Health News: Feared salmon virus arrived in BC waters ♦ Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D ♦ .Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed

Feared salmon virus arrived in BC waters The European variant of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) was said to have arrived in British Columbia almost five years ago, but then the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it was not so after testing two suspect salmon. That was in 2011. But if British Columbia was ISAV-free then, it almost certainly is not now.

.Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed paving way for new treatments Scientists have discovered how flu viruses 'hijack' cell machinery when they infect the body. The findings may pave the way for more effective antiviral treatments for pandemics and for seasonal flu, which infects over 800 million people worldwide every year.

Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D Persons residing at higher latitudes, with lower sunlight/ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, are at least two times at greater risk of developing leukemia than equatorial populations.

Cancer drug shows promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy A drug commonly used to treat leukemia is showing potential as a treatment that could slow the progression of the muscle-wasting condition, Duchenne

Native Catch Salmon Bacon recalled due to Botulism risk

The Swinomish Fish Company is initiating a voluntary recall of packages of both Traditional and Peppered flavors of NATIVE CATCH SALMON BACON with a "BEST BY" date of 1/23/16 and 3/16/16 distributed in the Western Washington and Florida areas. The Native Catch Salmon Bacon has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned to not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

No other Native Catch products are involved in this recall. The potential for contamination was noted after a routine Washington State Department of Agriculture inspection discovered that the product had potentially been under processed.

The Native Catch Salmon Bacon products subject to this recall are:

• Peppered flavor with UPC: 7 83583 27965 9, packaged in 8 oz. and 14 oz. clear vacuum bag with Best By codes 1/23/16 and 3/16/16.
• Traditional flavor with UPC: 7 51778 15900 0, packaged in 8 oz. and 14 oz. clear vacuum bags with BEST BY codes 1/23/16 and 3/16/16.

Recalled products were shipped to locations in the states of Washington and Florida between the dates of August 10, 2015 through December 11, 2015 This recall is being made with the knowledge of the WSDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers are urged to dispose of the products or return to the stores where it was purchased.

Consumers may contact Swinomish Fish Company at 1-360-466-0176 weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Time for a replacement or full refund, as well as with general inquires.

AquAdvantage Salmon is as Safe to Eat as Non-GE Salmon

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After an exhaustive and rigorous scientific review, FDA has arrived at the decision that AquAdvantage salmon is as safe to eat as any non-genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon, and also as nutritious.

FDA’s Review of the GE Salmon

The FDA scientists rigorously evaluated extensive data submitted by the manufacturer, AquaBounty Technologies, and other peer-reviewed data, to assess whether AquAdvantage salmon met the criteria for approval established by law; namely, safety and effectiveness. The data demonstrated that the inserted genes remained stable over several generations of fish, that food from the GE salmon is safe to eat by humans and animals, that the genetic engineering is safe for the fish, and the salmon meets the sponsor’s claim about faster growth.

In addition, FDA assessed the environmental impacts of approving this application and found that the approval would not have a significant impact on the environment of the United States. That’s because the multiple containment measures the company will use in the land-based facilities in Panama and Canada make it extremely unlikely that the fish could escape and establish themselves in the wild.

Labeling Food Containing Ingredients Derived from Genetically Engineered Sources

At the same time, many consumers also want to know whether their food or any ingredients in their food is derived from genetically engineered sources. Although the law does not require food containing ingredients derived from these salmon to be labeled as GE, FDA recognizes that many consumers are interested in this information, and some food manufacturers will want to make the distinction.

FDA is releasing two guidance documents detailing the agency’s current thinking on labeling—a draft guidancefor labeling of food derived from Atlantic salmon that has or has not been genetically engineered and a final guidance for labeling of food that has or has not been derived from GE plants—to help those manufacturers who wish to voluntarily make the distinction on the labeling of their food products.

“Both guidance documents explain FDA’s best thinking on how to make it easy for consumers to know whether a food was produced using genetic engineering or not,” says Felicia Billingslea, B.S., M.S., director of FDA’s Division of Food Labeling and Standards.

The public is invited to provide comments on this draft guidance (see below). Consumers can also learn more about how a food is produced by contacting the manufacturer, Billingslea says.

How to Comment on the Draft Guidance

To comment on the draft guidance on voluntary labeling indicating whether food has or has not been derived from GE Atlantic salmon:

1. Read the Draft Guidance.
2. Starting Monday, November 23, submit comments on the draft guidance on Regulations.gov.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Sockeye Suzy’s Fish Co.recalled canned seafood

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• Sockeye Suzy’s Fish Co. of White Swan, Washington is voluntarily recalling ALL canned catfish, salmon, sturgeon, and walleye with any codes starting with “OC”, sold under brand Sockeye Suzy Fish, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
• Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
  All products were sold to consumers from our store and distributed to retail stores and wineries in Washington. The last date of distribution of recalled products was September 2015.
  The affected OC code can be found on either the bottom or on top of the can. Recalled products are packaged in metal cans with net weight of 6 oz.

