Criminal prosecutions in food cases have been quiet for the last few years.
Outbreak 2: The recent multistate investigation began on April 2, 2019, when CDC’s PulseNet identified the Salmonella Carrau outbreak. As of April 24, 2019, 117 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Carrau have been
Continue Reading Publisher’s Platform: If I was part of Caito Foods, I’d be nervous
The editors of Food Safety News have complied this list of major news from 2016. While the year will no doubt be best remember for its presidential election, there were other milestones worth remembering as we prepare to turn the page and begin the New Year.
No. 10 — Mike
Continue Reading Top food safety stories of 2016 include criminal investigations
Not so long ago, errant food industry managers and executives did not have to worry about going to jail. But they do now. The government once did not have any intentions, plans or strategies for obtaining convictions of food industry managers and executives. But they do now. Before 2010, a
Continue Reading Letter From the Editor: The New Normal
I thought it might be helpful to see a few cases where a food borne outbreak brought the attention of the US Attorney’s office. “Forwarded is Forearmed.” 
Odwalla: In 1998 in what was the first criminal conviction in a large-scale food-poisoning outbreak, Odwalla Inc. pleaded guilty to violating Federal food
Continue Reading Publisher’s Platform: A Bit(e) of history of outbreak criminal prosecutions
If those controversial Koch brothers and the conservative Heritage Foundation have their way, sentencing reform may soon require evidence of mens rea — criminal intent — before courts could convict defendants. Before Congress is likely to act on that reform, however, a three-judge panel in St. Paul, MN, will hear
Continue Reading Sentencing reformers will be listening to DeCoster appeal panel
The Humane Society of the United States has filed legal complaints with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that Hillandale Farms, a Costco egg supplier, has deceived consumers with its poor animal welfare standards and “filthy and unsanitary conditions,” resulting in food
Continue Reading Humane Society Files Complaint with FDA Against Costco Egg Supplier
In a week, Austin “Jack” DeCoster and his son, Peter DeCoster, will both face possible jail sentences stemming from a Salmonella outbreak caused by their Iowa egg farms in 2010. 
The Salmonella outbreak ran from May 1 to Nov. 30, 2010, and prompted the recall of more than a half-billion
Continue Reading Publisher’s Platform: The DeCosters Should Go to Jail
If you were sickened by Salmonella in eggs from Wright County Egg in 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s Office may be looking to speak with you. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is seeking information from people sickened between the beginning of 2010 and August 2010 by
Continue Reading U.S. Attorney in Iowa Seeking Victims of Egg-Related Salmonella Outbreak
U.S. attorneys in Iowa have charged the company and the man once known as “The Chicken King” and his son with two federal felonies counts each, including bribery of a public official. Austin (Jack) DeCoster and his son, Peter DeCoster, were charged Wednesday in connection with the 2010 recall of
Continue Reading Two Felonies, One Misdemeanor Charged in Shell Egg Recall Case
A 57-year-old employee at an egg farm in Maine was killed Monday by a coworker who was reportedly shooting at rodents and stray chickens, according to the Portland Press Herald. Police are investigating whether the shooter should be charged with criminal negligence. The shooting took place near Turner, Maine,
Continue Reading Employee at Maine Egg Farm Killed by Coworker
