Tomorrow’s planned publication of a new federal rule on substances in food that are “generally recognized as safe” — GRAS — has already drawn fire that includes possible congressional action. The Food and Drug Administration’s final rule on GRAS substances in human and animal food is scheduled to take effect 60 days after it is…
Dole salad scandal spurs calls for stronger FDA
Reactions have been varied to the news that Dole Food Co. knowingly produced and shipped salads from a contaminated facility, ranging from criticism of the FDA to an admission by Dole’s management that the company is being investigated by the Justice Department. 
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT, is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee…
Settlement could be near in Safeway loyalty card food safety case
Settlement negotiations could be nearing conclusion in a federal civil case that pits consumers against Safeway Inc. in a quest for increased communication from the retailer during food recalls. The case seeks an order forcing Safeway to use loyalty card data to notify customers about recalls of food they have purchased. If the consumers prevail,…
Fresh Produce Responsible for Most Foodborne Illnesses in the U.S.
Fresh produce is the cause of most foodborne illnesses in the U.S., reports the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In a study of outbreaks that occurred between 2004 and 2013, the consumer advocacy group found that fresh produce, such as cilantro, cucumbers, cantaloupes and peppers, caused 629 outbreaks and almost 20,000 illnesses.…
Sesame Gains Traction in Push for Food-Labeling Requirements
For the estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people in the United States who are allergic to sesame, the recently introduced Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 comes as good news.
Included in the act’s provisions, which primarily seek to give consumers easy-to-understand labels on food so they can make healthy choices, is Section 8, which would…
FDA Warns Powdered Caffeine Distributors About Safety Risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to help prevent more deaths from the use of pure powdered caffeine. Last week, the agency issued warning letters to five distributors of powdered caffeine, stating that their products are adulterated “because they are dietary supplements that present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness…
The Prevalence of Foodborne Illness
Days ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its most recent yearly summary of foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States. The summary covered the year 2013, and it found that 818 foodborne outbreaks were reported in the country during that year — a number consistent with the 800 to 850…
DeWaal Leaves CSPI for FDA Post
Caroline Smith DeWaal has left the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for a new position at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Her last day at CSPI was Thursday.
DeWaal, who served as CSPI’s director of food safety for 21 years, will join FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition on…
Petition Asks FDA to Ban 8 Synthetic Flavorings Now Considered GRAS
A 38-page petition was filed Wednesday with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for a total ban on eight synthetic flavorings that may currently be used in minute amounts in baked goods, candy and ice cream. Petition sponsors say the substances have been known to cause cancer in lab animals and should be…
Report: Fewer Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Being Reported or Solved Today
States are reporting and solving fewer foodborne illness outbreaks compared to 10 years ago, according to a new report by the nonprofit consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI’s report analyzed 10 years of data on state outbreaks reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2003…