In the news

The FDA reported that Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products recalled all lots of MSM DROPS 5%,15% Solution, Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops, and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution to the consumer level. FDA analysis has found one lot (lot 6786) of Dr. Berne’s MSM DROPS 5% Solution to fail sterility with both bacterial and fungal contamination found in the product. Out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Berne’s is recalling all other lots of the 5% and 15% strengths of MSM Solution, all of Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops, and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15% Solution. To date, Dr. Berne’s has received 2 reports of adverse events related to this recall. All the products were distributed through Dr. Berne’s webstore. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dr-bernes-whole-health-products-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-dr-bernes-msm-drops-5-and-15?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Salmon’s Meat Products in Luxemburg recalled various ready-to-eat meat products sold at retail stores throughout northeastern Wisconsin. The recalled products include (i) Country Smoked Sliced Ham, approximately 2 lb. vacuum sealed packages; (ii) Cooked Smoked Ham Steaks, approximately 0.4 lb. vacuum sealed packages; (iii) Cooked Ham, approximately 1 lb. vacuum sealed packages; (iv) Sliced Homestyle Summer Sausage, approximately 16 oz. vacuum sealed packages; (v) Cracker-sized Sliced Summer Sausage, approximately 8 oz. vacuum sealed packages; (vi) Country Smoked Shaved Ham, variable weight packages; (vii) Smoked Sliced Ribeye, approximately 1 lb. vacuum sealed packages; (viii) Konop Food & Catering (Green Bay); (ix) Renard’s Cheese; and, (x) T&S Distributing. Evidence shows that the products were potentially contaminated with the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming these products. @ https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/SalmonsMeatProductsVoluntaryRecall.aspx

MIT engineers have identified a new optical signature using Dynabeads magnetic beads, which could be used to quickly detect contaminants in various diagnostic tests such as Salmonella in foods. Dynabeads are microscopic magnetic beads coated with antibodies that bind to target molecules, such as a specific pathogen. Dynabeads are typically used in experiments that are mixed into solutions to capture molecules of interest. But from there, scientists must take additional, time-consuming steps to confirm that the molecules are indeed present and bound to the beads. The MIT team found a faster way to confirm the presence of Dynabead-bound pathogens using Raman spectroscopy. The article is scheduled for publication in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy special issue. The MIT lab is investigating ways to further separate the beads into those bound to a target molecule and those not. The researchers mixed Dynabeads into vials of water contaminated with Salmonella. They then magnetically isolated these beads onto microscope slides and measured how light scattered through the fluid when exposed to laser light. Within half a second, they quickly detected the Dynabeads’ Raman signature—a confirmation that bound Dynabeads and, by inference, Salmonella were present in the fluid. @ https://phys.org/news/2023-08-tiny-magnetic-beads-optical-quickly.amp

The FDA reported that Twin City Foods, Inc.(Stanwood, Washington) recalled a limited quantity of Not-Ready-To Eat Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) Super Sweet Cut Corn and Mixed Vegetables in retail bags due to a potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. To date, there have been no consumer reports of human illness or other complaints associated with this product. The recall has been initiated because finished products may potentially be contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes, based on one customer’s 3rd party lab results for the IQF sweet cut corn. The products were sold under the brands of Food Lion, Kroger, and Signature Select brands frozen sweet corn and mixed vegetables @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/twin-city-foods-inc-recalls-frozen-super-sweet-corn-and-mixed-vegetables-because-possible-health