  Product Name	Brand	Net Wt.	UPC
  Fancy Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67292 6
  Fancy Spring Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67412 8
  Peppered & Smoked Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67282 7
  Peppered & Smoked Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67302 2
  Peppered & Smoked Coho	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67212 4
  Peppered & Smoked Steelhead	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67332 9
  Peppered & Smoked Sockeye	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67232 2
  Smoked Catfish	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67252 0
  Smoked Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67282 7
  Smoked Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67212 4
  Smoked Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67302 2
  Smoked Coho	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67222 3
  Smoked Garlic Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67322 0
  Smoked Garlic Steelhead	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67362 6
  Smoked Jalapeno Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67312 1
  Smoked Jalapeno Spring Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67392 3
  Smoked Jalapeno Sturgeon	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67272 8
  Smoked Jalapeno Steelhead	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67352 7
  Smoked Sockeye	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67242 1
  Smoked Spring Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67402 9
  Smoked Spring Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67382 4
  Smoked Spring Chinook	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67372 5
  Smoked Steelhead	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67342 8
  Smoked Sturgeon	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 48252 67262 9
  Smoked Walleye	Sockeye Suzy Fish	6 oz.	7 94504 39610 2

  There have been no reported cases of illnesses associated with our products to date.
  The recalled canned seafood products were made by Skipanon Brand Seafoods LLC and this voluntary recall was initiated after we were notified that that our products were possibly under- processed. The problem was discovered during an inspection at Skipanon Brand Seafoods LLC by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  Consumers who have purchased recalled canned seafood products are urged to destroy or return it to the firm for a full refund.
  If you have any questions, please call Sockeye Suzy’s Fish Co. at 509-731-0688 between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm PST, Monday-Friday, or send email tosuzylumley@yahoo.com.
  
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OleBob's Seafoods recalls canned salmon

OleBob's Seafoods of Ilwaco WA is voluntarily recalling ALL canned tuna and canned salmon products with a code starting with "OC" because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

All products were sold under the OleBob's Seafoods label to consumers from our retail store in Ilwaco, WA, and sold to internet consumers from the websitewww.olebobs.com. The dates of distribution of recalled products were May 2014-September 2015. Affected cans have the letters "OC" stamped on either the bottom or the top of the can.

OleBob's canned salmon and tuna products were made by Skipanon Brand Seafoods and this voluntary recall was initiated after we were notified that our products were possibly under-processed. The problem was discovered during an inspection at Skipanon Brand Seafoods LLC by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers are advised to discard or return recalled product to OleBob's Seafoods for a refund.

OleBob's Seafoods
360-642-4332, 10am-5pm Thursday-Monday
seafood@olebobs.com

Gilmore Fish recalls canned seafood

Gilmore Fish of Dallesport, Washington is voluntarily recalling ALL canned (Gourmet smoked Columbia sturgeon, fresh packed Pacific salmon, gourmet smoked Chinook salmon), Gilmore Fish brand, with any codes starting with "OC" because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

There have been no reported cases of illness to date.

All products were sold to consumers from our retail store in Dallesport, Washington. The last date of distribution of recalled products was September 2015. Affected production codes include any codes starting with "OC". The code can be found on either at the bottom or on top of the can. Recalled products are packaged in metal cans with net weight 5 oz. or 7 oz. cans.

Product Name	Net Weight	UPC
Gourmet Smoked Columbia Sturgeon	5 oz.	none
Smoked Wine Maple Salmon	5 oz.	none
Smoked Chinook Salmon	7 oz.	none

This voluntary recall was initiated after we were notified that our products were possibly under-processed by our contract manufacturer. The problem was discovered during an inspection at Skipanon Brand Seafoods LLC by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers are advised to destroy or return recalled product to Gilmore Fish Smokehouse for a refund.

If you have any questions, please contact Gilmore Fish Smokehouse at 509-767-1650 between 10am and 6pm PST, Monday-Friday or by email togilmorefish@gmail.com.

Josephson's Smokehouse Recalls Seafood

Josephson's Smokehouse of Astoria, Oregon is voluntarily recalling nine canned seafood products (salmon, sturgeon and tuna) it received from Skipanon Brand Seafood of Warrenton, Oregon with any codes starting with "OC" because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The Josephson recall is affected by a voluntary recall initiated by Skipanon Brand Seafoods LLC following an FDA inspection that turned up a lack of documentation and potentially under-processed products.

All products were sold by Josephson's to consumers from our one retail store located in Astoria and to mail order customers through our webstore (www.josephsons.com) and telephone orders.

All mail order sales were to individual customers and were not for resale. Josephson's through their in-house invoicing and Yahoo shopping webstore invoicing system has identified all recipients of the recalled products. These recipients are being contacted by email, telephone and mail with the recall information. In addition the recall information is published on our website and is displayed in placards in our retail store.

The last date of distribution of recalled products was September 2015. Affected production codes include any codes starting with "OC". The code can be found on either the bottom or on top of the can. Recalled products are packaged in metal cans with net weight 5.5 oz., 7.0 oz., and 7.5 oz.

Product Name	Net Weight	UPC
Smoked Garlic Pepper Salmon	5.5 oz. (156g)	6 49586 36165 7
Smoked Wine Maple Salmon	5.5 oz. (156g)	6 49586 36160 2
Smoked Chinook Salmon	7.0 oz. (199g)	6 49586 36100 8
Premium Chinook Salmon	7.5 oz. (213g)	6 49586 36180 0
Smoked Coho Salmon	7.0 oz. (199g)	6 49586 36200 5
Fancy Coho Salmon	7.5 oz. (213g)	6 49586 36250 0
Smoked Albacore Tuna	7.0 oz. (199g)	6 49586 36600 3
Fancy Albacore Tuna	7.5 oz. (213g)	6 49586 36650 8
Smoked Sturgeon	7.0 oz. (199g)	6 49586 36500 6

Josephson's will replace returned cans with products that have been produced at a different processor location. The recalled cans for replacement can be brought to the retail store or mailed to Josephson's Smokehouse; 106 Marine Drive; Astoria, Oregon 97103.