In the news

Food Safety News reported that in 2018, 886 potential foodborne outbreaks with 2,787 illnesses were reported similar to the year before (875). Six deaths were reported due to the outbreaks (two due to salmonellosis and four from listeriosis). Campylobacter spp. was reported in 377 outbreaks with 914 illnesses. Salmonella spp. Caused 274 outbreaks with more than 1,000 ill, including 34 outbreaks with five or more cases. The number of outbreaks rose slightly compared to 2017. One outbreak was caused by Salmonella enteritidis complex type (CT) 1734 cause 191 illnesses, due to eggs. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) caused), 55 outbreaks with 172 ill people. Listeria monocytogenes caused 13 outbreaks with 58 ill people. In a 2018 to 2019 outbreak of listeriosis, a meat product was identified as the likely source. There were 109 cases between August 2018 and the end of March this year, with 87 infections last year.

Hepatitis A was linked to 46 outbreaks with 185 sick and Hepatitis E to eight and 17 illnesses. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/08/germany-had-almost-900-foodborne-outbreaks-last-year/

FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D., announced the issuance of the first warning letter to a U.S. food importer using our authority under FSMA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) regulation. The warning letter follows an FDA inspection conducted in response to a recent Salmonella outbreak, which revealed that the importer was not in compliance with the FSVP. The FDA announced that it would take more steps to ensure compliance with FSVP, including reinspecting importers that had deficiencies in previous inspections and by acting immediately when FSVP deficiencies are found that pose an imminent public health risk. The warning letter, dated July 30, was issued to the Brodt Zenatti Holdings LLC in Jupiter, Florida who imported Tahini from the Israel-based manufacturer, Karawan Tahini and Halva. Brodt Zenatti Holdings LLC was found to violate the FSVP rule; requiring importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that food imported has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. food safety standards. Failure to correct violations can lead to Import Alert #99-41 (Detention Without Physical Examination Of Food Products Due To The Presence Of Salmonella, and is subject to detention without physical examination). @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-brief-fda-issues-first-warning-letter-importer-tahini-implicated-recent-salmonella-outbreak?utm_campaign=081319_FIB_FDA%20issues%20warning%20letter%20under%20Foreign%20Supplier%20Verification%20Programs&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Although most of the FSMA rules were finalized and published a long time ago the Food laboratory accreditation and model laboratory standards are not yet published.  Food Quality and Safety report that a variety of laboratory organizations are getting together to demand that the rules be published. Currently, most laboratories voluntarily use the international standard ISO/IEC 17025, the official standards have not been issued. Heather Jordan, director of LGC Proficiency testing operations, says, “The law calls for model standards that laboratories must meet for accreditation purposes. But surprisingly, existing standards are all voluntary. If we’re going to make critical decisions based on lab test results, we need to ensure their accuracy.”  When FDA might release the rule remains unknown. “The sooner the better,” says Brad Goskowicz, CEO of Microbiologics. “We look forward to reviewing the FDA proposed rule and offering public comments.”@ https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/industry-urges-fda-to-release-fsma-lab-proposed-rule/?elq_mid=38140&elq_cid=10195538&utm_campaign=24016&utm_source=eloquaEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Email-Research-IssueAlert-FQSeUpdate_08-13-19_08-12-19.html

The FDA announced on its website that Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. had voluntarily recalled a limited number of cases of baby spinach. The products being recalled are 6 oz Dole Baby Spinach bag, Lot code W20308A, and 10 oz Dole Baby Spinach clamshell, Lot code W203010, both with Use-by dates of 08-05-2019, due to possible contamination from Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported in association with the Recall. The products were distributed in IL, IN, KY, MI, NJ, NY, OH, TN, VA, and WI.  This precautionary Recall is being issued due to a sample of Baby Spinach that resulted in a positive test for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Michigan.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-precautionary-limited-recall-baby-spinach