The state of Pennsylvania sues farmer Amos Miller to stop the illegal distribution of raw milk and other products, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the state's Department of Agriculture. The complaint is against Miller's Organic farm, its owners, and related businesses. Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture searched the farm after two people were sickened with E. coli infections after allegedly consuming eggnog made with raw milk from that facility. The lawsuit was filed after "years of attempts by state and federal officials to bring the farm into compliance with the law," according to the Attorney General. The complaint outlines violations of Pennsylvania’s Milk Sanitation Law, Food Safety Act, Retail Food Facility … [Read more...]
5 Star Nutrition Distributed Misbranded Dietary Supplements
According to the Justice Department, Defyned Brands, also known as 5 Star Nutrition, distributed misbranded dietary supplements. The company pled guilty to a three count information charging it with that action. The company admitted that from September 2018 to July 2020, it delivered into interstate commerce misbranded dietary supplements, which are considered a type of food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The specific admission was that shipments of products known as Epivar, Alpha Shredded, and Laxobolic were misbranded. They allegedly contained ingredients that were mislabeled as supplements or were not listed on the product label. The products were marketed as dietary supplements. They were sold at 5 Star Nutrition Retail locations. The company has agreed to … [Read more...]
Victor Pet Food Salmonella Outbreak Ends With Seven Sick
The Victor Pet Food Salmonella outbreak has ended with at least seven people sick in seven states, according to the CDC. One person was hospitalized. Several types and brands of dog and cat food were recalled in relation to this outbreak. The recalled pet foods were Mid America Pet Food, all dog and cat food with best by dates before 10/31/2024 and multiple bag sizes including: 5 pounds, 15 pounds, 16 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds, and 50 pounds. Also recalled was Victor Hi-Pro Plus dog food in 5 pound bags with lot code 1000016385 and best by date 4/30/2024 Also recalled was Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula in 5 pound, 15 pound, and 40 pound bags. The best by date for those products is 6/12/2024 and the lot numbers are 1000016890, 1000016891, … [Read more...]
When Should You See a Doctor if You Get Food Poisoning?
When should you see a doctor when you get food poisoning? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information you need to know. First, you need to know the symptoms of common foodborne pathogens, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, norovirus, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter. Most pathogens cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, nausea, stomach and abdominal pain, and muscle aches. Listeria is a bit different: the serious symptoms for that infection include a high fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Some people should always see a doctor if they get sick, even if symptoms aren't very severe. That group includes pregnant women, the elderly, anyone with a chronic illness such as diabetes, and people who have … [Read more...]
Consent Decree Filed Against Cali Rice For Violations of the FDCA
A consent decree was filed by the FDA against Cali Rice for manufacturing food in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The civil complaint was filed on October 11, 2023, and the government alleged that Cali Rice Valley Inc. violated the law at the company's facility in Antioch, California, and in its previous facility in San Francisco by manufacturing and distributing adulterated food products. Cali Rice makes ready to eat rice noodles, packaged in retail and bulk sizes, along with bakery products. The company allegedly did not conduct an adequate hazard analysis or establishment and implement preventive controls, leaving their food at risk of contamination with pathogens. The complaint also alleges that the FDA inspected the company's facilities four … [Read more...]
The Exclusive Poultry Illegally Hired Children For Dangerous Jobs
The Exclusive Poultry illegally hired children for dangerous jobs, robbed workers of wages, and retaliated by firing employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The California poultry processor has agreed to pay nearly $3.8 million in back wages, damages, and penalties. Investigators found that The Exclusive Poultry and related companies established by the owner allegedly employed children as young as 14 to debone poultry using sharp knives and to operate power-driven lifts to move pallets. The children also worked excessive hours in violation of federal child labor laws. In addition, the company retaliated against workers who cooperated with investigators by cutting their wages. The Exclusive Poultry and owner Tony Bran are subject to a consent judgment entered by … [Read more...]
Keep Pets Safe From Holiday Hazards With Tips From FDA
Keep pets safe from holiday hazards with these tips from the FDA. There are many smells, sights, and sounds that may be unfamiliar to curious dogs and cats this time of year, and some can be hazardous to your pet's health. Salt dough ornaments and homemade play dough can be fatal to pets if eaten. The high salt content is the concern. Make sure that you warn your children to keep these items away from your dog or cats as well. One cup of salt is 48 teaspoons. A pet that weighs 10 pounds can get sick after eating just 1/2 teaspoon of table salt. A 1-1/2 teaspoon dose can be fatal. Tinsels and ribbons are also problematic. The sparkly and wiggly items look like prey, and they can cause serious stomach and intestinal damage to dogs and cats. Keep tinsel off the tree and collect all … [Read more...]
FDA’s Annual Warning About Consuming Raw Flour
It's time for the FDA's annual warning about consuming raw flour, since the holiday season is a traditional time for a lot of baking. There have been many outbreaks linked to raw flour and products made with raw flour, such the Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled Gold Medal flour earlier this year, and the E coli outbreak linked to cake mix two years ago. Because it is dry, flour seems so innocuous. But pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli can easily survive in low water foods. And flour is a raw agricultural product made from raw grains, which means that it can be contaminated with pathogens in the field, during harvest or transport, or during processing. The only thing that makes flour safe to eat is heat. Do not eat any uncooked cookie dough or batter. And do not make … [Read more...]
Store Thanksgiving Leftovers Safely to Stay Healthy
After the holidays, one of the best things is having lots of great leftovers to eat. But you need to store Thanksgiving leftovers safely to stay healthy. Here are some rules to follow from Food Safety.gov. Food safety starts as soon as you take the food out of the oven or the refrigerator to serve it. Make sure that all perishable foods, which include meats, cheeses, cut fruits and vegetables, and casseroles, are put into the fridge or freezer within two hours. That time period shrinks to one hour if the ambient air temperature is above 90°F. Divide the food into smaller portions so it cools quickly. A whole turkey or a large casserole will take too long to cool down, meaning it can stay in the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F too long. In that temperature range, pathogenic bacteria … [Read more...]
Alternate Turkey Preparation Methods From the USDA
The USDA is offering tips on alternate turkey preparation methods for the Thanksgiving holiday. If you choose to prepare turkey other than roasting it in the oven, read carefully to avoid food poisoning or injuries. Whatever method you use, make sure that the turkey reaches 165°F, a temperature that must be read with a reliable and accurate thermometer. First, do not cook the turkey in brown paper bags from the grocery store. That product can emit toxic fumes and may cause a fire. The ink, glue and recycled materials in brown paper bags are especially toxic. Electric Roaster Oven If you choose to use an electric roaster oven, the cooking times and temperatures should be the same as in a conventional oven. But always read the user manual for the manufacturer's instructions. The … [Read more...]
