July 26, 2019

FDA

Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Imported Fresh Basil, July 2019

Recalls

Date	Brand	Product Description	Reason/Problem	Company
07/25/2019	Great Value, HEB	Taco Seasoning Products	Due to possible presence of Salmonella contamination	Williams Foods LLC
07/24/2019	Bucee's, Fresh Thyme and more	Hummus and Dips	Due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Pita Pal Foods, LP
07/24/2019	Tainy Vostoka	Tainy Vostoka Assorted Dry Fruits-Apple	Sulfites	Euphoria Fancy Food Inc

FSIS

Recalls

Product Recalled	Date of Recall
078-2019 Home Market Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Beef and Pork Meatball Products due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens	Jul 25, 2019

BRS

Comment Period on Biotechnology 340 Proposed Rule to Close on August 6, 2019

GAO

USDA Actions Needed to Assess Effectiveness, Coordinate Programs, and Leverage Expertise

@SecretarySonny

• · Americans spend just 6.4% of disposable income on food — the lowest of any nation in the [world]. To compare, the average household in China spends about 21.7% of disposable income on food. If you ate today, thank a farmer. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2019/07/25/secretary-sonny-perdue-thanking-the-american-farmer/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

@FrankYiannasFDA

• · Artificial intelligence increasingly used to enhance recipes, flavor development, and understand ideal growing conditions. Implications for food safety? You bet. Let’s work on it, together. #SmarterFoodSafetyhttps://www.rappler.com/technology/features/235926-better-food-through-artificial-intelligence

@DrAbernethyFDA

• · It was an honor to testify today on Capitol Hill on the important topic of hemp and #CBD. FDA is fully committed to expediting our work to evaluate the regulatory policies related to those products. Miss the hearing? You can watch it here! https://go.usa.gov/xyV6j

@US_FDA

• · FDA, @CDCgov & state/local partners, are investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV of Morelos, Mexico. FDA is working with the firm on a recall and will provide updates: https://go.usa.gov/xyAkr
• · Consumers should not buy, eat, or serve any fresh basil exported by this company. However, if consumers cannot determine if the basil is from this company, they should avoid basil from Mexico. If they do not know what country the basil is from, they should avoid it.
• · Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that gets people sick when they eat food or drink water that’s been contaminated. Consumers who have symptoms of Cyclospora should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care
• · FDA is committed to protecting Americans from Cyclospora. We use all available tools - new detection techniques, DNA fingerprinting, enforcement actions, etc. - to prevent cyclosporiasis illnesses. Learn more about FDA Cyclospora preparedness efforts
• · WATCH LIVE: At 9:30 a.m., @DrAbernethyFDA, FDA’s Principal Deputy Commissioner, is scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry on “Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill.” Watch it here! https://go.usa.gov/xyV6j
• · “FDA is committed to advancing its regulation of hemp products through an approach that, in line with our mission, prioritizes public health, fosters innovation, and promotes consumer confidence.” – @DrAbernethyFDA
• · “FDA is a science-based agency. Americans expect that decisions made by FDA are informed by the best available information on safety. #CBD is no exception.” – @DrAbernethyFDA
• · .@DrAbernethyFDA: FDA is moving quickly to learn and develop a work plan. We formed a working group, and we also held a full-day hearing with over 100 speakers and 2,000 participants.
• · The FDA is providing regulatory clarity whenever possible, @DrAbernethyFDA said. The working group “is actively reviewing all potential regulatory pathways in order to determine the appropriate approach to #CBD” for products including food, supplements, animal feed and cosmetics.
• · “We’re taking appropriate steps to protect American patients and consumers” including issuing warning letters to companies marketing CBD with therapeutic claims, @DrAbernethyFDA said.
• · We are working together with our Fed & state partners & communicating w/ public. "I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. This is what Americans expect of us. That is what the Committee expects of us, & that is what we as FDA expects of ourselves” – @DrAbernethyFDA

@FDAMedia

• · OUTBREAK ALERT: Cyclospora potentially linked to fresh basil exported by Siga Logistics de RL de CV in Morelos, Mexico, w/ 132 people sickened & 4 hospitalized. Consumers shouldn’t buy/eat/serve basil from this company: https://go.usa.gov/xyAkr

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