In the news

President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Dr. Stephen Hahn to be the next head of the FDA. The acting commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Ned Sharpless, will return to the National Cancer Institute. By law, Sharpless was only allowed to serve a total of 210 days under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. His tenure ended Friday at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Dr. Brett Giroir is taking over as acting FDA Commission until Hahn’s confirmation for the top job. Hahn is a well-known radiation oncology expert. He is the current chief medical executive of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. To get the top FDA job, Hahn will have to be approved by the Senate. If he is confirmed as FDA Commissioner, he will be responsible for an organization with a $5.7 billion budget with a staff of 17,000. In addition to food and drugs, the FDA is responsible for the regulation of medical devices, tobacco, alcohol, veterinary produces, vaccines, blood and more. Hahn is credited with helping pull MD Anderson out of a financial crisis in 2018. He identified the problem and took corrective action, which did result in layoffs. He also fixed problems that could have led to MD Anderson’s being ineligible for Medicare reimbursements. Food and food safety issues rarely get much attention in such a nomination. American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown welcomed the nomination. @ https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/01/health/fda-commissioner-stephen-hahn-bn/index.html

The FDA announced on its website that Mill Stream Corp. (Sullivan Harbor Farm) of Hancock, Maine recalled ten lots of Cold Smoked Salmon since it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. No illnesses have been reported to date. The salt concentration in the water phase (water phase salt (WPS)) was below 3.5%. Labeling instructions state to keep refrigerated at or below 38ºF and that the product may be frozen. Because the WPS is under 3.5%, the product must remain frozen until ready to consume. Product stored in the refrigerator after thawing has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was sold between March 6, 2019, and September 17, 2019, in vacuum-sealed packages in the following sizes: whole salmon side, 2 lb., 1 lb., 8 oz., and 4 oz.  The smoked salmon products were sold and distributed in ME, MA, VT, RI, NY, CT, PA, NJ, OH, UT, IA, TN, MN, CO, FL, AZ, WI, WA, GA, IL, VA, MI, and TX. The products sold were through retail, wholesale and online orders. The affected product was sold frozen by Mill Stream Corp but may have been thawed by retailers before the sale.  @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mill-stream-corp-sullivan-harbor-farm-issues-voluntary-recall-cold-smoked-salmon-because-possible

The FDA announced on its website that Wegmans had recalled some vegetable blends because they might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall is also related to Mann Packing Co., Inc. that on November 3 that found that their products might be contaminated with Listeria.  After Mann Packaging recall Wegmans was notified by the Food and Drug Administration and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of potential contamination. The recalled products include a Veggie Power Blend sold on the Self-Serve Cold Bar between 9/29/2019 and 11/04/2019, and Tofu Shiitake Slaw sold on the Self-Serve Cold Bar between 9/29/2019 and 11/04/2019 @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wegmans-veggie-power-blend-tofu-shiitake-slaw

The recall due to Listeria monocytogenes by Mann Packing Co., Inc. caused GHNW, LLC of Clackamas, OR to voluntarily recall Mushroom Stir Fry Blend 10 oz. tray and Stir Fry Blend 16 oz. trays because they were produced using Broccoli Slaw that is being recalled by Mann Packing Co.  No illnesses are being reported.  The products affected were sold at QFC and/or Fred Meyer in Oregon and Washington State. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ghnw-llc-voluntarily-recalls-mushroom-stir-fry-blend-and-stir-fry-blend-because-possible-health-risk