In the news

The FDA announced on December 14, 2023, that it has issued nine warning letters to manufacturers and distributors of unapproved and misbranded antimicrobial animal drugs (American Aquarium Products, Aquanest Biotic. Aquarium Pharmacy LLC, California Veterinary Supply, Chewy Inc., Kraft Drug, Midland Veterinary Services LLC, Silver Lease LLC, and Valley Veterinary Clinic LTD). The agency is concerned because these products contain antimicrobials that are important in human medicine, and using them without medical oversight contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance. The FDA has not verified their safety or effectiveness in the animal drug review process or facility inspections. The animal products referenced in the warning letters are marketed and labeled for minor species, such as aquarium fish and pet birds. They contain antimicrobials important in human medicine, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin, and are being illegally marketed over the counter. All approved animal drugs containing these antimicrobials are only legally available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-nine-manufacturers-distributors-unapproved-antimicrobials-animals?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The CDC issued a final report on the Salmonella outbreak linked to Gills Onions (Oxnard, CA). On October 23, 2023, Gills Onions brand voluntarily recalled fresh diced onion products. The outbreak caused 80 illnesses, 18 hospitalizations, and one death in 23 states. The recalled products included some lots of diced yellow onions (3lb bags and 8 oz cups), diced celery and onions (8 oz cups), diced mirepoix (10 oz cups), and diced red onions (8 oz cups) with use-by dates between August 8, 2023, and August 28, 2023. Recalled onions were sold in select stores and sent to restaurants and institutions nationwide and in Canada. @ https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/thompson-10-23/index.html

CORE update of December 13, 2023: the CORE list of outbreaks and adverse events includes seven activity cases. In the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1205) in a not yet identified food, the FDA has initiated traceback, an on-site inspection, and sample collection and analysis. In the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref# 1201) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 43 to 44 cases. In the outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall and Oranienburg (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe, the recall was expanded to include additional retailers and wholesalers who received the recalled melons. See the Outbreak Advisory for additional information.  @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control present the results of the zoonoses monitoring and surveillance activities carried out in 2022 in 27 Member States (MSs), the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), and 11 non-MSs. In 2022, the first and second most reported human zoonoses were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. The number of cases of campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis remained stable compared to 2021. Salmonella samples from carcasses of various animal species and samples for Campylobacter quantification from broiler carcasses were more frequently positive when performed by the competent authorities than when their checks were conducted. Yersiniosis was humans’ third most reported zoonosis, followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes infections. L. monocytogenes and West Nile virus infections were the most severe zoonotic diseases, with the most hospitalizations and highest case fatality rates. The number of reported foodborne outbreaks, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the EU was higher in 2022 than in 2021. The number of deaths from outbreaks was the highest ever reported in the EU in the last Salmonella. In particular, S. Enteritidis remained the most frequently reported causative agent for foodborne outbreaks. @ https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8442