In the news

Farmers North Carolina has started euthanizing 1.5 million chickens because of coronavirus-related slowdowns in the meat processing plants. It is the first time during this pandemic that North Carolina farmers have had to take the drastic step of euthanizing. Currently, about 1/3 of the chickens have already been killed. While euthanizing the chickens is a last resort, but lack of processing capacity created the situation.@ 

The FDA worked with the CDC and state partners to investigate the contamination of romaine lettuce with several strains of E. coli O157:H7 that caused three outbreaks of foodborne illness beginning in September 2019 and ended in January 2020. Together, the outbreaks made 188 people ill. The findings suggest that a potential contributing factor to these outbreaks has been the proximity of cattle to the produce fields. This is especially true when cattle are adjacent to and at higher elevations than produce fields. Therefore, leafy greens growers need to mitigate risks associated with adjacent land uses, especially uphill, including grazing lands and animal operations. Leafy greens growers need to increase traceability to expedite the investigation and prevent illnesses. The FDA efforts to address prevention will include advancing the safety of agricultural water, enhancing inspection, audit and certification programs, and continuing focused sampling assignments.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-releases-report-investigation-fall-2019-outbreaks-illnesses-tied-romaine-lettuce?utm_campaign=052120_PR_FDA%20Releases%20Investigation%20Report%20on%20Outbreaks%20Tied%20to%20Romaine%20Lettuce&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA published on its website that New Hoque and Sons, Inc. of Maspeth, NY recalled Radhuni Curry Powder, contained in 400g plastic bottles because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Radhuni Curry Powder was distributed in New York City, New York, including grocery stores in Jamaica, Jackson Heights, and the Bronx. The product was distributed to grocery stores between 4/17/2020 and 4/21/2020. They were then physically removed from the stores on 5/14/2020.

The product is labeled “Radhuni Curry Powder”. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the FDA, which revealed that the finished products contained Salmonella. The company has ceased the distribution of the contaminated products and has also physically removed the contaminated products from stores.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/new-hoque-and-sons-inc-recalls-radhuni-curry-powder-because-possible-health-risk?utm_campaign=New%20Hoque%20and%20Sons%2C%20Inc.%20Recalls%20Radhuni%20Curry%20Powder%20Because%20of%20Possible%20Health%20Risk&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

CDC and public health officials in multiple states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Hadar infections linked to contact with backyard poultry. A total of 97 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Hadar have been reported from 28 states. 17 people (34% of those with information available) have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. 30% of ill people are children younger than 5 years of age. People reported obtaining chicks and ducklings from several sources, including agricultural stores, websites, and hatcheries. WGS of 26 isolates from ill people showed antibiotic resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (4%), ampicillin (4%), cefoxitin (4%), ceftriaxone (4%), gentamicin (4%), streptomycin (100%), sulfamethoxazole (4%), and tetracycline (100%).   https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-20/index.html