Learn how to protect yourself in the wake of cuts to FDA, USDA, and CDC. Today we learned that many scientists and food safety experts have lost their jobs at those agencies. What does that mean to you and your family and how can you protect yourself? You have always been the final piece of the puzzle for food safety. Contaminated food has always been sold; in fact, the government has allowed chicken to be sold when it is contaminated with a certain level of Salmonella, and recalls often come after people have been sickened by contaminated food. So if you are already following food safety precautions you are ahead of the game. First of all, always follow the rule of Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Wash your hands before you start cooking. Start with a clean kitchen and … [Read more...]
Seven Pathogens Cause 9.9 Million Illnesses Every Year in U.S.
The CDC says that seven pathogens cause 9.9 million illnesses every year in the United States. This estimate is used to allocate resources and prioritize interventions. The seven pathogens are Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, invasive Listeria monocytogenes, norovirus, Salmonella, Toxoplasma gondii, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). And those illnesses cause about 53,000 hospitalizations and 931 deaths. Norovirus caused the most illnesses, followed by Campylobacter, and Salmonella. Salmonella infections were the leading cause of death, with 238 every year, followed by Campylobacter with 197 deaths and norovirus with 174. The issue with this estimate is that public health reports are limited because not all people sickened by those pathogens seek medical care and … [Read more...]
Consumer Reports Tests Baby Formula For Lead and Arsenic
Consumer Reports has tested baby formula for the heavy metals lead and arsenic and found some with concerning levels. The tested 41 types of powdered formula, looking at established formulas like Enamel and Similac, popular store brands, imported brands, and newer foods like Bobbie. About half of the samples had potentially harmful of at least one contaminant. But the other half had low or no levels of potentially problematic contamination, so parents have good options to choose from. The FDA announced a new initiative to strengthen its oversight of the formula industry one day after Consumer Reports shared the results with that agency. Brian Ronholm, head of food policy for CR said in a statement, "It’s very encouraging to see the FDA issue this announcement immediately after … [Read more...]
Brookvale Pines Raw Milk Recalled For Listeria Monocytogenes
Brookvale Pines Raw Milk is being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). A cow on the farm was diagnosed with a Listeria infection. The notice did not state whether or not any illness have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this unpasteurized milk. The milk was sold in half gallon containers at the Brookvale Mercantile that is located in Brentwood, New Hampshire. The raw milk has "best by" dates through March 22, 2025. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food tested the cow and notified DHHS about the illness. Iain Watt, Director of the DHHS Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), said in a statement, "Raw milk is milk that has not … [Read more...]
Eight Firms Added to FDA Import Alert For PFAS in Clams
Eight firms have been added to and FDA Import Alert for PFAS in clams. PFAS include chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They were first used in the 1940s. Some PFAS are authorized by the FDA for limited use in food packaging, cookware, and food processing equipment. Accumulation of some PFAS does occur in humans and animals, and some types of PFAS have been associated with serious health problems. The FDA has been conducting a targeted survey for PFAS in molluscan shellfish, including clams, such as domestic and imported clams, both raw and processed; mussels; oysters; and scallops. These filter feeders remove nutrients and chemicals from the water, which can concentrate in the flesh of the animal. The FDA detected elevated levels of PFAS, including per- and … [Read more...]
Minnesota Starts Testing Raw Cow Milk for H5N1 Bird Flu
Minnesota is starting to test raw cow milk for H5N1 bird flu, according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of of Agriculture (MDA). The testing will start beginning the week of February 24, 2025. This is intended to identify where the virus is present, to monitor trends, and prevent its spread to dairy herds and poultry flocks around the state. MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen said in a statement, "H5N1 is an emerging disease in dairy cattle, and conducting disease surveillance supports the state’s ability to effectively respond to outbreaks and limit the potential impact on the livestock and poultry industries, as well as on public health." The notice stated that there are no concerns about the safety of the public milk supply, since all milk sold in stores to the … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Rheta’s Dining Hall at UW-Madison
A possible hepatitis A exposure has been reported for anyone who ate at Rheta's Market dining hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on certain dates. That hall serves about 4,000 students and staff. University of Wisconsin-Madison's University Health Services (UHS) sent a notice to students and faculty on Friday, February 7, 2025. Health services identified a student worker who was showing symptoms of hepatitis A. The student was infectious while working, prompting the notice and warning. Officials have since cleared Rheta's Market to resume normal operations. The news report did not state which dates the student worked. UHS Director Jack Baggott said in the email, "The diagnosed student will not return to work until they are medically cleared. This process is standard and … [Read more...]
Super Bowl Food Safety Tips From the USDA
Get Super Bowl food safety tips from the USDA to make your party the best ever. When you are entertaining, food safety is more important than ever. And you have to consider the health issues and ages of all of the people you invited. If you are getting takeout or having food delivered, make sure that it is quickly refrigerated or placed in the oven until your guests arrive. Pizza, chicken wings, sliders, chili and other favorites can't stay at room temperature for more than two hours, no matter how hot they were to begin with, or bacteria will grow. The danger zone is between 40°F to 140°F. In that zone, bacterial counts can double every 20 minutes. And the same rule applies to chilled foods. Get them back into the fridge after two hours; that time shrinks to one hour if the … [Read more...]
GAO Study of Foodborne Illness in U.S. Finds Issues
The Government Accounting Office (GAO) is responsible for examining how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, non-partisan, fact-based information. It is an independent, non-partisan agency that works for Congress. The latest GAO study of foodborne illness in the United States has found some issues and recommends a national food safety strategy. The CDC states that only a small proportion of foodborne illnesses are diagnosed and reported to public health authorities every year. For Salmonella, only one case is reported for every 29 illnesses that actually occur. The report finds that the safety and quality of the U.S. food supply is covered by at least 30 federal laws administered by 25 agencies. Some goals aimed at reducing … [Read more...]
FDA Requires Pet Food Manufacturers to Add Bird Flu to Plans
The FDA is requiring that pet food manufacturers must add bird flu to their food safety plans after the virus was found in some raw products. This applies to all manufacturers of cat and dog foods that are covered by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls for Animal Food and that use uncooked meat, unpasteurized milk, or unpasteurized eggs in their products. The FDA is issuing this update to make sure that these manufacturers are aware of information about the new H5N1 hazard that is associated with these types of products. The FDA is tracking cases of H5N1 in domestic and wild cats in the states of California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington that are associated with eating contaminated food products. At this time, the H5N1 virus can be transmitted to cats and … [Read more...]
