In the news

The FDA has sent a warning letter (https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/velvet-ice-cream-company-575444-05062019) to the Velvet Ice Cream Company of Utica, Ohio. The FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (CGMP & PC rule), Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 117 (21 CFR Part 117). In the environmental swabs collected, the FDA laboratory found the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Nine environmental swabs were positive for Listeria. Whole genome sequencing of those swabs identified twenty-one isolates representing six different strains of Listeria monocytogenes. The same strain was found in seven isolates from the 2019 inspection, and eight collected during the 2018 inspection. This indicates that there is a resident pathogen or harborage site in the facility since 2018. Many other violations were also cited.

A team from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Chemistry, led by Professor Jim Thomas, is testing new compounds developed by his Ph.D. student Kirsty Smitten on antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including pathogenic E. coli. Gram-negative bacteria are difficult to treat because their cell wall prevents drugs from getting into the cell. New treatments for gram-negative bacteria are imperative as g- bacteria are rapidly becoming immune to current drugs. The new drug compound has a range of exciting opportunities. Professor Jim Thomas explains: “As the compound is luminescent it glows when exposed to light. This means the uptake and effect on bacteria can be followed by advanced microscopy techniques. The research, published in the journal ACS Nano. @ https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/uos-nc052219.php

The Rhode Island Department of Health discovered, during testing of a five-pound bag of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour, the presence of E. coli 026. As a result, ADM Milling Co. is expanding its recall from 2 lots to all five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packaged for ALDI in select markets. The strain of E. coli found in the flour is linked to 17 illnesses in 11 states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia). ADM Milling is working directly with ALDI, which has already recalled all potentially impacted products from store shelves in the region. ADM Milling is conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of the contamination and is working closely with regulators throughout this process. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-milling-expands-recall-bakers-corner-all-purpose-flour-5lb-bags-packaged-aldi-select-states?utm_campaign=ADM%20Milling%20Expands%20Recall%20of%20Baker%E2%80%99s%20Corner%20All%20Purpose%20Flour%205lb%20Bags&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The recall of select Southern States® feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed the FDA’s action levels is being expanded by Cargill’s animal nutrition. This is an expansion of the recall initiated May 6, 2019, and is the result of Cargill’s internal investigation that identified additional products containing an ingredient provided from the same supplier referenced in the May 6, 2019 recall announcement. The expansion includes products manufactured between October 31, 2018, and March 1, 2019. Cargill has received a small number of adverse event reports. These reports are currently being investigated to determine if they are related to the recalled feed. The following affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s Cleveland, North Carolina, facility and are being recalled from retail outlets and distributors in the Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia markets. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/cargill-expands-previously-announced-voluntary-recall-select-southern-statesr-feed-due?utm_campaign=Cargill%20Expands%20Previously%20Announced%20Voluntary%20Recall%20of%20Select%20Southern%20States%C2%AE%20Feed&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua