Jonan Pilet

Newsletter Editor and Social Media Coordinator at Food Safety News. Based in Huntington, West Virginia, Jonan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Houghton College and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Seattle Pacific University.

Cockroach violation shuts down Erewhon’s luxury tonic bar in Santa Monica

Erewhon, the luxury grocery chain famed for $20 smoothies, faced a setback when its Santa Monica tonic bar was shuttered for a cockroach infestation on April 8. The tonic bar

By Jonan Pilet

/ 1 May 2025

Cockroach violation shuts down Erewhon’s luxury tonic bar in Santa Monica

Food safety gaps and lifestyle factors linked to rising colorectal cancer in young adults

A sharp rise in colorectal cancer among adults younger than 50 has renewed focus on diet, food safety and other lifestyle risks, underscoring the complex web of environmental and behavioral

By Jonan Pilet

/ 28 Apr 2025

Food safety gaps and lifestyle factors linked to rising colorectal cancer in young adults

Matcha shortage spurs concern about unsafe bargain products in U.S.

A global matcha shortage is flooding U.S. markets with low-quality, potentially hazardous bargain products. Supply chain strains and paused tariffs are raising alarms about food safety. Japan, the

By Jonan Pilet

/ 17 Apr 2025

Matcha shortage spurs concern about unsafe bargain products in U.S.

Buffalo school incident highlights dangers of THC-laced edibles that mimic popular snacks

A recent incident at a Buffalo public school has raised alarms about the food safety risks posed by edible marijuana products that resemble common candies, particularly for children. On April

By Jonan Pilet

/ 16 Apr 2025

Buffalo school incident highlights dangers of THC-laced edibles that mimic popular snacks

Girl Scout cookies face scrutiny over safety and sustainability concerns

Girl Scout cookies, beloved for varieties like Thin Mints and Samoas, draw millions of buyers annually, but a 2024 study and lawsuit have raised concerns about heavy metals, pesticides, and

By Jonan Pilet

/ 15 Apr 2025

Girl Scout cookies face scrutiny over safety and sustainability concerns

Tariffs threaten safety of imported specialty foods

New U.S. tariffs, particularly on Chinese imports like soy sauce, are driving up costs at specialty stores, raising fears that smaller importers could face pressures challenging their ability to

By Jonan Pilet

/ 11 Apr 2025

Tariffs threaten safety of imported specialty foods

Food poisoning: A grim history of intentional contamination

Foodborne illness typically traces back to contaminated meat or greens, but intentional contamination has a grim legacy that stretches across human history — from ancient poisonings to modern malice. Deliberate food

By Jonan Pilet

/ 9 Apr 2025

Food poisoning: A grim history of intentional contamination

USDA freezes Maine funding over Title IX dispute

The U.S. Department of Agriculture paused funding for certain Maine educational programs on Wednesday, citing the state’s noncompliance with Title IX over its student sports participation rules. The

By Jonan Pilet

/ 3 Apr 2025

USDA freezes Maine funding over Title IX dispute

Investigation underway into teen’s death in Costa Rica from possible foodborne illness

The tragic death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner, the son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, highlights the critical need for food safety awareness while traveling abroad.

By Jonan Pilet

/ 27 Mar 2025

Investigation underway into teen’s death in Costa Rica from possible foodborne illness

McDonald’s food safety ad: A rare move in a quiet industry

When McDonald’s launched a brief food safety ad at the end of 2024, it raised eyebrows in an industry that typically avoids such topics — especially after an E. coli

By Jonan Pilet

/ 25 Mar 2025

McDonald’s food safety ad: A rare move in a quiet industry

Machine learning links up to 64 percent of Salmonella cases to chicken and vegetables

A study by the CDC, FDA and USDA used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and machine learning to identify chicken and vegetables as leading sources of Salmonella enterica infections in the

By Jonan Pilet

/ 24 Mar 2025

Machine learning links up to 64 percent of Salmonella cases to chicken and vegetables

Illinois pushes BVO ban enforcement, testing state vs. federal power

Illinois is forging ahead with the Illinois Food Safety Act to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO) and some other additives, spotlighting a tug-of-war over who controls food safety:

By Jonan Pilet

/ 21 Mar 2025

Illinois pushes BVO ban enforcement, testing state vs. federal power

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Jonan Pilet

Cockroach violation shuts down Erewhon’s luxury tonic bar in Santa Monica

Food safety gaps and lifestyle factors linked to rising colorectal cancer in young adults

Matcha shortage spurs concern about unsafe bargain products in U.S.

Buffalo school incident highlights dangers of THC-laced edibles that mimic popular snacks

Girl Scout cookies face scrutiny over safety and sustainability concerns

Tariffs threaten safety of imported specialty foods

Food poisoning: A grim history of intentional contamination

USDA freezes Maine funding over Title IX dispute

Investigation underway into teen’s death in Costa Rica from possible foodborne illness

McDonald’s food safety ad: A rare move in a quiet industry

Machine learning links up to 64 percent of Salmonella cases to chicken and vegetables

Illinois pushes BVO ban enforcement, testing state vs. federal power