In case you have not seen this story...we all have little mites that live in the pores of our face. The mites, closely related to ticks, live off of the oils in your hair follicles. They pose no real risk, except perhaps in certain cases where the numbers of mites gets out of control, resulting in a condition called demodicosis.
Click on the NPR story link to see a video of what these creatures look like.
NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/21/725087824/meet-the-mites-that-live-on-your-face
Public Health
Meet The Mites That Live On Your Face
Friday, May 24, 2019
Granola Product Recalled Due to Foreign Material Associated Cashew Ingredient
A marketing company, purely elizabeth, is recalling granola products for unidentified foreign material. Neither the FDA announcement or the company notice listed what the foreign material is. But it did state that the foreign material was the cashew supplier's issue.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/purely-elizabeth-voluntarily-recalls-granola-due-potential-presence-foreign-material
purely elizabeth Voluntarily Recalls Granola Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 22, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Company Name:purely elizabeth
Brand Name: purely elizabeth
Product Description: Granola
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/purely-elizabeth-voluntarily-recalls-granola-due-potential-presence-foreign-material
purely elizabeth Voluntarily Recalls Granola Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 22, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Company Name:purely elizabeth
Brand Name: purely elizabeth
Product Description: Granola
Aldi Recalling Bagged Flour Due to Potential E. coli Contamination, Linked to Outbreak Affecting 17
ALDI is recalling All Purpose Flour, which was produced by ADM, after RI Department of Health discovered the organism during sample testing. The organism isolated from the bag is closely related by whole genome sequencing to the strain of E. coli O26 that has caused an outbreak affecting 17 people in 8 states. [Okay raw-cookie-dough eaters, time to pay attention.]
ALDI has recalled Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour sold at retail locations in the Northeastern United States due to a potential presence of E. coli. This product was sourced from an ADM Milling Co. production facility in Buffalo, N.Y. and was distributed to select ALDI stores in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
The contamination was discovered during testing of a five-pound bag of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour by the Rhode Island Department of Health. There are two lot numbers involved in this recall: Lot L18A02 and L18A03. The products have Best If Used By Dates of Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2019. The product was manufactured at ADM’s flour mill in Buffalo, New York.
On May 24, 2019, further DNA analysis found that the E. coli in the unopened sample of flour was closely related by whole genome sequencing to the strain of E. coli O26 that has caused an outbreak affecting 17 people in 8 states.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/association-adm-milling-co-aldi-issues-isolated-recall-5-lb-bakers-corner-all-purpose-flour
In Association with ADM Milling Co., ALDI Issues Isolated Recall for 5 lb. Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 23, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Company Name: ALDI
Brand Name: Bakers Corner
Product Description: Flour
ALDI has recalled Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour sold at retail locations in the Northeastern United States due to a potential presence of E. coli. This product was sourced from an ADM Milling Co. production facility in Buffalo, N.Y. and was distributed to select ALDI stores in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
The contamination was discovered during testing of a five-pound bag of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour by the Rhode Island Department of Health. There are two lot numbers involved in this recall: Lot L18A02 and L18A03. The products have Best If Used By Dates of Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2019. The product was manufactured at ADM’s flour mill in Buffalo, New York.
On May 24, 2019, further DNA analysis found that the E. coli in the unopened sample of flour was closely related by whole genome sequencing to the strain of E. coli O26 that has caused an outbreak affecting 17 people in 8 states.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/association-adm-milling-co-aldi-issues-isolated-recall-5-lb-bakers-corner-all-purpose-flour
In Association with ADM Milling Co., ALDI Issues Isolated Recall for 5 lb. Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 22, 2019
FDA Publish Date: May 23, 2019
Product Type:Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Company Name: ALDI
Brand Name: Bakers Corner
Product Description: Flour
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Chicken Soup Recalled Due to Foreign Material - Plastic Pieces
Blount Fine Foods, a McKinney, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 6,690 pounds of soup with chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic.
