In the news

The FDA announced that the investigation of the outbreak of E. coli in leafy greens is over. Their finding confirms the presence of a recurring strain of E. coli O157:H7 in a region within Salinas Valley, which could serve as a potential source that could be associated with future contamination events. 
The investigation found the outbreak strain in a sample of cattle feces collected on a roadside about a mile upslope from a produce farm. Cattle grazing on agricultural lands near leafy greens fields could have an increased risk of produce contamination, where contamination could be spread by water, wind, or other means. The FDA recommends that growers of leafy greens assess and mitigate risks associated with adjacent and nearby land-use practices, particularly the presence of livestock, which is a persistent reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The investigation has been unable to identify a specific type of leafy green at the heart of this outbreak. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-brief-leafy-greens-e-coli-outbreak-investigation-concludes-identifies-environmental-sample

The FDA has placed all alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico on a countrywide import alert to help stop products that violate the code from entering the U.S. until the agency can review the products’ safety. The agency has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizers from Mexico labeled to contain ethanol but tested positive for methanol contamination. The FDA’s analyses of alcohol-based hand sanitizers imported from Mexico found 84% of the samples analyzed by the agency from April through December 2020 were not in compliance with the FDA’s regulations. Under the import alert, alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico are subject to heightened FDA scrutiny. This marks the first time the FDA has issued a countrywide import alert for any drug product category. Since July 2020, the FDA has also issued 14 warning letters for distributing hand sanitizer with undeclared methanol, inappropriate ethanol content, and misleading claims. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-takes-action-place-all-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-mexico-import?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA announced that House-Autry Mills, Inc. (Four Oaks, N.C.) recalled 9 oz. House-Autry Tartar Sauce as a precaution due to its co-manufacturers verification of spoilage associated with the product. Several factors cause food spoilage, making items unsuitable for consumption. Light, oxygen, heat, humidity, temperature, and spoilage bacteria can affect both the safety and quality of perishable foods. When subject to these factors, foods will gradually spoil. The product was distributed between December 15, 2020, and January 18, 2021, to distribution centers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/house-autry-mills-announces-voluntary-recall-house-autry-tartar-sauce-due-spoilage

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that seafood sold at major supermarkets (Asda, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and Waitrose) could be contaminated with Salmonella. The products recalled include chilled and frozen mussels, cockles, and seafood selections. Salmonella has been detected in the seafood supplier’s manufacturing environment, no products have tested positive for Salmonella.  Up to 12 items from Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op, and Waitrose have been recalled. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-05-2021