Food companies that are voluntarily recalling a product usually use the language suggested by regulatory agencies that is then distributed electronically via the federal government websites. Recalls not connected to outbreaks almost always contain a line saying there are no reported illnesses associated with the recalled product. William E. Keene, Oregon’s senior state epidemiologist, thinks… Continue Reading
Opinion
Wouldn’t you think that a one-third decline in reported foodborne illnesses would be a cause of celebration at the agency responsible for educating us about unsafe food? Well, if not a celebration, at least a slight smile, a teeny bit of self congratulation, maybe a soft exhale? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control just reported… Continue Reading
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced it will hold a public meeting to focus on the new Food Safety Modernization Act draft rules that were recently released. The meeting will take place February 28, 2013 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and March 1, 2013 8:30 am – 12:00 pm in the… Continue Reading
A California company is recalling 1,260 pounds of veal trimmings because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. San Jose Veal of Santa Clara, CA issued a voluntary recall of the product Friday after a customer found bacteria in a sample of the meat. The veal trimmings subject to this recall were produced between… Continue Reading
Whole Foods Market is recalling an additional lot code (for a total of two lot codes) of Whole Catch Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon which were sold in stores in 18 states, because it may contain Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause a sometimes fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others… Continue Reading
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday in the Federal Register that the agency has reorganized the Foods and Veterinary Medicine (FVM) program. Under the reorganization, which was completed in October, the Office of Foods is now the Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, led by Michael Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner for Foods and… Continue Reading
A review of eleven years of foodborne illness data has revealed that, between 1998 and 2008, leafy green vegetables and dairy sickened the greatest number of people, while poultry caused the most deaths. Government researchers identified 4,589 outbreaks linked to one known food source during this time period. These outbreaks caused a total of 120,321… Continue Reading
Opinion
In 1993, 623 people in the western U.S. fell ill with a little-known bacteria called E. coli O157:H7. Ultimately, four children would die from their infections; many others suffered long-term medical complications. The bug was later traced to undercooked hamburger served at Jack in the Box restaurants. This outbreak thrust foodborne illness onto the national stage… Continue Reading
For farmers who sell fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, food safety will be business as usual, despite the federal Food and Drug Administration’s new proposed rules governing produce. “Business as usual,” because most market farmers are exempt from the new rules, just as they’re exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was signed… Continue Reading
The introductions of new bills in Arkansas and Indiana bring the number of states where legislatures will be considering measures about interference with livestock and poultry operations to five. A national spokeswoman for animal agriculture says such legislative proposals should be labeled as “farm protection” measures, not “ag-gag” bills as opponents call them. “Nothing gets… Continue Reading
For only the second time in ten years, Japan on will further ease restrictions on U.S. beef imports starting February 1 to allow entry of beef and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age. Previously, a 2006 restriction limited U.S. beef imports to products from cattle less than 20 months of age…. Continue Reading