Difficulties in Developing a Vaccine Against Norovirus

Norovirus is considered the leading cause of foodborne illness in the US.  The main reasons for this is how easily it spreads (acute onset vomiting), low infectious dose, and ability to remain active in the environment.  Another key is that the body does not easily become immune to the virus, and with that, there are no available vaccines.

The reason for this is the changing complexity of the outer capsid structure.  This shell changes structure significantly from strain to strain.  And of course this structure is what antibodies find and lock onto in order to eliminate from the body.

Technology Networks
https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/steps-towards-a-food-poisoning-vaccine-320589
Norovirus Structure Far More Complex Than First Thought 
News   Jun 13, 2019 |

Are Nitrates in Water A Cancer Risk?

A peer reviewed study published by the Environmental Working Group proposes that nitrate pollution of U.S. drinking water may cause from 2300 to 12,594 cases of cancer per year.  Most of these cases are in the rural farmland area where agronomic inputs, septic systems and home lawns becomes the source of this contamination.  Currently, the EPA acceptable level is 10ppm, but the EWG wants to see a lower level, about 0.14 ppm.

These statistical studies make a lot of inferences based on diverse data, so it is important to recognize the limit of this.

Jeff Stoltzfus, Penn State's Farm Food Safety Educator, was kind enough to provide some facts.  First, the baseline level, or background level, found in undisturbed aquifers is 1ppm and as high as 3ppm.  Vegetables and meat also contribute significant amounts of nitrates to our diet.  Finally, there are many, many activities we engage in each day that represent a higher risk than this.

Environmental Research, online 11 June 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.009

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001393511930218X?via%3Dihub
Exposure-based assessment and economic valuation of adverse birth outcomes and cancer risk due to nitrate in United States drinking water.
 Alexis Temkin a, Sydney Evans a, Tatiana Manidis b, Chris Campbell a, Olga V. Naidenko a
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.009

Highlights

• First of its kind national analysis assessing nitrate exposure from drinking water for the entire U.S. population.
• 2,300 to 12,594 nitrate-attributable cancer cases annually in the U.S., of which 54-82% are colorectal cancer (CRC) cases.
• Up to $1.5 and $6.5 billion in medical and indirect costs may be associated with annual nitrate-attributable cancer cases.
• Meta-analysis of eight studies assessing nitrate in drinking water and CRC supports a health benchmark of 0.14 mg/L

Chicken Fritters Recalled After 3 Complaints of Foreign Material Contamination in the Form of Hard Plastic

Tyson Foods, Inc., a New Holland, Pa. establishment, recalled approximately 190,757 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken fritter products due to potential contamination with hard plastic foreign objects. "FSIS was notified of the problem on June 5, 2019, when Tyson Foods, Inc. advised FSIS of three consumer complaints from schools of foreign material in the breaded chicken fritter product. Tyson Foods, Inc. distributed the product to institutions, including schools. While the product was distributed to schools, it resulted from a commercial sale and was not part of food provided by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program."

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-066-2019-release
Tyson Foods, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Fritter Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
066-2019
Health Risk: High
Jun 7, 2019

More Flour Recalled After Notified Product May Be Linked to Ongoing E.coli Outbreak

King Arthur Flour, Inc. of Norwich, VT is voluntarily recalling 14,218 cases of 5 lb. Unbleached All-Purpose Flour after being informed by ADM Milling Co. that certain wheat used to make these lots of King Arthur flour has been linked to an ongoing outbreak of E. coli infections that was issued on May 24th.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with King Arthur flour.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/association-adm-milling-co-king-arthur-flour-inc-voluntarily-recalls-limited-quantity-unbleached-all
In Association with ADM Milling Co, King Arthur Flour, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 Lb.) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 13, 2019
FDA Publish Date:  June 13, 2019

Frozen Blackberries Recalled Due to Potential for Hepatitis A

FDA issued a consumer alert for frozen blackberries potentially contaminated with hepatitis A virus (HAV).    The notice states, "At this time, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are not aware of any cases of hepatitis A linked to the consumption of Kroger Private Selection brand frozen blackberries."  Although nothing was stated, this indicates that someone who handled the product in the up-stream supplier chain had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

Kroger issued a recall for the frozen blackberries and the Triple Berry Medley.  The product was sold at Kroger stores.  Costco also recalled product that was shipped to 5 states.

