Food Safety News

Researchers are studying the impact nanoplastics have on Salmonella and have found they cause the pathogen to become more virulent.

The researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are particularly looking at Salmonella on plastic used in packaging for ground turkey.

Safe food practices and information on additives and flavorings are the main areas highlighted in the latest edition of a European food safety campaign.

The Safe2Eat campaign is organized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It aims to deepen engagement and support informed food choices across Europe.

An adult has died in a Salmonella outbreak in Germany tied to a brand of nut nougat spread.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is part of a team investigating the outbreak of Salmonella Bochum. This rare strain has been causing illnesses since September 2025.

The 40 patients are mainly children and adolescents, particularly in eastern Germany. Illnesses have been connected to a contaminated nut nougat spread.

One death recorded
Thirty of the 40 outbreak patients have been children between 2 and 15 years old. Fifteen of the 30 young patients range in age from 6 to 12. Ten children aged 2 to 5 and five aged 13 to 15 are affected. The 10 sick adults are between 21 and 82 years old. Overall, 25 males and 15 females are affected.

Another isolate was sequenced at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). It is from a German child who contracted salmonellosis and was treated in hospital in Austria while on vacation. According to AGES, this strain fits into the outbreak cluster.

Nine people had to be treated in hospital for salmonellosis. One person over 60 years old died in connection with the outbreak.

Salmonella Bochum is an extremely rare serovar in Germany, with 0 to 4 cases per year. No infections with this pathogen were recorded in the country between 2019 and 2024.

Sachsen is the state with the most patients with 13. RKI was also informed of three cases from abroad. They are two siblings from Austria who live near the German border, and one child from France who had been to Germany before the onset of illness.

Recall and positive samples
Based on interviews and a case control study, a nut nougat spread was identified as the source of infection. Salmonella was also detected in certain batches of this product in internal checks by the manufacturer and it was recalled on April 9.

The recall involves Nudossi Haselnuss-Nougat-Crème 300-gram with expiration dates from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026. It was sold at stores including Aldi Nord, Kaufland, Lidl, Edeka, Netto, Rewe and Metro.

Sächsische und Dresdner Back- und Süßwaren GmbH said it deeply regrets the incident and apologized to all affected consumers, adding that the safety and quality of its products are the company's highest priority.

A total of 14 cases, or their parents, have been interviewed so far. In initial interviews, the consumption of a specific brand of nut spread was noted. Twelve of the 14 cases had eaten this product three days prior to the onset of their illness.

Authorities are conducting further investigations into processing steps at the manufacturer as well as looking into the relevant supply chains.

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months or years to correct problems. Generally, portions of the letters are redacted from public view.

The FDA has issued warning letters to three food operations for serious violations including widespread rodent activity in a nut facility, bird droppings contaminating onion packing lines, inadequate allergen controls during roasting, and sanitation failures. The findings highlight risks of filth contamination, allergen cross-contact, and unsafe food entering the market.

It’s well known that direct-to-consumer (DTC) food recall communication needs improvement. Currently, there’s no legal requirement for food companies to notify consumers directly when food products are recalled. While recalls may be posted publicly on the FDA or USDA websites, the onus is on the consumers to find them. The consumers most at risk are often the ones who don’t hear about a recall until it's too late. Compounding the issue, DTC recall communication lacks a standardized approach, impacting how consumers can access critical information and whether they learn about recalls at all.

Recently, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund published a Food for Thought 2026 report that highlights concerns about direct-to-consumer recall communication, specifically around notification delays, communication gaps, and lack of transparency. According to the report, time delays remain a serious problem. 

The report also flagged that government agencies, like the FDA and USDA, don’t post about every food recall on their websites, only spotlighting the recalls that they believe pose a “significant or serious risk” to public health. However, this isn’t a foolproof system. As cited by the report, they didn’t post information about a recent, potentially life-threatening, Class 1 breadcrumb recall. Per the report, the current system is flawed, with no specific requirements for notifying grocery stores, restaurants, or consumers about food recalls.

The PIRG report encouraged the use of technology programs to identify consumers who bought recalled products and send them understandable recall notifications. Loyalty programs allow the food industry to distribute personalized recall alerts to consumers about products they’ve actually purchased.

