FDA
• The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup infections with 551 illnesses in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Laboratory, epidemiological, and traceback data determined that cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Thomas Produce Company, of Boca Raton, Florida, are likely sources of illnesses in this outbreak; however, these growers do not account for all
the illnesses in this outbreak. The advisory for the investigation of the Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers was recently updated. As reported by CDC, as of August 22, 2024, this outbreak is over.
• CDC, FDA , America's Poison Centers, and state and local partners are investigating reports of severe acute illnesses associated with consuming Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushrooms. Symptoms occurring after consumption included seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. According to the firm, these products contain muscimol, a chemical found in some mushrooms, that could be a potential cause of these symptoms. However, sample results from extensive testing of all implicated products indicate additional toxicants may be the cause of illness. FDA’s advisory was recently updated for additional case counts, distributors, and test results.
USDA
• USDA FSIS posted their “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products” to the FSIS website on August 7. The Salmonella Framework Proposal introduces FSIS’s proposed determination that raw chicken carcasses, chicken parts, comminuted chicken, and comminuted turkey products contaminated with certain Salmonella levels and serotypes are adulterated within the meaning of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). Public comments are due by November 7, 2024. USDA FSIS is offering informational Salmonella Framework Proposal Webinars: September 9, 10 AM-12:30 PM ET, and September 10, 2024, 10 AM-12 PM ET.
The proposed determination establishes a final product standard for serotypes and levels. Specifically, FSIS has tentatively determined that the raw poultry products listed are adulterated if they contain any type of Salmonella at or above 10 colony forming units/per milliliter or gram (10 cfu/mL(g)) in analytical portion ( i.e., mL of rinsate or gram of product) and contain any detectable level of at least one of the Salmonella serotypes of public health significance identified for that commodity. FSIS has
proposed that detection of the following highly virulent Salmonella serotypes associated with these products would render them adulterated from entering commerce: Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and I 4,[5],12:i:-, and for raw comminuted turkey are Hadar, Typhimurium, and Muenchen. The Salmonella serotypes of public health significance will likely change over time and FSIS will continue to track annual targets for reducing contamination and adding serotypes associated with public health. FSIS is also proposing to revise the regulations that require that all poultry slaughter establishments develop, implement, and maintain written procedures to prevent contamination by enteric pathogens throughout the entire slaughter and dressing operation to clarify that these procedures must include a microbial monitoring program (MMP) that incorporates statistical process control (SPC) monitoring methods, to require sampling at rehang instead of pre-chill, and to require that all establishments conduct paired sampling at rehang and post-chill.
• The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting on September 24, 2024, and September 26, 2024, to provide an update on the FSIS Genomics charge and the FDA Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula charge. Additional information on the NACMCF charges can be found on the FSIS website.
The Genomics and Cronobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula subcommittees will also hold concurrent meetings on September 25, 2024, that will be open to the public to attend virtually. Registration is required by September 18, 2024. The Federal Register notice provides additional meeting details. FSIS will finalize an agenda before the meeting date and post it on the FSIS events webpage.
NACMCF provides impartial scientific advice on critical food safety issues to federal food safety agencies. Their reports are a foundation for regulations and programs aimed at reducing foodborne disease and enhancing public health. Federal food safety agencies involved with NACMCF include FSIS, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Department of Defense Veterinary Services.
NACMCF will hold a virtual Information Fair on membership opportunities, September 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET. Information shared will include an overview of NACMCF, committee activities, and preparing membership nominations. Interested individuals can join through Microsoft Teams or join by phone at (202) 650-0123; access code 67052339#.
• FSIS recently posted a Q&A on the FSIS Allergen Verification Sampling Program. FSIS will begin the allergen verification sampling program on September 1, 2024, as announced in their July 26, 2024 Constituent Update and described in FSIS Directive 7,000.6. This FSIS Directive provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) to collect samples for the allergen verification sampling program conducted at establishments that produce ready-to-eat (RTE) products with labeling claims for 14 food allergens and gluten. In response to questions from industry and FSIS personnel, FSIS is posting questions and answers for a few commonly asked questions. These questions and answers can be found here. Additional questions may be submitted to askFSIS at askFSIS | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov) or by telephone at 1-800-233-3935. When submitting a question online, complete the web form and select Sampling as the Inquiry Type.