In the news

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/

Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the FDA and advises consumers to discontinue the use of the product as infant formula immediately. The FDA is concerned that the formula does not meet all FDA requirements for infant formula, does not provide sufficient nutrition when used as an infant formula, and the storage instructions may be insufficient for the product. Infants consuming the recalled product without additional iron supplementation can develop iron deficiency anemia and feeding intolerance. The Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit 10 lb 8 oz was sold through Mt. Capra’s web store or one retail store in Chehalis, Washington, from 05/01/23 to 05/01/24. FDA notified Mt. Capra of an adverse event report of anemia in one infant. FDA determined that while the caregivers were using the Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and recipe, the caregivers substituted some ingredients with a different brand of multivitamin, which created a product deficient in vitamin B12 and folate and ultimately resulted in the development of anemia. The firm does not recommend using this product for infants from 0-12 months of age. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/healthwest-minerals-inc-dba-mt-capra-products-recalls-goat-milk-formula-recipe-kit-and-warns?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

In a report published in published yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, during July–September 2023, an outbreak of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 illness among children in Utah, caused 13 confirmed illnesses; seven patients were hospitalized, including two with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Local, state, and federal public health partners investigating the outbreak linked the illnesses to untreated, pressurized, municipal irrigation water (UPMIW) exposure 12 of 13 ill children reported playing in or drinking UPMIW. Clinical isolates were genetically highly related to one another, and environmental isolates were from multiple locations within the city UPMIW system. Microbial source tracking, a method to indicate possible contamination sources, identified birds and ruminants as potential sources of fecal contamination of UPMIW. Lehi, UT, installed an upgraded drinking water system in 1989 and established its UPMIW system by converting its previous drinking water system to a UPMIW system. Because the city also uses UPMIW for fire suppression, it remains available year-round. However, its use is only encouraged during landscape irrigation season, usually mid-April through mid-October. Although UPMIW is not intended for recreation, all but one child with UPMIW exposure in this outbreak reported some kind of play in the water. This outbreak demonstrates the need for ongoing educational efforts. @ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7318a1.htm#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20at%20least%2013,two%20with%20hemolytic%20uremic%20syndrome.