Recently, an article in the USA Today noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent out a series of warning letters to some of the top producers of airline food, citing numerous violations for “unsanitary” conditions. The inspectors investigated 91 facilities belonging to three airline food providers, LSG Sky Chefs, Gate Gourmet and Flying Food Group; Gate Gourmet and LSG Sky Chefs are... [more]

Over the weekend, 40 residents and employees of a Pineville, Louisiana state hospital presented with gastrointestinal symptoms after eating in the facility’s cafeteria. Some of the victim’s symptoms were so severe that hospitalizations were required, and three patients died shortly after being sickened. State health officials and investigators publicly stated that foodborne illness was a suspect... [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]

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness. It is caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus . The most common way for food to be contaminated with Staphylococcus is through contact with food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and cheeses. Staphylococcus is salt tolerant and can grow in salty foods like ham. As the germ... [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]

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Food poisoning from Staphylococcus is rare but it does occur and can be serious. The most common way for food to be contaminated with Staphylococcus is through contact with infected food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and... [more]

Some foodborne illnesses are caused by toxins in the things that was produced by a microbe in the food.  For example, the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus can grow in some foods and produce a toxin that causes intense vomiting.  The deadly disease botulism occurs when the bacterium Clostridium botulinum grows and produces a powerful paralytic toxin.  These toxins can produce illness even if the pathogens... [more]

There are many different pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. They come in bacterial, viral and parasitic forms and each one can contaminate our foods. Below is a table from the Mayo clinic naming a foodborne pathogen, outlining its onset time and naming a few of its common sources Pathogen                  Onset             Common Sources Campylobacter 2 to 5 days Meat... [more]