Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
The FDA, CDC, and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses possibly linked to undetermined food products.
According to reports from the CDC, several state health departments have reported Cyclospora infections. As of July 25, 2013, CDC has been notified of more than 321 cases of Cyclospora infection in residents of multiple states and one city, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, and Ohio. Illinois and Kansas have also notified CDC of one case each that may have been acquired out of state but in the United States. It is not yet clear whether the cases from all of the states are part of the same outbreak.
The investigation into this outbreak continues, in order to identify possible sources of the outbreak.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food. Fresh produce should be thoroughly washed before it is eaten.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm361637.htm
MMWR week 29 reported cases from the following states (not reportable in all states): IA (22), NE (19), GA (2), FL (11), AR (1), TX (11) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6229md.htm?s_cid=mm6229md_w
CDC: At least 18 persons reportedly have been hospitalized in three states. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/investigation-2013.html
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing two rules that represent a fundamental shift in its oversight of imported foods. The shift is designed to help prevent safety problems before those foods arrive in the United States, rather than having to rely primarily on inspections at U.S. ports of entry.
The proposed Foreign Supplier Verification and Accredited Third Party Certification rules are the next major steps in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act signed by President Obama in 2011. The law calls for science-based changes to the food safety system to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The new rules would make importers more accountable for food safety, and would establish standards for third-party audits of foreign food producers. These proposals would strengthen FDA's ability to monitor those facilities and respond if there are unsafe practices. A lot of the food we eat is imported—15 percent of the U.S. food supply, including nearly 50 percent of fresh fruit and 20 percent of fresh vegetables...
The new rules would complement two others proposed in January 2013. The proposed Preventive Controls for Human Food rule would set safety requirements for facilities that process, package or store food for people. And the proposed Produce Safety rule would establish science-based standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce on farms...
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm362462.htm
According to reports from the CDC, several state health departments have reported Cyclospora infections. As of July 25, 2013, CDC has been notified of more than 321 cases of Cyclospora infection in residents of multiple states and one city, including Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, and Ohio. Illinois and Kansas have also notified CDC of one case each that may have been acquired out of state but in the United States. It is not yet clear whether the cases from all of the states are part of the same outbreak.
The investigation into this outbreak continues, in order to identify possible sources of the outbreak.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food. Fresh produce should be thoroughly washed before it is eaten.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm361637.htm
MMWR week 29 reported cases from the following states (not reportable in all states): IA (22), NE (19), GA (2), FL (11), AR (1), TX (11) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6229md.htm?s_cid=mm6229md_w
CDC: At least 18 persons reportedly have been hospitalized in three states. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/investigation-2013.html
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing two rules that represent a fundamental shift in its oversight of imported foods. The shift is designed to help prevent safety problems before those foods arrive in the United States, rather than having to rely primarily on inspections at U.S. ports of entry.
The proposed Foreign Supplier Verification and Accredited Third Party Certification rules are the next major steps in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act signed by President Obama in 2011. The law calls for science-based changes to the food safety system to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The new rules would make importers more accountable for food safety, and would establish standards for third-party audits of foreign food producers. These proposals would strengthen FDA's ability to monitor those facilities and respond if there are unsafe practices. A lot of the food we eat is imported—15 percent of the U.S. food supply, including nearly 50 percent of fresh fruit and 20 percent of fresh vegetables...
The new rules would complement two others proposed in January 2013. The proposed Preventive Controls for Human Food rule would set safety requirements for facilities that process, package or store food for people. And the proposed Produce Safety rule would establish science-based standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce on farms...
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm362462.htm