With industry reporting that sales of “local foods” more than doubled from 2008 to 2014, concerns about public safety also increased, spurring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer almost $5 million in new food safety grants. 
The money is to help smaller operations comply with new food safety guidelines
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Small plus local doesn’t equal a free pass on food safety
There’s a revolution going on in a grocery store near you. Fueled by consumer demand, it has been dubbed the “fresh revolution” by industry heavyweights such as the United Fresh Produce Association. It’s all about fresh produce — fruits and vegetables that nutritionists are praising as “healthy foods” and that
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Mustard relish recalled because of botulism concerns
Mustard relish from HardyWares Preserves in Nova Scotia is under recall by Canadian authorities because of possible contamination with the bacteria that causes botulism poisoning. The recalled relish, sold in 250 ml jars, can be identified by the HardyWares logo on the label and a “Packaged on” date of Dec.
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Vermont bill would extend on-farm slaughter exemption
A bill to extend on-farm slaughter privileges for small farmers in Vermont is set for discussion and a possible vote in the state Senate’s Agriculture Committee next week. Proponents include small farmers and fans of local food. They say allowing small animal farm operations to slaughter on site is better
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Idaho defines cottage foods; food safety unaddressed
Idaho activists have won their fight to “unchain the cupcake” gaining approval from two state legislative committees that agreed this month to define cottage foods and require such home cookin’ to be labeled when offered for sale. The OK from the Health and Welfare Committees in the Idaho House of
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State Lawmakers Go Back to Work As Food Trends Turn Popular
Ahead of standing for election later this year, lawmakers in most states are getting down to business again. Another 20 state legislatures will convene this week. When added to the dozen that got underway last week, it means that legislative business will be conducted in a majority of the states
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Letter From the Editor: Mansour to the Rescue
With its stock price in the toilet, its fourth-quarter earnings dwindling, and more of its customers becoming outbreak victims, Chipotle Mexican Grill decided last week was a good time to announce a new food safety initiative. Believe it or not, there is precedent for that. Today is not as dire
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FDA May Exempt Farm-to-Consumer Sales from FSMA Preventive Controls
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule to amend and improve its regulations on food facility registration. Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for consumption in the U.S. must register with FDA, but “retail food establishments,” farms, restaurants and certain other entities are
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As Urban Agriculture’s Popularity Rises, What Are the Food Safety Concerns?
On a hillside in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, tomato plants line walkable pathways just off the sidewalk, while, farther uphill, honeybees buzz around various flowing shrubs near a wooden apiary. The urban garden is certainly a unique sight considering its location just blocks from the I-5 freeway and a five-minute
Continue Reading As Urban Agriculture’s Popularity Rises, What Are the Food Safety Concerns?
Civil Eats Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Enhance Food Coverage
Five years ago, Civil Eats began as the modest blog for the 2008 Slow Food Nation event in Washington D.C., intended to be the first online presence of the burgeoning good food movement. Today, it’s widely respected as a food news hub and platform for otherwise unheard voices within the
Continue Reading Civil Eats Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Enhance Food Coverage