In the news

In France, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that millions of people worldwide will die from superbug infections unless countries prioritize fighting the growing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to new research, drug-resistant bacteria killed more than 33,000 people in Europe in 2015. In the report, the OECD said 2.4 million people could die from superbugs by 2050 and said the cost of treating such infections would balloon to an average of $3.5 billion a year in each country included in its analysis. The growth of infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria is predicted to be between four and seven times faster by 2030 than currently.”Such high resistance rates will create the conditions for an enormous death toll that will be mainly borne by newborns, very young children and the elderly,” the report said. The report predicts that resistance 2nd- and 3rd-line antibiotics will balloon by 70 percent by 2030. @ https://www.france24.com/en/20181107-superbugs-kill-millions-2050-unless-countries-act

Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, New York recalled 132 wheels of “Margie” cheese, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Margie cheese is a soft, white rind, cow’s milk cheese. It is packaged with a green round label, wrapped in white paper in one pound wheels. The product was mainly distributed in the state of New York. The recall was the result of a routine US Food and Drug Administration inspection of Sprout Creek Farm’s cheese production facility. During the inspection, samples were sent to an FDA Lab for testing and Listeria monocytogenes was found in the product. Sprout Creek Farm is working with the FDA to determine the root cause of the problem. No illnesses have been reported to date. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625254.htm

The CDC and FDA are investigating a Salmonella outbreak that might be linked to Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix. Conagra Brands is collaborating with health officials in the investigation and has decided to voluntarily recall the specific Duncan Hines variety identified (Classic White) and three other varieties (Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow) made during the same time period out of an abundance of caution. The investigation is ongoing. Five occurrences of illnesses due to Salmonella are being researched by CDC and FDA as part of this investigation. Several of the individuals reported consuming a cake mix at some point prior to becoming ill, and some may have also consumed these products raw and not baked. The products covered by this recall were distributed for retail sale in the U.S. and limited international exports. Consumers are reminded not to consume any raw batter. Cake mixes and batter can be made with ingredients such as eggs or flour which can carry risks of bacteria that are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm625144.htm

The commissioner said that the FDA goal is to provide faster and actionable information to consumers related to recalls. Dr. Gottlieb claims that currently, on average, recall happens within 4 days of being discovered. The FDA saw several cases where companies did not agree to voluntarily recall their products. Therefore, today they are taking further steps to implement the FDA’s mandatory recall authority. The FDA will give companies an opportunity to conduct a voluntary recall before ordering a mandatory recall. To date, the FDA had issued only one mandatory recall (on April 2018, for all food products containing powdered kratom manufactured, processed, packed, or held by Triangle Pharmanaturals LLC, due to Salmonella contamination). FDA already acted on the new guidelines, issuing a public warning on imported crab meat from Venezuela as soon as they discovered that there were Vibrio illnesses in several states associated with that product. The FDA also recalled vegetable products that were embedded in many other products. Dr Gottlieb promised that “We’ll continue to improve our policies related to food safety and recalls, and advance our authorities to make sure that that we arm consumers with information to protect themselves and their families.” @ https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm625061.htm?utm_campaign=11052018_Statement_FDA%E2%80%99s%20effort%20to%20make%20more%20robust%20use%20of%20mandatory%20recall%20authority&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua