More than a dozen countries have taken advantage of temporary rules to tackle disruption in official control systems in Europe because of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of May 6, 15 nations had informed the European Commission that they are applying the measures in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466. Countries wishing to
Continue Reading EU countries take up interim rules on official controls during pandemic
The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.
Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed below. Click on the links to view the full
Continue Reading FDA modifies import alerts for French cheese, fruit, spices, fish, honey and more
Makzemo LLC of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling Balquis Yemeni spice, because it has the potential to be contaminated with lead.
“The recall was a result of the New York City Department of Health circulating a flyer about the product and visiting a few retail stores and informing them of the
Continue Reading Lead contamination spurs recall of spice
The system in Egypt to control microbiological risks in food of non-animal origin for export to the European Union is in a phase of transition and reform, according to a report.
An audit led by DG SANTE assessed official control systems in production and processing of food of non-animal origin
Continue Reading EU audit finds Egypt’s control system in transition stage
Official food safety controls in Turkey can ensure that food of non-animal origin intended for export to the European Union meet requirements for primary production and processing, according to a report.
The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) audit looked at the systems in place to control microbiological
Continue Reading Auditors say some of Turkey’s food safety controls meet EU requirements
Four years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a draft risk profile on the public health dangers associated with spices, identifying the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella and filth in general. It described efforts to reduce the public health risk posed by consumption of contaminated spices and
Continue Reading FDA updates spice risk profile; 7,200 samples analyzed
Shri Shiva Foods Inc. is recalling MTR branded sambar powder because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The company, based in Long Island City, NY, sold the packaged sambar powder from January through October through two wholesalers, one in New York and one in Ohio. Distribution beyond the wholesale level
Continue Reading Shri Shiva recalls sambar powder; FDA found Salmonella in it
A New Jersey company has expanded its recall of ground turmeric to include additional brands distributed nationwide. Excessive lead, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, infants and children, has been confirmed in the spice. Gel Spice Inc. of Bayonne, NJ, initially recalled its Fresh Finds branded ground turmeric the
Continue Reading Six brands of turmeric added to recall for excessive lead
UPDATED CONTENT Aug. 8 — JM Exotic updated its recall notice, reporting that the recalled turmeric was solely distributed to a farmer’s market in Doraville, GA, from May until August. An Alabama company is recalling ground turmeric because samples from an unnamed supplier have been found to contain excessive levels
Continue Reading UPDATED: More turmeric recalled because of lead; supplier not named
The federal government has been trying to figure out what’s in your spice rack for several years now, and with the completion of a 24-month reconnaissance mission the Food and Drug Administration is ready to begin its homework. 
Previous government research had revealed that the presence of
Continue Reading Forget your wallet — what’s in your spice rack?
