In the news

Politico reported that Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) yesterday demanded that Abbott Nutrition hand over information and documents related to the company’s recent recall and customer complaint. “It is completely unacceptable that manufacturing conditions allowed a contaminated product to reach babies, and that it took months for the company to act to warn parents and caregivers about this danger,” the senators wrote Abbott CEO and chair Robert Ford, citing POLITICO’s reporting. More reports from Texas and Maryland have been reported, and moms have flooded social media with complaints and unconfirmed anecdotes of infant illnesses and hospitalizations. Federal health officials have not publicly updated their case counts in more than a week. The timeline from the first illness to the sweeping recall spans months. The FDA initiated an inspection of the facility on Jan. 31. Inspectors found Cronobacter sakazakii in several environmental samples taken at the plant. The product was recalled on Feb. 17, about three weeks after the inspection kicked off. The FDA was actually in the plant for a routine inspection a few days after the first case was reported to FDA and CDC, but it doesn’t appear inspectors were looking for Cronobacter. The plant was not inspected in 2020, likely due to Covid-19. @ https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/26/senators-demand-answers-from-abbott-on-infant-formula-recall-00012073

On February 25, the FDA revised its notification of  Golden Medal Mushroom Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) of Enoki mushroom. The update includes all cases of its 200g/7.05-ounce packages and 150g/5.25-ounce packages of Enoki Mushrooms (Product of China) because it can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products were distributed to Chicago, IL/ Los Angeles CA/Dallas TX. 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 revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 200 gram package of Enoki. 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-revised

2/25/2022- The FDA updated the information about its investigation into Cronobacter and Salmonella in infant formula.  As a result of the ongoing investigation, Abbott Nutrition has recalled powdered infant formula products. The FDA advises consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas produced in the Sturgis, MI facility. The recall by Abbott resulted in consumers seeking alternative brands or types of infant formula. The recall has created new concerns about the availability of certain types of infant formula, particularly given the overall strains on supply chains experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA is working with Abbott to resume the supply of infant formula. Cronobacter infection surveillance is not nationally notifiable and not reportable except in one state, which means doctors and labs are not required to report cases to their health department. Therefore, the FDA relies on consumer complaints of illness sent to the Agency and health care providers informing the FDA directly about infants with Cronobacter infections. In addition, because Cronobacter is not nationally notifiable, WGS is rarely performed on these isolates. To date, no outbreaks of Cronobacter have been detected using WGS. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-and-salmonella-complaints-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FSA has advised parents after infant formula producer Abbott recalled various batches of Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac powdered formula. The recall is due to the possible presence of Salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakii. Both Elecare Similac and Alimentum Similac products are used for special medical purposes to feed babies and are ordinarily used under medical supervision. The company has contacted all stores and pharmacies supplying these products to inform them about the recall. @ https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/fsa-issues-advice-after-elecare-similac-and-alimentum-similac-infant-formula-recall