Kudos to Louisiana Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu for putting food safety first with their approval of S510, the Food Safety Modernization Act.  Characterized as the “largest overhaul of U.S. food safety in decades”, the Food Safety Modernization Act  will help increase FDA authority and establish more safeguards to food safety.  The Senate passage of this bill will hopefully help prevent... [more]

It’s official. S510 has passed through the Senate. The Food Safety Modernization Act is one step closer to becoming law. According to CNN, “The bill will allow the FDA to order direct recalls,” instead of “relying on voluntary recalls by the manufacturers.” With 73 Senators voting for the bill and only 25 opposed, the food safety bill moved cleanly through following Monday’s decision to... [more]

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has listed three bacteria and one virus as the most common foodborne illness-related pathogens. These include the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Campylobacter as well as the viral agent Norovirus, also known as calcivirus. E. coli, Samonella, and Campylobacter are often spread through contaminated water or food items. E. coli,... [more]

This past week, there were news headlines about possible successes with preventative vaccines used to halt the growth of foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. While these scientific marvels could help prevent the spread of bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the prevention of foodborne illnesses lies with the manufacturers. Recently,... [more]

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today alerted consumers that Hamilton Corner Meat Market Inc., located at 1 Hamilton Place, New York, New York, is recalling all packages of in-store “ground beef” sold on November 15, 2010, due to the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can... [more]

Whole Foods Market announces that one of its suppliers, Bravo Farms of Traver, California, has issued a voluntary recall due to evidence of Listeria and E. coli contamination at their plant. Bravo’s products at Whole Foods Market stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are part of this recall since they were cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a “Distributed... [more]

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The Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) recent investigation into the handling practices of Cal-Maine, America’s largest egg producer, has left many  questions about the possibly less than savory practices at the food processor’s factory egg farms. According to the HSUS, an undercover employee working documented abuses and inhumane conditions that chickens in Cal-Maine’s factory facility... [more]

An outbreak of Salmonella has sickened eight nursing home residents in Homewood at Crumland Farms located in Frederick, Maryland. News articles are circulating reports that one person has died. The source of this Salmonella outbreak has not been identified, and investigations are still underway. Salmonella can be deadly when afflicting older individuals or individuals with compromised immune systems.... [more]

In the year of the billion egg recall and thousands of Salmonella associated sickness, it is unusual to get some positive news on the Salmonella front. However, researchers with the University of Missouri may have found a way to more effectively and efficiently identify Salmonella bacteria. The principle is simple, yet brilliant. Using a scientific advancement known as “polymerase chain reaction,”... [more]