In the news

Researchers at the University of Extremadura (Cáceres, Spain) have developed a rapid, specific, and sensitive method that has potential use in identifying sources of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the meat industry. The scientists developed a quadruplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method able to differentiate the four predominant serotypes of L. monocytogenes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b) in isolates from meat processing plants and ready-to-eat (RTE) dry-cured meat products. The standard curves showed efficiency values ranging between 92.3% and 105.8% and R2 values >0.98. The specificity of the method was also confirmed by the comparison of the results with those obtained by a previously reported conventional multiplex PCR. Strains not ascribed to L. monocytogenes did not amplify any target genes linked to the four major serotypes studied. This method could be very useful for identifying sources of L. monocytogenes contamination in the meat industry or for epidemiological monitoring of persistent strains throughout the processing of RTE meat products. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740002019309773?dgcid=rss_sd_all

The FDA announced that Golden Gate Soy Products, a California-based food manufacturer, has agreed to discontinue selling food products until the company complies with federal regulations and other requirements. This action follows several inspections conducted by the FDA, which found Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) in the company’s food preparation area and that the company was holding food for distribution in unsanitary conditions. Golden Gate Soy Products specializes in manufacturing a variety of tofu and soy-based products, including soy milk. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley for the Northern District of California entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on Nov. 22, 2019, between the U.S. and Golden Gate Soy Products Inc., and the company’s representatives, Yong Li Chen and Ling Hong Tang. The FDA is not aware of any confirmed illnesses related to these products. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/california-based-food-manufacturer-agrees-stop-production-after-repeated-food-safety-violations

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A associated with exposure to contaminated fresh blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market grocery stores during September 2019. The patient count in a multi-state hepatitis A outbreak traced to fresh blackberries continues to rise, even though the berries were sold two months ago. As of November 26, 2019, a total of 14 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A were reported from 5 states. Of 13 people with available information, 8 (62%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses might not yet be reported due to the time it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure (average 4 weeks). A single, common supplier of fresh blackberries has not been identified. The FDA and regulatory officials in several states have collected records from grocery stores where ill people reported buying fresh blackberries and are conducting traceback investigations to try to identify a specific source of the fresh blackberries. @ https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2019/hav-berries/index.htm

The FDA sends warning letters to 15 companies for illegally selling products containing cannabidiol (CBD). The products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Based on the lack of scientific information supporting the safety of CBD in food, the FDA is also indicating that it cannot conclude that CBD is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its use in human or animal food. The FDA is concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe. Some of the available data raise serious concerns about potential harm from CBD. CBD is marketed in a variety of product types, such as oil drops, capsules, syrups, food products such as chocolate bars and teas, and topical lotions and creams.  @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-15-companies-illegally-selling-various-products-containing-cannabidiol-agency-details?utm_campaign=112519_Statement_FDA%20warns%20companies%20for%20illegally%20selling%20various%20products%20containing%20cannabidiol&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua