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A research letter by scientists from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the CDC published a letter in Emerging Infectious Diseases ( vol30, June 2024)claims that Food irradiation can reduce foodborne illnesses but is rarely used in the United States. The letter claims that outbreaks related to Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes were linked to irradiation-eligible foods. Of 482 outbreaks, 155 (32.2%) were linked to an irradiation. The FDA has approved various foods for irradiation, including meat, poultry, fresh shell eggs, and spices. However, irradiation has not been widely adopted in the United States because of high fixed costs and the perception of consumer unwillingness to purchase irradiated food. Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes are among the most common bacterial foodborne pathogens causing illnesses, hospitalizations, and death in the United States and can be neutralized by irradiation. The study identified 2,153 foodborne outbreaks during 2009–2020 caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria monocytogenes. Of those, 482 (22.4%) and 155 (32.2%) were linked to a food eligible for irradiation. The illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths associated with outbreaks linked to irradiation-eligible foods might have been prevented or reduced had these foods been irradiated. @ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/6/23-0922_article#:~:text=Food%20irradiation%20has%20been%20studied,life%20(1%2C2)

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Canada reported that Frito Lay had issued a recall for SunChips Multigrains Harvest Cheddar Snacks and Original Munchies Snack Mix due to the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella. The recall applies to Sunchips Harvest Cheddar Flavored Multigrain Snacks, Munchies Original Snack Mix. Frito Lay reported that it was notified by a seasoning supplier that an ingredient supplied to it by a third party was potentially contaminated with Salmonella. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. While no salmonella was found in the seasoning supplied to Frito Lay Canada, the company decided to pull the items from store shelves. The recalled products were sold across Canada.@ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/frito-lay-brand-sunchips-multigrains-harvest-cheddar-snacks-and-original-munchies?utm_source=gc-notify&utm_medium=email&utm_content=en&utm_campaign=hc-sc-rsa-22-23

On May 13, 2024, the FDA announced that Natural Sourcing International initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz, due to the potential presence of Salmonella. No adverse events associated with the products have been reported to date. The product was sent to Walmart for distribution nationwide via retail sales. Consumers are directed to throw away products subject to the recall. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall-select-great-value-organic-black-chia-seeds-due-possible-presence-salmonella

A compact genetic testing device developed for COVID-19 could detect various pathogens or conditions, such as cancer. The compact virus device that gives lab-quality results within just three minutes has been invented by engineers at the University of Bath, who describe it as the ‘world’s fastest Covid test.’ The prototype LoCKAmp device uses innovative ‘lab on a chip’ technology and has been proven to provide rapid and low-cost detection of COVID-19 from nasal swabs. The research team says the technology could easily be adapted to detect pathogens such as bacteria or conditions like cancer. The device rapidly releases and amplifies genetic material from a nasal swab sample by conducting a chemical reaction to produce a result that can be viewed on a smartphone app. The device is made with off-the-shelf components and factory-manufactured printed circuit boards. The prototype device could be made on a mass scale quickly and cheaply, presenting care providers and public health bodies worldwide with an effective new tool in virus detection. LoCKAmp harnesses reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification to multiply specific sequences of RNA, meaning it can quickly detect the particular virus it is looking for. The processing takes place at a single stable temperature of 65°. Once a nasal swab sample is added to the device, the LoCKAmp pumps the liquid through tiny transparent ‘microfluidic’ channels layered onto the circuit board above copper heaters just 0.017mm thick. These heat the sample, releasing the RNA genetic material from the virus. This is then further heated and treated with RT-LAMP chemicals to encourage multiplication. @ https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/lab-on-a-chip-genetic-test-device-can-identify-viruses-within-three-minutes-with-highest-accuracy/