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Why French Lentil & Leek Crumbles frozen Soup caused 393 illness and 133 hospitalizations

In June of 2022, shortly after introducing French Lentil & Leek Crumbles Frozen Soup to the market, the company had received ~500 reports of people getting sick after eating it. Symptoms included gastrointestinal illness and liver and gallbladder dysfunction. Many people that consumed the product were hospitalized. On June 23, 2022, the FDA announced that Daily Harvest has recalled all French Lentil & Leek Crumbles. In October the FDA reported 393 illnesses in 39 states, and 133 hospitalizations. Initial data revealed that tara flour was unique to this product (it had never before been used in any other product sold...

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Artificial tear eye drops caused an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The CDC and its partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of an extremely drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the CDC, the outbreak was caused by artificial tears. The strain is Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA). Such a strain was never before been reported in the US. The CDC reported that as of March 14, 2023, 68 patients in 16 states were infected by the rare strain of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. A cluster of 37 patients was linked to four healthcare facilities. The outbreak caused three deaths, eight patients had vision loss, and four had surgical removal...

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FDA proposes to restructure the Food Division by creating a single food safety and regulatory body under one leader

FDA was slow to react to the complaints of infants’ illnesses and hospitalization after consuming powdered infant formula produced by Abbott in Sturgis, MI. Upon inspection of the facility, the FDA found several positive Cronobacter samples from the environment. An extensive recall was initiated. The recalled products were distributed across the US and exported to many countries. The recall resulted in a shortage of infant formula. As a result of the infant formula debacle, Dr. Califf requested on 7/2022 from Reagan-Udall Foundation to convene an Independent Expert Panel to evaluate the FDA Food Program. The report, issued on 12/2022, was...