China issues catalogue on 'three new foods'

On May 10, 2023, the People’s Republic of China National Health Commission (NHC) released a catalogue of new food ingredients, new varieties for food additives and new food…

Precooling used to increase efficiency and reduce postharvest losses in bell peppers

In grocery stores brimming with brightly colored fruits and vegetables, it may not occur to many shoppers the complexity farmers navigate to consistently deliver high-quality produce each week. Consumers hold high standards for fresh food, which farmers aim to meet, but hot summer temperatures and…

Taiwan: Kaohsiung again fines Costco over frozen berries

The Kaohsiung Department of Health has fined Costco NT$4.5 million (US$146,000) over contaminated frozen strawberries. The Food and Drug Administration said that although the…

Sri Lanka will require heavy metals report for fruit imports

Importers of fruit into Sri Lanka will be required to obtain a report on heavy metals starting from June 1 as part of the country's efforts to improve food safety, the Health…

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Counts of e-coli in vegetables from retailers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

A new study by Ihab Habib, Rami H Al-Rifai, Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim Mohamed, Akela Ghazawi, Afra Abdalla, Glindya Lakshmi, Neveen Agamy and Mushtaq Khan investigates the counts, antimicrobial resistance profile, and genome-based characterization of Escherichia coli in 11 different types of fresh salad…

Taiwan Food and Drug Administration

Japanese blueberries and grapes rejected by Taiwan for banned pesticides

Shipments of fresh blueberries and grapes from Japan were seized at Taiwan's border after they were found to contain banned pesticides. A total of 9 kilograms of blueberries were confiscated after sample testing on April 28 and detected flubendiamide, a type of synthetic petrochemical pesticide that is…

Simply Hot brand Thai Green Peppers recalled due to Salmonella

Thai Green Peppers from the Simply Hot brand have been recalled due to microbial contamination. The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.  The recalled product has been sold in Alberta, Saskatchewan and may have been distributed in other provinces and…

Egyptian Agricultural Export Council imposes inspection of all containers of Egyptian citrus to EU until end of season

Following the decision of the European Union to increase the inspection samples of Egyptian citrus from 20% to 30%, due to the detection of chlorpyrifos ethy1 in citrus shipments from Egypt, Egyptian exporters met urgently to address the situation. Muhammed Shaker, one of the citrus grower-exporters who…

25 tons of almonds seized in Alicante due to dangerous toxins

In a joint operation of the Guardia Civil and the Tax Agency this Saturday, 25 tons of almonds with very dangerous toxins were seized in Alicante. Three Spanish nationals and…

TikTok avocado hack might breed deadly bacteria

A recent TikTok 'life hack' - widely shared on the social media platform – promises to give your avocados a longer lifespan. But health experts are urging people to take…

Tuta Absoluta outbreak: Nigerians should consider alternatives, says nutritionist

A professor of nutrition and dietetics, Olivia Afam-Anene, has explained how consumers can manage the outbreak of Tuta Absoluta, also known as tomato ebola, a pest that has…

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New report finds 97% of fruits and vegetables sampled in California meet pesticide safety standards

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today released a report finding that 97% of fruits and vegetables sampled within the state in 2021 met federal pesticide safety standards. The 2021 California Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report shows that 97% of domestically grown and…

FDA to suspend Costco Taiwan frozen berry inspections until it provides complete report

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that frozen strawberries sold by Costco Taiwan had tested positive for hepatitis A, and the FDA has halted frozen berry import inspections for the company until it submits a complete investigation report. The FDA said in addition to Kirkland's…

Golden Mushroom brand Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Golden Mushroom brand Enoki Mushroom is being recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product has been sold in Ontario and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider. Check to see if…

Taiwan: FDA finds banned chemical on Japanese strawberries for 25th time in six months

The Food and Drug Administration of Taiwan found residues of a banned chemical on a shipment of strawberries about to be imported from Japan for the 25th time in the past six…

Lancaster Foods updates voluntary recall of various expired kale, spinach and collard green products

Lancaster Foods has updated their May 5, 2023 Recall notice to add one product (Lancaster Brand Spinach item #41714, “Best If Used By” date April 29, 2023). Lancaster Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of 3 brands of already-expired Robinson Fresh, Lancaster, and Giant brand Kale, Spinach…

More people affected by Morel mushroom outbreak in Montana

Almost a dozen more people have been confirmed as part of an outbreak linked to morel mushrooms. Two people have died. As of May 10, the Food and Drug Administration reports…

State: "lēf Farms products are safe, recall has been canceled"

The leafy greens from US greenhouse grower lēf Farms are safe to eat, and have always been, despite last weeks recall.  The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that a laboratory error incorrectly caused last week’s recall announcement, concerning lēf Farms “Spice” Packaged…

No link found between Costco fruits and hepatitis cases in Taiwan

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration Director Wu Shou-mei said the hepatitis A virus was detected in a batch of Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend during a border…

Coalition calls for Canada to ban glyphosate use

A coalition of experts is calling on the federal government to ban the use of glyphosate in Canada. Glyphosate exposure can lead to pancreatitis, liver and kidney diseases,…

Western Australia: South Korean mushrooms recalled over fears of listeria

Packets of a South Korean brand of mushrooms have been recalled amid fears of a potentially deadly bacteria. Korea Connections 300g packets of enoki mushrooms with a best before date of August 17 may contain listeria monocytogenes, and the packet itself has no instructions to cook the mushrooms before…

Chang Farm expands mung bean sprouts recall because of possible health risk

Chang Farm, 301 River Road, Whatley, MA is expanding their recall to include ALL Mung Bean Sprouts and Soy Bean Sprouts within expiry because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes). Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections…

