Bob Ferguson’s interesting article in Food Safety (https://digitaledition.food-safety.com/february-march-2022/column-food-safety-insights/?oly_enc_id=3292C0332767G2X) the changes to food safety due to the use of WGS are described. Over the past few years, the pace of recall announcements seems to be accelerating, not slowing. However, the FDA insists that food illness outbreaks get smaller and affect far fewer people. The use of WGS is allowing identifying more illnesses and more outbreaks. Many of these outbreaks involve smaller and geographically distributed illnesses that would have previously gone unreported. WGS is helping identify and link these cases, so the number of “reported” illnesses goes up. WGS also allows taking steps to solve the root causes and reduce illnesses. The FDA GenomeTrackr program was at breakeven in its second year, a “surprise finding,” The FDA researchers mentioned that in their collaboration with other countries using similar programs, they have learned that these other countries are seeing the same results. In 2019, 77% of the illnesses prevented were related to Salmonella infections, and 70% were related to Listeria. The FDA researchers estimate that the GenomeTrackr database could result in billions of dollars of net benefits once complete and fully implemented.
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This column expands on the findings of the FDA study of the economic evaluation of the GenomeTrakr whole genome sequencing (WGS) program.
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The FDA reported that Golden Medal Mushroom Inc. ( Los Angeles, CA) recalled all cases of its 200g/7.05-ounce packages of Enoki Mushrooms, lot # 300511, a product of China because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was distributed directly in Chicago, IL, in January 2022, and it has been further distributed to retail stores nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date. The potential for contamination was discovered after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The distribution of the product has been suspended. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/golden-medal-mushroom-inc-recalls-enoki-mushrooms-because-possible-health-risk-0
Golden Medal Mushroom Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling all cases of its 200g/7.05-ounce packages of Enoki Mushrooms, lot # 300511, product of China, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
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The FDA reported that the Royal Ice Cream Company (Manchester, CT), Inc. recalled Ice Cream due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled flavors include Vanilla, Ginger, and Mocha Chip Ice Cream. The ice cream was distributed to Market Baskets in MA, Big Y Stores in MA, and CT & Roach Brothers Markets in MA. The products are packaged in paper 16oz pints and are coded with the Date of Manufacture as 1/19/22 and Best By 7/19/23. There have been no illnesses reported to date. The recall was initiated by Royal Ice Cream after FDA sampling revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on processing equipment. The company is holding future product and testing before releasing the products as FDA, and the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/royal-ice-cream-company-inc-recalls-batch-ice-cream-brand-vanilla-ginger-and-mocha-chip-ice-cream
The Royal Ice Cream Company, Inc. of Manchester, CT is recalling specific lots of Batch Ice Cream Brand Vanilla, Ginger, and Mocha Chip Ice Cream, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
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According to the FSA, Snaffling Pig has (Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire) recalled batches of Perfectly Salted Pork Scratchings from the British marketplace due to suspected Salmonella contamination. The product is packaged in 45 gr. Individual snack bags with a best-before date of 11 June 2022. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-05-2022
