Listeria Contamination

Enoki Mushrooms. Two California-based companies have recalled enoki mushroom products after testing identified potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes according to a FDA report on May 14, 2026. HH Fresh Trading of Los Angeles recalled 120 cases of the enoki mushrooms distributed to Texas and Florida through local wholesalers. IQ Produce LLC of Vernon, California also recalled 528 cases after the FDA identified Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been reported in connection with either recall.

Headcheese. Lab tests have shown that Daisy Brand headcheese is the source of Listeria monocytogenes in a foodborne illness outbreak. The headcheese was distributed to retail deli locations in Illinois and Indiana. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is reporting that whole genome sequencing test results show that Daisy Brand headcheese collected in unopened packages by the agency is positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria. The headcheese was produced at Crawford Sausage Co. Headcheese is a ready to eat pork deli meat product typically made from meat and seasonings that are cooked together to form a loaf or jelly-style product.

eCcoli Contamination

Broccoli Microgreens. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall for Les Lufa brand broccoli microgreens due to possible contamination with pathogenic E. coli. The broccoli was sold online in Ontario and Quebec between 20 April and 8 May, 2026. The recall was initiated by the company and has been linked to no illnesses.

Ground Beef (suspect). FSIS reported there was an outbreak of E. coli in May 2026. The suspect source was ground beef. No other data was provided.

Salmonella

Multi-Country Outbreak. Between January and May, 2026, 62 cases of Salmonella Stanley have been reported from Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, the UK and the USA. No source had yet been identified. Whole genome sequencing of the bacteria isolated from patients showed that they were closely genetically related. This means there is likely a common source of the infection.

Blackstone Recall. Blackstone Products had a market safety recall of its Parmesan Ranch seasoning due to a potential Salmonella contamination.

Kroger Recall. On 18 May, 2026 Kroger had a market safety withdrawal of Sugar Foods, LLC cheese and garlic croutons due to a potential Salmonella contamination.

Malazi Recall. On 18 May, 2026, Malazi had a market safety withdrawal of Nassar Investment Co., LLC Tahina due Salmonella contamination.

Restaurant Contamination. The Piper Arms restaurant in Stone Creek, Ontario, Canada has finally reopened after being closed since April 13, 2026 due to an outbreak of Salmonella. There are 29 confirmed patients, 57 patients who are awaiting confirmation, and nine patients who have been hospitalized. Evidence suggests cross-contamination contributed to transmission within the premises rather than a sole food item as the source of the illness.

Outbreak at Jail. Local media in Sount Bend IN are reporting that 23 inmates at a country jail are part of a Salmonella outbreak. The inmates became sick on April 29 with symptoms including diarrhea, dehydration, and fever. The jail’s medical staff determined the Illnesses were caused by Salmonella. The immediate source of the contamination was not found.

Cantaloupe Outbreak Over. The CDC has declared that a Salmonella Newport outbreak traced to cantaloupe has ended. The agency had not previously reported the outbreak to the public, which had sickened at least 70 people from 25 states. The Samonella Newport strain was linked to cantaloupe imported from Guatemala ay Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida. No product from the farms will enter US commerce until the companies have demonstrated that they have overcome the violations that resulted in the outbreak.

Clostridium botulinum Contamination

Fish Contamination. Terra Medi, LLC had a Hellas Meze Golden Smoked Whole Herring market withdrawal due to a potential for Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Wild Mushroom Deaths

An outbreak of mushroom poisonings in California is the largest in US history according to health officials. The mushrooms have sickened 47 people, killing four. Four of the patients required liver transplants. The mushrooms were likely Death Cap and Western Destroying Angel mushrooms which have been collected in a wide variety of locations across northern and central coastal areas outside the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. These amatoxin containing mushrooms are unexpectedly blooming beyond normal seasonal expectations

Fusarium Wilt of Bananas

Banana production in South-East Asia, Africa, and South America, continues to face pressure from a highly destructive soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium Wilt, also known as Tropical Race 4 (TR4). TR4 infects plant roots and persists in soil for decades, with no direct control once established. It affects multiple banana varieties.

Yellow Vein Chlorosis infecting Citrus Trees.

Yellow Vein Chlorosis in citrus plantations in Alicante, Spain, has caused great concern among growers, as there is no treatment against the virus, and the removal of affected trees is required to prevent it from spreading.

