled pork burrito filling product also contains anchovies and egg whites, known allergens that are not declared on the product label.   The products were produced by Roth Premium Foods of Colorado Springs, CO.  The problem was discovered during a routine FSIS label review.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-pulled-pork-products-due-misbranding-and
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Pulled Pork Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for pulled pork products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The two ready-to-eat products barbecue pulled pork and pulled pork burrito filling are prepared with Worchester sauce, which contains soy, a known allergen that is not declared on the product labels. The pulled pork burrito filling product also contains anchovies and egg whites, known allergens that are not declared on the product label. Consumers with allergies to soy, fish or egg should not consume these products. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

Massachusetts Establishment Recalls RTE Chicken Sausage After Receiving Complaints for Plastic Foreign Material

Kayem Foods Inc., a Chelsea, Mass., establishment, is recalling approximately 24,173 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken sausage products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically pieces of plastic.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received three consumer complaints reporting white pieces of plastic in the chicken sausage products.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kayem-foods-inc--recalls-ready-eat-chicken-sausage-products-due-possible-foreign
Kayem Foods Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2025 – Kayem Foods Inc., a Chelsea, Mass., establishment, is recalling approximately 24,173 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken sausage products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Frozen Mung Beans Recalled After Linked to a Salmonella Outbreak

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Anatum infections linked to Deep-brand frozen sprouted mat (moth) beans and frozen sprouted moong (mung) beans.   Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 11 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 10 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 22, 2024, to June 24, 2025. Four of six cases with information available reported eating or likely eating frozen sprouted mat (moth) beans and frozen sprouted moong beans before becoming ill. There have been four hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.

Chetak affiliated companies are recalling Frozen ‘Deep Sprouted Mat(Moth) 16 oz. and Deep Sprouted Moong 16oz. because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 11

Hospitalizations: 4

Deaths: 0

Last Illness Onset: June 24, 2025

States with Cases: CT, FL, IL, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WA

Product Distribution: Nationwide

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-frozen-sprouted-beans-july-2025

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Frozen Sprouted Beans (July 2025)

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Deep-brand frozen sprouted mat (moth) beans and frozen sprouted moong (mung) beans. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.

Current Update

July 17, 2025