Loyalty programs only work if consumers sign up
As advocates call for improved recall notifications, better communication, and more DTC alerts, they say food brands should be required to notify consumers directly. Retailers need to offer shoppers a way to be contacted by phone, text, email, or a push notification from an app. Often, the easiest way to accomplish this is through loyalty programs. Loyalty programs help companies monitor purchase history and send targeted notifications directly to consumers who bought products that may be affected, instead of only issuing general public service announcements. 

However, loyalty programs won't work as a recall notification tool unless consumers actually sign up— which means retailers need to actively encourage enrollment, and consumers need to join.

Consumer participation is what makes targeted, purchase-based notification possible, so it’s essential for consumers to opt into loyalty programs for the stores they frequent and the products they buy. Recall notification systems are only as good as the data behind them. Right now, the data is incomplete because many consumers haven’t signed up for these programs, which means they’ll miss critical recall notifications.

Signing up for loyalty programs at the stores they frequent is one of the most concrete steps a consumer can take right now to protect themselves.

Caution about sharing personal data is reasonable and worth acknowledging. Only share your contact information with reputable businesses that can keep it secure. But recognize that this is a different calculation than entering your email into a random app or website. The tradeoff is worth it: when you share your contact info with stores you trust, you’ll get notified when it matters most.

 Of course, food brands must use loyalty programs as just one tool in their toolbox, in addition to other forms of DTC notification. When food brands utilize a multi-channel approach, they can reach consumers in a variety of ways. Recall information on their websites and social media platforms, press releases, QR codes on labels, and well-informed supply chain partners are all part of a successful recall communication strategy. 

 Improving direct-to-consumer recall communication will help expand reach, maximize awareness, and drive proper actions, ultimately keeping consumers safer. Technology solutions like loyalty programs give food businesses a faster, more accurate way to get understandable recall information directly to the consumers who bought the affected products. Consumers need to do their part and sign up for the loyalty programs—this quick effort could save your life.

 About the author: Roger Hancock is CEO of Recall InfoLink. Recall InfoLink makes recalls faster, easier, and more accurate across the supply chain to protect consumers and brands. As the only company focused entirely on recalls, Recall InfoLink’s solutions drive immediate action, streamline the recall process, and simplify compliance.

More than two-thirds of stores selling fish do not consistently follow food safety regulations, according to inspection findings from the Dutch food agency.

Most violations concerned the failure to list allergens or listing them incorrectly, and the improper handling of food, such as poor storage.

Quick bites from the food safety arena this week

1. Federal inspectors confirmed E. coli contamination in cheddar cheese produced from raw (unpasteurized) milk produced by RAW FARM LLC in Fresno, CA. The dairy is linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak that has sickened nine people across three states. The dairy resisted initial calls to recall the cheese but has now done so “under protest.”
2. Meanwhile, in France, scientists detailed the cause of an E. coli outbreak in 2025 that claimed three lives. A total of 18 people had confirmed infections, with another five probable and possible cases. The cause was consumption of raw cow’s milk cheese.
3. A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is critical of federal agencies’ handling of recalls of contaminated food. The PIRG report points to several examples of long delays in recall announcements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In some cases, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opted not to post public announcements of potentially life-threatening recalled products. PIRG also called on companies to be more aggressive in notifying consumers about contaminated products.
4. In the United Kingdom, a report by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found few improvements in food safety practices among consumers over a five-year period. The findings prompted the agency to call for a renewed focus on “focused, evidence-based communications on basic food safety controls.”
5. Canada’s Public Health Agency is still investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios one year after recording the first infection. A total of 189 people have reported illnesses since March 2025, with cases concentrated in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has banned the import of pistachios from Iran while it investigates the outbreak.

TODAY’S TOPIC: King Raw

The food safety step known as pasteurization was widely employed after Louis Pasteur patented the process in 1865 to first fight the "diseases" of wine. It was also soon applied to beer and milk.

Pasteur, the famous French chemist, is also known for his breakthrough discoveries in vaccination and microbial fermentation. He did research showing that the growth of micro-organisms was responsible for spoiling beverages, such as beer, wine and milk. 

He found that heating liquids such as milk to 60-100 degrees C killed harmful bacteria and molds already present in them. The discovery in the years since has likely saved millions of lives.

