We recently posted the encouraging news that researchers at the University of Alabama Birmingham may have developed a promising Vibrio testing methodology, in hopes of more effectively combating the Vibrio, the potentially lethal bacteria that can be carried by seafood, including shellfish and oysters.  As we mentioned before, the foodborne illness side effects associated with the Vibrio bacteria... [more]

The 2010 Louisiana shrimping season opened on Monday. However, the usual excitement that accompanies this annual event was sadly overshadowed by the recent Gulf BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. It seems that fishermen have been employed by BP over the course of the last few months in clean-up endeavors. Now that the shrimping season is upon us, some fishermen are using their watercraft to aid BP clean-up... [more]

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault represents rice farmers in five states whose crops were contaminated by Bayer’s LibertyLink rice Yesterday, another St. Louis jury found Bayer liable for crops that were contaminated by Bayer’s experimental, genetically modified rice. This time, it was an award for just over a half million dollars to Deshotels Farm Management, a Louisiana family farming operation. So... [more]

Since June of this year, the Richard J. Arsenault, Jennifer Hoekstra, JR Whaley and Laura Singletary have been in a St. Louis trial against Bayer. Our firm is there representing Louisiana rice farmers whose livelihoods were jeopardized after their crops were contaminated by Bayer’s experimental, genetically modified rice. Bayer, known mostly for its pharmaceuticals, tested its experimental, genetically... [more]

 Senator David Vitter weighed in this week with some  interesting news in the debate over raw oysters. The Times Picayune  announced; “[H]e has reached an agreement with a bipartisan group of senators on a measure he believes will block future Food and Drug Administration efforts to ban consumption of untreated raw oysters during warm weather months” Vitter said his provision would establish... [more]

As summer approaches, people are beginning to get their grilling equipment ready. When grilling, barbequing, and cooking meat in general, certain minimum temperatures should be reached. FoodSafety.gov provides a handy table which lists proper minimum cooking temperatures for meats.    According to the website located at foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html, the following are recommended temperatures: Category Food Temperature... [more]

As today’s food marketplace becomes increasingly international, consumers profit from a culturally diverse array of food items as well as lower prices.  U.S. consumers benefit from imported shellfish, meat, poultry, eggs, as well as fruits and vegetables.  According to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), in 2008, the U.S. imported over 3 billion pounds of meat and poultry.  Additionally,... [more]

The holidays are approaching and that means families and feasts. For many large family gatherings, there are too many people to have a typical sit down plated dinner. In these situations the buffet is often the most logical choice. While the buffet is a great way to feed large groups, it is also a method that opens the door to dangerous foodborne illness. Food safety is a big priority and the following... [more]

Kellogg has blamed a recent nationwide shortage of Eggo frozen waffles on heavy rain that shut down one of its main plants in Atlanta but that may be understating the reason a little. The facility was closed during much of September and October to sanitize after inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Eggos frozen waffles. Kellogg recalled about 4,500 cases of Eggos in September after... [more]

The FDA has recently stopped five Canola meal shipments from coming across the border over concerns about Salmonella contamination. The delayed shipments are now  raising concerns among Canadian canola growers regarding whether the new FDA policy over imported animal feed may be too strict and may even damage a thriving feed trade between the US and Canada. “We are concerned that we are going... [more]