The FDA is warning consumers about more imported cookware that can leach lead into food as it cooks. Three more products were identified a few days ago. The FDA is continuing to collect and sample cookware products to identify more items that are problematic. These brands were added to the Kadai Tiger White Cookware and Karahi Tiger White Cookware that were identified in August 2025. There is no safe level of lead consumption. This heavy metal is toxic and can affect people of any age or health status. Children who are exposed to lead may have trouble learning, lowered IQ, and behavior changes. Higher levels of lead exposure can cause fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurological changes in anyone. The newly identified imported cookware products include Silver Horse … [Read more...]
Nicotine Pouch Makers Asked to Use Child Resistant Packaging
Nicotine pouch makers are being asked by the FDA to use child resistant packaging. The number of nicotine exposure cases reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers have steadily increased from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025, according to public health officials. These pouches contain concentrated nicotine that can be harmful or even fatal to young children, even when consumed in small amounts. Doses as low as 1 to 4 milligrams have caused toxic effects in young children. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning can include vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. said in a statement, "I am concerned about rising reports of nicotine exposures in young children caused by nicotine pouches. The fruity flavors and bright, colorful designs of … [Read more...]
Shellfish Biotoxin Closure in Pierce County, WA For PSP
There is a shellfish biotoxin closure in Pierce County, Washington because high levels of PSP, or paralytic shellfish poison, are present on some beaches, according to the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department. Specific beaches in that county are closed to the harvest of all species. The shellfish biotoxin closure area is the shoreline from Days Island and Point Fosdick north to the King and Kitsap County lines, including Commencement Bay, Colvos Passage and the Narrows. The closure applies to recreational mussel, clam and oyster harvesting within these areas. Shellfish that you can buy in stores and order in restaurants are still safe to eat. Paralytic shellfish poison is produced by some species of algae. This biotoxin can paralyze muscles. High levels of PSP can cause severe … [Read more...]
Kadai Tiger White Cookware May Leach Lead While Cooking
Kadai Tiger White Cookware and Karahi Tiger White Cookware may leach lead into food while cooking, according to the FDA. The government is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use this imported cookware. Some kinds of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested and do leach lead into food. Anyone is at risk when consuming food tainted with lead. But young children, women of childbearing age, and women who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events. The tested products are Kadai Tiger White Cookware and Karahi Tiger White Cookware. These are pure aluminum utensils. The RTM number is NO: 2608606 AN ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co. SARASWATI STRIPS PVT. … [Read more...]
Back to School Lunch Safety Tips From the USDA
Believe it or not it's that time of year again; these back to school lunch safety tips from the USDA will keep your kids healthy all year long. If your child brings a lunch rather than buying lunch at school, these are things you need to know. Children, especially young children, are more likely to have serious consequences from food poisoning, so it's especially important to follow these food safety tips. Dr. Justin Ransom, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator said in a statement, "As the school year begins, we want families to keep food safety top of mind, Young children are more vulnerable to foodborne illness, and we want to make sure they stay healthy and ready to learn." First keep cold foods cold. You should use at least two cold sources, such as … [Read more...]
Cornell Study Finds Irrigation Water Contaminates Romaine
A Cornell study finds that overhead spray irrigation with untreated surface water often contaminates Romaine lettuce with pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. This risk was mitigated through either drip or furrow irrigation. One of the study's authors, Renata Ivanek, a professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement, "While not the most common system, spray irrigation is used in a number of fields for its benefits during germination, its cooling effect on plants and other reasons. But drip or furrow irrigation reduces the probability that water directly touches the leaves." Along with author Martin Wiedmann, the Gellert Family Professor in Food Safety in the College of Agriculture and … [Read more...]
Fourth of July Food Safety Tips From the USDA
Get these Fourth of July food safety tips from the USDA for a happy and safe holiday. This is high season for summer grilling, and there are some things you need to know to keep family and guests healthy. Food safety starts with handling food. If you purchased frozen food, especially meats, for your party, make sure that you thaw beef, poultry, or fish in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in a microwave. Never thaw food on the counter. And remember that when thawing with cold water or the microwave oven, the food must be cooked immediately. Check the package to see if the food is pre-browned or browned but not fully cooked. Some of these foods can seem cooked, but they must be treated as raw food and cooked to a safe final internal temperature. Any product labeled “Cook and … [Read more...]
FDA Warns About Products From East Africa Boutique
The FDA is warning consumers, retailers, and distributors about products from Pan-African Food Distributors doing business as East Africa Boutique because they were held under insanitary conditions and could be contaminated with filth. These items include infant nutritional cereals, baking ingredients, and other food products. The products may or may not have a label with the firm name. The warning was updated on June 3, 2025 to include cosmetics. Products that are held under insanitary conditions could pose a serious health risk and could lead to serious illness, including leptospirosis, hantavirus infection, salmonellosis, yersiniosis, E. coli infections, and rat-bite fever. You can see the long list of products, along with package sizes, lot codes, and expiration dates at the … [Read more...]
The Red Inn Hepatitis A Exposure in Provincetown, Massachusetts
The Red Inn hepatitis A exposure in Provincetown, Massachusetts occurred between April 30 and May 15, 2025, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That restaurant is located at 15 Commercial Street in that city. A food service employee who tested positive for hepatitis A worked at that restaurant on those days. Customers could have been exposed by eating food or drinking beverages during that time frame. Hepatitis A can also be spread through close contact or by contact with contaminated hard surfaces (fomites). Unfortunately, it's likely that anyone who ate there before April 11, 2025 is not eligible for a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination, since those vaccines are most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. Talk to your doctor about … [Read more...]
USDA Withdraws Framework to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry
USDA is withdrawing its proposed framework to reduce Salmonella in poultry. In October 2022, that agency released the framework to reduce Salmonella infections linked to poultry. Food safety advocates were pleased to see this framework and were hopeful it would lead to fewer illnesses and deaths. In that announcement the USDA stated, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million human infections and 26,500 hospitalizations in the United States every year. Of those infections, over 23% are attributed to poultry consumption." The framework had three key components that, together, supported a comprehensive approach to controlling Salmonella in poultry. They were: Requiring that incoming flocks be tested for … [Read more...]
