Food safety has become an increasingly important governmental issue. FoodQualityNews.com posted notification of two public food safety meetings to be held soon in Washington, D.C. On March 10th, 2010, the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will host an informational meeting on E. coli O157:H7 tracking. On March 30, 2010, several governmental agencies will be hosting another food safety meeting... [more]

According to the CDC’s Escherichia Coli General Information webpage, there are different forms of E. coli bacteria. Some are harmless, others can be potentially fatal. E. coli O157:H7 is a unique form of E. coli bacteria.  This form of E. coli is capable of generating Shiga toxin.  When the toxin are produced from E. coli bacteria, complications can result. The E. coli bacteria itself can cause... [more]

Mentally, I have been planning a camping trip for several years now. Sleeping under the starry skies and hiking through some of the most pristine forests this country has to offer. I have looked at backpacks with lightweight frames, moleskin to prevent blisters, outdoor cooking equipment, and, of course, a coffee pot. One interesting thing that I have looked at are water treatment tablets. After researching... [more]

A recent cruise ship Norovirus infection has caught a great deal of media attention. According to a recent USAToday.com article by Gene Sloan entitled “Celebrity Postpones Cruise out of Charleston after Major Outbreak of Illness,” the departure of the Celebrity Mercury ship has been postponed. The ship docked in South Carolina with over 400 people suffering from Norovirus. Norovirus can be found... [more]

The fallout continues as additional companies are recalling their products for possible Salmonella contamination due to the recall of one ingredient used to make their products.  The tainted ingredient is Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Below are three more company releases: Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, OR has... [more]

When an individual thinks they have the stomach flu or a stomach virus, they may really have Norovirus.  Norovirus goes by many names. It has been called Calcivirus as well as Norwalk virus. Norovirus is contracted when a person ingests food which is contaminated with the virus. Shellfish can harbor Norovirus. In addition, Norovirus can be passed from an infected person to a well person. People transfer... [more]

Daniele International, Wholesome Spice, and Mincing Overseas Spice Company have found themselves at the center of lawsuits related to Salmonella food poisoning.  According to the Washington Post, two people have sued some or all of the previously listed companies in relation to the Daniele International recall of Italian sausage products following the news that investigators are exploring the possibility... [more]

On January 27, 2010, the FDA issued a public warning letter to Kellogg regarding a manufacturing plant in Atlanta that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during 2010. Apparently, the initial investigation of the plant began in August of 2009 when the Georgia Department of Agriculture identified Listeria in samples taken from Eggo Buttermilk Waffles.  Then, in October 2009, the FDA conducted... [more]

The January 2010 outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo highlights the fact that multiple types of Salmonella bacteria exist. According to the CDC, there are over 2,500 different forms of Salmonella. Additionally, the recent Montevideo strain of Salmonella, currently being investigated by the USDA, the Food Safety Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC, has infected 225... [more]

According to the Wisconsin AP, the FDA has taken custody of 1500 cases of food from a Wisconsin warehouse in Ellsworth. The FDA sent in U.S. Marshalls to confiscate the food citing filthy conditions. The food was for both human and animal consumption. The Tuesday seizure involved warehouses belonging to Mid-States Closeouts and was prompted by FDA investigations during November and December in which... [more]