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The deadly multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared pasta meals involving Nate’s Fine Foods, Freshrealm Inc., and California Ranch Food Company has grown, with seven new illnesses and two additional deaths. 

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 “Frozenomics” survey conducted by SmartSense shows that consumers are increasingly relying on frozen food purchases to stretch their grocery budgets, despite having mistrust in frozen food safety.

In a testing and sampling assignment conducted from 2022–2024 to determine the prevalence of economically motivated adulteration among imported frozen seafood, FDA found that 36 percent of the samples were violative for short weighting.

A recent survey of frozen berries at retail across Switzerland showed very low levels of pathogenic bacteria contamination, with only Bacillus cereus detected; however, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) indicators were detected on 2 percent of samples.

In a new peer-reviewed paper, experts emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in how the entire frozen berry supply chain can manage enteric virus safety, shifting from reliance on detection to a focus on prevention strategies.

FDA has issued a safety alert raw frozen shrimp products that tested positive for radioactive isotope Celsium-137, which were imported from Indonesia and sold at Walmart stores in 13 states. The agency recommends a recall.

This article looks at what the FSMA 204/traceability requirements mean for temperature-controlled food storage and transportation, as well as processes and technologies that can support traceability throughout the fresh and frozen food supply chains.