Opposition legislators warns against easing ban on pesticides used on Japanese strawberries

Yesterday, opposition Kuomintang legislators urged Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to ease a ban on residues of two types of pesticides commonly used to treat…

Warning sent to food firms in multiple states because of import violations

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Business owners have 15 days to respond to…

Hepatitis A outbreak traced to organic strawberries spreads

A hepatitis A outbreak traced to frozen, organic strawberries continues, as do public health warnings about the implicated products. Although the outbreak is progressing slowly, with nine patients across three states now, public health officials are concerned that consumers may continue to face a threat.…

Lancaster Foods recalls limited quantity of 3 brands of already-expired products

Lancaster Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of 3 brands of already-expired Robinson Fresh, Lancaster, and Giant brand Kale, Spinach and Collard Green products produced at the company’s Jessup, Maryland facility. This recall is due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No…

lēf Farms recalls “Spice” packaged salad greens because of possible health risk

lēf Farms of Loudon, N.H. is voluntarily recalling a single lot of the lēf Farms "Spice" Packaged Salad Greens ("best by" date 5/5/23, lot number SP10723- 1RGH1, UPC 8 50439 00709 1) produced in its Loudon, New Hampshire greenhouse because they have the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli…

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration could lift pesticide ban on some imports

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday that a ban on residues of two types of pesticides commonly used on Japanese strawberries could be lifted.…

Costco Taiwan blueberries also tainted with hepatitis A

Earlier this week, we reported how the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration suspended Costco frozen berry mix imports from the US due to health concerns. Now, more than 15,000 kilograms of frozen blueberries imported by Costco Taiwan have tested positive for hepatitis A. On Monday (May 1), Costco Taiwan…

DEFRA publishes TOM risk categorizations for goods subject to sanitary or phytosanitary checks

DEFRA has posted the ‘risk categorization’ of EU goods subject to the new sanitary or phytosanitary (SPS) controls that are being introduced from the autumn, as per the draft…

Schnucks issues allergy alert on Select Culinaria Nut Mixes due to a mislabel

Schnuck Markets, Inc. has issued an allergy alert due to a mislabel on select containers of Culinaria Nut Mixes. The products may have mislabeled packaging, and the Culinaria Cashew & Macadamia mix may contain almonds, which is an allergen for some people. Due to the mislabel, the Culinaria Cashew &…

Taiwan Food and Drug Administration suspends Costco berry imports from US

Yesterday, we reported on the health risk posed by Costco berries exported from the US to Taiwan. Today, Costco Taiwan has been barred from importing berries from the United…

Taiwan finds hepatitis A virus in Costco berries

The Taiwanese Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the hepatitis A virus in bags of frozen berries imported from Chile and sold at Costco supermarkets. More than 17,000 kilograms of the product had already been sold to the public in bags of 1.81 kg each. The supermarket company removed the product…

Possible Hepatitis A contamination leads to frozen blackberry recall

Patagonia Food LLC, of San Luis Obispo, CA, is recalling certain frozen blackberries because of possible hepatitis A contamination. According to the company recall posted by…

USDA

Blueberries from Central and North Florida expected to decrease as season is past its peak

Movement of blueberries out of South Georgia is expected to increase as the season is now fully underway. Trading was moderate at lower prices. Prices flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large mostly 20.00-25.00. Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids 14.00-18.00. Quality is reported as generally good. Movement of…

Pests found on imported kiwis from Iran

At one of the bases in the Yekaterinburg region of the Russian Federation, seven tons of kiwi infected with the mulberry shield were discovered. The insect came from kiwis…

Spring onions from Egypt suspected in 2021 Danish E. coli outbreak

Spring onions from Egypt were likely behind a deadly E. coli outbreak in Denmark in 2021, according to researchers. Between November and December 2021, the first recorded…

South Korea: Colombian avocados detected with excessive level of pesticides

In 22 tons of Colombian avocados imported by a Korean agricultural product trade platform operator Tridge, 2.03 milligrams per kilogram of thiabendazole had been detected.…

FDA seizes fresh strawberries from Japan at Taiwanese border

Five shipments of fresh strawberries from Japan were recently seized at Taiwan's border, after being found to contain residue of a banned pesticide, the Taiwan Food and Drug…

FDA says the hepatitis A virus in this year’s frozen strawberry outbreak is identical to one from 2022

Federal officials have confirmed that the strain of hepatitis A virus found in frozen organic strawberries involved in a multi-state outbreak this year is the same strain that…

Meijer recalls select pre-made salads due to potential health risk

Meijer, in conjunction with its supplier, Revolution Farms, is announcing a voluntary recall of select Fresh From Meijer premade salads because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall is part of a broader Revolution Farms lettuce recall and includes premade…

Revolution Farms recalls lettuce due to possible health risk

Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan, is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly…

Senasa suspends five exporters that do not comply with phytosanitary procedures

The National Agricultural Health Service of Peru (Senasa), confirmed the suspension of five agro-export companies for failing to comply with the procedure for ‘Sanitary and…

New GS1 guideline issued for Traceability for Food to meet new US FDA regulations

A new GS1 Traceability for Food guideline has been released to assist food companies in meeting the new US FDA regulations, for export of fresh produce and dairy. The comprehensive and user-friendly guide defines the recommendations for product and location identification, structured product descriptions…

German authorities order a batch of Turkish tomatoes to be withdrawn from the market due to chlorothalonil residues

On March 29, the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)  reported that the German health authorities had ordered a batch of tomatoes from Türkiye to be withdrawn…