In the news

The FDA and CDC and state and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections linked to Jif peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.  CDC’s review of epidemiological information indicates that five out of five people reported consuming peanut butter, and four of the five people specifically reported consuming different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter before becoming ill. FDA conducted Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on an environmental sample collected at the Lexington, KY, J.M. Smucker Company facility in 2010. The analysis shows that this 2010 environmental sample matches the strain-causing illnesses in this current outbreak. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington, KY, is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak. J.M. Smucker Company recalled the products. There are 14 illnesses, two hospitalizations, and no death associated with the Jif peanut butter. States with Cases: AR (1), GA (2), IL (1), MA (1), MO (1), OH (1), NC (1), NY (1), SC (1), TX (2), VA (1), WA (1). The product was distributed nationwide. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-peanut-butter-may-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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

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?

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. @ 

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