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...]
Learn How to Cook Turkey Stuffing Safely From the USDA
Learn how to cook turkey stuffing safely with tips from the USDA. Turkey stuffing is risky because it's a large mass of food cooked inside the bird, so getting the mixture to a safe final internal temperature of 165°F, especially in the center, is tricky. The USDA recommends that you do not cook your stuffing inside of the turkey, especially if your guests fall into groups that are at high risk for serious complications from food poisoning. Put the stuffing, or dressing, into a casserole dish and bake it along with the turkey. The dressing must still reach 165°F, tested with a reliable and accurate food thermometer. If you do decide to stuff the turkey, there are some rules to follow. First, never stuff the turkey ahead of time. Bacteria can multiply and grow in the stuffing … [Read more...]
Safely Thaw Your Thanksgiving Turkey With USDA Tips
Learn yow to safely thaw your Thanksgiving turkey with these timely tips from the USDA. If you bought a frozen turkey, now is the time to start thawing it so it's ready to cook on the big day. It's critical that you learn this fact: never ever thaw your turkey, or any frozen food, at room temperature unless the package specifically states that it's safe to do so. If you thaw meat products, especially, at room temperature, the product will sit at the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F for too long. And bacterial counts double in amount every hour in that temperature range. Since bacteria can produce toxins as they grow that are not destroyed by heat, cooking a contaminated turkey may not make it safe to eat. And you could get sick. The USDA says that one of the most common question … [Read more...]
