Local
Less than refreshing ice cream
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture issued an advisory last week regarding ice cream mix distributed by Autumnwood Farm of Forest Lake, Minnesota. The ice cream mix had been improperly pasteurized since May 16.
Several ice cream shops in Minnesota served affected products and are listed in the advisory. Authorities are asking consumers to discard all affected products.
Although no illnesses have yet to be reported, the advisory is a good reminder that unpasteurized raw or improperly pasteurized milk products can be contaminated with dangerous loads of bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus which are killed at high temperatures.
Consumers who had gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea after eating food from one of the affected locations should contact their health care professional.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Advisory
National
Salmonella In raw turkey
90 people in 26 states have been reported to be infected by a multidrug resistant strain of Salmonella reading. 40 have been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control investigation points towards raw turkey products as the source of this outbreak, although those affected have purchased products from a variety of sources and no specific supplier or point of origin has been identified. This strain of Salmonella has been found throughout the supply chain in live turkeys and raw products and may be widespread in the industry.
Notably, two of the cases were suspected to have occurred from raw turkey pet food being used in the households. The CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets as they could cause illness in the pets as well as pose a risk to owners.
No products are currently being recalled, though the investigation is ongoing. Raw turkey products should be handled with care and cooked thoroughly.
International
Tracking international efforts to prevent antimicrobial resistance
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the World Health Organization released a report last week detailing the steps countries are taking to combat antimicrobial resistance.
The report tracks the progress made by 154 nations on preventing resistance. Wide disparities, however, are evident between countries. While some European countries have been developing programs for decades, other developing nations have only recently implemented programs. 56 countries had no reported national policy or law regarding safe and effective antibiotic use in animals and plants or for their sale and distribution. Only 64 countries follow recommended guidelines to limit the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion.
Though progress is being made, the report highlights that much more work is needed to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance internationally.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Questions, comments, feedback about today's Weekly Update? Please email Dr. James Kincheloe
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James Kincheloe
James received his DVM from the University of California, Davis. He has worked as a herd veterinarian for dairy cows and a small animal veterinarian in California. Jim is interested in agricultural and infectious disease policy, and has collaborated on domestic and international projects across the public health spectrum.