On April 10 the Washington State Department of Health advised the FDA of a recall of certain shellfish because of norovirus-like illnesses associated with consumption of raw oysters. 

The recall includes all species of shellstock from Gomez Shellfish LLC (WA-1724-SS), harvested on March 22 through April 9, from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, WA.

The FDA has issued an alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat the recalled shellfish. 

The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the raw oysters and clams harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

About norovirus infections
Food and beverages contaminated with norovirus may not look or smell bad, but it can cause severe illnesses.

Symptoms of norovirus infection may include vomiting and/or diarrhea, nausea, muscle aches, fever, and headache, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms typically start 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last for one to three days. Most people recover without treatment, however some may need medical attention for dehydration.

People with norovirus infections can spread the infection easily to others. The virus can live on surfaces for long periods of time.

To prevent others from getting sick always wash hands carefully with soap and warm water after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Use soap and water to clean toilets or other areas that may be soiled with stool or vomit. Hard surfaces can be disinfected with 1/3 cup household bleach mixed with one gallon of water – always wear gloves when handling bleach-based cleaners.

The number of people confirmed with Salmonella infections after eating at an Ontario restaurant has doubled and at least 44 unconfirmed patients have reported symptoms.

As of April 17 there were 13 confirmed patients who had eaten at the Piper Arms Stoney Creek location in Hamilton, Ontario, according to Hamilton Public Health. Earlier this week there were seven patients.

At least six of the outbreak patients have been hospitalized.

Public health officials are reporting that another 44 people have reported symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection. Those patients are awaiting laboratory confirmation.

No specific food item has been identified as the source of the Salmonella, but the restaurant was ordered to shut down during the outbreak investigation. 

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten at the restaurant and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Silver Moon LP dba Loard’s Ice Cream of San Leandro, CA, is recalling all products sold in retail-sized packaging because they were distributed without ingredient labeling and therefore they contain undeclared allergens, sulfites, and added colors. 

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, or wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was determined during FDA inspection that the product’s retail packaging did not include the required ingredient statement and allergen declarations.

Loard’s Ice Cream was distributed to Loard’s Ice Cream parlors in Northern California. The ice cream products were sold in retail-sized containers and available for purchase from the store-front freezers.

The product is sold in 32-ounce blue paper cups and 56-ounce plastic cups labeled under Loard’s Ice Cream. Ice Cream subject to the recall is as follows:

Item Description

Undeclared Allergen(s) 

Undeclared Food Coloring(s) 

Undeclared Sulfites

Size(s) 

Barcode

Loard’s Almond Joy Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Almonds), Soy

N/A

Yes

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Banana Ice Cream

Milk

Yellow 5

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Black Raspberry Marble Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40, Blue 1

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Black Raspberry Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40, Blue 1

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Black Walnut Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Walnuts)

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40, Blue 1

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Brownie Nut Fudge Ice Cream

Milk, Soy, Eggs, Tree Nuts (Walnuts), Wheat

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Burgundy Cherry Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40, Blue 2, Blue 1

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Butter Brickle Ice Cream

Milk, Soy, Tree Nuts (Almonds)

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Butterscotch Marble Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Caramel Cashew Ice Cream

Milk, Soy, Tree Nuts (Cashews)

N/A

Yes

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Champagne Sherbet

Milk

Red 40

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Chocolate Marble Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

Milk, Soy

Yellow 5, Blue 1

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Chocolate Showers Ice Cream

Milk, Soy

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Chocolate Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Coconut Pineapple Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Coffee Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Milk, Wheat, Soy

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Egg Nog Ice Cream

Milk, Eggs

Yellow 5

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Green Tea Ice Cream

Milk

Yellow 5

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Horchata Ice Cream

Milk, Soy

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Lemon Chiffon Ice Cream

Milk, Eggs

Yellow 5

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Lime Sherbet

Milk, Soy, Wheat 

Yellow 5, Green 3

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Mango Ice Cream

Milk

Yellow 5

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Maple Walnut Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Walnuts)

N/A

Yes

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream

Milk, Soy, Tree Nuts (Almonds)

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Mocha Chip Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Orange Sherbet

Milk

Yellow 5

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream

Milk, Peanuts

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Pecan Praline Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Pecans)

