Tag: pathogen
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FDA Seeks Information on Salmonella Risk from Tree Nuts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a request for comments, scientific data and information to use in risk assessment of human salmonellosis associated with the consumption of tree nuts, including almonds, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and walnuts. The risk assessment seeks to quantify the public health risk associated with…
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FDA Updates Guidance on Salmonella in Animal Food
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published new guidance on Salmonella-contaminated food for animals. Titled “Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 690.800 Salmonella in Food for Animals” (CPG), the guidance finalizes the draft CPG that was announced in August 2010 and includes the following changes: (i) the title has changed from “Salmonella in Animal Feed” to “Salmonella in…
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Drug-Resistant Bacteria Allegedly Linked to Industrial Farm Workers
A recent study examining the prevalence of methicillin and multidrug resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA and MDRSA) among farm workers has reported that livestock-associated strains of both bacteria were present only in individuals employed at “industrial livestock operations” (ILOs) and not those employed at “antibiotic-free livestock operations” (AFLOs). Jessica Rinsky, et al., “Livestock-Associated Methicillin and Multidrug…
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Plaintiffs’ Law Firm Files 17 Lawsuits in Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Berries
According to Marler Clark’s Website, the firm has filed 17 lawsuits against Townsend Farms, the Oregon-based company whose frozen berry and pomegranate seed blend products have purportedly been associated with a hepatitis A outbreak that has, to date, sickened more than 100 people in seven states. The firm has filed eight individual suits in the…
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EFSA Announces Public Consultation on Feed Additive Guidance
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched two public consultations on draft guidance for feed additives. Issued by EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances Used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), the first draft document offers guidance “for the preparation of dossiers for the renewal of the authorization for feed additives.” Under Article 14…
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EFSA Recommends Improvements to Meat Inspection Procedures
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published its recommendations for improving meat inspection procedures in the European Union (EU) after a previous assessment found that “traditional practices… are not always suitable for detecting the main meat borne hazards such as Campylobacter and Salmonella or contamination by chemical substances.” Billed as “a major piece of work…
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Hepatitis Outbreak Spawns Class Actions Seeking Compensation for Vaccination
An outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen berry and pomegranate mixes sold in eight states has reportedly sickened 87 consumers to date and spawned at least three putative class actions seeking compensation for hepatitis A testing and vaccination. According to media reports, residents in Arizona, California and Nevada filed lawsuits after the Colorado Department…
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Suit Filed in California over Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Frozen Organic Fruit
A California resident has filed a strict liability lawsuit against a food retailer and the Oregon-based company that produced a frozen organic fruit mix allegedly implicated in a widespread Hepatitis A outbreak. Brackenridge v. Townsend Farms Corp., No. BC510633 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty., filed June 3, 2013). According to the complaint, Lynda Brackenridge…