I asked our AI friends – What are the pros and cons of replacing FDA Commissioner Makary with me – here is the response? This is a very timely question — Makary resigned as FDA Commissioner today, May 12, 2026, amid reports of internal tensions and policy clashes, with the vaping dispute reportedly being a […]
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Altona, Cerro, Indiana, Infantis, Johannesburg, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium infections. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that contact with backyard poultry is making people sick. As of June 20, 2024, 195 people infected with one of the […]
As of 25 June, there have been a further 19 cases associated with the recent outbreak of STEC O145 since the last update a week ago, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 275 in the UK. All currently confirmed cases had symptom onset dates before 4 June. Although case reporting rates are declining, we expect […]
CDC and FDA have received reports of severe acute illnesses and other adverse effects following consumption of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies reported to multiple poison control centers across the United States. As of June 24, 2024, 39 total illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations, have been reported in 20 U.S. states with ongoing efforts […]
Our public health heroes are a bit too busy I am afraid.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is providing an update on the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in people who were in the Lake Anna area on and after the Memorial Day weekend. To date, 25 STEC probable and confirmed cases have been reported to VDH: 21 in Virginia residents from the Central, Northern, and Northwest regions of the state and four in […]
Food manufacturers are recalling at least 60 types of pre-packed sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in major supermarkets because of possible contamination with E. coli. E. coli bacteria have not been detected in the products, but they are being recalled as a precaution. It is understood these are items containing salad leaves. Retailers involved include […]
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) needs a new motto: “Ignoring reality does not make reality go away.” Clearly the NCBA, must have read a different report than I did and posted yesterday. The NCBA also must have missed this from this other FDA report a few years ago: “We released our preliminary findings earlier this year […]
According to a recent FDA Report: In 2019, the FDA, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, local growers, industry groups, and others, began a multi-year study in Yuma County, Arizona – which grows many of the leafy greens sold in the United States. The study was designed to […]
The Food and Drug Administration’s Inspection and Recall Process Should Be Improved To Ensure the Safety of the Infant Formula Supply What OIG Found FDA had inadequate policies and procedures or lacked policies and procedures to identify risks to infant formula and respond effectively through its complaint, inspection, and recall processes. For example, FDA had […]
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating 20 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from people who visited Lake Anna in Virginia over the Memorial Day weekend. The VDH is still investigating all potential sources of the outbreak. The health authority stated that five people developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to […]
I am lucky to have an epidemiologist on staff. Perhaps Fresh Start needs one too. Let me make a prediction, Fresh Start will eat its press release because the FDA will find more cucumbers that test positive for either Africana, Braenderup or Bareilly in states other than Pennsylvania and there will be more clinical (human) […]
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections potentially linked to cucumbers. Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC for the Salmonella Africana investigation, as of June 12, 196 people infected with the outbreak strain of SalmonellaAfricana have been reported from 28 states and the District of Columbia. Of […]
The FDA and CDC do not rest in protecting us.
Sources, Characteristics and Identification E. coli is an archetypal commensal bacterial species that lives in mammalian intestines. E. coli O157:H7 is one of thousands of serotypes Escherichia coli.[1] The combination of letters and numbers in the name of the E. coli O157:H7 refers to the specific antigens (proteins which provoke an antibody response) found on the body and tail or flagellum[2] respectively and […]
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, announced last week that they are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections potentially linked to cucumbers. Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC for the Salmonella Africana investigation, as of June 4, 162 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Africana have been reported from 25 states and the District of Columbia. Of […]