Recall/Crisis Management

Raw Farm Recalls Unpasteurized Cheese While Denying Link to E. coli Outbreak

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:28:14 -0400

The company says the recall is being issued “under protest” and “as a path forward,” while continuing to contest the epidemiological evidence provided by FDA.

Drug-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends, Root Cause Remains Unknown

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:09:57 -0400

Although FDA was unable to find a cause of contamination, a single supplier of the contaminated moringa powder was identified. Affected products, which were sold under the Rosabella brand and distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC, have been recalled.

Amid E. coli Outbreak, Congress Urges FDA to Mandate Raw Cheese Recall

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:27:00 -0400

“If mandatory authority needs to be strengthened, the Food Safety Caucus stands ready to tackle this issue at FDA’s request,” wrote Congress members in a statement about the ongoing E. coli outbreak involving Raw Farm raw cheese products. Raw Farm has so far refused to recall.

National Officials Publish Analysis of Netherlands' Largest-Ever Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A key cause of the outbreak was determined to be contaminated eggshells used in poultry feed. Cross-sector collaboration and data-sharing were instrumental in solving the investigation.

144 Illnesses Potentially Linked to Global Cereulide-Contaminated Infant Formula Incident, WHO Reports

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:28:43 -0400

WHO assessed the overall public health risk as “moderate,” citing the vulnerability of infants, uncertainty around the extent of contamination, and gaps in surveillance and traceability.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends with 97 Sickened in 32 States

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The products have been recalled, but have a long shelf life. FDA previously reported working with the manufacturers to determine the root cause of contamination, but has not shared an update at the time of the investigation’s close.

FDA Releases Report Summarizing Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations in 2024

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:51:51 -0400

The agency’s Office of Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, and Emergency Preparedness (CORE+EP) evaluated 72 incidents, initiated 26 response investigations, and issued ten public health advisories in 2024.

USDA-FSIS Investigated Seven Multistate Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in FY 2025

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:59:12 -0400

The agency has published a summary of foodborne illness outbreak investigations involving USDA-regulated products in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, alongside an after-action review of a fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to Yu Shang-brand ready-to-eat (RTE) meats that was solved in 2024.

Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak in France Linked to RTE Meats

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:49:09 -0400

Ready-to-eat (RTE) pâté en croute contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and produced by Drôme Ardèche Tradition has sickened 12 people across France, resulting in two deaths. All patients were hospitalized.

U.S. CDC Supports Moldova’s First Use of WGS in Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Marking the country’s first use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in an active foodborne illness outbreak investigation, advanced genomics enabled Moldovan authorities to rapidly solve and respond to a salmonellosis outbreak that sickened more than 140 people in 2025.

FDA Redacts All Key Details in Summary of Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Produce

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:08:19 -0500

Despite having Listeria-positive samples that matched the outbreak strain via whole genome sequencing (WGS), which prompted an FDA Import Alert and a company recall for the suspected vehicle of illness, FDA did not disclose the specific product or any of the firms implicated.

ByHeart Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak Ends with Extensive WGS Evidence, but Root Cause Remains Unidentified

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:53:43 -0500

FDA has declared the outbreak over with 48 confirmed and probable cases of illness. A root-cause investigation is still ongoing. FDA has also announced new “Operation Stork Speed” infant formula resources for families.

Learnings from UK Drug-Resistant E. coli Outbreak that Gave 19 Kids HUS

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:15:06 -0500

The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation.

Foreign Material, Undeclared Allergens Caused Most USDA Food Recalls in 2025

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:36:30 -0500

A total of 42 recalls comprising 71,420,721 pounds (lbs.) of product were issued between January and December.

EFSA Reviews Cereulide Infant Formula Incident, Says Likelihood of Exposure is Low

editorhal@sbcglobal.net (Hallie Forcinio) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:21:21 -0500

Amid the ongoing global infant formula recall due to possible cereulide contamination, some countries have reported cases of mostly mild gastrointestinal illness in infants who had consumed infant formula, but confirming cereulide exposure is a challenge.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Dietary Supplement Involves Extensively Drug-Resistant Strain

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:26 -0500

The moringa powder capsules are sold under the Rosabella brand name and are distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC. The outbreak strain is resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly recommended for salmonellosis treatment.

