In the news

The FDA reported that Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese (Austin, Ky) recalled St. Jerome cheese, batch 231129, because it could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled St. Jerome cheese was distributed via wholesale customers, retail storefront, and Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese website. The cheese has been distributed in two sizes, an 8-ounce wedge in a clear plastic package and a full 15-pound wheel in a clear plastic package, marked with a logo sticker with ingredients listed on the top and with the lot number 231129 on a white label on the side. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recalled lot. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Kentucky Department of Public Health revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a package of St. Jerome batch 231129. The production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kennys-farmhouse-cheese-recalls-st-jerome-cheese-lot-231129-because-possible-health-risk

CORE update of July 24, 2024: the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes five activities. The outbreak of Salmonella Irumu (ref #1235) was linked to an unidentified product, and the case count increased from 29 to 31. The advisory has been updated to include additional illnesses for the investigation of illnesses (ref #1233) linked to Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies. As of July 22, 2024, 74 illnesses have been reported from 28 states. Sixty-two (62) of the 74 people have reported seeking medical care, 38 have been hospitalized, and there are two potentially associated deaths under investigation. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024

According to new research from the University of Illinois Chicago, a new antibiotic that works by disrupting two different cellular targets would make it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance. In a new article in Nature Chemical Biology, researchers probed how a class of synthetic drugs called macrolones disrupt bacterial cell function to fight infectious diseases. Their experiments demonstrate that macrolones can work two different ways—either by interfering with protein production or corrupting DNA structure. Because bacteria would need to simultaneously implement defenses to both attacks, the researchers calculated that drug resistance is nearly impossible. The antibiotic hits both targets at the same concentration, then the bacteria lose their ability to become resistant by acquiring random mutations in any of the two targets. @ https://phys.org/news/2024-07-dual-action-antibiotic-bacterial-resistance.html

The CDC and FDA have received reports of severe acute illnesses and other adverse effects after the consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies reported to multiple poison control centers across the United States. As of July 22, 2024, a total of 74 illnesses have been reported from 28 (AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA). Sixty-two (62) of the 74 people have reported seeking medical care, 38 have been hospitalized, and there are two potentially associated deaths under investigation. People should not buy or eat any flavors of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies and should discard products that have been purchased. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery