Labor Day weekend food safety travel tips come from Jesus Garcia, Public Affairs Specialist with the Food Safety Education Staff with the USDA. While many people stay at home during this long holiday weekend, others travel, especially to campsites and to go on picnics. And food safety is even more critical when you are away from home. First pack perishable foods into your cooler directly from the fridge or freezer. You can pack meat and poultry products while they are still frozen. Put an appliance thermometer in your cooler to make sure that the food stays safe and cold at 40°F or below. The danger zone, when bacteria counts can double in food every 20 minutes, is from 40°F to 140°F. Keep raw meat and poultry away from cooked foods and produce that is eaten raw, in the cooler … [Read more...]
Three Infant Food Manufacturers Get Warning Letters From FDA
Three infant food manufacturers received warning letters from the FDA after inspections were conducted at their facilities. The letters were for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and FDA infant formula regulations. The letters were issued to ByHeart Inc., Mead Johnson Nutrition (Beckett), and Perrigo Wisconsin LLC. The letters "reflect findings from FDA inspections of these facilities over the last several months." At each inspection, the FDA issued inspectional observations and exercised oversight of each firm as they initiated recalls, in December 2022, February 2023, and March 2023. The recalls were for infant formulas potentially contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii, a pathogen that can cause serious illness and death in vulnerable infants. The letters … [Read more...]
Vibrio Vulnificus Death in Suffolk County, New York Prompts Warning
A Vibrio vulnificus death in Suffolk County, New York has prompted warnings to the public from Governor Kathy Hochul as well as theNew York State Department of Health. Vibrio vulnificus is a dangerous pathogen that has a 33% mortality rate. Officials are investigating to see if the deceased person contracted this infection in New York waters or elsewhere. Fatal cases of vibriosis have also occurred in neighboring Connecticut. Governor Holchul said in a statement, "While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous. As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater and for … [Read more...]
Health Canada Warns Consumers About Caffeinated Energy Drinks
Health Canada is warning consumers about the possible health drinks of consuming too many caffeinated energy drinks. These drinks are not recommended for anyone who is under the age of 14, who is pregnant or breast-feeding, or anyone who is sensitive to caffeine. These beverages or mixes contain added caffeine, usually along with other ingredients such as minerals, vitamins, herbal ingredients, guayana, Yerba mate, and taurine. In Canada, these beverages can contain up to 180 mg of caffeine per serving. There are cautionary statements on these product labels in these countries. Anyone over the age of 18 should not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. Too much caffeine can have detrimental effects on your health, including insomnia, irritability, headaches, and … [Read more...]
Recurring E. coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens Outbreaks
A recurring E. coli O157:H7 strain linked to leafy greens outbreaks has been identified, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was issued in the CDC's Dispatch for September 2023. Researchers found that this strain emerged in late 2015. The strain is emerging, reoccurring, or persistent (REP strain) and has caused illness over an extended time period. E. coli O157H7 causes about 63,000 domestically acquired foodborne illnesses in the United States every year, and causes 20 deaths. This illness causes symptoms including severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. A complication of this infection, called hemolytic uremic syndrome, can develop in children under the age of five, which is a ty-pe of kidney failure. Healthy cattle are the … [Read more...]
FDA Completes Final Actions on Partially Hydrogenated Oils
The FDA has completed final administrative actions on the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), also known as trans fats, in the food supply. This final rule reflects the agency's reasoning in removing this product. In 2015, the FDA stated that these oils are harmful to human health, and that removing them from the food supply could prevent thousands of heart attacks every year. Oils are hydrogenated to make them sold at room temperature. PHOs were used to make many foods because they were a cheap source of solid fats. Trans fats raise the level of LDL proteins in the blood, they can weaken cell membrane structures, contribute to insulin resistance, and are associated with certain types of cancer. In the final rule, the FDA states that PHOs are no longer included in an … [Read more...]
Who is Most Susceptible to Food Poisoning Complications?
Who is most susceptible to food poisoning complications? In many recall notices and all notice of outbreaks, we mention that people who belong to certain groups should be very careful about foods contaminated with pathogens. The FDA calls these groups "at risk." These groups are more susceptible for several reasons. In some, their immune systems may be compromised by age or disease. In others, an illness means their body is less able to fight infections. Of the estimated 48,000,000 food poisoning infections that occur every year in the United States, about 128,000 people are hospitalized and there are 3,000 deaths. People who are in these at risk groups are at greater risk for developing serious complications. Pregnant Women During pregnancy, the mother's immune system is … [Read more...]
USDA Offers Guide to Food Safety For School Lunches
Yes it's that time of the year. The USDA is offering parents a guide to food safety for school lunches. There is an inherent risk in packing perishable foods for your child to take to school every day, but with these rules you need to follow you can make sure the food stays safe to eat. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban said in a statement, "While there have been huge strides in food safety, at least 48 million people in the U.S. are still affected by foodborne illness every year. Our children’s health and safety depend on the safe food handling practices we teach and practice at home." Food safety for school lunches starts in your kitchen. When you prepare food for your child's lunch, and your own too, follow the steps of clean, separate, cook, and chill. … [Read more...]
Meat Allergies Associated With Tick Bites Are Increasing
The CDC is reporting that meat allergies associated with tick bites are increasing. There are more than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) that have been identified in association with tick bites. But because this diagnosis needs a positive test and a clinical exam, and some people are not teated, the government is estimating that there may be as many as 450,000 Americans affected by AGS. AGS is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It is also known as the tick bite meat allergy or the red-meat allergy. Knowledge about this reaction is low. The CDC says evidence is growing that AGS is associated with the bite of the lone star tick, but other types of ticks have not been ruled out. The midwestern, mid-Atlantic, and southern regions of the United States … [Read more...]
Canada Issues Temporary Requirements for US Romaine
Canada issues temporary requirements for romaine lettuce imported from the United States after several E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks were linked to that food. The lettuce is imported from the California Salinas Valley counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey. Safe Food For Canadians (SFC) license conditions have been implemented for the romaine lettuce originating from the United States between September 28 and December 20, 2023. That includes romaine lettuce and salad mixes containing romaine. Importers must declare that the product does not originate from those areas, or submit an attestation form and Certificates of Analysis for each shipment to demonstrate that the lettuce does not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7. These conditions are in addition … [Read more...]
