Blog

ruth

A new report: FSIS Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations, Fiscal Year 2021

FSIS issued a report on Foodborne illness outbreaks that may involve FSIS-regulated products. Included are outbreaks that involve four foodborne pathogens: Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Campylobacter. The report summarizes outbreaks that FSIS investigated from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic likely decreased the number of reported foodborne illness outbreaks in FY 2021. For the previous three fiscal years, the outbreaks investigated by FSIS were 16 in 2018, 16 in 2019, and 12 in 2020. In the fiscal Year 2021, FSIS investigated nine outbreaks. These outbreaks involved approximately 200 illnesses and...

ruth

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Senftenberg linked to Jif peanut butter- Why outbreaks from peanut butter?

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg linked to Jif peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company factory in Lexington, Kentucky.  J.M. Smucker recalled the affected products from the market on May 20, 2022. The outbreak caused 16 illnesses and two hospitalizations in 12 States. A cascade effect followed as many companies use Jif peanut butter in their products. The recall went internationally since the recalled products were also shipped to  many countries. While the Jif peanut butter recall caused a significant ripple effect, it is not one of the most extensive outbreaks due to Salmonella in peanut butter....

ruth

The EU report on antimicrobial resistance of pathogens and indicator bacteria in 2019–2020

According to the WHO, antibiotic resistance is increasing to dangerous levels worldwide. Novel resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally. There are numerous mechanisms reported for antibiotic resistance. In some cases, as bacteria adapt to the continuous presence of antibiotics, it becomes increasingly more resistant. Resistant bacteria are much more challenging to get rid of and control infections that they cause. Today, the need for effective antibiotics is more critical than ever. However, few new antibiotics are in the development pipeline. Consequently, food pathogens should not be antibiotic-resistant. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European...

ruth

Abbott’s infant formula contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella is recalled worldwide

On February 17, 2022, the FDA announced that it is investigating four consumer complaints of infant illness- related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. The FDA received consumer complaints about infants who had consumed powdered infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one of Salmonella Newport infection of infants. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized, and the Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case. On the same day of the FDA notice, the CFIA announced their recall of the Abbott...