Belgium, 2020: Outbreaks down but recalls up

In Belgium in 2020, more than 330 outbreaks affected more than 1,200 people. In total, 333 outbreaks sickened 1,262 people, 27 of those needing hospital treatment. Two elderly…

“As we demystify the growing process, we can show consumers why indoor farming makes sense”

“The Food and Drug Administration has released new thinking on traceability requirements in food and I think it’s a scenario where indoor farms can be an example. With indoor farms, we can track everything that has ever touched a plant,” says Marni Karlin, executive director of the CEA Food Safety…

"Besides a greenhouse, good growers and good protocols are also needed for food-safe production"

"Mapping and standardizing business protocols are becoming an increasingly important issue, both in terms of food safety and operational security. At the same time, a…

Searchable database of FDA/USDA food recalls launched

The Food Industry Counsel, LLC launched its “FIC Recall Reporter™” business tool, a new, searchable database of all FDA and USDA published Class I, Class II and Class III food…

Salmonella recall on CEA grown lettuce

US greenhouse growing company BrightFarms today initiated a voluntary recall of packaged salad greens produced in its Rochelle, Illinois (Ogle County) greenhouse farm sold in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. "BrightFarms is taking this…

Microbiological contamination of food is a risk not to be underestimated

Food safety is based on the correct handling, production, distribution and storage of food and raw materials, in order to avoid physical, chemical and microbiological contamination. We talked about this with Marzia Arborea of Agro.Biolab Laboratory, one of the most qualified laboratories in Italy. Agro.Biolab…

CDC warns of Salmonella infections linked to BrightFarms brand Sunny Crunch Salad

A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections has been posted here. Key points: Eight people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from two states (Wisconsin and Illinois). No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported.…

5000 Years Foods, Inc.

5000 Years Foods, Inc. recall cabbage kimchi due to possible health risk

5000 Years Foods, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois is recalling SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI, WHOLE CABBAGE KIMCHI, JULRADO WHOLE CABBAGE KIMCHI, JULRADO SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI, NO MSG WHOLE CABBAGE KIMCHI, NO MSG SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI, NO MSG JULRADO WHOLE CABBAGE KIMCHI, NO MSG JULRADO SLICED CABBAGE KIMCHI, WHITE…

Queensland's strawberry growers react to needle contamination charges being dropped

Several members of the Queensland Strawberry Growers' Association have expressed disappointment after the case against a former farm worker accused of placing needles in…

Woman accused of putting needles in strawberries in 2018 has charges dropped

The charges against a Queensland woman, who was accused of putting needles in strawberries in 2018, have been dropped. Miss My Ut Trinh, who was a farm supervisor at…

Minister urged to intervene as consumers lose out with irradiated food approval

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has put industry profit before peoples health in its recommendation to approve irradiation of all types of fruit and…

Imported lettuce confirmed cause of Jyväskylä salmonella outbreak

Imported lettuce served in daycare centres in the Jyväskylä region - in the western part of the Finnish Lakeland - has been confirmed as the source of an outbreak of…

Oxyion® inaugurated a new headquarters in Peru

For 25 years, Oxyion® has protected the food industry with a solution without chemicals or residues that eliminates up to 99,99% of fungi, bacteria and viruses. With more than…

Kenyan industry launches Quality Mark to ensure local market food safety

Kenyan supermarkets and other retail stores will soon sell fruits and vegetables bearing a quality mark. This week, there was the unveiling of quality mark for the KS1758 Code…

Controversial change to allow irradiation treatment of imported produce

More imported fresh fruits and vegetables treated with irradiation could soon be on sale on New Zealand shelves if a rule change goes through. Food Standards Australia and New…

FDA releases Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan

As part of the ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness and aligned with our New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration…

Dole Diversified North America, Inc. announces limited recall of Dole™ Fresh Blueberries

Dole Diversified North America, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Dole™ Fresh Blueberries packaged in a variety of clamshell sizes for potential Cyclospora contamination. This voluntary recall is due to possible Cyclospora contamination on Dole™ Fresh Blueberries. Dole Diversified North…

Victim numbers Salmonella outbreak double in UK

The number of victims in the UK Salmonella outbreak -linked to melons- has almost doubled. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Public Health England (PHE) are investigating…

FDA to resume Produce Safety Rule inspections in 2021

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will resume Produce Safety Rule inspections under the Food Safety Modernization Act in Oregon. This means that Oregon operations may…

Qatar officials seize rotten fruits and vegetables

When inspectors from the Health Control Department in Doha Municipality inspected the stores of a food supplier in the Industrial Area, they came upon, seized and destroyed…

FDA: Last year’s salmonella outbreak possibly caused by “fugitive dust”

A new FDA report details how airborne contamination can spread pathogens from farms and animal operations to fruit orchards. In the summer of 2020, over 100 people got sick in…

Florida Citrus Industry welcomes appeals court decision to block harmful pesticide

Florida citrus growers and farmers were pleased when they received the news that an appeals court ruled in the farmers’ favor to protect the crops against a potentially…

The Port of Algeciras rejects Costa Rican products treated with unregistered wax

Last month, authorities at the Spanish port of Algeciras began rejecting products from Costa Rica because they were treated with waxes that are not registered as preservatives…

Record rejections of Turkish and Egyptian fruit and vegetable shipments containing pesticide residues

La Unio de Llauradors said that the rejections of Turkish and Egyptian fruit and vegetable shipments, due to pesticide residues or banned substances in the EU, continued on…

Switzerland might become first European nation to ban synthetic pesticides

Via the upcoming - June 13 – referendum, Switzerland could become the first European country to ban artificial pesticides. Supporters of the initiative hope a ‘yes’ vote will…

Large Salmonella outbreak linked to whole honeydew, cantaloupe and galia melons

Melons have been linked to a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that has been affecting 200 people in more than 10 different countries. Cases have been reported in Denmark,…