Press Release Category: Food & Beverage

FDA publishes rule for production of sprouts

The FDA has released its final food safety guidance for producers of sprouts, a food that has been linked to several outbreaks in recent years. The document details recommendations on how sprout operators can comply with the sprout portion of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act, which establishes science-based standards for safe produce production and

Publisher’s Platform: It has nearly been six years since over 1,000 people were sickened and over 200 died from Listeria-tainted Polony in South Africa

A new journal article on the polony tragedy was just published: “Cost estimation of listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes) occurrence in South Africa in 2017 and its food safety implications.” Some main points: Estimate the loss of 204 that died was at least $240,000,000 US Hospitalization costs were at least $10,400,000 US Loss to businesses was at least

Enoki mushrooms recall triggered by CFIA test results

Itrading International is recalling SSS brand Enoki mushrooms from the marketplace because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was triggered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results. Recalled product: BrandProductSizeUPCCodesSSSMushroom (enoki)200 g6 953150 100677All units sold up to and including July 28, 2023 As of the posting of this recall, there have been

Meat products in cans from Brazil recalled for not being eligible for export to USA

Panamerican Foods, LLC, a distributor and importer of record located in Kearny, NJ., late Friday recalled approximately 4,978 pounds of the pork and beef bean stew products that were imported from Brazil that were not eligible for export of meat products to the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Energy drinks recalled in Canada because of high levels of caffeine

Photo illustration T&E Imports and GPAE Trading Corp. are recalling G Fuel brand Energy Drinks because of high levels of caffeine. Too much caffeine can cause severe disturbances to the heart and nervous system. According to the recall posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the recalled products have been sold nationally in Canada

Low-carbon beef is an oxymoron that some say should not be used in labeling

Scott Faber, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, and Kalena Wojtala, a J.D. candidate at Vermont Law School and an intern working for the Environmental Working Group (EWG), have filed the latest petition with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). In the petition filed on April 27, the EWG requests that the USDA agency:

Foodborne botulism levels stable in France in the past decade

Human botulism is rare in France but levels have remained stable in recent years, according to a study. Botulism is a notifiable disease in the country through a case-based passive surveillance system. All reports of human botulism are recorded by health authorities through Santé Publique France and cases are confirmed by the National Reference Center for

Irish Salmonella outbreak over; source not found

Health officials have been unable to find the source of a Salmonella outbreak that affected almost 30 people in Ireland and England. The outbreak, which saw 11 people hospitalized, has been declared over by authorities. Symptom onset ranged between Nov. 30, 2022, and Jan. 13, 2023, peaking on Dec. 7. Patients lived in multiple areas

Two and a half million pounds of Kroger, Great Value, Goya, and more brands of canned meat recalled nationwide over packaging defect

Conagra Brands, Inc., of Fort Madison, Iowa, is recalling approximately 2,581,816 pounds of canned meat and poultry products because of a packaging defect that may cause the products to become contaminated without showing any outward signs of contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. Recalled brands include Armour, Kroger

2023: Court cases, rule changes and Codex celebrations

— OPINION — Welcome to 2023! The calendars have been changed, the holiday season is coming to a close and it is time to refocus ahead of what is sure to be another news worthy period for the food sector. This year marks a decade since the horse meat scandal in Europe. The food fraud

Botulism from food causes the death of a respected outdoorsman from Jackson Hole

Wyoming social media reports the death of 55-year-old Hans Russell, who succumbed to botulism after being conscious but also completely paralyzed for several weeks in a Salt Lake City hospital. Russell was a popular outdoorsman and river guide in Jackson Hole, WY. His death is blamed on a solo camping trip to Idaho where he

Starbucks is suspected in NC action of pumping too much potassium without disclosure

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein likes to pursue consumer complaints. Recently he’s taken on the damages consumers can experience from robocalls. The latest complaint, however, is large enough to take the breath away of any state attorney. The High Point, NC-based Puroast Coffee Company has filed a complaint with Stein, alleging that Starbucks coffee