In the wake of the tornadoes that devastated many Oklahoma communities this week, state health officials are reminding residents and rescue workers that food is more likely to be contaminated after a natural disaster, and should be handled safely. The Oklahoma State Health Department praised the recent outpouring of support for victims in the storms’… Continue Reading
The 42 Good Husbandry Grants recently awarded by Animal Welfare Approved to farms and slaughter plants across the country are yet another sign of changes occurring in the livestock industry. “It’s really a testament to how agriculture is transitioning from industrialized to pasture-based,” said AWA program director Andrew Gunther, referring to the many applications the organization received… Continue Reading
Down in Pass Christian at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, as the adjoining waters of the Gulf of Mexico warm, Crystal Seas Seafood is offering its customers something new that the seafood company is calling “Crystal Clear Oysters.” The “live,” in-shell oysters are kept cold from reef to table for a promised reef-fresh flavor. Oh, and they’ve… Continue Reading
At a press conference today, the Brazos County Health Department is expected to name both the restaurant and beef supplier involved in the April E. coli outbreak that sickened ten people, including two local boys. On Monday, the department report the source of the E. coli illnesses was ground beef served by a local Bryan-College… Continue Reading
At its recent policy conference in Washington, D.C., the Organic Trade Association (OTA) heard from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about the future of organic farming. Vilsack told OTA members that he views organic as “its own separate commodity,” and he is committed to treating it that way. He wants to increase coverage options for… Continue Reading
A juice maker in Carrizozo, NM must prove to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it can achieve a 5-log reduction of “the pertinent microorganisms” for the shelf life of its apple cider. FDA only recently released a Feb. 20 warning letter sent to James P. and Patricia R. Niebaum, owners of the… Continue Reading
Gamblers in Las Vegas taking advantage of all those free drink offers might soon be ordering up a nice cold glass of raw milk. With only two dissenting votes Thursday afternoon, the Nevada Senate’s Committee on Health and Human Services gave a “do pass” recommendation to Assembly Bill (AB) 209, making raw milk sales legal… Continue Reading
Two food safety emergencies in College Station, TX – an E. coli outbreak and a fumigant problem in a grocery store – do not have anything to do with one another. “At this time, the two incidents do not appear to be related,” Sara Mendez of the Brazos County Health Department told Food Safety News…. Continue Reading
Too many repeat violations are occurring at federally inspected pig slaughter plants, and the problem lies with inadequate enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General. The IG‘s conclusion is found in a recently released audit report on USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) inspection and enforcement activities at the nation’s swine slaughter… Continue Reading
Health experts have long promoted one simple, consistent message when it comes to salt intake: cut back. Now, a review from the Institute of Medicine suggests that a diet too low in sodium may actually be unhealthy for those at risk for heart problems. This conclusion was drawn by a committee designated by IOM tasked… Continue Reading
The popular BCS Asian Market in College Station, TX was closed Tuesday on orders of the Brazos County Health Department and the Texas Department of State Services. The surprise closure occurred as Brazos County health officials are working overtime to find the source of an April outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that left two boys… Continue Reading