Major meat companies count on health protocols and incentives to keep employees on job
Most days during the coronavirus crisis, the parking lot at the big JBS beef plant in Greeley, CO, is full, a sign of normalcy. The exception was this past Monday when the union president claimed 1,000 of the people who slaughter and process beef at the plant walked out because of fear that as many… […]
Vibrio increase concerns lead to risk assessment
There has been an increase in Vibrio outbreaks and presence in seafood has been known to disrupt trade, according to FAO and WHO. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) noted a rise in outbreaks and cases of foodborne disease attributed to pathogenic Vibrio species. As a… […]
Consumer Reports suggests USDA take action to address COVID-19 risks
Consumer Reports Tuesday sent out some suggestions for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure the safety and availability of meat, poultry and other food products during the COVID-19 pandemic. CR’s sent the advice to FSIS just as a number of meat and poultry processing plant employees reported having symptoms or testing positive for… […]
Salmonella outbreak traced to food ordered online
Ten people were sickened by Salmonella from chicken legs in a Chinese city after eating food ordered online in mid-2018, according to a new report. Researchers said the investigation highlights the role of online food delivery platforms as a new mode of foodborne disease transmission. Collaboration between public health agencies and online food delivery platforms… […]
Coronavirus stops FDA from conducting foreign food safety inspections
The FDA isn’t conducting food safety inspections overseas through at least April because of the coronavirus, but the move has more to do with the federal government’s travel restrictions than it does food. Although the Food and Drug Administration is referring to the action as a postponement of inspections, it amounts to a suspension of… […]
GFSI panel buzz – coronavirus, sustainability and technology
When it came to panels at the Global Food Safety Initiative conference there were plenty of questions about the coronavirus, and how it will impact food safety. The CEOs of the various companies and food safety experts said they are in a “wait and see” mode. When asked to speculate, they said they imagine the […]
FDA reveals 2020 plan to increase food safety of leafy greens
Step by step, FDA officials are tackling the link between E. coli outbreaks and leafy greens. They released their new plan today with many steps repeating their walk thus far, but new footprints are planned to leave the mark of improved food safety. Announced in a Voices Blog entry from the Food and Drug Administration,… […]
Infamous poultry case is finally going to get an ending
Unlike Han Solo, the Star Wars character played by Harrison Ford, federal Judge Gregory K. Frizzell was not frozen in carbonite as a wall ornament for Jabba the Hutt. Nor has his honor been in a coma. He just has not ruled in the State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods Inc. et al, a civil… […]
FSA outlines controls for producers in raw milk guidance
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has developed a guidance document for producers of raw drinking milk in England and Wales. The guidance has been produced in response to increasing sales and outbreaks related to unpasteurized milk. Between 2015 and 2017 there were five outbreaks linked to raw milk. These included 103 reported cases, 40 of… […]
U.S. beefs up border inspections with more agricultural, food safety expertise
Annual hiring of an additional 240 agricultural specialists to strengthen U.S. borders and ports of entry and 200 agricultural technicians for administrative and support functions along with 20 new K-9 teams is now authorized by law. President Trump has signed The Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation authorizing the annual new… […]
