In the news

On Thursday, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) voted to add Cronobacter sakazakii infections to the list of nationally notifiable conditions that health departments count and report to the CDC. The CDC said it would support the CSTE’s position and add Cronobacter to its national list next year. Cronobacter sakazakii causes a rare but potentially deadly infection in newborns. It is present in the environment and can contaminate powdered infant formula. Only two states – Minnesota and Michigan – require that doctors report Cronobacter infections to their health departments. In 2022, four cases of Cronobacter infections in infants – including two who died – triggered a nationwide recall of infant formula. The recall and the subsequent shutdown of the Sturgis, MI, infant formula manufacturing plant for cleaning worsened ongoing supply chain problems, sparking a prolonged infant formula shortage. “Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP) is confident that the vote today by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) to include Cronobacter sakazakii on the nationally notifiable diseases list will have a meaningful impact on infant mortality. @ https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/29/health/cronobacter-notifiable-diseases/index.html

FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or eat Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala ae Magic spices because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products are Everest Garam Masala, 100 grams, coded U25D390373; Everest Sambhar Masala, 100 grams, coded U04D384296; and Maggi Masala ae Magic, 6 grams, 20640. The spices were sold at retail stores in GA, NC, OH, MD, TN, TX, MS, FL, VA, NJ, NY, and PA. Amin Trading Agency LLC, Edison, NJ, distributed Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala ae Magic. Amin Trading Agency LLC purchased these spices, not labeled for distribution in the United States, at retail stores in India and imported and subsequently distributed in the United States. The FDA analyzed samples of the three products, Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala ae Magic, and the results showed the products were contaminated with Salmonella. The products were manufactured in India and are not labeled for distribution in the United States. The FDA has contacted the manufacturer of Maggi Masala ae Magic, and they are investigating the situation. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/public-health-alert-concerning-recalled-everest-and-maggi-brand-spices-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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

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