The FDA reported that Townsend Farms Inc. (Fairview, Oregon) recalled specific frozen fruit products linked to mango chunks supplied by SunOpta (Sunrise Growers) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was distributed to Kroger Stores in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; and under the following banners: Baker’s, Dillons, Food 4 Less, FoodsCo, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less, Pick n’ Save, Ralphs, Ruler, and Smith’s from November 06, 2022, to March 16, 2023. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/townsend-farms-inc-voluntarily-recalling-specific-frozen-fruit-products-because-possible-listeria
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Townsend Farms Inc. of Fairview, Oregon out of an abundance of caution is voluntarily recalling specific frozen fruit products linked to mango chunks supplied by SunOpta (Sunrise Growers) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
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The CDC published in MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Delahoy MJ, Shah HJ, Weller DL, et al. Preliminary Incidence and Trends of Infections Caused by Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food — Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 10 US Sites, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:701–706. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7226a1) about the initial trends of incident and infection by foodborne pathogens in 2022. Each year, infections from major foodborne pathogens are responsible for an estimated 9.4 million illnesses, 56,000 hospitalizations, and 1,350 deaths in the US. Surveillance is conducted to evaluate progress toward preventing enteric infections in the US. During 2020 2021 pandemic, there was a decrease in many infections due to behavioral modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report presents preliminary estimates of pathogen-specific annual incidences during 2022, compared with average annual incidences during 2016–2018. Many pandemic interventions ended by 2022. As a result, there was a resumption of outbreaks, international travel, and other factors leading to enteric infections. During 2022, annual incidences of illnesses caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Listeria were similar to average annual incidences during 2016–2018. Escherichia coli (STEC), Yersinia, Vibrio, and Cyclospora illnesses were higher. During 2022, FoodNet identified 25,479 cases of infection, 5,981 hospitalizations, and 170 deaths. The report highlights a lack of progress in reducing enteric infection incidence. @ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7226a1.htm?s_cid=mm7226a1_w&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_485-DM107864&ACSTrackingLabel=Food%20Safety%20Updates%20From%20CDC&deliveryName=USCDC_485-DM107864
This report describes higher incidences of certain infections caused by pathogens transmitted through food during 2022 compared with 2016–2018.
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The CDC reported that 210 people with cyclosporiasis were acquired in the U.S. since April 1, 2023, and 30 people were hospitalized. Twenty-two states reported cases, with states with 3 – 40 cases in Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and New York. States with 21-30 cases are Alabama, South Carolina, and Colorado. And more states with fewer cases. The cases in Georgia and Alabama were linked to raw broccoli that included 20 illnesses. People reported eating broccoli in the 14 days before they got sick. The FDA, state, and local partners conducted traceback investigations and determined that broccoli was imported. However, FDA investigators could not confirm the specific type or producer of the imported broccoli as the outbreak’s source. This outbreak appears to be over, and there is no indication that broccoli continues to be a source of illness for other cyclosporiasis reported in the United States. @ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2023/index.html
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The FDA updated its proposal to create a unified Human Foods Program (HFP), including a new Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) model. FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. proposes additional changes to HFP. The changes include (i) The new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods will have oversight of all budget and resource allocations for the entire HFP, including ORA resources. ORA’s core mission will be to conduct investigations, inspections, and imports for all FDA-regulated products. (ii) Merging compliance functions currently managed within ORA into the HFP and the product Centers’ existing compliance functions to streamline operations and expedite decision-making. (iii) Realigning the eight Human and Animal Food laboratories ORA into the HFP. (iV) Consolidate certain functions under ORA. (v) Proposing realignment of resources and personnel. Empower the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods to have full authority over all foods-related resources and set the strategic direction. The FDA is in the final stages of the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods recruitment process and will be providing an update soon. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-provides-update-proposal-unified-human-foods-program-including-new-model-office-regulatory?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The FDA is providing an update on its proposal to create a unified Human Foods Program (HFP), which includes a new model for the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). These additions to the FDA Commissioner’s proposal announced earlier this year will further enhance coordination, prevention and respon