In the news

In July 2022, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf requested that the Reagan-Udall Foundation1 convene an Independent Expert Panel to evaluate the FDA Human Foods Program comprehensively.

Recognizing the situation’s urgency, the Commissioner requested the evaluation be completed within 60 business days. The report is critical of the FDA and mentions that its culture lacks a clear vision and mission; a disparate structure and a consensus governance model; competing priorities; and the lack of a strong, supportive leader and an ultimate decision-maker responsible for the Human Foods Program. The FDA staff often operates in silos within the organizations. The lack of clarity in authority lines across and within the components of the Human Foods Program leads to frustration and substantial confusion among staff and leadership. The report emphasizes that the FDA’s culture that is risk avert should foster both incremental and far-reaching innovation and encourages responsible and well informed risk-taking. The Panel recommends that FDA leadership consider various changes: ● Identify, communicate, embrace, and promote a clear and compelling vision, mission, and value statement. ● Establish an organizational structure with a clear leader ● Create a culture where regulatory decision-making is rooted in scientific evidence ● Create a system to embrace a positive, collaborative ● Promote top quality staff, including strong managers. The committee recommends creating a new operating division within the HHS separate from a Federal Drug Administration, each with a Commissioner reporting directly to the HHS Secretary.  @ https://reaganudall.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/Human%20Foods%20Program%20Independent%20Expert%20Panel%20Final%20Report%20120622.pdf

The OzFoodNet network was established in 2000 by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care in an effort at a national level to investigate and understand foodborne disease, describe its epidemiology more effectively, and identify ways to minimize foodborne illness in Australia. The burden of foodborne disease in Australia is significant, with an estimated 4.1 million people infected yearly, costing an estimated $1.2 billion annually. In 2017, the OzFoodNet reported state and territory health departments received 47,652 notifications of enteric diseases related to food. As in previous years, most infections were either campylobacteriosis (n = 28,432; 60%) or salmonellosis (n = 16,416; 34%). A total of 206 gastrointestinal outbreaks, including 179 foodborne outbreaks, were reported in 2017. The remaining 27 outbreaks were due to environmental or probable environmental transmission (22 outbreaks), animal-to-person or probable animal-to-person transmission (three outbreaks), and waterborne or probable waterborne transmission (two outbreaks). Foodborne outbreaks affected 2,130 people resulting in at least 290 hospital admissions and five deaths. Eggs continue to be a source of Salmonella Typhimurium infection across the country, with 49 egg-related outbreaks affecting at least 746 people reported across six jurisdictions in 2017. @ https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/2A15CD097063EF40CA2587CE008354F1/%24File/monitoring_the_incidence_and_causes_of_disease_potentially_transmitted_by_food_in_australia_annual_report_of_the_ozfoodnet_network_2017.pdf

The USDA/FSIS issued a public health alert for ground beef sold at La Michoacana Meat Market in Greenville, Tex., after a product sample tested positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for sale. These items were only sold in La Michoacana Meat Market retail store, located at 5106 Wesley St., Greenville, Texas, 75402. The last date that the product was available for sale was Dec. 1, 2022. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS product testing when a sample confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-tested-positive-e–coli-o157h7

The USDA/FSIS reported that Kraft Heinz Foods Company (Kirksville, MO) recalled ~ 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat ham and cheese loaf products due to possible cross-contamination with under-processed products. The ready-to-eat ham and cheese loaf products were produced on Oct. 10, 2022. 

The recalled products are packaged in 16-oz. rigid vacuum-packed packages containing “Oscar Mayer Ham & Cheese LOAF” with codes from “Feb. 07 2023 20:40 7B” through “Feb. 07 2023 22:16 7B” on the label. These items were shipped to distribution centers in Ohio and Virginia and further distributed for retail sales. The company notified FSIS that the product was sliced on the same equipment as a product that had been under processed. The equipment was not cleaned between runs of the under-processed and fully cooked product. This has led to concerns of possible cross-contamination of the fully cooked ham and cheese loaf product. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kraft-heinz-foods-company-recalls-ready-eat-ham-and-cheese-loaf-products-due