Metal Fragment Contamination

The Straus Family Creamery had a voluntary safety withdrawal of various ice cream products in both pint and quart sizes due to the presence of metal fragments.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Pesticide residue on Driscoll Strawberries. Testing of both conventional and organic Driscoll strawberries purchased from a Southern California grocery store and submitted to an EPA-certified lab in Virginia, detected 12 pesticide residues on the conventional strawberries with 8 of the compounds identified as PFAS-linked pesticides or related fluorinated compounds. PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in products designed to resist heat, grease, water, and stains. The compounds degrade slowly and may accumulate in PFAS exposure to the environment and the human body over time.  Exposure to PFAS has been linked to increase risks of kidney and testicular cancer and certain PFAS compounds are classified as Group 1 carcinogens.

Vermont Bans Paraquat. Vermont is first US state to ban the herbicide paraquat. The law will take effect on 1 November. A special permit may allow paraquat use on fruit-producing orchards, berries, and other small fruit crops until 31 December 2030. NIH studies have linked paraquat exposure to increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Studies have also connected the herbicide exposure to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood leukemia. Paraquat remains on the most widely used herbicides in the US and is used on crops, to include soybeans, cotton, corn, grapes, pistachios and peanuts. Syngenta, a longtime manufacturer of the herbicide, states there is no credible evidence linking it to Parkinsons. However, there are currently more than 8,000 pending cases on this issue in US courts, and Syngenta has announced it will stop manufacturing paraquat.

US Supreme Court Oral Argument on Roundup. The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments earlier this month over the role of the weedkiller Roundup in individual cancer cases. The case will involve the tension between federal and state rules governing potentially cancer-causing substances.

Politics Related to BioSecurity Concerns

The Iran War. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which not only oil and natural gas but also fertilizer is shipped, is hitting global food production, particularly in poor countries where farmers are more vulnerable to sudden cost increases. Concern is growing, especially across Asia and developing world, that prolonged food price rises could lead to shortages if farmers abandon fields or use less fertilizer.

The war, and new Chinese export restrictions, have sent sulfuric-acid prices soaring and raised concerns about the availability of a chemical that the world relies on for food, metal, paper, computer chips and clean water. Sulfuric acid is used to produce phosphate fertilizers. As much of the world’s sulfur comes from the Persian Gulf oil refineries and gas plants which have been choked off at the strait, there is a threat to fertilizer and food supply. This has prompted China, the world’s biggest sulfur producer, to restrict exports this May, boosting prices and further straining availability. The WSJ noted that the markets likely to hit hardest by Chinese export controls are Chile and Indonesia.

In the US, farmers overseeing million of acres of land from North Dakota to Kentucky are changing which crop seeds to plant, cutting fertilizer purchases and using fewer seeds. A likely switch will be to plant more soy and less corn, as soybeans require less fertilizer

Changes at the Food and Drug Administration. There have been significant personnel changes in the Health and Human Services (DHS). The Commissioner of DHS’s Food and Drug Administration  (FDA), Marty Makary has left, along with much of the FDA’s senior leadership and scientific personnel. Tracy Beth Hoeg, the head of the FDA drug division has announced she is also leaving. She is the fifth person to hold this position since President Trump took office. The current acting head of the FDA is Kyle Diamantas, a lawyer who has represented Abbott Labs in the past. According to the Wall Street Journal, because of the change of leadership at the FDA, drug investors have moved past the FDA chaos and now see the MAHA (Make American Healthy Again) threat as diminished.

The US Farm Bill. The five-year plan to lay out the budget for farmers and food-poverty programs was passed by the US House of Representatives. The primary dispute of the farm bill centers on whether makers of pesticides should be shielded from lawsuits. (See concerns with paraquat, above.) The corn fuel lobby also held up the bill, seeking a change in the law that would permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel (which consists of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline) and limits waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard (ethanol mandates) for small refiners. The Senate now will take up the bill.

Horse Meat. Over the past 20 years no horse has been legally slaughtered for human consumption in the U.S. While there is no law banning horse slaughter, and Congress has not made it illegal to eat horse meat. This is because there are no required USDA inspectors on site during slaughter, which means that no horse meat can be sold legally in the US.

However, exporting horses from the US for all purposes remains strong. It is perfectly legal to eat chevaline (horse meat) in most other countries. Exports increased from January to February 2026 by 42.5%, rising from $12.2 to $17.4 million. Japan, Mexico, Ireland Canada, and China were top buyers in 2026.

Other Foreign Biosecurity Issues

Ban on Prince William Island Potato Wart Disease. The National Potato Council and 13 U.S. state potato organizations have asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate a ban on fresh potato imports from Prince Edward Island following a new detection of Potato Wart disease in a previously unregulated field. The organizations stated that the latest case indicates the disease extends beyond previously known areas. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the fungus can survive in soil for more than 40 years and currently has no chemical treatment for eradication. The U.S. industry has raised concerns over mitigation measures since a temporary suspension was lifted in May, 2022.

