EFSA and ECDC have updated the multi-country outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to Ferrero chocolate products in its Belgian plant. Cases stood at 324 (including both probable and confirmed) in the EU/EEA and the UK as of 18 May 2022. They have been reported in twelve EU/EEA countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden), the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and USA. On 8 April 2022, the food safety authority in Belgium stopped production at the facility. Withdrawals and recalls have been implemented in the countries where chocolate products manufactured at the Belgian plant were distributed. @ https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/update-multi-country-salmonella-outbreak-linked-chocolate-products
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EFSA and ECDC have updated their assessment, published in April 2022, of the multi-country outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to chocolate products by a company in its Belgian plant.
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The FDA issued final guidance for “Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Seed for Sprouting.” The document outline the FDA concerns about foodborne illness outbreaks associated with the consumption of raw and lightly-cooked sprouts. The FDA provides manufacturers of seeds with recommendations to prevent contamination during the seed production process. According to the document, between 1996 and 2020, the FDA observed 52 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with contaminated sprouts in the US. FDA estimates that these outbreaks resulted in more than 2,700 cases of illness. While contamination can occur at any point in the process, the contaminated seed has historically been identified as the likely source of most sprout-related outbreaks. It continues to be the most common source of sprout contamination. This document is intended to clarify the public regarding existing requirements under the law. @ https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-reducing-microbial-food-safety-hazards-production-seed-sprouting?
This guidance document is intended to inform the sprout seed industry (seed growers, conditioners, packers, holders, suppliers, and distributors) of FDA’s serious concern with the continuing outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of raw and lightly-cooked sprouts
The FDA announced an update on its ongoing work to increase the supply and availability of infant formula since the closure of Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis in Michigan. A proposed consent decree of permanent injunction between the FDA and Abbott Nutrition and three Abbott principals was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Under the consent decree, Abbott has agreed to take corrective actions following an FDA inspection of its Sturgis, Michigan facility. When the company decides to restart production at this facility, it must conform to the provisions of the proposed consent decree and meet FDA food safety standards. If contamination is identified, the company must notify the FDA, identify the source of the problem and conduct a root-cause investigation before resuming production. Under the proposed consent decree, Abbott Nutrition will be required to retain an independent expert to review the Sturgis facility’s operations. The FDA is also working to increase production by other manufacturers. Gerber has increased the amount of their infant formula available to consumers by approximately 50% in March and April, and Reckitt is supplying more than 30% more product year to date. The FDA denies the shortage, claiming that it may be less variety than before the recall. The FDA expects supply to continue to improve over the next couple of months. @
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-provides-new-updates-activities-mitigate-infant-formula-supply-challenges-abbott-nutrition?utm_campaign=FDA+Provides+New+Updates+on+Activities+to+Mitigate+Infant+Formul&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Under the proposed consent decree, Abbott has agreed to take corrective actions following an FDA inspection of its Sturgis, Michigan, facility.
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The recent recall of Strauss in Nof Hagalil due to Salmonella caused the Israeli health ministry to close the factory for 3 months. As a result, there are no Strauss/Elite products on any shelf in Israel. The Ministry of Health has published a list of flaws in the factory operation, which likely led to the introduction of Salmonella. As a result, Strauss will lose millions of shekels. During the investigation, the suspicion arose, by the health ministry, as part of an ongoing investigation into salmonella contamination found at a Strauss factory, which the contamination might come from powdered milk from Tnuva provided to Strauss. So far, the ministry has been able to identify bacteria in one batch of powdered milk produced on August 9, 2021. According to a report published by the Health Ministry last week, out of 300 samples taken so far from the Strauss factory, about 30 have come back positive for traces of Salmonella. The ministry of health report cited a range of issues that it blamed on Strauss Group, including construction work at the factory; an infiltration of pigeons into the factory; the unfilled role of a director of food safety at the factory; and improper thawing conditions for dairy fats used in chocolate production. @ https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-strauss-recall-salmonella-found-at-tnuva-factory-as-well/
Health Ministry finds bacteria in one batch of powdered milk produced August 9, 2021, says no health hazard posed to public; Tnuva accounts for 70% of Israel’s dairy market