Refrigerated/Frozen

Study Underlines Underappreciated Risks of Refrigerators: Microbial Communities, AMR, Inadequate Hygiene

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0500

In an analysis of domestic refrigerator swabs, researchers discovered complex microbial communities harboring foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The findings also suggested that regular cleaning is possibly more important than temperature control in managing these communities.

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.

EFSA Assesses Pathogen Growth in Frozen Meat Under Various Conditions

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:41:41 -0500

The scientific opinion was published to provide a scientific basis for possible amendments to existing requirements in EU legislation for food business operators on the freezing of meat.

Two More Deaths Reported in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:12:50 -0400

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.

Pasta Meal Producer Involved in Ongoing Outbreak Finds Listeria in Another Ingredient: Spinach

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:26:24 -0400

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.

Another Death Reported in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Prepared Pasta Meals

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:57:25 -0400

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.

After Radioactive Shrimp Recall, FDA Detects More Cs-137 in Indonesian Spice Import

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:11:07 -0400

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.

Shoppers are Buying More Frozen Food to Save Money Despite Food Safety Uncertainties

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:37:22 -0400

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.

FDA Sampling Finds One-Third of Imported Ice-Glazed Seafood Products to be Fraudulent

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:27:43 -0400

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.

Presence of Bacterial Pathogens on Swiss Frozen Berries is Very Low, Study Shows

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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.

Experts Say Molecular Detection is Not Enough to Address Norovirus, Hepatitis A in Frozen Berries

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:55:22 -0400

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 Investigating Imported Radioactive Shrimp Sold at Walmart

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:20:57 -0400

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.

Achieving Better Traceability for Refrigerated and Frozen Foods

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

FreshRealm Recalls Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Products Because of Possible Listeria Contamination

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

EU Proposes Stricter Tuna Freezing Rules Onboard Vessels to Fight Food Fraud, Scombroid Poisoning

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:26:52 -0400

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.

UKHSA Investigating Five Illnesses, Three Deaths in Listeria Outbreak Among Hospital Patients

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:46:11 -0400

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.

Survey Says Nine Percent of Consumers Do Not Cook Frozen Vegetables Before Eating

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 12:55:16 -0400

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.

EFSA Releases New Tool to Help Manage Microbial Contamination in Produce Process Water

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:39:28 -0500

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.

FAO/WHO Developing Risk Assessment Models for Listeria in Four Food Commodity Groups

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:33:05 -0500

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.

FDA Publishes Prevention Strategy for Hepatitis A, Norovirus in Berries

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:07:26 -0500

FDA has released a new commodity-specific prevention strategy for norovirus and hepatitis A virus contamination of fresh and frozen berries.

Study: Canadian Rule for Frozen, Breaded Chicken Products Slashed Salmonella Illnesses by 23 Percent

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:51:37 -0500

In Canada, the presence of Salmonella in raw, frozen and breaded chicken products, as well as human salmonellosis cases, decreased significantly after a specific requirement for these products was implemented in 2019, according to a recent study.

CFIA Unable to Confirm Source of Contamination in Fatal Listeria Outbreak Linked to Plant-Based Milk

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:01:53 -0500

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its root cause investigation of the summer 2024 listeriosis outbreak linked to plant-based Silk and Great Value milks. The agency was unable to confirm the primary source of the contamination, but found that the production facility was not compliant with testing requirements.

UK Grocery Chain Morrisons is First Retailer to Raise Freezer Temperatures by 3 °C

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:02:04 -0400

Morrisons grocery stores have become the first UK retailer to raise its freezer temperatures to -15 °C for the sake of sustainability, a commitment made in line with the Move to -15 °C Coalition.

Enhancing the Resilience and Sustainability of the Frozen Food Supply Chain

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Action to curb the overall carbon footprint of the food and agriculture sector must be done with care in the frozen category, as the quality of frozen foods reaching the consumer depends on a collaborative effort among all links in the supply chain.

Frozen Food Industry Group Strives to Reduce Storage Temperature Standards by 3 °C

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:28:43 -0400

The Move to -15 °C—an industry effort to lower frozen food storage and transportation temperature standards—is gaining steam. The group says a 3 °C reduction would significantly increase environmental sustainability without compromising food safety.

SÜDPACK’s Multifol Extreme Provides Efficient, Safe Packaging for Fishery Products

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:10:06 -0500

SÜDPACK has enhanced its flexible food packaging films for thermoforming applications, such as for fishery products. The new Multifol Extreme combines maximum functionality and lightweight efficiency.

EFSA Reports on Microbial Hazards of Water Used in Postharvest Produce Handling, Processing

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 14:53:05 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority Panel on Biological Hazards (EFSA BIOHAZ) recently produced a report on the microbiological hazards associated with water used in postharvest handling and processing of fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Are ‘Standard’ Methods to Detect Non-Cultivable Pathogens in Food and the Environment Fit For Purpose?

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Non-cultivable foodborne pathogens, such as enteric viruses and protozoan parasites like Cyclospora, present unique challenges in our food system due to significant limitations in sampling and detection. This article covers the methodological drawbacks of current methods related to interpretation of results and public health risk, while offering alternative food safety management principles to address the prevalence of these pathogens in food.

Spoilage Bacteria Pseudomonas Able to Grow on Meat After Heat Treatment, in Vacuum-Sealed Packaging, Study Shows

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:53:35 -0400

Spoilage bacteria Pseudomonas are able to survive thermal processing methods commonly used in meat production and can grow in refrigerated, vacuum-sealed packaging with little to no oxygen, according to a recent study.

UK Temporarily Eases Rules for Poultry Sales During Holiday Season

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:38:08 -0500

To deal with the impacts on supply caused by the recent bird flu outbreak, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is temporarily allowing for the sale of certain poultry products that have been previously frozen and defrosted.