The problem was discovered when the recalling firm notified FSIS of consumer complaints.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these product.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-058-2019-release
Blount Fine Foods Recalls Soup with Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
The problem was discovered when the recalling firm notified FSIS of consumer complaints.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these product.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-058-2019-release
Blount Fine Foods Recalls Soup with Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
058-2019
Health Risk: Low
May 23, 2019
Narcotics Hidden in Produce Shipments Are Seized at Border
In the last few days, Federal authorities have seized an enormous amount of drugs at the border which were being smuggled in produce trailers. One shipment was 930 lbs of meth (methamphetamine) worth $18.5 million. The other was 242 pounds of cocaine (value - $2.1 million) comingled with a shipment of Bell peppers.
Newsweek - U.S.
https://www.newsweek.com/methamphetamine-bust-us-customs-and-border-protection-pharr-international-1432404
'Huge' Load of Meth worth $18.5 Million Found in Trailer Carrying Fresh Carrots
By Dan Cancian On 5/22/19 at 7:13 AM EDT
Newsweek - U.S.
https://www.newsweek.com/methamphetamine-bust-us-customs-and-border-protection-pharr-international-1432404
'Huge' Load of Meth worth $18.5 Million Found in Trailer Carrying Fresh Carrots
By Dan Cancian On 5/22/19 at 7:13 AM EDT
Illinois Establishment Recalls Ground Beef After USDA Testing Finds E.coli O157:H7
Aurora Packing Company, Inc., a North Aurora, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 62,112 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The problem was discovered during traceback activities in response to random sample testing by FSIS. Three have been no reported illnesses.
Aurora Packing Company, Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
057-2019
Health Risk:High
May 22, 2019
Aurora Packing Company, Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Class I Recall
057-2019
Health Risk:High
May 22, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
FDA Issues Warning Letter to Ice Cream Facility for Inadequate Listeria Control
FDA issued a warning letter to an Ohio ice cream facility after finding Listeria monocytognes on consecutive inpections still in the facility. From FDA's perspective, the facility had not done sufficient corrective action to reduce this environmental bacterial pathogen.
FDA stated "Nine environmental swabs collected by FDA during our most recent inspection were positive for L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, environmental swabs collected during our 2018 inspection revealed L. monocytogenes in nine swabs within your facility and environmental swabs collected during our 2017 inspection revealed L. monocytogenes in three swabs within your facility." Further, "FDA laboratory analysis of the environmental swabs found the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes),...... including the same strain found during FDA’s 2018 inspection."
The facility conducted had their own testing and from their results, "Listeria spp. [was found] in your environment seven times on surfaces adjacent to Zone 1 locations and other non-food contact surface locations within your processing environment including areas within your RTE room. Review of your records finds that your written corrective action procedures were followed each time a positive swab was found in your facility; however, these repeated findings of Listeria in your environment are further evidence that additional measures may be needed in your facility to address Listeria."
Along with this, the inspection noted items of risk including improper use of high pressure hoses which can cross contaminate back onto food surfaces. "[FDA] investigators observed an employee using a high-pressure hose to spray the floor with water while performing sanitation operations. They observed overspray from the floor onto equipment reported as having been cleaned and from the floor onto unopened buckets of ingredients that were going to be used to produce ice cream the next day."
The other issue was poor drainage from the processing floor - "the design of the production floor does not allow for the proper drainage of water. Water used in the cleaning of equipment pools in various locations throughout the production area of your facility, which can provide harborage areas for pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria."
Once Listeria becomes established in a facility, it can become difficult to eliminate. The level of positive Listeria swabs are clear indication that corrective actions were not sufficient. The Blue Bell Listeria contamination issue where corrective action to Listeria positive findings were also inadequate. .
FDA WARNING LETTER
Velvet Ice Cream Company
MARCS-CMS 575444 — 06/05/2019
Delivery Method:VIA UPSProduct:Food & Beverages
Dairy
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP)
FDA stated "Nine environmental swabs collected by FDA during our most recent inspection were positive for L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, environmental swabs collected during our 2018 inspection revealed L. monocytogenes in nine swabs within your facility and environmental swabs collected during our 2017 inspection revealed L. monocytogenes in three swabs within your facility." Further, "FDA laboratory analysis of the environmental swabs found the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes),...... including the same strain found during FDA’s 2018 inspection."