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Peppermint Ice Cream

Milk, Soy

Red 40

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Pistachio Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Pistachios)

Yellow 5, Blue 1

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Pumpkin Ice Cream

Milk

Yellow 6

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Rainbow Sherbet

Milk, Soy

Red 40, Green 3, Yellow 5

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Raspberry Sherbet

Milk

Red 40

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Rocky Road Ice Cream

Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts (Walnuts)

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream

Milk, Soy

N/A

Yes

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Strawberry Ice Cream

Milk

Red 40

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Toasted Almond Ice Cream

Milk, Tree Nuts (Almonds)

N/A

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Ube Ice Cream

Milk

Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2

N/A

32 fl oz

N/A

Loard’s Vanilla Ice Cream

Milk

N/A

N/A

32oz, 56 fl oz

N/A

Auricchio brand Gorgonzola D.O.P. Piccante is being recalled in Canada because of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The recall is because of inspection activities by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. No illnesses have been confirmed to date in relation to consumption of this product.

The implicated cheese was distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

The recalled cheese is packaged in 200-gram plastic pouches and marked with the UPC number of 8 004603 100787 and codes L 2595276A1 Best Before: 08/05/2026; or L 2595219A1 Best Before: 08/05/2026.

There is concern that consumers may have the recalled cheese in their homes because of its long shelf life.

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

Federal inspectors have found E. coli contamination in raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm LLC of Fresno, CA.

The dairy is linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak that has sickened nine people across three states, California, Texas and Florida. Three of the patients have required hospitalization and one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, brain damage and death. 

More than half of the outbreak patients are children younger than five years old, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The E. coli found in cheese the farm made from raw milk does not match the patients in the current outbreak, but it does match patients from an outbreak in 2025. The contamination was found in one of 19 samples tested by the FDA.

The FDA asked the dairy to recall its raw cheddar cheese in March because of an epidemiological link between it and outbreak patients. The dairy refused to initiate a recall for three weeks. When it did recall the implicated cheese it did so “under protest.”

There is concern that some consumers may still have the recalled cheese in their homes because its shelf life reaches into September this year. For details on the recall, click here.

Federal, state and local public health officials recommend against consuming any products made with raw milk because of the danger of pathogens that would be killed if the milk was pasteurized.

United States Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his stance on raw milk at a congressional hearing on April 16. Kennedy has touted raw milk and has been a long-time customer of Raw Farm LLC. 

When DeLauro asked Kennedy if he would tell the public to stop drinking raw milk because of its dangers, the secretary failed to give a specific answer, instead saying that the federal government does not regulate raw milk. However, federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines. And, the FDA information page on raw milk tells the public to not drink it or give it to children because of the dangers of bacteria in unpasteurized milk.

Raw Farm products have been implicated in numerous recalls and outbreaks in recent years:

Date

Product

Contaminant

Recall/Illnesses

September 2006

Raw Milk

E. coli O157:H7

Six ill, two with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

September 2007

Raw Cream

Listeria monocytogenes

Recall Issued

December 2007

Raw Milk

Campylobacter

Eight Illnesses

September 2008

Raw Cream

Campylobacter

Recall Issued

November 2011

Raw Milk

E. coli O157:H7

Five ill, three with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

May 2012

Raw Milk/Cream

Campylobacter

10 Illnesses

October 2015

Raw Milk

Campylobacter

Recall Issued

January 2016

Raw Milk

E. coli O157:H7

Nine ill, two with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

May 2023

Raw Milk

Campylobacter

Recall Issued

August 2023

Unpasteurized Cheese

Salmonella

Recall Issued

December 2023

Raw Milk

Salmonella

19 Illnesses

October 2024

Raw Milk

Salmonella

171 Illnesses

December 2024

Unpasteurized Cheese

E. coli O157:H7

11 illnesses

Nearly 200 Listeria infections have been reported in Denmark over a 3-year period with only four of 10 outbreaks solved.

Data from the Statens Serum Institut shows 199 cases of invasive infection with Listeria monocytogenes between 2023 and 2025. There were 66 cases on average per year with a range of 54 to 84, which corresponds to an incidence of 1.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in Denmark per year.

The prevalence of Campylobacter in Swedish chickens has dropped to a record low.