Philippines Launch Rapid Heavy Metal Crop Testing. The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute to develop rapid, non-destructive heavy metal detection systems for crops in the Davao Region. The system focuses on testing methods that allow crops to be screened for contaminants without damaging samples. The technology will provide faster crop testing while improving food safety monitoring and will be used for high-value crops like coconut, mango, corn, banana, cacao, coffee and cabbage.

Ecuador Ban of Insecticide. Ecuador has officially prohibited the import and registration of the insecticide chlorpyrifos. The ban was enacted by Agrocalidad, the Agency for Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control by a resolution published May 19, 2026. Ecuador’s ban aligns with a global shift away from organophosphate insecticides influenced by market demands from the EU and the US.

Biosecurity Events: March 2026

Food Pathogens

Listeria monocytogenes Contamination. Various cream cheeses and tofu spreads were recalled by the FDA on 20 February 2026 in New York City for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These products were under the “Made Fresh Salad” brand.

Salmonella Outbreak. Capsules and powder from brands like “Why Not Natural” and “Live it Up” were recalled following a multi-state Salmonella outbreak. The specific pathogens were Salmonella Newport and Typhimurium detected in Moringa Powder and Super Greens.

E. coli Contamination. Nine people were sickened by an expanding outbreak of E. coli food poisoning tied to raw milk and cheddar cheese mad from Raw Farm, a Fresno, California producer. This is not the first Raw Farm’s raw milk and cheddar outbreak. In August and October of 2023, Raw Farm had Salmonella outbreaks. In February of 2024 it had an E. coli outbreak. In November of 2024 it had bird flu detected in raw milk with animal deaths linked to consumption, and in March of 2026 there was an E. Coli outbreak linked to raw cheddar cheese. Raw Farm refused a recommended voluntary recall in the current E. coli outbreak.

Potential Norovirus Contamination. The FDA is advising restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell select oysters harvested in British Columbia by Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. Due to potential contamination with norovirus.

Botulism Risk. Marvel Food and Deli, INC. of Auburn, WA, is voluntarily recalling the product labeled “Country-Style Adjiks” due to a botulism risk from a processing issue.

Norovirus-like Illness. Washington state is recalling oysters, clams, and all shell stock harvested from Drayton Harbor between 2/13/26 and 3/3/26 due to Norovirus-like illnesses associated with raw oyster consumption.

Patulin Contamination. Tippy Toes Baby Food Apple Banana puree was recalled nationwide (except Alaska) due to elevated levels of patulin, a mold-producing toxin.

Rat Lungworm Contamination (Angiostrongylus cantonensis). A neurological disease called rat lungworm has been found in wild animals and one zoo in San Diego County, marking its first establishment in California. The parasite can cause severe neurological symptoms, with the highest risk for those consuming raw freshwater crabs, prawns, frogs, snails and unwashed produce.

Glass Contamination. On March 3, 2026 over 36 million pounds of Ajinomoto Foods North America frozen chicken and pork products were recalled due to glass contamination. Carrots used in the products were identified as the likely source. This was an expanded recall on products manufactured between October 2024 and February 2026. Affected brands include:

• Trader Joe’s Chicken/Vegetable/Japanese Style Fried Rice, Chicken Shu Mai
• Kroger Ling Lin, Tai Pei, and Ajinomoto brand frozen meals

Rodent and bird, and possibly Salmonella contamination. Thousands of products distributed in Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota were recalled on January 29, 2026 due to rodent and bird contamination and possibly Samonella contamination at a Minneapolis facility. The FDA found that the facility had rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings. Impacted items include:

• Pantry Staples- Cheerios, Pringles, Takis, and Kraft Mac and Cheese
• Beverages- Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Gatorade, and Arizonia Iced Tea
• Candy- Hershey’s, Reese’s, Skittles, and Starburst.

Metal Contamination. On 22 February 2026, the USDA FSIS announced that Rosina Food Products, Inc., a West Seneca, N.Y establishment recalled about 9,462 pounds of ready to eat frozen meatballs products that may be contaminated with metal and were sold at Aldia stores nationwide. The specific item was the 16 oz plastic, vacuum-packed, packages containing “White Oak Pastures, Radically Traditional Farming, Grassfeed Ground Beef”.

Plastic contamination. Over 500,000 pounds of frozen potato products were recalled across 28 states due to potential plastic contamination.

In addition, more than 20,000 peanut butter products sold in 40 states were recalled by the FDA for potential plastic contamination. This recall was initiated in April of 2025 and updated to a Class II classification on 12 February 2026.

Milk Allergen Contamination. On 4 March 2026, the FDA recalled Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips produced by Frito-Lay, due to an undeclared milk allergen.

Tadalafil Contamination. On 27 February, 2026, the FDA recalled RHINO Chocolate from USA LESS Company due to an undeclared Tadalafil contamination.

Cottage Cheese not fully Pasteurized. On 24 February, 2026 Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. recalled Great Value cottage cheese because it was not fully pasteurized.

Products Containing Unlisted Ingredients. There were a number of products recalled due to ingredients found in the products that were not listed on the product labels.

Public Health Alert. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for various raw beef and pork products that were produced without benefit of federal inspection and may bear a false mark of inspection. The meat products were produced from April 2024 through March of 2026 and included at least 7 different varieties of Blackwing Organic Meats. Four of these products used a false USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to wholesale and retail locations nationwide. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury due to the products.

Updates

Update on radioactive Shrimp. In addition to the radioactive shrimp which was recalled in February, a Department of Homeland Security bulletin stated that the contamination was very likely to continue and has spread beyond shrimp to spices, specifically to cloves from the Indonesian-based company PT Natural Java Spice. No contaminated product is known to have entered the U.S. market place.

Update on Infant Formula Clostridium botulinum. The investigation into infant formula contamination was declared over in February 2026. The outbreak included 48 confirmed or probable cases of infant botulism linked to whole milk powder.

Update on raw oyster Salmonella Tele Kebir. An investigation into raw oysters that sickened 80 people across 23 states ended in late February 2026.

Regulations, Significient Changes, and Politics

High Beef Prices set to Last. A tight cattle supply, with high prices and robust demand has resulted in ranchers reluctant to increase the size of their herds. As a result, the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years with prices up 17% from a year earlier, according to the USDA

Proposed Breakup of Meat Industry. The Wall Street Journal reported on 4 March 2026 that democratic lawmakers are preparing legislation that would break up U.S. meatpacking companies, escalating government efforts to curb record high beef prices. The proposed bill would prevent companies from processing more than one type of meat and could require major processors to spin off beef plants.

Beef Plant Workers Strike. Workers at the JBS beef processing plant owned by JBS, whose headquarters is in Brazil, went on strike in mid-March. JBS is one the largest plant of its type in the US accounting for 5% of the U.S. beef processing capacity and comes at a time when meat companies are losing billions of dollars annually producing beef. The local Greely, Colorado union stated that JBS had refused wage increases that kept pace with inflation.

Smithfield Plans First New Pork Plant in Decades. Virginia based Smithfield Foods will spend $1.3 billion over three years on a new facility in Sioux Falls, S.D. which is expected to employ bout 3000 workers and slaughter 20,000 hogs a day. Since 2013, Smithfield has been a subsidiary of the Chinese pork company WH Group.

FDA Priorities. For 2026, the FDA’s Human Foods Program is prioritizing reforms in “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) substances, microplastics research, and safety reviews of food chemicals like phthalates.

MAHA/Farmer Pesticide Battle. The Wall Street Journal reported on 23 February 2026 that President Trump gave the farm industry a victory against Make America Healty Again (MAHA) by signing an Executive Order designating glyphosate herbicides and phosphorus, a popular fertilizer, as critical to national defense. MAHA advocates have been attempting to remove pesticides in food.

Evolving World Situations

Fertilizer Supply. The Wall Street Journal reported on 13 March 2026 that the Middle East war has choked off big chunks of the world’s supply of Ammonia, urea, sulfur and phosphates and 20% of the supply of liquid natural gas which fertilizer makers in Europe and elsewhere rely. For American farmers the war has boosted prices for certain fertilizers by about 30%.

A second Wall Street Journal article on March 25^th, 2026 elaborated on the above problem, discussing the impact of the Middle East war on the global food supply. The closing of the Gulf of Hormuz combined with the Iranian missile strike on the Qatar Ras Laffan Industrial City have the dual effect of blocking fertilizer supply to much of the world, and destroying the movement of liquified natural gas feedstock which powers fertilizer manufacturing in those countries that might have compensated for the Gulf’s missing output of fertilizer.

Roughly 50% of the globally traded urea, the nitrogen fertilizer that underpins nearly half of global food production, originates in the Gulf and transits the strait. The impact of the impasse in the Gulf of Hormuz is not only impacting fertilizer availability and cost of both energy and logistics but will likely cause spring planting shortfalls in 2026 and decreased grain stocks in 2027.