Despite clear FDA recommendations for handwashing and glove use, food worker compliance with the recommendations is inadequate. There is frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) instead of hand washing in health care settings. The practice has improved hand hygiene compliance rates and reduced infections. The Food Code continues to permit the use of ABHSs only after hands have been washed with soap and water. A study published in J Food Prot (2021) 84 (5): 781–801 found that alcohol-based solutions are better than soap when soil is light to moderate. The data suggest that ABHSs are less effective than handwashing with soap and water for reducing bacteria when hands are heavily soiled with feces or organic substances. When heavy hand contamination exists, the combination of hand washing followed by the use of an ABHS can reduce bacterial counts on hands to a greater extent than either process alone. ABHSs may be helpful in some settings in which soap and water are not available (e.g., on large farms). Alcohol-based solutions have increased activity against noroviruses.@ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/84/5/781/449411/Scientific-Evidence-Supports-the-Use-of-Alcohol
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U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Olymel S.E.C./L.P.(Quebec, Canada) recalled approximately 6,804 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) ham products.
The product may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. 12-lb. plastic film vacuum package of “Celebrity EXTRA LEAN IMPORTED HAM 98% FAT FREE” packaged on November 5, 2020, are the subject of the recall. These items were shipped to distributors in California for further distribution for institutional use. The problem was discovered when FSIS collected a routine product import sample that confirmed positive for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) determined the product subject to recall to be associated with the FSIS positive sample result. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses due to the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/olymel-s.e.c.l.p.-recalls-ready-eat-ham-products-due-possible-salmonella-enteritidis
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Food Safety News reported that a Salmonella outbreak in Denmark affects 25 people and has been traced to a herbal supplement brand, according to food safety officials. As a result, Orkla Care A/S, the seller of the implicated products, has issued a recall of several batches. Fourteen people have needed hospital treatment. Patient interviews showed most had eaten HUSK Psyllium in capsule form. Testing by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has found Salmonella in the remaining product that two patients had at home. Internal testing by Orkla Care controls has not shown a connection between the product and the outbreak. The products were sold in specialty stores and pharmacies as well as online. Expiration dates range from May to October 2023. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2021/04/herbal-medicine-linked-to-danish-salmonella-outbreak/?utm_source=Food+Safety+News&utm_campaign=e13f9cae90-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f46cc10150-e13f9cae90-40253059
A Salmonella outbreak in Denmark affecting 25 people has been traced to a brand of herbal supplement, according to food safety officials. The majority
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for approximately 211,406 pounds of raw ground turkey products. The products were produced by Plainville Brands, LLC (Pennsylvania) due to concerns the products may have caused Salmonella Hadar illness. FSIS and its partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health, and regulatory officials, investigate a multistate outbreak of 28 Salmonella Hadar illnesses in 12 states. The traceback investigation for one case-patient identified the patient consumed ground turkey produced by Plainville Brands. An intact, unopened package of Plainville Brands’ ground turkey collected from this case-patient’s home tested positive for Salmonella Hadar. The strain was closely related genetically to the sample from the patient. The product was not recalled because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase. FSIS is concerned that some products may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. The products were produced from December 18, 2020, through December 29, 2020. The following products are subject to the public health alert: 1-lb. packages of Nature’s Promise Free from 94% LEAN, 1-lb. packages of Wegman 94% LEAN, 3-lb. packages of Wegman 94% LEAN, and 1-lb. packages of Plainville Farms Ground White Turkey 93%. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-ground-turkey-products-linked-salmonella-hadar
