Regional

Cargill and USDA warn about potentially contaminated beef in Midwest stores

Last week, Cargill recalled over 132,000 pounds of ground beef following an investigation of a multistate, Shiga-toxin producing E. coli 026 outbreak linked to meat products from its Fort Morgan, CO meat plant and packing facility. At least 17 people became ill during July 2018, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One person died.

Although the CDC has declared the outbreak over, it warns that ground beef products produced and packaged on June 21, 2018 could be contaminated. The products were shipped to large retailers nationwide, including Publix, Meijer, and Albertson’s/Safeway. The USDA also issued warnings for Target and Aldi stores across the Midwest.

CDC advises retailers and consumers to dispose of frozen ground beef products labeled with establishment number “EST.86R.” Cargill plans to hold investigations at the Fort Morgan plant.

Star Tribune
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National

FDA proposes guidelines to publicly disclose retailers during recalls

Last week, the FDA proposed guidelines to publicly identify retailers that may have sold a recalled food product. These publicly disclosed lists would involve recalls that could pose serious threats to human or animal health.

The FDA recognizes that while retailers often act urgently following a recall notification, these new guidelines will provide more transparency and potentially increase the efficiency of protecting consumer health. The guidelines are primarily aimed at helping consumers identify potentially hazardous products that may have discreet packaging or no packaging, such as nuts, produce, and deli cheeses.

These guidelines follow existing USDA policies to publicly list retailers of recalled poultry and meat products.

Supermarket News
FDA Draft Guidance (PDF)

International

World leaders unite to end tuberculosis by 2030

On September 26, world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) by signing a declaration titled, “United to End Tuberculosis: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic.” The declaration affirms their commitment to invest in underfunded TB research and close the $1.3 billion funding gap.

Leaders at the General Assembly recognized that TB is both a public health issue and an inherent social justice issue. As one of the top ten causes of death worldwide (1.6 billion deaths in 2017), this preventable and curable disease disproportionately affects developing nations where poverty and conflict perpetuate its spread.

The eradication efforts will focus on promoting access to affordable treatment, diagnostics, and community-focused health services. Specifically, leaders seek investments in collaborative HIV and TB programs designed to promote universal care, prevention, and treatment of both.

United Nations
National Public Radio

Questions, comments, feedback about today's Weekly Update? Please email Dr. Lauren Bernstein
Receive the Weekly Update right in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Subscribe now at z.umn.edu/WeeklyUpdateSubscribe