In the news

FDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Javiana in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey, are a potential source of this outbreak. Tailor Cut Produce reports that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools, and institutional food service establishments in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The DOH reports that 31 laboratory-confirmed illnesses of Salmonella at four healthcare facilities in southeast Pennsylvania are linked to this outbreak.  The state’s review of invoices shows that a common food eaten by many case-patients was the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce. On December 6, 2019, the FDA and the Pennsylvania DOH shared the results of the investigation thus far with the firm, and the firm’s leadership stated that they would work with FDA to implement a recall of this product. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-potentially-linked-tailor-cut-produce-fruit-mix-winter-2019?utm_campaign=Outbreak_FruitMix_12062019&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The FDA announced J. M. Smucker Company recalled specific lots of Special Kitty® wet, canned cat food due to health concerns potentially associated with ingredients believed to not meet the Company’s quality and safety standards. The specific product is Special Kitty® Mixed Grill Dinner Pate. In addition to being sold individually, this product is also sold as part of variety-packs. These products are sold in grocery stores nationwide and online. The investigation thus far indicates that the impacted product has been manufactured during a single day. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/j-m-smucker-company-issues-voluntary-recall-specific-lots-special-kittyr-wet-canned-cat-food-due?utm_campaign=The%20J.%20M.%20Smucker%20Company%20Issues%20Voluntary%20Recall%20of%20Specific%20Lots%20of%20Special%20Kitty%C2%AE%20Canned%20Cat%20Food&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The CFIA announced that Canadian based Usine Amsellem Inc. recalled Amsellem brand Solo Chorizo Dried Beef Sausage from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product is Amsellem Solo Chorizo Dried Beef Sausage in a 28g package, and was sold in Ontario and may have been sold in other provinces and territories. A consumer complaint triggered this recall. The product The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. @ https://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-12-04/eng/1575516378227/1575516383390

The FDA granted marketing authorization of the Cobas vivoDx MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) test to Roche Molecular Systems Inc. The new diagnostic test based on bacterial viability and novel technology and allows faster evaluation of patients for colonization with MRSA bacteria.  The authorization adds a new tool in the fight to prevent and control MRSA in high-risk settings. The Cobas vivoDx MRSA test uses a new bacteriophage technology based on bioluminescence to detect MRSA from nasal swab samples in as little as 5 hours compared to 24-48 hours for conventional culture. the Cobas vivoDx MRSA test correctly identified MRSA in approximately 90% of samples where MRSA was present and correctly identified no MRSA in 98.6% of samples that did not have MRSA present. This action also creates a new regulatory classification, which means that subsequent devices of the same type with the same intended use may go through the FDA’s 510(k) pathway, whereby devices can obtain clearance by demonstrating substantial equivalence to a predicate device. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-marketing-diagnostic-test-uses-novel-technology-detect-mrsa-bacteria?utm_campaign=120519_PR_FDA%20authorizes%20novel%20MRSA%20test&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua