The Congressional Food Safety Caucus, headed by U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, has requested that Boar’s Head representatives appear before the caucus to justify the reopening of its Jarratt, Virginia plant, where the meats behind a deadly 2024 Listeria outbreak were produced.
This episode of Food Safety Five discusses three recent studies that examine the risk of Listeria monocytogenes growth from multi-species biofilm contamination, how imported seafood may spread antibiotic resistance genes, and a promising AI mycotoxin detection method.
Commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), a survey of prepacked salmon filets sold at supermarkets in the UK showed a low presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli, as well as low levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
A recent study found that Listeria monocytogenes from multispecies biofilms exhibits higher growth in ready-to-eat (RTE) cold-smoked salmon than L. monocytogenes from single-species biofilms. Additionally, L. monocytogenes contamination from the multi-species biofilm surpassed EU regulatory limits after 15 days of storage.
In France, 21 people have been sickened and two have died in a listeriosis outbreak linked to pasteurized milk cheeses produced by the Chavegrand company. Additionally, one person in Belgium has been infected with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
Boar’s Head is planning to reopen a production plant that was linked to a deadly, multistate listeriosis outbreak in 2024. Meanwhile, inspection reports obtained by the Associated Press show that insanitary conditions similar to those that caused the outbreak continue to plague other Boar’s Head facilities.
A foodborne listeriosis outbreak in Ireland has sickened nine people and resulted in one death. Preliminary investigation results suggest the likely cause are ready-to-heat meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods, sold under a variety of brand names at major retailers. Recalls have been initiated in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
FDA and CDC have closed their investigation into a Listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat products produced by Fresh and Ready Foods of San Fernando, California, announcing that one of the ten people who fell ill has died.
