The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released its 2025/26 Christmas FAQs, offering retailers a consolidated view of the issues expected to shape the festive trading period. The briefing brings together recent retail sales trends, early forecasts for Christmas spending, and sector-specific guidance on supply chain resilience, retail crime, food safety, cost-of-living pressures and sustainability expectations. Retail sales trends and evolving festive spending patterns The BRC’s latest FAQs summarise h ...

Core Points - An ongoing listeria outbreak linked to prepared pasta meals has resulted in 27 infections and 6 deaths across 18 states as of October 30 [1][2][3] - The outbreak is associated with FreshRealm products, specifically chicken fettuccine alfredo and beef meatball linguine marinara meals, which tested positive for listeria monocytogenes [5][6][8] - Companies involved in the outbreak are recalling affected products, including various pasta salads and meals sold at major retailers [9][14] Summary by Category Outbreak Details - The outbreak has led to 27 reported cases of listeriosis, with 25 individuals hospitalized and 6 fatalities [1] - The states affected include Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah, with one case resulting in fetal loss [2] Investigation and Findings - The CDC, FDA, and FSIS are investigating the outbreak, which was first identified in March when listeria was found in a routine sample of FreshRealm chicken fettuccine alfredo [5] - Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the listeria strain found in the pasta matches the outbreak strain [8] Product Recalls - Nate's Fine Foods Inc. has expanded its recall of pre-cooked pasta products after a sample tested positive for listeria [9] - Affected products include various pasta salads and meals from retailers such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Trader Joe's [12][14]

Government Shutdown Impact - 750,000 federal workers could miss their first full paycheck if the government shutdown continues [1] - The shutdown is the second longest in US history [3] - A furloughed microbiologist at the FDA is experiencing stress and sleep loss, impacting her family [1][2][5] Personal Finance and Planning - The furloughed worker had planned for a month by taking from her 401k and budgeting, but is unsure of future plans [4] - Unemployment benefits were denied for a coding reason [4] Union and Employee Concerns - The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is working on behalf of employees [6][7] - Furloughed workers are concerned about their jobs and the impact on essential services [6][7] Impact on Essential Services - Food safety is a primary concern, with laboratories cutting staff and affecting testing [8] - Medicare and healthcare systems are also affected [7][8] - Essential services that Americans rely upon are completely affected by the lack of staff [9]

Group 1: Recall Announcement - Kroger has issued a voluntary recall of two deli pasta salads due to potential listeria contamination [1][5] - The affected products are Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad, sold in 1,860 stores across 28 states [2][1] - Customers were notified through receipt messages and email alerts, and are advised to return the products for a full refund or replacement [5][6] Group 2: Health Concerns - Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and pregnant women [8] - No illnesses or injuries have been reported related to the recalled items as of the announcement [8] Group 3: Supplier Recall - Kroger was informed by Fresh Creative Foods about a recall from its pasta supplier, Nate's Fine Foods, affecting 24 stores in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada [8][11] - The recall was expanded to include additional dates of bowtie and penne pasta products due to the same contamination concerns [11]

برای سلامتی توصیه به نوشیدن آب شده ولی خب اگه ما بدونیم که ممکنه این آبی که داریم می‌خوریم سمی باشه و برای بدن مضر باشه اون موقع چه کاری چه فکری می‌کنیم چه تصمیمی می‌گیریم یک پروژه‌ای که امسال اوایل سال ما تو یکی از کشورهای اروپایی انجام دادیم میزان حضور میکروپلاستیک‌ها رو توی نمونه‌های مختلفی که از جاهای مختلف نمونه گیری کرده بودیم بررسی کردیم که توی این نمودار میتونیم ببینیم این توی چند تا محیط مختلف بود اینو بررسی کردیم این متفاوت بود میزان میکروپلاستیکی که توی نمونه‌ها بود مثلاً از حدود ۳۳ تا میکروپلاست ...

Core Points - The FDA is investigating a shipment of Walmart shrimp that tested positive for man-made radioactive material Cesium-137 (Cs-137) [1][2] - The shrimp supplier, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), has been placed on a "red list," prohibiting the sale of its products in the U.S. until the issue is resolved [2] - Walmart has recalled the affected shrimp and is cooperating with the FDA and the supplier to address the contamination [7][8] Group 1: Contamination Details - Cs-137 was detected in a sample of breaded shrimp, leading to an import alert for chemical contamination [2][4] - The contamination was linked to insanitary conditions during the preparation, packing, or holding of the shrimp [4] - The FDA is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the root cause of the contamination [8][11] Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers are advised not to eat or serve Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart with specific lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1 [8] - Those who purchased the affected shrimp should dispose of them [8] Group 3: Regulatory Actions - The FDA is coordinating with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers [7] - The agency is tracing all implicated products processed by BMS Foods through the supply chain [11]

Core Point - Kraft Heinz Food Company is recalling nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products due to potential listeria contamination, which can lead to food poisoning [1][4]. Group 1: Recall Details - The recall involves fully cooked turkey bacon produced between April 24 and June 11 [2]. - The affected products were shipped to stores across the US, as well as the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong [4]. - Specific products include 12-ounce, 36-ounce, and 48-ounce packages of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original, with various UPC codes and use-by dates ranging from July 18 to September 4 [5]. Group 2: Health Risks - Listeria infections can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems [7]. - Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions [7]. - The CDC reports that approximately 1,600 people are affected by listeria infections annually, resulting in about 260 deaths [7]. Group 3: Industry Context - Federal officials are revising protocols to prevent listeria infections following several outbreaks, including a notable incident linked to Boar's Head deli meats that resulted in 10 deaths and over 60 illnesses last year [8].

Core Insights - McCormick is reformulating products to eliminate certain ingredients, particularly food dyes, in response to scrutiny from health officials and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement [1][4] - The company is experiencing an increase in reformulation activity across its customer base, alongside new product development [2][4] - McCormick's portfolio has minimal use of food dyes, indicating a proactive approach to align with health trends [4] Regulatory Context - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the FDA to consider changes to the GRAS standards, aiming for greater food safety and transparency [5] - Recent legislative actions in states like California and West Virginia have led to bans on certain artificial food dyes, reflecting a growing regulatory trend [7] Industry Trends - The MAHA movement focuses on improving nutrition and eliminating toxins, which is influencing companies like McCormick to adapt their product offerings [4] - The FDA's revocation of authorization for Red Dye No. 3 under the previous administration highlights a bipartisan concern regarding food safety [8]