The FDA has released two new tools in their foodborne illness investigations: EIS (Executive Incident Summary Abstracts) and FOOD (Foodborne Outbreak Overview of Data). The EIS will be released after an outbreak is over, providing high level information about the outbreak and any new information that may have been discovered since the investigation ended. FOOD is a comprehensive detailed report on product-pathogen pairs that have caused repeated outbreaks over the years. The EIS reports are written after the investigation into an FDA-regulated human food product is closed. The reports will be redacted to protect confidential information as well as personally identifiable information and other info that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states is exempt from disclosure to the … [Read more...]
Cornell Researchers Find Deadly Bacteria in Raw Cat Food Brands
A study by Cornell researchers, published in the journal Nature, finds that there is deadly bacteria in raw cat food brands. The brands were not named. The researchers say that this is an issue because, "American consumers lack adequate education on the proper handling of foods, especially those intended to be served raw." The BARF diet (bone and raw food diet) is an attempt to return animal diets to ancestral roots. But these foods are contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, especially when compared to conventionally processed foods. While online groups say that this diet has benefits for pets, there is increased risk of illness for the animals and their owners. The study found Salmonella, Cronobacter, Clostridium perfringens, and E. coli bacteria in raw or partially … [Read more...]
FDA Advises Consumers Not to Eat Indonesian Imported Shrimp
The FDA is advising consumers to not eat, sell, or serve certain Indonesian imported shrimp imported from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati. The shrimp is in violation of the Federal FD&C Act because it may be contaminated with cesium-137 and may be radioactive. The problem is that shipping containers have tested positive for the radioactive isotope. No radioactive shrimp has entered U.S. commerce. This list will be updated as the FDA updates. Three firms have issued press releases for recalled products. They are: August 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall August 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall August 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand August 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand August 29, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall … [Read more...]
FDA Warns About More Imported Cookware That Can Leach Lead
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...]
