> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # FDA releases executive summaries on two outbreak investigations - URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/09/fda-releases-executive-summaries-on-two-outbreak-investigations/ - Published: 2026-09-17T04:05:27.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-17T04:05:26.000Z - Description: Summaries cover a Salmonella outbreak and a Listeria outbreak - Author: Coral Beach - Tags: outbreaks, 2026 outbreaks, executive summaries, Salmonella, cantaloupe, Ayco Farms Inc., soft cheese, Clover Hill Dairy LLC, Listeria, cyclospora The FDA has released two executive summaries on outbreak investigations, one on a cantaloupe outbreak and the other on an outbreak traced to soft cheese. Portions of both of the summaries have been redacted. **Salmonella outbreak traced to cantaloupe** For an investigation of a Salmonella Newport outbreak traced to cantaloupe, the executive summary discusses multiple firms in Guatemala; the name of only one has not been redacted. The outbreak sickened 70 people across 25 states early this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not report publicly on the outbreak until it was declared over. According to the executive summary from the Food and Drug Administration released Sept. 16, cantaloupe was determined to be the likely source of the Salmonella infections in February. On Feb. 25, the FDA requested increased screening of cantaloupe from two firms in Guatemala, but the names of the firms were redacted. On Feb. 27 a third firm was added, but its name is also redacted in the executive summary. It was determined that Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL, was the importer and distributor. Cantaloupes shipped to Ayco Farms were sourced from Ayco Farms, San Jorge and Agrobassy Farms located in (redacted) Guatemala. The FDA initiated 11 traceback assignments for information and records collection. The agency also issued a for cause inspection assignment for records, information collection, and sample collection from Ayco Farms Guatemala S.A. and packinghouse, (redacted), Guatemala, and to (redacted) and packinghouses in (redacted), Guatemala. A two-item FDA Form 4056 was issued to (redacted) for failure to monitor dump tank water. A two-item FDA Form 4056 was also issued to Ayco Farms for failure to maintain dump tank water temperatures and fraying edges on a food contact surface conveyor belt. Thirty-seven cantaloupe samples were collected because of an increased import screening and they all tested negative for Salmonella. Twenty-three foreign inspection samples were collected from Ayco and (redacted) and their packing houses in Guatemala. Five samples resulted in 73 isolates testing positive for four non-outbreak strain Salmonella spp. including Salmonella Gaminara, Salmonella Abaetetuba, Salmonella Newport, and Salmonella Carrau. Some isolates’ whole genome sequencing matched each other, and some matched between the two farms. Whole genome sequencing of one environmental isolate matched five patient samples collected between 2021 and 2026\. On March 24, Ayco Farms recalled one lot of whole cantaloupe. On April 1 FDA placed Agrobassy Y CIA LTDA and Ayco San Jorge Y Compania Limitada on Import Alert 99-35\. **Listeria outbreak traced to soft cheese** On May 26, the FDA received notification of an investigation of an outbreak involving two soft ricotta cheese samples that were confirmed (redacted) positive for Listeria monocytogenes. On May 27 the CDC also notified the FDA of the cluster and corresponding investigation involving eight patients from three states. Ultimately 15 patients were identified. According to the executive summary, traceback of requeson cheese consumed by four patients identified three points of sale, three distributors, and one manufacturer, Clover Hill Dairy LLC of Mechanicville, MD. Records obtained from Maryland state health officials indicated that the manufacturer sourced milk from five dairies, all located within the state of Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Milk and Dairy Product Safety issued a summary of suspension notice, which suspended the Manufacturing Grade Milk Processing Permit for Clover Hill Dairy. The dairy recalled all requesón/soft ricotta products produced by the firm and subsequently expanded the recall to include all cheese products within expiry. The distributor, Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC, also issued a recall for all requesón cheese distributed by Clover Hill Dairy. Based on epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory data, soft cheese, specifically requeson, was confirmed as the source of the outbreak. The investigation determined that the soft cheese was manufactured at Clover Hill Dairy. The outbreak strain of Listeria was detected in nine product and environmental samples. **Other outbreak news** The FDA updated patient counts for three outbreaks. Sources of the pathogens in all three outbreaks remain unknown. For an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections, the patient count is 111, up from 109 a week ago. The FDA has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The agency has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food it is tracing. The outbreak was first posted on August. 26. For an outbreak of Listeria infections, the patient count has increased from nine to 10\. The FDA has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The agency has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food is being traced. The agency has also begun onsite inspections and sample testing, but it is not reporting what location is being inspected or what is being tested. The outbreak was first posted on July 22. For an outbreak of infections from the Cyclospora parasite, the patient count has increased from 231 to 234\. The FDA has not reported the patients’ ages or where they live. The agency has begun traceback and sampling, but is not reporting what food is being traced or what is being tested. The outbreak was first posted on July 22\.