Refrigerated/Frozen

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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.

USDA-FSIS and public health partners are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that currently includes 17 ill people in 13 states. As of June 17, 2025, there have been three reported deaths and one fetal loss associated with this outbreak.

To combat food fraud and reduce instances of scombroid poisoning due to histamine contamination, a new European Commission draft regulation would tighten regulations for freezing tuna onboard vessels.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating a listeriosis outbreak involving five illnesses and three deaths. Desserts served at healthcare facilities are being considered as the potential vehicle of illness. The desserts tested positive for low levels of Listeria monocytogenes, but have not been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.

According to a survey by CDC researchers, nine percent of consumers reported eating prepackaged frozen vegetables raw and 40 percent reported not following cooking instructions, underlining the importance of preventive controls and processing steps to reduce pathogen contamination during production.

Based on a recent analysis, WaterMagage4You is a free, online tool developed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to help industry predict and mitigate microbial contamination risks in process water for fresh, fresh-cut, and frozen produce. EFSA also published recommendations for fit-for-purpose process water management. 

A recent report from the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) summarizes the development of formal risk assessment models for Listeria monocytogenes in leafy greens, cantaloupe, frozen vegetables, and ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood.