Food Safety News

Cape Verde officials have insisted that there is no evidence of any outbreak following reported infections in European and U.S. travelers who have been to the country.

Authorities said they have been monitoring the situation through the epidemiological surveillance system and in coordination with health agencies and tourism operators.

1. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported that Listeria monocytogenes was the most frequent cause of outbreaks it investigated during fiscal year 2025. The outbreaks involved approximately 250 illnesses and 140 hospitalizations, and all involved illnesses in more than one state. Meanwhile, the new annual report from the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) shows chicken, leafy greens and dairy products were most frequently the cause of outbreaks of Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, respectively. IFSAC includes representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FSIS.
2. In Sweden, an outbreak of hepatitis A has sickened 11 people. The cause has been traced to frozen strawberries and raspberries that were not heated before consumption. Swedish public health officials also reported that in 2025 Listeria infections reached the highest level ever reported. A single outbreak at a restaurant in Stockholm contributed to the spike.
3. Holiday meals are a good time to review safe food handling techniques. The USDA offers practical tips for common dishes served on Easter, Passover and Mother’s Day. In the UK, public health officials cautioned people about the potential for exposure to harmful infections through contact with animals. Public Health Wales said it was important that people do not pick up, cuddle, kiss, or handle lambs during Easter outings to farms and petting attractions.

TODAY’S TOPIC: Consolidation

The final four in the consolidation game are: 

• JBS – This Brazil-based food giant is the world's largest beef processor. It owns facilities that slaughter and pack over 20,000 cattle per day in the U.S.
• Tyson Foods – Known for chicken, Tyson is also the second largest U.S. beef processor. Their five beef plants process thousands of cattle daily.
• Cargill – This agribusiness conglomerate is the third largest U.S. beef packer and also owns one of the nation’s largest feedlot operations, Cargill Cattle Feeders.
• National Beef – Majority owned by Brazilian meatpacker Marfig, National Beef operates three U.S. packing facilities that process thousands of cattle per day.

Co-op brand creamy garlic and spinach salad is being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the salad was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan.

The recall was triggered by the company. No illnesses related to the recalled product had been confirmed as of the posting of the recall notice. 

Consumers can use the following information to determine whether they have the recalled product:

BrandProductSizeUPCCode(s)Additional InformationCO-OPCreamy Garlic and Spinach SaladVariable (sold clerk-served)Starts with 0 284616BEST BEFORE 24.MAR.2026 to 04.APR.2026Sold at CO-OP locations in BC, AB, SK, MB, NT

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 product 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.

It has taken 21 days, but Raw Farm LLC has finally issued a recall of its raw cheddar cheese that has been linked to a coast-to-coast outhreak of E. coli O157 H:7 infections.

Until today, the California based dairy refused requests from the Food and Drug Administration to recall their products, claiming that their raw milk cheese could not be the source of the pathogen.

In their recall announcement the owners of Raw Farm said that the recall is being made under protest because no pathogens have been found in their products. However, because of the timing of the illnesses the Raw Farm products implicated in the outbreak investigation would have been off the market by the time the infections were confirmed.

The investigation by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that seven out of nine outbreak patients ate Raw Farm’s raw milk cheddar cheese before becoming ill. More than half of the nine patients are children younger than 5 years old. Patients live in California, Texas and Florida.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept. 1, 2025, to Feb.20, 2026. Three people have been hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, brain damage and death. 

There are likely more people who have been infected than are included in the official count. This is because some people do not seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for E. coli. The CDC estimates for every confirmed patient in an E. coli outbreak there are 26 who go undetected.

The FDA and CEC are urging the public to not consume Raw Farm cheddar cheese because of the risk of infection. Raw cheese is made with raw milk that has not been pasteurization, which heats milk for 15 seconds to kill bacteria.

