CDC Reports Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Home Delivery Meal. Raises Concerns for Risk Associated with RTE Meals by Mail

CDC reported a Salmonella outbreak linked to home delivered meals.   There have been 16 reported cases of Salmonella infection reported from 10 different states.  The product is sold through an online-based company, Metabolic Meals, whose location is not apparent.   This is a ready-to-eat, reheat only, type of food, which means the producer is fully preparing the product.  There are 3 date codes involved, but no recall was issued due to the fact that all product is shipped immediately and the shelf-life is short.

There have been an increasing number of these companies that market these 'chef' prepared, home delivered meals.   This outbreak should raise questions as to the safety of this food and the operations that prepare it.   Unlike a restaurant or store that you can actually see or inspections that you can obtain, people do not have much information on these operations.  

Looking at the website, I was not able to determine where the food is actually made.  Was it made in some shotgun shack?  Who is inspecting these operations?  Perhaps some municipality where the inspectors are unaware of issues of RTE home delivered meals?  Home delivered often skate the boundary between local and Federal inspection.

It is important to point out that home-delivered meals, especially RTE refrigerated meals, have some risks that need to be controlled.  First is proper preparation where cooking and cooling steps must be adequately addressed.  But then there is the delivery component, where safeguards must be in place to prevent temperature abuse during transport. 

There is little information outside of the website to make valid decisions.  Slick websites with appealing food are not sufficient and can be misleading.  I was able to find a physical location for the facility in St. Louis MO.  It is a USDA inspected facility.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/homedeliverymeals-09-25/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Home Delivery Meals
Investigation status: Open
Recall issued: No

CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to certain home delivery meals made by Metabolic Meals. Do not eat affected Metabolic Meals products while the investigation is ongoing. Check your refrigerator and freezer for these products and throw them away or contact the company.

Affected food - Metabolic Meals home delivery service products:
Select meals delivered during the week of July 28, 2025
Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken
Lot Code: 25199
Best By: 08/07/2025
Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables
Lot Code: 25202
Best By: 08/05/2025
Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables
Lot Code: 25205
Best By: 08/08/2025
Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables
Lot Code: 25203
Best By: 08/06/2025
Additional meal lot codes include: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, 25205

NY Firm Recalls Frozen Vegetables After Testing Finds Listeria

Endico Potatoes of Mount Vernon NY, is recalling Endico brand Peas and Carrots and Mixed Vegetables because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was the result of sampling done by the state of Pennsylvania at one of the distributors which revealed that the finished products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The company has ceased distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

There are currently only two date codes of product being recalled.  As as have seen with other Listeria-related recalls, these recalls can often be expanded as the company and regulators find that the company did not have adequate controls in place meaning that more lots may have contamination.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/endico-potatoes-inc-recalls-25lb-bags-frozen-peas-and-carrots-and-mixed-vegetables-because-possible
Endico Potatoes Inc. Recalls 2.5lb Bags of Frozen “Peas And Carrots” and “Mixed Vegetables” Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 03, 2025
FDA Publish Date:   September 04, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Endico Potatoes Inc.
Brand Name:  Endico
Product Description:  Frozen Peas and Carrots, Mixed Vegetables

Imported Pepperoni Pizza Recalled for Not Receiving UDSA Reinspection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for a frozen not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) uncured pepperoni pizza product imported from Italy that did not receive the benefit of import reinspection.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by Trader Joe’s Company that the frozen NRTE uncured pepperoni pizza product was not presented for FSIS import reinspection.

A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-a-frozen-pepperoni-pizza-product-imported-without
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for a Frozen Pepperoni Pizza Product Imported Without the Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for a frozen not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) uncured pepperoni pizza product imported from Italy that did not receive the benefit of import reinspection. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

NY Firm Recalls Vanilla Ice Cream Due to Undeclared Almond

Ice Cream Factory of Mount Vernon, NY is recalling 40 Pints, 8 Quarts and 3 Half Gallons of Vanilla G.Nutt ice cream, because it may contain undeclared almond.   The recall was initiated after an undeclared allergen was discovered. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

Vanilla G.Nutt ice cream was distributed in New York State – Golden Krust retail stores in Mount Vernon and White Plains NY, Farm Country Supermarket in Queens NY through direct delivery.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ice-cream-factory-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almond-vanilla-gnutt-ice-cream
Ice Cream Factory Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almond in Vanilla G.Nutt Ice Cream
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 29, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  September 02, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared almond allergen
Company Name:  Ice Cream Factory
Brand Name:  G.Nutt
Product Description:  Vanilla G.Nutt Ice Cream

More Shrimp Recalled Linked to Warning on Indonesian Shrimp Due to Cesium Issue

AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle, WA is recalling approximately 18,000 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137).  AquaStar (USA) Corp is also recalling approximately 26,460 packages of Cocktail Shrimp 6oz under the Aquastar label.