Prepared Pasta Meal Listeriosis Outbreak Ends with Seven Deaths

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:59:49 -0500

Affected products were sold under various brand names at numerous retailers. The products shared a single supplier of contaminated pasta, Nate’s Fine Foods Inc.

FDA Petitioned to Stop Protecting Identity of Companies Involved in Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:24:39 -0500

At present, FDA does not disclose the identity of companies involved in outbreaks without an associated recall because it considers a company name to be “confidential commercial information." Stop Foodborne Illness argues this practice is not legally consistent.

Boar’s Head Reopens Production Facility Behind Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:30:04 -0500

Boar’s Head has reopened its Jarratt, Virginia production facility, which was closed after being implicated in a fatal listeriosis outbreak in 2024. The company says the plant, which had exhibited serious food safety and hygiene violations, has undergone renovations and enhancements.

Report Raises Concerns About U.S. Food Recall Timeliness, Transparency in 2025

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund’s newly published Food for Thought report outlines food recalls and foodborne illness outbreak investigations that occurred in 2025 and provides recommendations for improving the U.S. food recall system.

EFSA Sets Safety Thresholds for Cereulide Toxin in Infant Formula

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:45:59 -0500

Responding to the global infant formula recall affecting products from Nestlé, Danone, and other producers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined concentrations of cereulide in formula that pose a safety concern to guide risk management decisions that protect public health.

EFSA to Advise on Cereulide Levels in Infant Formula Following Global Recall

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:20:21 -0500

Following a global recall of infant formula products due to cereulide toxin contamination, EU officials are taking steps to prevent illnesses from cereulide-tainted formula in the future. Cases of mild illness associated with recalled product have been reported in Europe.

Regulatory Response to Boar’s Head, McDonald’s Outbreaks Reveal Areas for Improvement

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A new paper describes U.S. regulatory agencies’ roles in two recent, high-profile foodborne illness outbreak investigations—the Boar’s Head listeriosis outbreak and the McDonald’s Escherichia coli outbreak—and highlights the shortcomings and strengths in how the outbreaks were managed.

WHO Publishes Manuals for Strengthening National Foodborne Illness Surveillance and Response Systems

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

WHO has released a set of updated manuals to help national authorities strengthen foodborne illness outbreak surveillance and response, contributing to faster and more reliable communication and response internationally (i.e., through INFOSAN).

Three EU Reference Labs for Foodborne Diseases Become Operational

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:55:50 -0500

On January 1, three new EU reference laboratories for foodborne and waterborne diseases became officially operational, bringing the total number to nine. These laboratories will help national public health laboratories improve testing, data quality, and outbreak preparedness related to food- and waterborne pathogens.

Yiannas, McDonald, Besser, Hedberg: Fixing the Outbreak Investigation System

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:23:02 -0500

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to four seasoned professionals with experience in the regulatory, academic, and industry spheres about the increasing rate of U.S. food recalls and how the foodborne illness outbreak investigation system could be improved.

USDA Estimates Foodborne Illnesses Cost U.S. $74.7 Billion in 2023

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:51:39 -0500

The recently updated Cost Estimates of Foodborne Illness data from USDA break down the total estimated cost of foodborne illnesses per case and per pathogen.

Listeria Outbreaks Linked to Packaged Salads Highlight Importance of WGS, Routine Surveillance

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:12:15 -0500

In a retrospective analysis of two Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks linked to packaged salads, CDC epidemiologists underline key learnings and suggest proactive measures for industry.

FDA Urges Industry to Improve Recall Efficiency After Delay in Removing ByHeart Formula from Stores

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:54:13 -0500

Considering the infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, during which product was found on store shelves weeks after the recall was announced, FDA issued a letter to industry describing firms’ legal obligations in the case of a recall, as well as warning letters to four major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons).

Mexican Public and Private Sectors Stress Need for Collaboration on Agri-Food Defense

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:02:52 -0500

During the inaugural meeting of the Third National Congress on Animal and Plant Health and Food Safety 2025, representatives from the Mexican government, academia, and private industry discussed the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure food safety in the face of emerging risks.