PERSPECTIVE: Hidden Security Dangers in the American Industrial Agriculture System
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how the American agriculture system is fragile and completely overlooked. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
USDA, FDA Say No Indication of COVID-19 Transmission Through Food or Packaging
Based on the scientific information that continues to be made available over the course of the pandemic, the USDA and FDA continue to be confident in the safety of the food available to American consumers and exported to international customers. Keep Reading
GAO: CDC Could Further Strengthen Its Efforts to Identify and Respond to Foodborne Illnesses
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. get food poisoning each year—leading to 128,000 hospital stays and 3,000 deaths. Keep Reading
CDC Investigating Outbreak of E. coli Infections
The investigation is ongoing to determine if ill people got sick from eating recalled Tanimura & Antle packaged single head romaine lettuce. Keep Reading
CDC Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Deli Meats
10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 3 states. All 10 people were hospitalized. One death has been reported from Florida. Keep Reading
DHS Awards $193K for Standards Based Technology to Enhance the Visibility of Food Supply Chains
Mesur IO will be extending their platform with an open source API layer and engine that meets DHS needs for imports of food and agricultural products, while offering an alternative to the proprietary offerings on the market today. Keep Reading
FDA Issues First Injunction Under Produce Safety Rule for Repeated Food Safety Violations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Fortune Food Product, Inc., an Illinois-based processor of sprouts and soy products, has agreed to stop production until it, among other things, undertakes remedial action and complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Keep Reading
CDC Investigation Update on Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Peaches
This outbreak has sickened 78 people in 12 states. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. This investigation is ongoing to identify other retailers that may have been sold contaminated peaches. Keep Reading
FDA and CDC Use Technological Advancements to Investigate Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Bagged Salads
This method was used in our current investigation and may be instrumental in our efforts to better understand the dispersion of the parasite in the environment, which could help prevent future outbreaks. Keep Reading
Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Continues to Grow; Now Linked to Red Onions
CDC, several states, and FDA continue to investigate a rapidly growing outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections. Red onions have been identified as the likely source. Keep Reading
Outbreak of Salmonella Newport Infections in at Least 15 States Under Investigation
Bacteria isolated from ill people were closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
IAEA Opens New Facility to Tackle Diseases, Food Security, and Climate Change
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has opened a new facility to address diseases like COVID-19 as well as food safety and climate change. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
COVID-19 Impact on Local Retail Regulatory Food Safety Programs
The COVID19 response has taken time, attention, and personnel away from all other unrelated health priorities, as already-underfunded and understaffed local health departments respond to the pandemic. Keep Reading
FDA Releases Report on Investigation into Fall 2019 Outbreaks of Illnesses Tied to Romaine Lettuce
The FDA worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners to investigate the contamination of romaine lettuce with several strains of E. coli O157:H7 that caused three outbreaks. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
Update: FDA Updates on Surveillance Inspections During COVID-19
During COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will continue to utilize and implement additional alternative inspection tools and approaches while postponing domestic and foreign routine surveillance inspections. Keep Reading
Chipotle Agrees to Pay $25 Million Fine to Resolve Charges Related to Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
The Newport Beach, California-based company agreed to a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) that will allow it to avoid conviction if it complies with an improved food safety program. Keep Reading
CDC Investigating Outbreak of E. coli Linked to Sprouts Served at Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s reported that all of its restaurants stopped serving clover sprouts on February 24, 2020. Investigators are working to determine whether other restaurants or retailers received the same clover sprouts that are linked to illness. Keep Reading
University of Minnesota Report Reveals Growing Threat of Cyberattacks to Food Safety
The potential consequences of an attack on the industrial control systems used in the food industry include contaminated food that threatens public health, physical harm to workers, destroyed equipment, environmental damage, and massive financial losses for companies. Keep Reading
One Step Closer to the Walking Dead? Zombie-Like Disease More likely to Infect Humans in the Future
"It is probable that human cases of CWD associated with the consumption of contaminated meat will be documented in the years ahead," says researcher. Keep Reading
Michigan Food Distributor Closes After Inspectors Discover Listeria
Sanarac Brand Foods, which was in operation for more than 50 years, prepared and distributed 35 individual ready-to-eat salads, dips and sauces, but numerous health inspections found that its processing facility contained a strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Keep Reading