For photos of all of the Raw Farm products subject to the recall, click here.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cheese and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

Spring holidays bring families and friends together for Easter ham, Passover brisket, and Mother’s Day egg-based brunch dishes. As consumers across America prepare these traditional meals for gatherings, following basic food safety practices can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

“Spring holidays are about cherished traditions — sharing Easter ham, Passover brisket, or a Mother’s Day brunch with those you love,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears. “Don’t let foodborne illness spoil these special moments. Keep your loved ones safe by following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Four Steps to Food Safety when preparing your favorite holiday meal.”

The USDA encourages consumers to follow these food safety tips during Easter, Passover and Mother’s Day:

The Danger Zone

• Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F. This temperature range is called the Danger Zone.
• Food should not be left in the Danger Zone for more than two hours (called the two-hour rule). After two hours, bacteria can reach dangerous levels that can cause foodborne illness.
• Perishable foods, such as ham slices, brisket, and deviled eggs, should be discarded if left out for longer than two hours in the Danger Zone.

Ham
Ham is a popular choice for Easter meals. There are many different types of hams available and knowing ham is ready to eat or requires cooking before consumption matters.

• Ready-to-eat hams are fully cooked at the processing plant and can be reheated or safely eaten cold without additional cooking. Look for the USDA mark of inspection and “Fully Cooked” on the packaging. Reheat these hams to 140 degrees F and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when available.
• Cook raw, fresh, and uncooked hams to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F, as measured with a food thermometer. Remove from heat and let rest for three minutes before carving.
• If a ham says “Cook Thoroughly” on the packaging, follow all manufacturer’s instructions and use a food thermometer to ensure the ham has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a three-minute rest.

More information at Hams and Food Safety.

Brisket

• Allow enough time to thaw frozen brisket safely in the refrigerator. Thawing can take about 24 hours for a trimmed, first-cut brisket, while a whole brisket weighing about 10 pounds can take several days.
• Bake the brisket, fat side up in a baking dish, in an oven set no lower than 325 degrees F. Brisket is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F and is allowed to rest at that temperature for three minutes.

More information at Beef from Farm to Table.

Lamb

Lamb is another traditional spring holiday dish.

• Cook a leg of lamb and other cuts to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.
• Cook ground lamb to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Consumers are also reminded to refrigerate leftovers within two hours to help prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying.

More information at Lamb from Farm to Table.

Eggs and egg dishes
Eggs and egg dishes are commonly served during spring holidays and brunch gatherings.

• All egg dishes should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees F, as measured by a food thermometer.
• Eggs intended for eating should not sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. Keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• If you plan to eat decorated Easter eggs, use only food-grade dye. Consider making two sets of eggs, one for decorating and hiding and another for eating. For egg hunts, use non-food decorative eggs instead of eggs intended for consumption.

More information at Shell Eggs from Farm to Table.

Questions?
Explore resources on the Spring Holiday Food Safety Guide, a one-stop guide to cooking, serving, and storing a safe holiday meal.

Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Access news releases and other information on FSIS’ website at www.fsis.usda.gov/newsroom. Follow FSIS on X at @usdafoodsafety and USDA on Instagram @usdagov and Facebook

Health officials in England and Wales have warned people about the risk of catching harmful infections from animals.

Public Health Wales said it was important that people do not pick up, cuddle, kiss, or handle lambs during Easter outings to farms and petting attractions.

In 2025, about 80 cases of cryptosporidium were recorded at one farm in South Wales. Cryptosporidiosis is an infection often linked to contact with farm animals. The parasite can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps and can be serious for young children and vulnerable groups. Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after contact with the parasite and can last for up to two weeks.

Precautions include washing hands thoroughly with warm running water and liquid soap after touching animals, fences, or surfaces. Hand gels and wipes are not effective substitutes.

Seasonal increase
Farms offering public access during lambing season should try to reduce infection risks by providing handwashing stations with hot and cold water, soap, and paper towels as well as keeping lambs in enclosed pens and only allowing feeding from outside the enclosure.

