Recall/Crisis Management

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Since June, FreshRealm has been involved in an ongoing, deadly foodborne illness outbreak, as the producer of prepared pasta meals that were made with Listeria monocytogenes-tainted pasta (supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods Inc.) and distributed nationwide under various brand names. Now, FreshRealm has alerted USDA that it detected L. monocytogenes in spinach used to make meals distributed by HelloFresh.

An ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared pasta meals has expanded to 15 states, causing 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and four deaths. The meals were sold under various brand names at Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s stores.

FDA detected radioactive isotope Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in a shipment of Indonesian cloves, due to heightened surveillance efforts initiated after radioactive shrimp was detected in another Indonesian import. Additionally, the radioactive shrimp recall has been expanded, and now affects Walmart, Kroger, and other retailers nationwide.

A series of U.S. consumer surveys from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) show that consumer confidence in U.S. food safety has hit an all-time low, and explore consumer perceptions of food recalls and FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule.

More than 300 patients infected by the outbreak strain of Salmonella Strathcona have been identified in 19 EU/EEA countries, the UK, the U.S., and Canada. Tomatoes from Italy are the vehicle of infection.

A GS1 US consumer survey has revealed that 93 percent of Americans are concerned about how frequently food recalls occur. GS1 US says increased recall frequency means traceability efforts are working.

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. 

Every food processor, handler, or warehouse operation must establish programs to ensure that workers and the business are protected in the event of a crisis that may affect plant operations.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jatin Patel, Director of Operations for FGS Ingredients, about how the company handled a recall of several of its mustard-based products due to peanut contamination, the measures the company has implemented to prevent future risks, and the broader implications for food safety standards.

According to FDA, between 2018 and 2025, 42 people were sickened and 14 died across 21 states after consuming Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated Sysco Imperial and Lyons ReadyCare Frozen Supplemental Shakes that were served at long-term care facilities and hospitals.