In the news

In November 27 of 2018, the CDC and FDA investigated an outbreak of Salmonella concord linked to Tahini imported from Israel and manufactured by Achdut Ltd. Additional products were recalled in December of 2018. More products from the same manufacturer are being recalled now. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat recalled Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, and Pepperwood brand tahini and Soom brand Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread (lot code 071318CH) with expiration dates ranging from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020 and Baron’s brand tahini with the expiration date of May 5, 2021. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm626790.htm?utm_campaign=Outbreak%20of%20Salmonella%20Concord%20Linked%20to%20Tahini_02082019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=B310902428A80F93F181C79521149A35&elq=6972121d80204766a288a37f97dc54a5&elqaid=6688&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=5486

To strengthen its position in food pathogen testing and spoilage organism detection BioMérieux announced today that it has acquired US-based the Invisible Sentinel for approximately $75 million. Invisible Sentinel developed its Veriflow DNA signature capturing technology that combines simple workflows with rapid results, accuracy, and specificity, and does not require sophisticated lab infrastructure. “This acquisition illustrates BioMérieux’s commitment to bring innovative solutions to customers of all sizes to ensure food and beverage quality and contribute to protecting consumer’s health,” Nicolas Cartier, BioMérieux Executive VP of Industrial Microbiology, said in a statement. BioMérieux will adapt Invisible Sentinel’s assays on the molecular food testing Gene-Up system, making them available to customers processing high daily volumes of samples. @ https://www.genomeweb.com/business-news/biom-rieux-acquires-food-beverage-molecular-testing-firm-invisible-sentinel-75m#.XF2qMVxKiM8

The FDA announced draft guidance for strengthening public warnings and notifications of recalls. They are taking a new step to help ensure appropriate public warnings and notification of recalls when FDA-regulated products are involved. The guidelines describe circumstances when a company should issue a public warning about a voluntary recall, describing the general timeframe for companies to issue such a warning, discusses what information should be included in a public warning, and describes situations where the FDA may take action to issue its own public warning should a company’s warning be deemed insufficient. The FDA claims that in 2018 there were 7,420 recalls with 831 that were classified as the highest risk. That number represents a 5 year low. The figure seems higher because the FDA is communicating more frequently and, in many cases, directly to consumers through the agency’s social media. Scott Gottlieb, M.D., the FDA Commissioner, claims that “Our ability to detect, track and trace potential or known problems with products continues to improve as we implement new technologies across the agency and as companies implement their own technological advances throughout their supply chains. “The FDA is working to improve product traceability by tapping into modern approaches, such as blockchain technology, to further advance our mission of protecting public health. @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm630906.htm?utm_campaign=020719_Statement_new%20steps%20to%20strengthen%20process%20for%20issuing%20public%20warnings%20of%20recalls&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

McCain plant in Colton, California (part of McCain Foods, the Toronto-based global frozen foods company) that produced millions of pounds of frozen products potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella is closing. The recall of McCain vegetables affected many companies in the food industry. The Colton plant which had processed the vegetables, including chopped onions, peppers, and roasted corn, and sold them as ingredients to commercial kitchens and food manufacturers all over the country. The total amount of product affected exceeds 100 million pounds, making it the largest recall of 2018. The closure will result in layoffs for 100 employees. In an email to The New Food Economy, Andrea Davis, a McCain spokeswoman, confirmed that the recall influenced the decision to close the plant, but said there were other factors involved. The plant had a history of food safety violations. Clearing a frozen food facility for Listeria is notoriously hard. @ https://newfoodeconomy.org/mccain-foods-closes-california-plant-whole-foods-trader-joes-listeria-recall/