The FDA has updated information about the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak (HPAI), which has spread to dairy cows. The virus can be transmitted by wild birds of domestic poultry and other animal species. Sporadic human infections have also occurs. The "highly pathogenic" definition revers to the effect on birds, not necessarily in people. The infection in cows is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms in cattle. Based on information that is currently available, the commercial milk supply is still safe, according to the FDA, because of the pasteurization process and the diversion of destruction of milk from sick cows. WebMD has stated that particles of the bird flu virus have been detected in pasteurized milk, but particles of the pathogen will not … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two active investigations on that table. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least nine people. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, the patient age range, illness onset dates, or what type of food is linked to this outbreak. The FDA has started conducted traceback. The second outbreak on the table is the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil. There are at least 12 people in seven states sick in that outbreak. Two recalls have been issued in relation to that outbreak. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Rizo-Lopez queso fresco and cotija cheese has ended and that investigation was … [Read more...]
FDA Updates PFAS Testing Info in the General Food Supply
The FDA is updating information on PFAS testing in the general food supply. The agency is estimating dietary exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) for American consumers. The FDA has been testing fresh and processed foods for these chemicals since 2019. Nearly 1300 samples from a wide range of foods have been tested. PFAS include chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They were first used in the 1940s and are now in hundreds of products. Some PFAS are authorized by the FDA for limited use in food packaging, cookware, and food processing equipment. Accumulation of some PFAS does occur in humans and animals. And some types of PFAS have been associated with serious health problems. Of 95 samples tested, the FDA detected PFAS in eight samples. They … [Read more...]
FDA On End of Raw Farm Raw Cheddar E. coli Outbreak
FDA on end of Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak states that at least 11 people in five states were sickened. Five people were hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), New Jersey (1), Texas (1), and Utah (2). This case count has not changed since the last update was issued by the FDA and CDC on February 28, 2024. Illness onset dates ranged from October 18, 2023 to February 5, 2024. No deaths were reported. Public health officials collected various Raw Farm branded products for testing, and all samples tested negative for E. coli. But epidemiologic evidence shows that Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese is the likely source of this outbreak. Most of the patients … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Import Alert For Foods with Chemical Contaminants
The FDA issues import alert for foods with chemical contaminants including PFAS, benzene, dioxins, and PCBs. PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, while PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls. PFAS in the environment can get into the food supply through plants and animals that are grown or raised or processed in contaminated areas. Very small amounts of some types of PFAS can get into foods through food packaging, processing, and cookware. Exposure to high levels of PFAS can affect the immune system. Other health effects may include increases in cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, lower antibody response to some vaccines, and kidney and testicular cancer. Studies to confirm these effects are ongoing. PCBs are synthetic organochlorine chemicals that used to … [Read more...]
More FDA Warnings About Yellow Oleander in Supplements
The FDA is issuing more warnings about yellow oleander in supplements. So far, 18 dietary supplements have been identified as problematic. Yellow oleander is a toxic plant and can cause serious health problems that can be fatal. One of the issues is that some of the firms that produce and/or distribute these products are refusing to issue recalls. The agency is still communicating with those firms about this issue. And the FDA is evaluating any regulatory pathways they have to remove these products from the marketplace. The FDA has found that some products marketed as tejocote root, which can be identified as Crataegus mexicana, Raiz de Tejocote, and Mexican Hawthorn, may contain yellow oleander. The plant can cause serious problems with the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and … [Read more...]
Get Super Bowl Delivery and Takeout Food Safety Advice
Get Super Bowl delivery and takeout food safety advice from the USDA to keep your guests safe from food poisoning at your party. There are special rules for handling takeout and delivery foods. If you ordered takeout or Super Bowl delivery foods the day before the game, make sure that someone is available to get the food inside your home and into the fridge in a timely manner. All food that is not going to be eaten immediately should be refrigerated. If you ordered the food for delivery the day of your party, refrigerate cold foods if it's more than two hours before it's time to eat. You may want to reheat foods before serving. If you are serving food to groups, the two hour rule is critical. Perishable foods cannot be in the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F for more than two hours. … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Table Updated With New Listeria Outbreak
The FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table has been updated with a new Listeria outbreak and information about other outbreaks. There are currently four active outbreak investigations on the table. The new Listeria outbreak is not yet linked to any food or product. There are at least 26 people who are sick. No recall has been initiated, traceback has not started, there has been no on-site inspection, and no samples have been collected or analyzed. For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened three people in a not yet identified food, nothing has changed. Traceback has been initiated, an on-site inspection has been conducted, and samples have been collected and analyzed. The outbreak of Salmonella Newport in an unidentified food has ended, with 45 illnesses, and the … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Tejocote Root Supplements Could Be Yellow Oleander
The FDA is warning consumers that some Tejocote Root supplements could instead be yellow oleander, which is a poisonous plant. In September 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report of several tejocote root products that were substituted with toxic yellow oleander. The FDA has tested nine products, and found that they do contain yellow oleander. Ingesting yellow oleander can cause serious health problems and can be fatal. The plant affects the neurological system, the gastrointestinal system, and the cardiovascular system. Symptoms of yellow oleander poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia, and more. The products the government is warning about are usually sold online through third … [Read more...]
Do Not Eat or Serve Intershell International Corp Live Scallops
The FDA is warning restaurants not to serve Intershell International Corp live scallops because they were harvested from prohibited waters in Massachusetts. The FDA says that the shellfish harvester was unlicensed and the scallops are incorrectly labeled with harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates of 12/26/23, 12/27/23, and 01/01/24. Restaurants and food retailers in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are included in this warning. The FDA is investigating to see if these scallops were distributed to other states as well. This warning does not include fresh or frozen non-live packaged scallop meat, which is the vast majority of scallops sold in the United States. Food retailers should dispose of the Intershell International Corp live scallops, whole … [Read more...]