A similar warning was issued by Worcestershire County Council with adults asked to supervise children to make sure they wash their hands properly.

Each spring, there is a sharp rise in reported cases of Cryptosporidium, a disease spread by animals, with cattle, sheep and goats being the main carriers.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there were 4,149 Cryptosporidium infections in England in 2025. In 2024, 24 outbreaks were linked to lambing events or open petting farms.

Professor Lisa McNally, director of public health for Worcestershire, said it’s important to remember farm environments can carry germs that make people unwell.

“Bugs such as cryptosporidium, E. coli and Salmonella are commonly found on animals and the surfaces around them, even when they look clean. They can easily be picked up through simple hand-to-mouth contact,” she said.

“Lambing season brings an extra risk, as cryptosporidium can be passed on very easily from young animals. The best protection is thorough handwashing with soap and warm water as soon as you finish handling animals and always before eating.”

Easter chocolate warning
Meanwhile, Staffordshire County Council has asked people to remain vigilant when purchasing foods this Easter, particularly confectionery, that could contain banned or unauthorized ingredients.

Officers from the council’s trading standards service want shoppers to be cautious when buying items from informal sellers such as social media platforms, pop-up shops or markets, or unverified online retailers.

The council has seen a rise in food products with non-compliant labeling, missing allergen information or unauthorized ingredients, making them potentially unsafe. Issues range from missing traceability details or address information to counterfeit and misleading branding of well-known products.

Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: “These foods can look harmless, but many bypass essential checks that protect consumers. Products containing unauthorized ingredients or undeclared allergens can be extremely dangerous, especially for children or anyone with food allergies. If a food item does not have clear English labeling, including an ingredient list and allergen information, our advice is simple: do not buy it and do not eat it.”

The number of people sick in a hepatitis A outbreak in Sweden linked to frozen berries has risen to 11.

From mid-September to the end of 2025, seven people were infected with the same type of hepatitis A virus belonging to genotype IA. They had all eaten frozen imported strawberries and raspberries which had not been heated before consumption.

However, the suspected source of infection could not be confirmed as the virus was not detected in any berry samples.

In February and March 2026, four more people fell ill. They had also eaten frozen strawberries and raspberries. The 11 patients are six men and five women aged between 17 and 64 years old and live in different parts of the country.

The Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) are involved in the investigation.

Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause a liver infection. Symptoms last a few days to several months and begin 15 to 50 days a patient is infected. They range from mild to severe and include an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

2025 situation
Folkhälsomyndigheten has also released figures on the number of illnesses caused by some of the major pathogens in 2025.

Listeria infections increased and reached the highest level ever reported. In 2025, there were 158 cases compared to 114 in 2024.

A contributing factor was an outbreak at a restaurant in Stockholm. There were 16 confirmed cases who fell sick after eating at the venue. In 20 other people, the outbreak strain was detected in stool samples, which was not notifiable according to the case definition. The same type of Listeria found in patients was also detected in several food and environmental samples from the restaurant but no one food item could be named with certainty as the source of infection. The outbreak was unusual as those who fell ill were relatively young and did not belong to any risk group.

Based on typing data, 95 isolates belonged to 29 different clusters, of which 14 also contained isolates identified before 2025. Officials said this indicates ongoing and long-term spread from unknown sources of infection.

Salmonella infections fell by 11 percent to 1,431 cases compared to the previous year. The decrease is mainly because there were several large outbreaks in 2024.

Despite this decline, several outbreaks were investigated in 2025, including a major Salmonella Enteritidis incident with 118 cases linked to Swedish egg production. The outbreak was national but affected a nursing home where many people fell ill.

Almost 50 people were sick with similar Salmonella strains that caused a large outbreak in 2024 linked to alfalfa sprouts from contaminated seeds produced in Italy. This involved Salmonella Typhimurium, Richmond, Kinondoni, and Newport.

Infections caused by cryptosporidium also increased. In a major outbreak in the spring, Swedish kale was suspected of being the source of infection.

