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Sample6 has two main products: DETECT, the pathogen detection system for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples, and CONTROL a food safety software package. Sample6 businesses were split into two. The pathogen detection system (DETECT) was acquired by IEH while Sample6 will continue with its CONTROL software. PRNews reported that Sample6 and IEH had jointly announced that IEH is acquiring the DETECT platform while Sample6 will continue to pursue the CONTROL software. The Pathogen DETECT System The principle of the technology is described in an article entitled “Advancing bacteriophage-based microbial diagnostics with synthetic biology” by Lu et al. (Lu TK, Bowers J, Koeris...

According to reports by the CDC and the FDA, this summer outbreaks due to Salmonella-contaminated Maradol papayas imported from Mexico infected 251 people in 25 states. 79 of the infected people were hospitalized, and two deaths were reported. The outbreak strains included: Salmonella Thompson (144), Kiambu (54), Anatum (20), Agona (12), Gaminara (7), Urbana (7), Newport & Infantis (4), and Senftenberg (3). Four brands of Maradol papayas were implicated: Caribeña brand was distributed by Grande Produce between July 10 and 19. Cavi distributed to wholesalers in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey from July 16-19 and available to consumers until July 31. The product was distributed by distributed...

A variety of minimally processed vegetables produced by Mann Packing of Salinas, California were recalled because of a possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The refrigerated and frozen vegetables were sold throughout the US and Canada. The recall of the vegetables from Mann Packaging impacted ten supermarket chains and several producers that used Mann Packaging products in their products. This huge recall is solely based on a single positive sample found during random sampling by Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Origin The FDA announced that on October 19 that the Salinas, California-based Mann Packaging company, one of the largest suppliers of fresh...

In 2011 the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law and started to be implemented in September of 2016.We looked at the recall statistics during similar periods in 2016 and 2017.  As in previous years, allergens and microbial contamination lead the reasons for recalls in both years. The early data does not show a significant impact of the new FSMA rules on recalls due to allergens. The total recalls due to microbial contamination were 60% higher in 2016 as compared to 2017. Could it be a result of the new FSMA regulations? Original Believe of the Impact...