The Canadian food safety system has been given the lowest audit rating possible so it can still export food to the United States. The rating of "adequate" follows an on-site audit of Canada's meat inspection system from October to November 2012. The results were just released to the public last month. These results mean that food coming in from Canada will be more closely inspected at the border. The three grades in the audit system are "well-performing", which is the best grade, then "average" and finally "adequate". There are six components of the audit, including government oversight, statutory authority and food safety regulations, sanitation, hazard analysis and HACCP, chemical residues control program, and microbiological testing programs. The audit found that oversight of hazard … [Read more...]
FDA Releases Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices
Over the years, there have been recalls for pathogens and filth in spices. The USDA recently completed a report about the risk of Salmonella in imported spices. In that report, scientists found that about 14% of spices from Mexico were contaminated. The FDA has now released a draft profile on the risk of contamination in spices and the steps it plans to take to improve safety. Pathogens found in spices range from Salmonella, Bacillus, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter, Shigella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Filth adulterants include insects, excrement, hair, and other materials such as decomposed parts, wood slivers, twigs, staples, stones, plastic, and rubber bands. During the time period of 1973 - 2010, fourteen illness outbreak were attributed to the consumption of … [Read more...]