Data from Svensk Fågel shows that in 2025, only 3.8 percent of flocks were positive, down from 5.8 percent of more than 4,700 samples the year before.

The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.

Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed below.

Click here to go to the FDA page with links to details on specific alerts. See chart below for a list of the most recent alerts.

Click on table to enlarge. Use link above to go to FDA page with links to specific alerts.

An analysis of special Salmonella controls on certain imports into Norway has revealed problems with sampling and documentation.

From June 2025 to March 2026, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) investigated whether importers could prove that batches of goods covered by the Salmonella guarantee are free from the bacteria.

A new report says fewer food recalls are being announced by the federal government, signaling that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is changing its approach.

The report, from the non-profit U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), says recalls are not made in a timely manner when outbreaks occur.

“When a food safety problem is discovered, there isn’t much done to make sure consumers find out. Under the FDA, companies are expected to notify the FDA and issue a news release. Under the USDA, companies must notify the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). No one has to contact grocery stores or restaurants. No one has to notify consumers,” according to the PIRG report.

Not only are recall procedures vague, the process does not seem to place any urgency on companies under FDA jurisdiction to issue recalls.

“It sometimes takes years from the first illness before regulators identify a product to recall in an effort to prevent others from getting sick,” the PIRG report said.

“The November recall of infant formula connected to a botulism outbreak took nearly two years; the February recall of frozen supplemental shakes connected to a Listeria outbreak took more than six years.” 

The PIRG report uses a Listeria outbreak involving ready-to-eat pasta meals as a case in point to describe some of the problems with the recall announcement system that is in place.

In June 2025, the U.S Department of Agriculture announced recalls involving three ready-to-eat pasta meals because of Listeria. In September and October there was a flurry of more recalls with 15 additional products being recalled.

The recalls were ultimately linked to an outbreak that began in August 2024. As of the last update in October 2025, there were 25 hospitalizations and six deaths.

“Why did the first recall take nearly a year? Why did some of the subsequent recalls take three or four months? Could any of the illnesses or deaths have been prevented if more information was available sooner?” PIRG asks in its report.

The FDA doesn’t even post public announcements for all potentially life-threatening recalls. In a Jan. 7, 2025, email to U.S. PIRG, an FDA spokesperson said: “The list on this page provides information gathered from firm press releases and other public notices about certain recalls of FDA-regulated products. Not all recalls have press releases or are posted on this page.”

The PIRG report also discusses the societal costs of foodborne illnesses, citing data from the USDA that shows medical care, lost productivity and premature deaths from foodborne illnesses cost Americans $75 billion annually. More than 16 percent of Americans likely are affected by foodborne illness annually.

“When we have thousands of people getting sick every year from contaminated food, we should think hard about what else can be done,” PIRG said in its report, Food for Thought 2026.

“We need to stop contaminated food from being sold, identify issues more quickly when something does slip through and warn consumers when contaminated food makes it to store shelves.”

There were about 320 recalls announced in 2025, according to the PIRG report, with 48 percent related to allergens or foreign objects and 31 related to ingredients that had been previously recalled.

“Companies conducting a recall should be required to try to reach out to consumers directly, not just notify the FDA or USDA and issue a news release to alert their distributors,” PIRG says. “Many food manufacturers sure spend a lot of money to market their products to us. How about if they spend the same amount that was spent to sell us the product to inform us that it’s been recalled?”

The Food and Drug Administration’s delay of the Traceability Rule until July of 2028 is adding to the problem, PIRG contends. The plan to have the rule go into effect this year was altered by the Trump Administration. The implementation of the rule has been pushed to 2028.

A supplier of ready-to-eat hummus products in South Africa is facing a fine after Listeria was found in its products.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) referred BM Foods Manufacturers to the National Consumer Tribunal following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in products supplied to a retailer.

Food businesses have limited awareness of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and its guidance, according to a review.

The food agency commissioned research institute The Lines Between to study the awareness, relevance, and effectiveness of FSS guidance. This found there was a need to increase reach and impact.

Auricchio brand Taleggio D.O.P. Cheese is being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall was triggered by the company, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The recalled cheese can be identified by the following information: 200-gram plastic packages with UPC number 8 004603 104099 and code L 2524600 Best Before: 28/04/2026.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.