The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has released a discussion draft of their proposed Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. A few highlights: required FDA registry of all U.S. food facilities and importers, increased inspections and traceability requirements, and strengthened FDA authority to mandate recalls and detain contaminated food. The full draft can be accessed from the Publications page... [more]

It appears we have a Presidential Administration devoted to open communication with our nation’s public. President Obama has repeatedly shown interest in educating himself and the public on issues of food safety. A few examples: He has addressed the nation with promises of continued attention to improving our broken food safety system (for video, see Obama: Food Safety is Fundamental Gov’t... [more]

The FDA has issued an alert for the recall of certain lots of Bean and Soy sprouts produced from Chang Farms of Whatley, Massachusetts, due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria contamination. The affected product is packaged in 10 lb bags (bulk) and 12 oz plastic bags (retail), labeled under the Chang Farm Brand as Soy Sprouts and have a “Sell By” date of May 23,... [more]

The FDA has issued notification of upcoming stricter regulation for producers of bottled water, in an effort to meet standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency for the quality and safety of public drinking water. Beginning in December, bottled water manufacturers will be required to test water sources weekly for the presence of E. coli among any detected coliform bacteria. If test results... [more]

According to the FDA website, FDA officials have completed their inspection of the Salmonella outbreak in pistachio products from Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., and have issued a 483 Inspection Report. Details of the report state that FDA inspectors observed “failure to manufacture, package, and store foods under conditions and controls necessary to minimize the potential for growth of... [more]

Early stages of research may show that certain natural components of E. coli-contaminated meat and dairy products may enhance the risk of developing a serious case of food poisoning and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is an often fatal complication of food poisoning that destroys red blood cells and the lining of blood vessels, leading to kidney failure and potentially death. Neu5Gc, or sialic... [more]

A glance around the produce section of a local grocery store is all it takes to show that many of the foods we consume every day-grapes from Chile, avocadoes from Mexico-were grown outside our nation’s borders.  With so many domestic outbreaks of Salmonella, E. coli, and other foodborne pathogens, food safety can seem elusive even here at home:  so how can we be sure of the safety of food products... [more]

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has represented injury victims and their families for almost three decades. We represent people who have suffered serious injury and death resulting from offshore and maritime incidents, automobile accidents, dangerous products, medical negligence, workplace accidents, and environmental exposure to dangerous and toxic substances. We are involved in a variety of class... [more]

As health officials hurry to contain the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with E. coli-contaminated ground beef products from Valley Meats, LLC, of Coal Valley, Illinois, news continues to filter in. The ground beef products reportedly were not sold in grocery stores, but were sold to distributors in 11 states and thereby made their way into restaurants and onto the plates of diners. Two locations... [more]

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