For Campylobacter, E. coli, Shigella and hepatitis A, the number of cases was largely unchanged compared to 2024.

In 2025, 5,463 cases of Campylobacter were reported, compared to 5,440 in 2024. The incidence for people sickened in the country was slightly higher than for people infected outside Sweden. Spain and Thailand topped the list of travel-related cases.

In total, 908 E. coli infections were recorded. This is slightly more than the 848 cases in 2024. The proportion of cases infected in Sweden was 62 percent. For people infected abroad, the main countries were Egypt and Turkey. From 386 analyzed isolates, 88 serotypes were identified. The most common types were, as in previous years, O157:H7, O26:H11 and O103:H2.

There were 30 hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases in E. coli patients. Eight serotypes were found from 20 typed isolates including O26:H11 eight times and O157:H7 on four occasions.

For Yersinia, a sharp decrease was seen, with cases halving between 2024 and 2025. The decrease is largely because of a change in the case definition for 2025 that clarifies which types of Yersinia must be reported.

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 chart to enlarge. Use link above to go to FDA page with links to specific alerts.

A unit of the Food Standard Agency (FSA) has helped seize bushmeat in England.

The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) operation resulted in one arrest. A 51-year-old man has been released under investigation.

Freshprep brand Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad with Feta & Pita Chips is being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall was triggered by the company, according to the recall notice from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The implicated product was distributed in British Columbia.

Consumers can identify the 300-gram containers included in this recall by looking for one of the following codes: 26MR31; 26AL01; 26AL02; 26AL03; 26AL04; 26AL05; 26AL06.

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 recalled product 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.

-- OPINION --

Much has been written about the impact of Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel The Jungle, but the more revealing parallel may be what followed. After President Theodore Roosevelt sent investigators to verify Sinclair’s claims, their findings confirmed systemic problems. The response was not immediate accountability. It was resistance.

On June 8, 1906, the New York Times reported on Congressional action toward what would become the Pure Food and Drug Act. On that same day, the Franco-American Food Company purchased a prominent, nearly full-page advertisement positioned opposite coverage of the proposed law, visually reinforcing its response.

The advertisement, titled “An Open Letter to President Roosevelt and the American Nation,” was presented as a direct appeal to both the President and the public: They described themselves as the “Packers of Honestly and Cleanly Made” products and then made a plea to the president:

“The report of your Commissioners on the packing industry of Chicago is being published and commented upon by the press of this country, also by the newspapers throughout the world. After reading that report, it stands to reason that a vast number of people at home and abroad, who are not well posted as to the difference between brands, will stop using, not only canned meats from Chicago, but canned goods of every description.

"We regret that if you feel confident the report of your Commissioners is true, you did not make the investigation more thorough, so that the American public and the world at large might know that there are packers and packers and that if some are unworthy of public confidence, there are others whose methods are above board and whose goods are of such high quality as to be a credit to the American nation. For twenty years we have manufactured canned soups and canned meats of the highest grade, both as to quality and purity. We have spared neither effort or expense to make them as good as possible. The cleanliness of our entire plant from cellar to roof is a matter of astonishment to our numerous visitors. By these methods we have established a unique reputation, our best customers being those who know how our goods are made.

"But what about the millions who, owing to distance, lack of time or some other reason, are not able to visit us? How is the average consumer to know that the methods of all packers are not alike? … What can we do to counteract the bad impression which is being created against our products? Advertise? Outside of the heavy expense that this will entail, no one will believe us after reading your report."

(The Franco-American Food Company. (1906, June 8). "An open letter to President Roosevelt and the American Nation." The New York Times. Microfilm Collection, Western Washington University.)

More than a century later, the language has changed. The strategy has not.

Their concern was not denial of risk - but differentiation: If some producers were unsafe, others, they argued, should not be judged the same. They posed a critical question:How can consumers distinguish between responsible producers and those who put them at risk?

