In the news

According to the CDC, the outbreak of Salmonella Uganda in multistate linked to Cavi Brand whole, fresh papayas appears to be over. The epidemiological and traceback information collected in the investigation confirmed that Agroson’s LLC of Bronx, New York, was the exclusive distributor of the imported papayas that made consumers from this outbreak sick. The FDA issued a statement on August 26, 2019, demanding that the papaya industry improve practices and better protects consumers. The FDA asked Agroson’s LLC, the exclusive distributor of this brand, to conduct a voluntary recall of Cavi brand papayas. Agroson’s LLC refused to initiate a recall. FDA contacted wholesale customers of Agroson’s LLC to ensure the fruit was no longer available for sale, had been discarded, or was not further processed or frozen. Additionally, the FDA issued a warning letter to Agroson’s LLC, the distributor of Cavi brand papayas implicated in this outbreak.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/salmonella-uganda-linked-cavi-brand-whole-fresh-papayas-june-2019?utm_campaign=Outbreak%20Salmonella%20Uganda%20Linked%20to%20Cavi%20Brand%20Whole%2C%20Fresh%20Papayas&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA announced the award of a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) to provide critical information and resources to help state and territorial regulatory agencies plan and help in the implementation of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association representing the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories.  The agreement provides funding to NASDA to assist state and territorial produce safety regulatory programs in developing produce safety programs. The programs should encourage the safe production of fresh fruits and vegetables, understanding of the Produce Safety Rule, and compliance with the Produce Safety Rule’s requirements. NASDA will work with the agency to plan and host an annual National Consortium meeting to provide program updates, sharing best practices, and providing the FDA with feedback on opportunities for enhancements and program adjustments. NASDA will work closely with the FDA to implement and update the On-Farm Readiness Review system and develop a national produce safety regulatory program that promotes a uniform foundation of produce safety. @

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-cooperative-agreement-implement-produce-safety-rule

Since the hepatitis A vaccine was first recommended in 1996, the rates of hepatitis A have declined dramatically in the United States. In 2015, there were only 1,390 reported cases of hepatitis A in the nation. However, since the current outbreaks were first identified in late 2016, there have been 25,484 cases reported. The outbreak has high rates of hospitalization (60% and 15,330 sick individuals), and at least 254 deaths have occurred nationwide as a result of these outbreaks. The outbreak is mainly spread through person-to-person contact. Hepatitis A is easily prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. One dose of single-antigen hepatitis A vaccine has been shown to control outbreaks of hepatitis A and provides up to 95% seroprotection in healthy individuals for up to 11 years. @ https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2017March-HepatitisA.htm

The FDA announced that House of Spices (India) recalled different lots of “MDH SAMBAR MASALA”, 3.5oz (100g) UPC code 6291103750327. This product is produced by R-PURE AGRO SPECIALITIES and distributed by HOUSE OF SPICES (INDIA). This product was tested by the FDA and found to be positive for Salmonella.  FDA found that the contaminated products were distributed. The recalled MDH SAMBAR MASALA was distributed in northern California retail stores. The product comes in a 3.5 oz (100g), in a box with red and white MDH Logo.  https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/house-spices-india-issues-recall-mdh-sambar-masala-due-salmonella-contamination