In the news

A new article published in Eurosurveillance claims that more than 50% of severe Listeriosis cases in the EU belong to clusters. These clusters are not detected fast enough by the current European surveillance system. In this study, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) analyzed 2,726 human Listeria monocytogenes isolates from 27 countries between 2010 and 2015. Approximately 1/3 of the cases that were identified as part of a cluster affected more than one country, and frequently lasting for several years. Because only two listeriosis outbreaks were reported in the EU in 2016 and five in 2015, one can conclude that many of them have gone undetected. The use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize listeriosis cases could speed up the detection of clusters by up to 5 months. The faster detection of clusters could prevent further cases from the same source. In 2016, 2,536 cases were reported, including 247 deaths. The study also defines the most appropriate typing methods for earlier detection and investigation of isolated cross-border clusters and outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes. @ https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/listeria-surveillance-new-eu-wide-study-reveals-most-outbreaks-remain-undetected

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, OR expended its voluntary recall to include an additional quantity of Rad Cat Raw Diet across all varieties with Best By dates of 10/19/18 through 12/3/19 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No pet or human illnesses caused by consumption of or exposure to Rad Cat Raw Diet products have been reported to date. The company has identified a source of potential contamination in its facility. Radagast has taken proactive measures to eradicate the source and it is confident that its corrective actions have eliminated the source of potential contamination related to this recall. This expanded recall will capture any additional lots that may have been affected. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm617868.htm?utm_campaign=Radagast%20Pet%20Food%20Voluntarily%20Expands%20Recall%20to%20Include%20Rad%20Cat%20Raw%20Diet%20Products&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

The global food safety testing market was valued at $11,122.53 million in 2016. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% during 2018–2023. Some of the growth is due to the increase in food-borne illnesses due to contaminated food products. Microbiological testing often requires a long time to get results, which delays time to market of food products. Rapid testing decreased the testing time, but its high cost is affecting the market growth. Globally, incidences of food-borne diseases are increasing, and the most common cause of outbreaks are Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera, Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) has reported that every year, one in 10 people get ill due to food-borne illness, most importantly, children under five years are at a higher risk. Major food-borne outbreaks have occurred in every continent in the past decade. Such incidences have made companies incur a heavy loss of sales and brand equity, making consumers aware of the potential health hazards. Pathogen testing dominates the food safety testing market, with fruit & vegetable testing being the largest. Recent concerns about microbial contaminants, such as E. coli and Salmonella, have driven the pathogen safety testing market. Pathogen testing is growing at a faster rate in the food safety testing market, due to the serious health effects of pathogens and the immediate impact of the quality of the foods. North America constituted the largest food safety testing market in 2016. The Asia-Pacific market is likely to record the fastest CAGR, primarily driven by the increase in testing procedures from the potential regions of China and India. Authorities, like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has been established to take serious steps toward ensuring food safety. @ https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7f84pz/the_global_food?w=4

A recent article in “Food Quality and Safety” describes the regulatory future of cell cultured meat and raises three issues (i) What federal agency should be responsible for overseeing such products? (ii) How should such products be regulated? (iii) How should the product be labeled? The agency responsible depends on the definition of cell cultured meat. Is it truly a meat? Is it FSIS or FDA? FSIS has been silent on this jurisdictional issue, noting when asked that the issue is under discussion within the administration. The FDA has taken a more active position and believes that they have the legal authority, the scientific expertise, and the procedural mechanisms in place to take hold of the issue. FDA’s approach at its public meeting in July focused heavily on gate-keeping questions. The overall message was that the FDA was highly receptive to fine-tuning its authority and to identify and activate a suitable gateway mechanism. Comments by the public revealed that some are advocating extreme caution and extensive research before any introduction of such products to the public while others, more hostile to traditional animal agriculture, arguing the sooner the better. A wide range of options for labeling was expressed—ranging from the extremely benign “clean meat,” to the highly pejorative, “fake meat,” with much in between. The main question remains whether cell culture meat will receive widespread consumer acceptance. This will depend heavily upon whether the consuming public has confidence that cell-cultured meal is safe, wholesome, properly labeled, and overseen by the appropriate government authorities. @ https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/cell-cultured-meat-the-emerging-regulatory-landscape/?elq_mid=29674&elq_cid=10195538