And perhaps more tellingly: What can we do to counteract the damage to our reputation?

Their conclusion was revealing – advertising alone would not restore trust once it had been broken.

The pattern is familiar:

1. Evidence emerges

2. Public health risk is identified

3. Industry disputes the findings

4. Action is delayed

Sound familiar?

Today, Raw Farm LLC denies the FDA’s conclusions, citing its own negative test results despite epidemiological and traceback evidence linking its product to illness.

The tools have evolved. The science is stronger. But the behavior has not changed.

The FDA has linked an outbreak of E. coli infections to raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm, sickening at least seven people across three states, including young children. Health officials are urging consumers to discard affected products. Raw Farm, the largest producer of raw, unpasteurized dairy products in the United States, has declined to initiate a voluntary recall.

When epidemiological data, traceback investigations, and microbial testing align, the agency’s confidence and willingness to escalate increase significantly. In this case, the FDA has determined the cheese to be the likely source of the outbreak.

The congressional Food Safety Caucus has called on the FDA to exercise its authority and compel a recall, emphasizing that when a company refuses voluntary action, the responsibility to protect public health shifts decisively to the regulator.

According to the caucus, “The FDA recommended that Raw Farm voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from sale after they determined it was the likely source of an ongoing E. coli outbreak… Raw Farm refused. We have one message for Raw Farm and FDA: get it off the shelves – now.”

They further emphasized the severity of the outbreak, particularly its impact on young children:

“Two people have been hospitalized because of this outbreak, with several more falling ill.

"More than half of the illnesses were in children aged 3 or younger. This cannot stand. If Raw Farm refuses to take unsafe products off the market, FDA must use its mandatory recall authority and take them to court. A company should not be able to flatly refuse a recall recommendation. That puts consumers’ health at risk to protect the profits of a corporation.”

“FDA must act so consumers are not subject to the whims of corporations that would put their profits over public health.”

The CDC has urged consumers to avoid Raw Farm cheese products.

Under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the FDA has the authority to issue a mandatory recall when there is a reasonable probability that a product will cause serious adverse health consequences and the firm refuses voluntary action. That authority has been used before, including in 2018 when the agency ordered a recall of kratom products contaminated with Salmonella after a company declined to act. If the evidence meets that threshold, the FDA not only can act, it should. The question is whether that action will come before more people are harmed.

About the author: Dr. Darin Detwiler is a food safety advocate, author, and professor of food policy and law. A former USDA advisor and FDA collaborator on the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, he has spent more than three decades working to strengthen food safety systems following the 1993 E. coli outbreak that took the life of his young son. He is the author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions and a recognized voice on issues of public health, regulation, and accountability. Detwiler is featured in the Emmy Award-winning 2023 Netflix documentary Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food.

The FDA has concluded its investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella infections related to Rosabella-brand moringa powder capsules distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC.

As of April 1, there have been 10 patients from eight states confirmed in the outbreak of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Kentucky. Three of the patients have required hospitalization. The outbreak strains are highly resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly recommended for the treatment of Salmonella infections.

 Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept. 26, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2026. Of the eight people interviewed, seven reported consuming Rosabella-brand moringa powder capsules. There are likely many more sick people associated with this outbreak because for every confirmed patient in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 who go undetected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.

As part of the outbreak investigation the Indiana Department of Health collected unopened product samples from a sick person’s home. The sample tested positive for Salmonella Newport and according to whole genome sequencing analysis, it is the same strain of Salmonella Newport causing illnesses in this outbreak.

In response to the investigation, Ambrosia Brands, LLC recalled certain lots of Rosabella-brand moringa powder capsules on Feb.13, 2026. Recalled product was available for sale nationwide and internationally. The product that tested positive for Salmonella was included in the recall. This product should no longer be on the market, but it does have a long shelf life. Retailers and consumers should check for recalled product and throw it away if located.

For a list of the lots recalled in relation to the outbreak, click here.

