In the news

The J. M. Smucker Co. (Orrville, OH) announced a limited, voluntary recall of two lots (lot #1081804, UPC #2927452099, best by Sept. 14, 2022, and lot #1082804, UPC #2927452099, best by Sept. 15, 2022)  of Meow Mix® Original Choice Dry Cat Food (30LB bag) due to potential salmonella contamination. Salmonella was found in a product bag. The Company has not received reports of pet illness or adverse reaction and has issued this recall out of an abundance of caution. The recalled products were sold at select Walmart stores in IL, MO, NE, NM, OK, UT, WI, and WY. This recall impacts no other Meow Mix® products. @ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-j-m-smucker-co-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-of-two-lots-of-meow-mix-original-choice-dry-cat-food-for-potential-salmonella-contamination-301266092.html#:~:text=%2D%2D%20The%20J.%20M.-,Smucker%20Co.,of%20an%20abundance%20of%20caution

The FDA announced a new action plan, called “Closer to Zero,” to reduce exposure to toxic elements in foods commonly eaten by babies and young children to the lowest possible levels. The FDA’s goal is to reduce the levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in these foods to the greatest extent possible. The plan outlines a multi-phase, science-based, iterative approach to achieving our goal of getting levels of toxic elements in foods closer to zero over time.  Our action plan will occur in three phases. In the first phase, FDA immediately start setting action levels by (I) Evaluating the scientific basis for action levels; (II) Propose action levels; (III)  Consult with stakeholders on proposed action levels; and (IV) Finalize action levels. The next step is to establish a timeframe for assessing the industry’s progress toward meeting the action levels and recommence. The action plan will start with arsenic and lead, proposing action levels. Through this plan, we’ll also take measures to ensure that limiting exposure to toxic elements in foods does not have unintended consequences—like limiting access to foods that have significant nutritional benefits. The goal is to push the levels of toxic elements in these foods closer and closer to zero over time. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-releases-action-plan-reducing-exposure-toxic-elements-foods-babies-young-children?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Broilers are usually slaughtered in a high-speed automated system that could cause the intestines’ rupture during evisceration, resulting in contamination of carcasses with intestinal bacteria like Campylobacter. A study by Moazzami et al. (J Food Prot (2021) 84 (4): 572–578) evaluated the combined effects of ultrasound and steam on naturally contaminated chicken carcasses at a large-scale abattoir in Sweden.  Ultrasound ( 30 to 40 kHz) and steam ( 84-85°C or 87-88°C) were used at slaughter, with a line speed of 18,000 birds/ hour. Sampled before and after treatment by ultrasound-steam were analyzed for Campylobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic bacteria on neck skins. After the ultrasound-steam treatment, the mean reductions in C. jejuni was 0.5 ± 0.8 log CFU/g, in Enterobacteriaceae 0.6 ± 0.6 log CFU/g, in E. coli 0.5 ± 0.6, and total aerobic bacteria 0.4 ± 0.7 log CFU/g.  Although the bacterial reductions were significant, large amounts of bacteria remained on the carcasses after treatment. The reduction in counts was lower in this study than in previous studies. @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/84/4/572/447788/Reducing-Campylobacter-jejuni-Enterobacteriaceae

The CDC is investigating an outbreak of salmonella in eight states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA) that has sickened 19 people and appears to be linked to wild songbirds. Eight people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Interviews with sick people and laboratory testing from sick or dead birds show that contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders is likely making people sick in this outbreak. The surprising thing here is that these states are on both sides of the nation, and generally, birds do not cross the nation from east to west.  The birds at the center of the investigation are the Pine Siskin. This outbreak is making both birds and humans sick. Salmonella can spread between species of birds, to pets, and to people. @ https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0401-salmonella-outbreak.html