In the news

The FDA released a national strategy outlining actions the agency will immediately ensure babies have access to safe, nutritious infant formula and to increase the resiliency of the US infant formula market and supply. The Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act of 2022 (FDORA) directed the FDA to develop this immediate strategy to increase the resiliency of the US infant formula market. The plans are intended to help the industry identify risks to the supply chains of infant formula and medical foods and to develop mitigation plans against potential disruptions that could impact production. The plan includes (i) enhancement of inspections of infant formula manufacturers; (ii) expediting review of premarket submissions for new infant formula; (iii) developing a forecasting model to enable FDA to prepare for and mitigate future supply disruptions; (iv)take action to sustain the safe, continuous production of infant formula;  (v) build resiliency within its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The agency remains committed to improving the infant formula supply and ensuring that consumers have the utmost confidence that infant formula available in the US is safe and nutritious. The FDA strategy called for improving preparedness against infant formula shortages by outlining methods to improve information-sharing, recommending measures for protecting the integrity of the infant formula supply chain, and preventing contamination. The agency will incentivize entry of new infant formula manufacturers to increase supply and mitigate future shortages. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-outlines-immediate-national-strategy-further-increase-resiliency-us-infant-formula-market?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The CDC published an article in Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) March 3, 2023 / 72(9);223–226 describing two infants with C. sakazakii meningitis in September 2021 and February 2022. WGS analysis links one case to contaminated opened powdered formula from the patient’s home and the other to contaminated breast pump equipment. The two cases of C. sakazakii infection in infants were not related. These cases illustrate the ubiquity of the pathogen in the environment and the importance of hygiene in preventing C. sakazakii infections. Although C. sakazakii infections are treatable with antibiotics, they often have devastating outcomes, with death occurring in nearly 40% of infants. Because C. sakazakii infection is not a nationally notifiable condition, the actual incidence is unknown. It is estimated that approximately 18 cases of invasive C. sakazakii infection in infants occur annually in the United States. In one case, the organism was isolated from environmental sources in the home, such as kitchen sink surfaces, pacifiers, bottles, household utensils, vacuum cleaning bags, and other foods. Because of the widespread presence of C. sakazakii in the environment, caregivers of infants should follow safe hygiene, preparation, and storage practices and learn steps to protect infants from infection.  @ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7209a2.htm?s_cid=mm7209a2_w&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_485-DM102020&ACSTrackingLabel=Food%20Safety%20Updates%20From%20CDC&deliveryName=USCDC_485-DM102020

A massive recall of dozens of products from the “Eden Dairy, Tahina, Sweets, and Food Industries” factory in Israel due to suspected Salmonella. The recall is in coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Health. The “Eden Dairy, Tahina, Confectionery, and Food (1992) Ltd.” factory calls for the return of dairy and tahini products due to concerns about the presence of Salmonella. @ https://time.news/huge-recall-for-dozens-of-tahini-and-halva-products-may-cause-illness-and-death/

CDC published an article (in J. Food Protec 2023, (4)) on the prevalence of Salmonella in beef products. The CDC has identified nontyphoidal Salmonella as one of the top five pathogens contributing to foodborne illnesses in the United States. Despite implementing interventions at slaughter and processing facilities to reduce contamination of beef, Salmonella remains the main reason for outbreaks in the United States during 2012–2019. During 2012–2019, 27 Salmonella outbreaks were linked to beef consumption, resulting in 1,103 illnesses, 254 hospitalizations, and two deaths. The most common category of beef implicated was non-intact raw (12 outbreaks, 44%), followed by intact raw (6 outbreaks, 22%). Ground beef was responsible for the most illnesses (800, 73%). Both reported deaths and were the source of the largest outbreak. Antimicrobial Resistance data were available for 717 isolates from 25 (93%) outbreaks. Nine (36%) of these outbreaks had isolates resistant to one or more antibiotics, of which eight (89%) contained multidrug-resistant isolates. Several reported outbreaks highlight challenges during investigations, areas where further research may be warranted, and opportunities to prevent future outbreaks along the farm-to-fork continuum. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23067431#s0020