The number of suspected frauds reported by countries in Europe declined in February compared to the month before.

Three alerts involved the United States in February with two related to animal feed. The other topic was health claims on food supplements.

Gifting live chicks, ducklings and bunnies as Easter presents remains a popular tradition, but public health officials warn the practice continues to fuel Salmonella outbreaks and animal welfare concerns.

Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry, animal abandonment and potential ecological damage have prompted repeated calls for safer alternatives such as stuffed toys, chocolate eggs or other non-living gifts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention most recently reported 559 cases of Salmonella infections tied to backyard poultry across 48 states in outbreaks investigated through September 2025. The cases resulted in 125 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory data pointed to contact with backyard poultry with chickens and ducks identified as the primary source. Illnesses began as early as December 2024 and continued into September 2025. Officials noted that the true number of illnesses is likely higher, as many cases go unreported. The CC estimates there are 29 Salmonella patients for each confirmed patient.

Salmonella bacteria spread easily through direct or indirect exposure to live birds or their environments. People can become infected by touching poultry, coops, feed or other items and then touching their mouths or food without proper handwashing. Even birds that appear healthy and clean can carry the germs.

Young children, infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure. Most healthy adults recover in four to seven days, but severe cases can lead to hospitalization or, rarely, death.

Health officials stress that food and surfaces can become contaminated if hygiene practices are not followed strictly. The CDC advises against kissing or snuggling backyard poultry, eating or drinking near them, and allowing children younger than 5 to handle chicks or ducklings.

Animal welfare and environmental concerns
Beyond food safety and other human health concerns, the tradition of giving chicks, ducklings and bunnies raises significant animal welfare issues. Humane societies and rescue groups report that many Easter-gifted animals are surrendered or abandoned once the novelty fades. Domestic rabbits, in particular, often struggle when released into the wild, where they can fall prey to predators, disrupt local ecosystems, compete with native species or spread diseases.

Chicks and ducklings require specialized care, including proper housing, nutrition and veterinary attention. Many succumb to neglect or improper handling by inexperienced owners, especially children.

Retailers and hatcheries continue to market live poultry and rabbits heavily around Easter, despite advisories from multiple states urging caution. Online sales add another layer of difficulty for regulation. Some stores have improved practices by providing hand sanitizers near displays and keeping animals out of direct reach. Others offer educational materials, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

Public health campaigns emphasize key precautions for those who already keep backyard flocks: thorough handwashing with soap and water after any contact (or using hand sanitizer when soap is unavailable), supervising children closely, keeping flocks and supplies outside the home, collecting eggs frequently and cooking eggs thoroughly to 160 degrees F.

Experts recommend that families maintain Easter traditions without live animals. Options include candy, educational books about animals or adopting pets responsibly from shelters after thorough research into long-term care needs.

“Any backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs that can make you sick,” the CDC states on its outbreak page. “Always take steps to stay healthy around your flock.”

For more on safe practices, the CDC offers resources on hand hygiene, egg handling and flock management. Those experiencing severe symptoms, such as diarrhea lasting more than three days, bloody diarrhea, high fever or signs of dehydration, should seek medical care promptly and inform their doctor of any poultry contact.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published guidance to help businesses with their food safety management systems as well as detection and control of Listeria.

It was issued as part of FSAI’s response to recent outbreaks of listeriosis, including one in Ireland in 2025 and another in the United States, both linked to ready-to-heat (pre-cooked) meals. FSAI said these outbreaks highlight the risks associated with the products if effective controls are not in place.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores because they may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. 

Guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration provide an interim reference level (IRL) for lead of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be as much as five times higher than this IRL for children.

A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers can use the following label information to determine whether they have the implicated product:

• 29-oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “GREAT VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEB 10 2027,” lot code” 0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.

These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide. FSIS is continuing to investigate this issue. Additional products could be added to the public alert.

The problem was discovered during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner.

Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure. Health experts also say these nuggets may be a risk for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on the health effects of lead consumption.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

About lead contamination
Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water.

Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. 

A child with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. Lead poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.

Here is a history of some of the outbreaks and recalls linked to Raw Farm, formerly known as Organic Pastures:

DateProductContaminantRecall/IllnessesSeptember 2006Raw MilkE. coli O157:H76 ill, 2 with Hemolytic Uremic SyndromeSeptember 2007Raw CreamListeria monocytogenesRecall IssuedDecember 2007Raw MilkCampylobacter8 IllnessesSeptember 2008Raw CreamCampylobacterRecall IssuedNovember 2011Raw MilkE. coli O157:H75 ill, 3 with Hemolytic Uremic SyndromeMay 2012Raw Milk/CreamCampylobacter10 IllnessesOctober 2015Raw MilkCampylobacterRecall IssuedJanuary 2016Raw MilkE. coli O157:H79 ill, 2 With Hemolytic Uremic SyndromeMay 2023Raw MilkCampylobacterRecall IssuedAugust 2023Unpasteurized CheeseSalmonellaRecall IssuedDecember 2023Raw MilkSalmonella19 IllnessesOctober 2024Raw MilkSalmonella171 IllnessesNovember 2024Raw MilkH5N1Recall IssuedDecember 2024Raw Milk and CreamH5N1Recall IssuedDecember 2024Unpasteurized CheeseE. coli O157:H711 IllnessesMarch 2026Raw Milk and Unpasteurized CheeseE. coli O157:H79 illnesses, 1 with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

And, then there is the criminal side of things.

In 2023 U.S. District Judge  Jennifer L. Thurston for Eastern California signed a Consent Decree agreed upon by attorneys for the United States and Organic Pastures and Mark McAfee.

The Consent Decree continues the 15-year-old jurisdiction of the Eastern District Court over the civil matter involving the concern over RAW FARM LLC, Organic Pasture’s new legal name.

In March 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice raised possible civil contempt allegations against RAW FARM, Mark McAfee, and Arron McAfee. An evidentiary hearing on that issue was set for Aug. 9, 2023, but was canceled by the Consent Decree.

The agreement means that the Court’s jurisdiction continues over the Defendants, and an April 2010 Order remains in effect for all the directors, officers, agents, representatives, attorneys, and others involved.

The RAW FARM defendants, after 60 months, can petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for “relief  from this Decree.”  In the meantime, they must “abide by the decisions of the FDA.”

FDA gets the power of inspections without prior notice. The Decree spells out specific requirements for audits and labeling that must be followed. It includes hiring an independent “labeling expert.”

The Department of Justice reopened the 2008 litigation last March, claiming Organic Pastures, known now as RAW FARM LLC, was violating the April 2010 Permanent Injunction, which imposed restrictions from distributing in interstate commerce unapproved drugs, misbranded food, and raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption.

The production and sale of raw milk by Organic Pastures within California, where it is legal, was not impacted by the April 2010 order. It’s estimated that OP has 60,000  retail customers of raw milk in the Golden State.

In re-opening the case, DOJ said a raw cheese claiming it can cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent human disease, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and viral infections, violates the April 2010 order.

The Court previously agreed with the DOJ that RAW FARM and the McAfee parties violated the Permanent Injunction Order issued on April 20, 2010.  Before any new testimony was taken, the Defendants agreed to the Consent Decree.

The government also takes issue with RAW FARM’s claim that its raw milk labeled as “pet food” is safe for human consumption.

“Organic Pastures and its principals, Mark and Aaron McAfee, have thus continued their pattern of distributing their products in interstate commerce with unproven claims about the ‘wonders’ of raw milk and its associated products,” said the DOJ petititon.

In that March 2023 petition, the government wanted to hold  RAW FARM/Organic Pastures and McAfee in contempt with contempt sanctions.