The concern is that if the infected person contaminated the berries when handling the product, even a small amount on the frozen berries could make someone ill.   Of course, many of the berries would be eaten in the raw form.

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/public-health-alert-concerning-hepatitis-virus-contamination-kroger-brand-frozen-blackberries
Public Health Alert Concerning Hepatitis A Virus Contamination of Kroger Brand Frozen Blackberries
June 7, 2019

New Third Party Audit Parameter - Food Safety Culture Assessment

It seems like there is always something new that can be added to the third-party audit....and now there is the Food Safety Culture Assessment.  A number of companies including Ecolab and Culture Excellence have developed tools "to help measure and advance food safety behaviors and the overall food safety culture within food retail organizations."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-launches-food-safety-culture-123000672.html
Ecolab Launches Food Safety Culture Assessment to Help Improve Food Safety Behavior
Business WireJune 7, 2019
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fake Food Safety Video Reaches Close to 100 Million People in Two Days

An article in NewStatesman discusses how a video with questionable food safety claims regarding food products was seen by 90 million people in two days.  In the video, the 'artists' show how manufacturers use fake food to fool consumers (you can watch the video from the link below)

Being released by a US entity, it is easy for many to assume that the cases were from US companies.  But that was not the case - "When asked about the research that went into making the video, First Media provided a list of links for each clip. Eleven of the 16 were from a mix of Indian sources relating to alleged food scandals in the country; from the urbane Instagram influencers of New Delhi to national newspapers and rural TV channels. One, relating to red dye on sweet potatoes, came from the official food standards authority in India. "

While the author's claim good intent in increasing awareness, it does show how fast fake news can be distributed, and if well produced, it can be quite convincing.

NewStatesman
https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/social-media/2019/06/how-spurious-food-safety-claims-reached-audience-almost-90-million
How spurious food safety claims reached an audience of almost 90 million in a few days

Prevalence of Salmonella and Pathogenic E. coli in Raw Wheat and the Need for Control

In a recently published study, the research shows that Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli is found in raw wheat, and with that, can be found in raw flour.   A total of 5,176 wheat samples were tested for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and L. monocytogenes.

• Salmonella was in 1.23% of the samples (average level of 0.110 MPN/g), 
• EHECs occurred in 0.44% of the samples (0.039 MPN/g), 
• Listeria spp. occurred in 0.08% of samples (0.020 MPN/g), but L. monocytogenes was not detected.

A few important discussion points:

• "Contamination sources are diverse and vary with several conditions, including weather, temperature, precipitation, time of flowering, and time of harvest."   So there is no silver bullet in eliminating this contamination from getting on the raw product.
• "There are two main pathways in which the presence of pathogens in wheat flour can cause human illness: (i) by the consumption of raw dough and (ii) through cross-contamination. The widespread use of wheat products in foods and the occurrence of outbreaks associated with wheat products confirm that eating raw wheat products poses a risk for foodborne illnesses."  As processors as well as consumers, these vegetative pathogens must be considered as being potentially present, and with that, we need to have a process to eliminate the organism (baking) and procedures against cross contamination with the raw flour (cleaning).

Journal of Food Protection
https://jfoodprotection.org/doi/full/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-345
Occurrence and Levels of Salmonella, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and Listeria in Raw Wheat
Volume 82, Issue 6 (June 2019) 

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending June 8, 2019

Nuts in the Pesto Sauce - Whole Foods Market stores in the North Atlantic region are voluntarily recalling the retailer’s specialty made-in-house basil pesto and specialty made-in-house sundried tomato pesto because the products may contain undeclared milk and tree nuts.   The issue was discovered after a customer alerted the store.

Sulfite Testing Discovers They're Missing on the Label - Deep Foods Inc. of Union, NJ is recalling Deep Golden Raisin 7oz., 14oz. and 28oz. Because they contained undeclared sulfites.  The recall was initiated after routing sampling by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in the 7 oz. Package of Deep "Golden Raisin" which were not declared on label. The same raisins were packed in 14 oz. And 28 oz. And are included in this recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-undeclared-milk-pine-nuts-and-walnuts-two-specialty-pesto-products-sold-north
Allergy Alert Issued for Undeclared Milk, Pine Nuts and Walnuts in Two Specialty Pesto Products Sold in North Atlantic Whole Foods Market Stores
Summary
Company Announcement Date: June 05, 2019
FDA Publish Date:June 06, 2019