As a result of a recall of Black Pepper by Mincing Overseas Spice Company and distributed by Dutch Valley Food Distributors due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, a product recall is being issued. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella... [more]

In response to a recall commenced by its supplier, Mincing Overseas Spice Company, Dayton, New Jersey, Frontier Natural Products Co-op, is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with non-organic black pepper that were sold under the Frontier brand and under the Whole Foods Market brands listed below that contain black pepper supplied by Mincing Overseas Spice Company. The black... [more]

As of March 8th, there have been just over 100 products recalled over concerns of the products being processed with hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) believed to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall list is bound to grow as more products are discovered to be connected with the contaminated HVP distributed by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. located in Las Vegas. There are only a few companies that... [more]

Parents love the convenience offered by bagged salads. Prepackaged leafy greens and vegetables provide a quick and easy alternative to making a salad the old-fashioned way. However, I became concerned when I read a recent report published on ConsumerReports.org. The title of the article, “Bagged Salads: How Clean?” says it all. Published in the March 2010 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine, the... [more]

An article by Heywood Hoffman posted on ChicagoBreakingNews.com discussed possible Shigella contamination at a Subway restaurant in Lombard, Illinois.  Although results are still pending, the preliminary examination leads investigators to believe that this could  be Shigellosis food poisoning. The restaurant is currently closed. Four individuals, out of eight who became sick, have been hospitalized. According... [more]

Mincing Overseas Spice Company of Dayton, New Jersey announced that it is recalling black pepper Lots 3258 and 3309 because of possible contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea... [more]

ABC News recently published an article discussing raw eggs. According to the article, the Associated Press circulated a recipe calling for the use of barely cooked eggs and the email backlash was overwhelming. ABC News decided to try to understand why consumers are so concerned about raw eggs and what foodborne illness problems are associated with their consumption. The article cites Salmonella as... [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]

In July of 2009, the United States House of Representatives held committee hearings on Bill H.R. 1549, known as the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009. This legislation would attempt to halt the creation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (superbugs) through limitations on utilization of antibiotics in the livestock industry. Citing a 2003 study by the National Academy of Science linking... [more]

Whether it’s a Food Safety Inspection Service recall notice or an improvement in the safety evaluation techniques for the nation’s school lunch program, the government as well as producers are apparently beginning to realize the urgency associated with food safety. Foodborne illness outbreaks, whether they are associated with bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella or any other host of food poisoning... [more]