USDA is withdrawing its proposed framework to reduce Salmonella in poultry. In October 2022, that agency released the framework to reduce Salmonella infections linked to poultry. Food safety advocates were pleased to see this framework and were hopeful it would lead to fewer illnesses and deaths. In that announcement the USDA stated, “The Centers for … Read more
Consumer Reports has asked the USDA to strengthen its Salmonella framework to reduce consumer illnesses from poultry. CR has filed a comment letter with that agency, which states that poultry contaminated with Salmonella bacteria above a certain level should be kept off the market and recalled. Chicken accounts for amore Salmonella illnesses than any other … Read more
The USDA is proposing new regulations to reduce poultry linked Salmonella illnesses. The agency is hosting a public meeting virtually on November 3, 2022 to seek input from stakeholders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that Salmonella causes about 1.35 million human infections and 26,500 hospitalizations in the United States every year. Of … Read more
The USDA announced a new effort to reduce poultry Salmonella Illnesses, to try to achieve a national target of a 25% reduction in those illnesses. Several “key activities” are being launched to gather data and information that is needed to support future action. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement, “Far too many consumers … Read more
Labor Day is the last big grilling holiday of the summer season. Most Americans love to grill, and cook out whether at home or in a park. Grilling food safety tips are important for every person to know. But there’s one question that is not often answered: Is it safe to partially cook meat and … Read more
Consumer advocates, food poisoning survivors, scientists, and four major poultry producers are calling for the modernization of poultry food safety to reduce illnesses, according to Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). These groups want to meet with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss a “modernized, science-based regulatory approach to ensure the food safety … Read more
It’s the first full da of summer, so it’s appropriate that we discuss charcoal grill safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The second part of this discussion will cover food safety when grilling, which mostly involves using a thermometer, safe final internal food temperatures, and washing plates and utensils while cooking. Charcoal … Read more
There are major power outages in large swaths of the United States as a result of freezing temperatures and severe weather, and some bad food safety advice is circulating. When it’s cold outside and you are worried about frozen food thawing and spoiling, you may be tempted to put the food outside to keep it … Read more
On Friday, January 22, 2021, the USDA withdrew a controversial poultry line speed rules from the previous administration that would have rolled back line-speed standards at poultry plants. The first such proposal was made by the Obama administration in 2012. At the time, and over the last nine years, food safety experts and consumer advocates … Read more
The USDA has released consumer information on preparing frozen foods safely. New research reveals that consumers may not know how to safely cook these foods, which can put families at risk of contracting a foodborne illness. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are preparing more foods at home. It’s important that all cooks, especially beginners, … Read more