The facility conducted had their own testing and from their results, "Listeria spp. [was found] in your environment seven times on surfaces adjacent to Zone 1 locations and other non-food contact surface locations within your processing environment including areas within your RTE room. Review of your records finds that your written corrective action procedures were followed each time a positive swab was found in your facility; however, these repeated findings of Listeria in your environment are further evidence that additional measures may be needed in your facility to address Listeria."
Along with this, the inspection noted items of risk including improper use of high pressure hoses which can cross contaminate back onto food surfaces. "[FDA] investigators observed an employee using a high-pressure hose to spray the floor with water while performing sanitation operations. They observed overspray from the floor onto equipment reported as having been cleaned and from the floor onto unopened buckets of ingredients that were going to be used to produce ice cream the next day."
The other issue was poor drainage from the processing floor - "the design of the production floor does not allow for the proper drainage of water. Water used in the cleaning of equipment pools in various locations throughout the production area of your facility, which can provide harborage areas for pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria."
Once Listeria becomes established in a facility, it can become difficult to eliminate. The level of positive Listeria swabs are clear indication that corrective actions were not sufficient. The Blue Bell Listeria contamination issue where corrective action to Listeria positive findings were also inadequate. .
FDA WARNING LETTER
Velvet Ice Cream Company
MARCS-CMS 575444 — 06/05/2019
Delivery Method:VIA UPSProduct:Food & Beverages
Dairy
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP)
Vegetable Trays Removed from C-Store After Linked to Salmonella Cases
Vegetable trays made by Del Monte and sold through Kwik Trip convenience stores were removed from sale after being linked to Salmonella cases, 3 in WI and 1 in Minnesota. The same product sold at Kwik Trip stores last June was linked to a Cyclospora outbreak. FDA is inspecting the Del Monte facility that produced vegetable trays
FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-infantis-linked-del-monte-vegetable-trays-spring-2019
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Infantis Linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays, Spring 2019
FDA inspects Del Monte processing facility, joining state authorities from Wisconsin and Minnesota in an outbreak investigation
May 22, 2019
FDA Outbreak Investigation
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-infantis-linked-del-monte-vegetable-trays-spring-2019
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Infantis Linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays, Spring 2019
FDA inspects Del Monte processing facility, joining state authorities from Wisconsin and Minnesota in an outbreak investigation
May 22, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
A More Independent FDA?
An interesting article in Science on giving the FDA more independence citing political wrangling that slows FDA actions. They cite 7 former commissioners who are "recommending the recasting of the FDA as an independent federal agency apart and distinct from the DHHS . Essential pillars of independence to be embodied in the “new” FDA are to comprise rule-making authority subject to selective Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)–OMB oversight of important regulations, and more independence in its ability to manage litigation (in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice)".
The problem with this....potential impact of activist commissioners. While FDA may be slow...much of that is that there needs to be strong scientific support before rules can be enacted, and with questions of morality, there needs to be the influence of politics where the majority has an influence on decisions.
Science
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6441/628
When science and politics collide: Enhancing the FDA
Eli Y. Adashi1, Rohit S. Rajan2, I. Glenn Cohen2,3
+ See all authors and affiliations
Science 17 May 2019:
Vol. 364, Issue 6441, pp. 628-631
DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw8093
The problem with this....potential impact of activist commissioners. While FDA may be slow...much of that is that there needs to be strong scientific support before rules can be enacted, and with questions of morality, there needs to be the influence of politics where the majority has an influence on decisions.
Science
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6441/628
When science and politics collide: Enhancing the FDA
Eli Y. Adashi1, Rohit S. Rajan2, I. Glenn Cohen2,3
+ See all authors and affiliations
Science 17 May 2019:
Vol. 364, Issue 6441, pp. 628-631
DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw8093
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