While the 2008 civil case was pending, Organic Pastures 15 years ago also faced similar charges in a criminal action involving similar conduct. The criminal matter concluded in settlement by plea agreement on Dec. 22, 2008, and was approved by Magistrate Judge Sandra M. Snyder on Jan. 9, 2009.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Organic Pastures pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor introduction and delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of misbranded food. McAfee entered into a deferred prosecution agreement whereby he agreed to the filing of a two-count information charging him and Organic Pastures with the same violations.

In these agreements, both defendants admitted that: (1) on two separate occasions “one or more of defendant Organic Pastures’ agents or employees, with the knowledge and consent of Organic Pastures, caused [a] box of raw milk and dairy products, labeled as or otherwise represented to be ‘pet food,’ to be sent by defendant Organic Pastures” into interstate commerce, “knowing that the intended use of such foods and/or dietary supplements was for human consumption;” and (2) Organic Pastures’ raw milk and raw milk products “were foods and/or dietary supplements, and were misbranded when so introduced into or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, in that they were falsely and misleadingly labeled as, or otherwise represented.

In the April 2010 order, Organic  Pastures and McAfee acknowledged violating federal food safety law by introducing and/or distributing raw milk into interstate commerce in 2007. They also conceded that they violated the “unapproved raw drugs” provision of the FDA.

To read the full Consent Decree, click here.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has released a report on outbreaks it investigated during fiscal year 2025, showing that Listeria monocytogenes was the most frequent cause of outbreaks.

The agency defines an outbreak as an incidence when two or more people experience similar illnesses after eating a common food and epidemiologic analysis implicates the food as the source of the illnesses. 

For fiscal year 2025, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) investigated seven foodborne illness outbreaks. The agency has authority over meat, poultry and processed egg products.

The outbreaks investigated by FSIS involved approximately 250 illnesses and 140 hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified FSIS of five of the outbreaks. All seven outbreaks involved illnesses in more than one state.

Of the seven outbreaks investigated by FSIS in FY 2025, one was caused by Salmonella Enteritidis, two by E. coli O157:H7, and four by Listeria monocytogenes. Beef was of interest in two outbreaks, ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products in one outbreak, multi-ingredient foods in two outbreaks, and multiple products were investigated in two outbreaks in FY 2025.

Three of the seven outbreak investigations conducted in FY 2025 led to a recall by an FSIS-inspected establishment. One Listeria monocytogenes outbreak led to both an initial recall and a public health alert.

“While investigating outbreaks is crucial to protect public health, it is important to note that outbreak-associated illnesses represent a very small proportion of all foodborne illnesses. Consumers who are sick with a foodborne illness may not seek medical care or be tested for foodborne pathogens. Those that are tested may not be linked to other similar illnesses to initiate an outbreak investigation,” according to the FSIS report.

“During FY 2025, FSIS investigated two outbreaks involving multi-ingredient products (e.g., prepared pasta meals containing pasta, sauce, chicken, and other ingredients). These investigations can be extremely complicated and require multi-agency investigations to determine if the source of contamination is an individual ingredient or an issue with the producer of the final product.”

Depending on the evidence collected during an investigation, the FSIS may have enough detailed exposure and product information to take one or more actions to prevent additional illnesses. These actions may include requesting that a company remove product from commerce and FSIS issuing a press release announcing that a firm is recalling products linked to human illnesses or FSIS notifying the public of potential food safety concerns through the issuance of a Public Health Alert.

The FSIS conducts after action reviews at the conclusion of foodborne outbreak investigations to identify lessons learned that can help improve response and prevent future illnesses.

Microbial contamination was the leading cause of Finnish recalls in 2025.

There were 299 recalls in Finland this past year, down slightly from 305 in 2024.

Plans to establish a single food safety regulator have been debated by members of parliament in an Australian state with several amendments put forward.

The Safe Food Victoria Bill 2026 would abolish existing agencies Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe, replacing them with a new regulator called Safe Food Victoria that will report to the Minister for Agriculture.