In the news

Food Safety News published a piece with condemnation by leaders from a group of consumer and industry organizations that unanimously rejected FDA Commissioner Robert Califf’s plan of restructuring of FDA. While Califf’s plan includes creating that post, it continues to have three separate divisions reporting directly to the FDA commissioner, continuing the silo and matrix situation that the industry and consumer groups say endangers the public in terms of food safety. Some feel that Califf is choosing to go with the status quo. The plan does not create an empowered deputy commissioner of foods and fails to give that post the ability to take control of and responsibility for the food side of the agency. The job description for the deputy commissioner post will make it impossible to recruit anyone qualified for the job because it is an impotent job. The plan proposed lacks any urgency. 

Neither consumer groups nor industry representatives believe FDA plan will work

The FDA had announced that it had begun the national search for the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, reporting directly to the commissioner. The ideal candidate will have executive-level and real-world experience sufficient to lead the newly envisioned Human Foods Program. This individual will also have a clear line of authority over the proposed Human Foods Program, including the existing components of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), the Office of Food Policy and Response (OFPR), and certain human foods-related components of ORA. The Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods and other program leads will be charged with setting strategic direction for food inspections and have authority over program resource allocation. The FDA is currently assessing specific functions of ORA, CFSAN, and OFPR; analyzing inspection and compliance functions; evaluating how to empower the Deputy Commissioner; how to coordinate the FDA and state-operated food laboratory operations; How to improve the FDA’s ability to conduct risk prioritization to deliver the highest public health benefit. Part of the plan is to move cosmetics out of CFSAN. The FDA is seeking to finalize its proposal this fall. Once the plan is finalized, the plan undergoes a thorough review before advancing to Congress for a 30-day notification period which members may raise any concerns that the FDA may need to address.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-provides-update-proposed-human-foods-program-and-office-regulatory-affairs-restructuring?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to Sun Sprouts-brand alfalfa sprouts grown by SunSprout Enterprises Fremont, NE. As of February 28, 2023, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 63 illnesses in eight states (AZ (1), IA (6), KS (6), MO (9), NE (26), NH (1), OK (1), and SD (13)). The last illness onset was February 2, 2023. On December 29, 2022, SunSprout Enterprises recalled two lots (# 4211 and 5211) of raw alfalfa sprouts due to potential contamination with Salmonella. SunSprout Enterprises expanded the recall on the same day to include two additional lots (# 3212 and 4212) of raw alfalfa sprouts. The raw alfalfa sprouts for all recalled lots (#4211, 5211, 3212, and 4212) are packaged in 4-ounce clamshells and 2.5-lb packages with best sold by dates between 12/10/2022 and 1/7/2023. The recalled products were sold fresh and are past their shelf-life. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-sprouts-december-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Kawasho Foods USA Inc. of New York, NY, recalled one lot of canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. because of reported swelling, leaking, or bursting cans. There is a possibility that the product has been under processed, which could lead to the potential for spoilage organisms or pathogens. The Product was distributed to retail stores (Walmart, Associated Food Stores, Stater Bros Markets, Safeway, Albertsons) in California, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.     No illnesses or other adverse consequences have been reported to date in connection with this product. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kawasho-foods-usa-inc-announces-voluntary-recall-single-lot-geisha-medium-shrimp-4oz-because?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery