Dan Flynn

Veteran journalist with 15+ years covering food safety. Dan has reported for newspapers across the West and earned Associated Press recognition for deadline reporting. At FSN, he serves as Senior Editor and covers foodborne illness policy.

Dueling inspection systems produce another round of competing data

For the past quarter-century, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has run two options for inspecting hogs. The HACCP-based Inspection Model Project or HIMP evolved into the New Swine

By Dan Flynn

/ 23 Feb 2021

Dueling inspection systems produce another round of competing data

USDA headquarters expected to get the new (old) boss after Feb. 23 Senate confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate is expected to confirm the nomination of Tom Vilsack on Feb. 23, clearing the way for him to serve as President Biden’s Secretary of Agriculture,

By Dan Flynn

/ 19 Feb 2021

USDA headquarters expected to get the new (old) boss after Feb. 23 Senate confirmation vote

FSIS reports strong start to fiscal year 2021

Inspection personnel from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) had a busy first quarter of the fiscal year 2021. Livestock inspections totaled 43.3 million with 66, 875

By Dan Flynn

/ 18 Feb 2021

FSIS reports strong start to fiscal year 2021

Victims of 2015 Listeria outbreak involving Blue Bell invited to follow Kruse case

Victims of foodborne illness are often so numerous that the government wants to cast the wide internet in contacting them about felony prosecutions that often occur years later. Federal prosecutors

By Dan Flynn

/ 15 Feb 2021

Victims of 2015 Listeria outbreak involving Blue Bell invited to follow Kruse case

Swine rule challenges are moving ahead at differing speeds

Oral arguments about USDA’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit in a federal court for Westen New York over the new swine rule are set for March 17. In separate

By Dan Flynn

/ 12 Feb 2021

Swine rule challenges are moving ahead at differing speeds

A permanent ban on horse slaughter might replace that yearly budget proviso

Only an annual budget proviso keeps USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service from providing equine inspection services. Without USDA inspection, horses cannot be slaughtered in the U.S. for

By Dan Flynn

/ 11 Feb 2021

A permanent ban on horse slaughter might replace that yearly budget proviso

Food facility registrations with FDA are down worldwide for 2021

Domestic and international food facility registrations have nose-dived, likely in part because of the coronavirus pandemic. Food facilities worldwide that do business in the United States must register with the

By Dan Flynn

/ 5 Feb 2021

Food facility registrations with FDA are down worldwide for 2021

Parnell brothers get to return to Albany for back-to-back hearings on their Habeas Corpus petitions

Stewart Parnell, 66, and Michael Parnell, 62, are set to appear in court during the week of May 24 with their Habeas Corpus Petitions in hand. The nation’s most

By Dan Flynn

/ 3 Feb 2021

Parnell brothers get to return to Albany for back-to-back hearings on their Habeas Corpus petitions

Outbreak report calls for greater controls for raw milk Gouda-like cheeses

A 2018 outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121 sickened seven people. Raw milk Gouda-like cheese produced in British Columbia caused the illnesses. The current Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR)

By Dan Flynn

/ 2 Feb 2021

Outbreak report calls for greater controls for raw milk Gouda-like cheeses

Oral arguments over motion to dismiss the challenge to the swine rule are set for Feb 11

Tom Vilsack is expected to soon be confirmed to again serve as Secretary of Agriculture, but in the meantime, some important decisions are getting made involving swine production line speeds.

By Dan Flynn

/ 27 Jan 2021

Oral arguments over motion to dismiss the challenge to the swine rule are set for Feb 11

Federal food safety policy and personnel changes underway at FSIS, FDA, and CDC

Changes in federal food safety policy and personnel are occurring with the new Biden Administration — officials are talking about some, but not others. They left it to Sara Amundson, president

By Dan Flynn

/ 26 Jan 2021

Federal food safety policy and personnel changes underway at FSIS, FDA, and CDC

South Dakota ranch family got pardon; likely got off light at time of crimes

They are not the last cowboy song but they are likely the final full pardons from the 45th President of the United States. And they are being forgiven for breaking

By Dan Flynn

/ 23 Jan 2021

South Dakota ranch family got pardon; likely got off light at time of crimes

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Dan Flynn

Dueling inspection systems produce another round of competing data

USDA headquarters expected to get the new (old) boss after Feb. 23 Senate confirmation vote

FSIS reports strong start to fiscal year 2021

Victims of 2015 Listeria outbreak involving Blue Bell invited to follow Kruse case

Swine rule challenges are moving ahead at differing speeds

A permanent ban on horse slaughter might replace that yearly budget proviso

Food facility registrations with FDA are down worldwide for 2021

Parnell brothers get to return to Albany for back-to-back hearings on their Habeas Corpus petitions

Outbreak report calls for greater controls for raw milk Gouda-like cheeses

Oral arguments over motion to dismiss the challenge to the swine rule are set for Feb 11

Federal food safety policy and personnel changes underway at FSIS, FDA, and CDC

South Dakota ranch family got pardon; likely got off light at time of crimes