Southwinds Foods  LLC also updated their previously issued recall of frozen shrimp.  https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-release-southwind-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk

This recall is linked to the Warning issued by FDA on August 19th for frozen shrimp from Indonesia that had been found to have cesium with the load. The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia. No illnesses have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/aquastar-usa-corp-recalls-kroger-mercado-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
Aquastar (USA) Corp Recalls Kroger Mercado Frozen Cooked Shrimp Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 27, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 28, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Shellfish
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Contaminant – cesium-137 (Cs-137)
Company Name:  Aquastar Corp
Brand Name:  Kroger
Product Description:  Mercado Frozen Cooked Shrimp

Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Eggs from CA Producer

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to large brown cage free "sunshine/omega-3 golden” yolk eggs sourced from Country Eggs, LLC, of Lucerne Valley, CA.

To this point, there have been total of 95 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 14 states.

The company, Country Eggs, LLC issued a recall of large brown cage free "sunshine/omega-3 golden” yolk eggs under the brand names Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, Nijiya Markets, and Country Eggs.


Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 95
Hospitalizations: 18
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: July 26, 2025
States with Cases: AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IA, MN, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, PA, WA
Product Distribution: CA, NV
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states


FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-eggs-august-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (August 2025)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled chicken eggs distributed by Country Eggs, LLC. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Boar's Head Virginia Facility to Reopen Under Federal Inspection

As the Boar's Head facility looks to reopen, it will now be under inspection from Federal inspectors rather than the State of Virginia.  This is a good thing considering the controversy  (https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2025/08/reopening-facility-after-outbreak-boars.html).

AP
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-officials-to-take-over-inspections-when-troubled-boars-head-plant-reopens/ar-AA1KYxWA
Federal officials to take over inspections when troubled Boar's Head plant reopens

Story by JONEL ALECCIA • 5d

Federal inspectors will assume direct oversight of a troubled Boar's Head deli meat plant when it reopens after last year's deadly listeria outbreak, U.S. Agriculture Department officials said.

CDC Cuts FoodNet Surveillance from 8 Pathogens to 2....Is This a Thing?

FoodNet is a collaboration between CDC, USDA, FDA, and 10 state health departments that tracks infections caused by eight pathogens in a surveillance area that includes 16% of the U.S. population.

Personnel at each FoodNet site routinely communicate with clinical laboratories and collect detailed information about infections.  

FoodNet conducts laboratory surveys, physician surveys, and population surveys to collect information about each of these steps. This information is used to calculate estimates of the actual number of people who become ill. Other information is used to estimate the proportion of these illnesses transmitted by food.

So how important is this if it only covers 16% of the population and it is used for determining estimates?  Is limited funding better spent on developing the entire reporting system?  I don't know, but it would be better if there was more information on how this is expected to impact food safety one way or the other.

https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10646-cdc-slashes-foodnet-surveillance-from-eight-foodborne-pathogens-to-two

CDC Slashes FoodNet Surveillance From Eight Foodborne Pathogens to Two

By Bailee Henderson

August 26, 2025

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made major cuts to its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) surveillance program, citing inadequate funding.

Salad Kits Recalled After Supplier of Topping Packets Included Incorrect Dressing

In response to a recall initiated by Latitude 36 Foods, LLC., Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling the Taylor Farms Honey Balsamic Salad Kit 6/8.3oz. because it may contain undeclared sesame and soy allergens.  Master packs — individual packets of dressing and toppings supplied by Latitude 36 Foods and included in Taylor Farms salad kits — incorrectly included Asian Sesame Ginger dressing rather than the intended Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, leading to the possibility of undeclared sesame and soy allergens in some Taylor Farms Honey Balsamic Salad Kits.

The Taylor Farms Honey Balsamic Salad Kit 6/8.3oz in scope of this recall was distributed in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WV and has code dates starting with “TFRS” and “Best If Used By” date up to and including September 4, 2025.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/company-voluntarily-recalls-honey-balsamic-salad-kit-due-potential-undeclared-sesame-and-soy
Company Voluntarily Recalls Honey Balsamic Salad Kit Due to Potential Undeclared Sesame and Soy
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 26, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 26, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen – Sesame and Soy
Company Name:  Taylor Fresh Foods
Brand Name:  Taylor Farms
Product Description:  Honey Balsamic Salad Kit