Good news for a change. USA Today reported that changes are being made to the standards established for testing of beef bought by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program. The changes will focus around stricter testing of beef for bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. According to the planned changes, beef will be sampled in fifteen minute intervals as it moves through the production... [more]

Champ Meatball Co., a Whittier, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 750 pounds of frozen cured pork patty mix because it contains an undeclared allergen, wheat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Wheat is a known potential allergen, which is not declared on the label. The product subject to recall includes: 14-ounce packages... [more]

Schmalz European Provisions, a Springfield, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,485 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product subject to recall includes: [View Label] 12-ounce packages of “Applegate Farms CERTIFIED ORGANIC FIRE ROASTED... [more]

  On February 5, 2010, the Food Safety Inspection Service announced a voluntary recall by The Murphy House. This Louisville, North Carolina company is recalling 2,850 pounds of pork barbeque products because they contain soy flour, and this ingredient was not indicated on the label. This product can be a source of allergic reactions in certain individuals.  According to the FSIS notice, the recall... [more]

Being from Louisiana, I’m obviously excited about this year’s Super Bowl.  We’re cheering for our New Orleans Saints in their first ever Super Bowl appearance.  As the countdown to kick-off begins, the USDA would like to remind football fans to play it safe during Super Bowl festivities.  Here’s their official release: When planning a Super Bowl XLIV party, hosts should have a defensive... [more]

West Missouri Beef, LLC, a Rockville, Mo., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The following products are subject to recall: One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh boneless beef... [more]

The Food Safety Inspection Service issued an expanded recall in regards to Daniele International, Inc. This Rhode Island company is recalling an additional 17,235 pounds of Italian sausage (ready to eat goods) as a result of additional testing for Salmonella conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.  According to the FSIS recall:    The products subject to recall include: Packages of... [more]

Food irradiation is a possible method of getting rid of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, on meats, fruits, and vegetables. According to the CDC, this process can reduce consumer contact with Camplylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7, which can lead to foodborne illnesses and potentially fatal complications such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). For example, meat can be bombarded with gamma... [more]

Since 2007, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has been working in conjunction with the USDA on implementation of a Radio Frequency ID (RFID) pilot program. According to the department’s website, this research project, aimed at developing practical food tracking methods, links the Hawaii Department of Agriculture with local farmers. The farmers place RFID tags in containers of food products. The... [more]

The FSIS has just announced this recall: Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The... [more]