The FDA has released its summary report on processed avocado and guacamole sampling, which estimates the prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination in those products. This assignment is part of the FDA's effort to proactively ensure food safety and prevent contaminated food from reaching consumers. In 2018, consumers were warned to wash avocados before peeling them after pathogens were found on the skin of the whole fruit. At that time, Listeria bacteria was found on 17.73% of the samples, while Salmonella was found on 0.74% of the samples. For this assignment, the FDA collected and tested 887 samples of both domestic and imported processed avocado and guacamole. Salmonella was detected in two samples, which were distinct samples of the same brand of … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Avocados in Canada
A Salmonella outbreak associated with avocados in Canada is a good reminder to wash that fruit before peeling and eat it. At least 79 people in five provinces are sick. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, according to Public Health Canada. The case count by province is: British Columbia (34), Alberta (28), Saskatchewan (4), Manitoba (11) ,and Ontario (2). The illnesses in Ontario are related to travel in Alberta nd British Columbia. Illness onset dates range from early September 2021 to mid November 2021. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is between five and 89 years. The source of the outbreak is not confirmed. Many of the patients said they ate fresh avocados purchased from grocery otters or served at restaurants before they got … [Read more...]
California Grown Avocados Recalled in Six States
California-based company, Henry Avocado, is recalling both conventionally grown and organic avocados for possible Listeria contamination. The affected Avocados were handled in Henry Avocado's new California packing facility and were distributed to to Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Environmental testing at that facility found the pathogen. Consumers can identify conventionally grown avocados subject to this recall, by looking for the word "Bravocado" at the bottom of the oval product label. Organic avocados subject to this recall will not have the word "Bravocado", but will have the word "Organic" in green on a yellow background at the top of the oval product label. The FDA is reporting that Henry Avocados grown and packed in Mexico are … [Read more...]
Consumers Warned to Wash Avocados After Pathogens Found on Skin
The FDA has released a report on avocado and hot pepper sampling, as part of their "new, proactive sampling program," that was adopted in 2014. The program attempts to help public health investigators identify patterns in certain foods that may help reduce microbial contamination. They found Listeria monocytogenes on 17.73% of the avocado skin samples. They found the overall prevalence of Salmonella on the samples to be about 0.74%. That means that, if you don't rinse the avocado before you cut into it, you will spread any pathogens on the skin into the flesh. And because this fruit is usually eaten uncooked, there is no kill step to destroy that bacteria before you eat it. The FDA began collecting avocados in May 2015. They collected 1,615 samples to test for Salmonella and … [Read more...]
