In the news

The CDC advises that washing hands with soap and water is the best way to eliminate the spread of bacteria. When soap and water are unavailable, they recommend the use of alcohol-based hand rubs containing more than 60% alcohol. The FDA issued its final rule on over-the-counter (OTC) such hand sanitizers since millions of consumers use such rubs daily. It ruled that 28 active ingredients, including triclosan and benzethonium chloride, are not eligible for evaluation under the FDA’s OTC Drug Review for use in consumer antiseptic rubs. More data is needed on three other active ingredients (benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol). Ethyl alcohol is the most common ingredient in such rubs. These ingredient statuses will be addressed either after completion and analysis of the studies. At this time, the FDA does not intend to take action to remove hand sanitizers containing these three active ingredients from the market. FDA anticipates the impact of this ruling to be minimal since <3% of the marketplace will be affected by the rule. Most OTC consumer antiseptic rubs use ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient. Products containing any ineligible active ingredients will require approval under a new drug application or abbreviated new drug application prior to marketing. @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm635793.htm

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Great American Marketing, Inc., of Houston, Texas recalled ~3,329 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry wrap and salad products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The wraps were produced on various dates from March 27, 2019, through April 8, 2019. The products include: CAESAR SALAD WITH GRILLED CHICKEN & CAESAR DRESSING; CHEF SALAD TURKEY, HAM & CHEESE, WITH RANCH DRESSING; CLUB WRAP Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Bacon Bits & Cheese; and CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP Chicken Strips & Cheese with Caesar Dressing. These items were shipped to retail locations in Texas. The problem was discovered when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified FSIS that routine testing of a shared FSIS and FDA processing area within the establishment, was confirmed positive for the presence of L. monocytogenes. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-044-2019-release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the release of a federal interagency strategy to address food waste. “Our nation’s agricultural abundance should be used to nourish those in need, not fill the trash,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “As the world’s population continues to grow to nearly 10 billion people by 2050 and the food systems continue to evolve, now is the time for action to educate consumers and businesses alike on the need for food waste reduction.” In the U.S., more than one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. The interagency strategy includes six key priority areas for the next year: (i) Enhance Interagency Coordination; (ii) Increase Consumer Education and Outreach Efforts; (iii) Improve Coordination and Guidance on Food Loss and Waste Measurement; (iv) Clarify and Communicate Information on Food Safety, Food Date Labels, and Food Donations; (v) Collaborate with Private Industry to Reduce Food Loss and Waste Across the Supply Chain; and (vi) Encourage Food Waste Reduction by Federal Agencies in their Respective Facilities. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm635654.htm?utm_campaign=040919_PR_USDA%2C%20EPA%2C%20and%20FDA%20Unveil%20Strategy%20to%20Reduce%20Food%20Waste&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Consumers in NSW and Victoria have been warned not to eat the latest batch of eggs that have been recalled over possible salmonella contamination. A Salmonella enteritidis outbreak in which 149 people have fallen ill since it was first reported in Australia in May of 2018. The NSW Food Authority said that Synergy Produce has recalled packs of Southern Highland Organic Eggs with best before dates up to and including May 9. Some brands of eggs were last month recalled across NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia after salmonella was detected at Victoria’s Bridgewater Poultry. “Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund,” said the authority. The warning is the third major recall of tainted egg products this year, following separate salmonella concerns for other egg suppliers in February and March, according to local media. @ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/07/egg-recall-health-authorities-issue-warning-over-fears-of-salmonella