The USDA has issued a public health alert for items made from meat and poultry with jalapeños for Salmonella. No reports of illness have been received by the company to date in connection with the consumption of these items. These items are fully cooked and not shelf stable. The recalling firms are Taylor Farms and … Read more
A Missouri woman has been indicted for allegedly illegally smuggling blood clams into the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Blood clams, also known as Concha Negra, black clams, and black conch meat, with the scientific name Andorra tuberculosis, can be contaminated with pathogens such as hepatitis … Read more
Operation Stork Speed, which was established last year by the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA, addresses more hazards in infant formula, more specifically, botulism and Bacillus cereus. This program builds on the 2022 strategy to increase the resiliency of the U.S. infant formula market. The purpose of the program is to … Read more
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wants to see food safety agencies fully funded, especially in the wake of the huge cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands across the country. She sent a letter to the CDC’s Acting Director Bhattacharya and the FDA’s Acting Commissioner Diamantas asking them to reverse the cuts made last year. She said … Read more
Utah health officials are warning consumers about bird flu risk in raw milk in that state. At least 50% of dairy cows in Box Elder County in that state may be infected with the Highly Pathogenic Asian Influenza (HPAI), according to a press release. The county has declared a local state of emergency. A sample … Read more
On the topic of keeping frozen food safe: do you know about the penny test? Summer is the time for storms, from thunderstorms to hurricanes. And that usually means power outages. While most outages are over within an hour or two, some can go on for a long time. And, especially if you are away … Read more
The Hood Canal paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) is at lethal levels in Washington state, according to a July 2, 2026 notice posted by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Paralytic shellfish poison is produced by some species of algae. This biotoxin can paralyze muscles. Shellfish, which are filter feeders, eat the algae and can … Read more
Keep your 250th American birthday celebration safe this July 4th with tips from the USDA. Grilling and eating outdoors pose special challenges for food safety, especially when the weather is hot. Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears said in a statement, “The summer heat increases food safety risks, but simple steps can prevent … Read more
The risks of consuming toxins in fish and shellfish are highlighted in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report for the week of June 18, 2026. The research covers reports over the last 23 years. During that time, there were 1,280 illnesses, 96 hospitalizations, and one death attributed to the toxins. Data from the CDC’s … Read more
Got well water? Learn how to test it to stay healthy. Most people don’t think about water when they think about food safety. But water can be contaminated just like food can. And if well water supplies your household with its drinking water, you should be extra careful, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension … Read more