Author: Alicia Maroney

High Noon issued a voluntary recall on July 29, 2025, after discovering a serious labeling and packaging error. Some High Noon Beach Variety 12‑pack cans had been mistakenly filled with vodka seltzer but labeled as Celsius™ Astro Vibe™ Sparkling Blue Razz Energy Drinks, due to a mix‑up by a shared packaging supplier. These mislabeled cans may lead to unintentional alcohol consumption for consumers expecting a nonalcoholic beverage. The recall was announced in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What Went Wrong? A packaging supplier mistakenly shipped empty Celsius-branded cans to High Noon’s production facility. High Noon filled the…

Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC announced a voluntary recall on July 30, 2025 of their Member’s Mark Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Pack (15‑count boxes, UPC 1 93968 50900 2) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination discovered during routine internal testing. Products were sold exclusively at Sam’s Club locations across 43 states including Puerto Rico, with distribution dates ranging from July 1 through July 25, 2025. What Is Listeria and Why It Matters Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium capable of causing serious infections, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Infection may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe illness in infants. Healthy individuals may only experience temporary…

Campylobacter is one of the most common bacterial causes of foodborne illness globally. It is especially prevalent in undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water. Despite its widespread impact, Campylobacter remains underrecognized in many parts of the world due to diagnostic limitations and the sporadic nature of outbreaks. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have opened the door to new solutions. Large language models (LLMs), such as those developed by OpenAI and other research institutions, are now being explored as tools to track, analyze, and even predict outbreaks related to Campylobacter and other foodborne pathogens. Understanding Campylobacter and Its Challenges Campylobacter infections can cause symptoms…

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the most pressing health challenges of the modern era. While much of the public’s attention has focused on antibiotic misuse in healthcare settings, the role of the food supply in spreading resistant bacteria is equally concerning. Foodborne illnesses caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens are now a global issue, posing serious risks to public health and complicating treatment efforts. The Rise of Antibiotic Resistance in Foodborne Pathogens Antibiotic resistant bacteria can contaminate food at any stage of the production process. From livestock farms to processing plants to the kitchen table, improper use of antibiotics has…

The COVID pandemic reshaped many aspects of daily life, from how people work and travel to how they eat and prepare food. One of the most lasting changes has been in food safety behavior. Before the pandemic, most consumers associated food safety primarily with avoiding undercooked meat or expired items. During and after the pandemic, a heightened awareness of cleanliness, hygiene, and disease transmission significantly influenced food handling habits both at home and in public spaces. A New Level of Awareness When COVID cases began to rise globally, anxiety around cleanliness intensified. Consumers became acutely aware of how germs and…

As fall approaches and students prepare to move into dormitories across the country, many are excited to experience independence for the first time. Dorm life offers convenience, camaraderie, and a chance to learn new responsibilities. One area where students often lack experience, however, is food safety. With limited storage, cooking space, and often minimal oversight, dorm rooms can quickly become hotspots for foodborne illness if proper precautions are not taken. Why Food Safety Matters in Dorms College students are typically healthy young adults, but this does not make them immune to foodborne illnesses. In fact, many students engage in risky…

As the temperature rises, so does the risk of foodborne illness. Summer is the peak season for food poisoning outbreaks, with more cases reported between June and September than at any other time of year. Warm weather creates ideal conditions for harmful bacteria and other pathogens to multiply, increasing the chances that a simple picnic or backyard barbecue could turn into a serious health hazard. Why Summer Creates the Perfect Storm Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter thrive in warm, moist environments. In temperatures above 40°F, many of these pathogens can double every 20 minutes. The summer heat accelerates this process, making…

In a digital world where computer use is nearly constant, few people consider the hygiene of their devices. One of the most frequently touched, and least cleaned, surfaces in any environment is the computer keyboard. While this may seem trivial, the reality is that keyboards can harbor a variety of pathogens, including those responsible for foodborne illnesses. For people who eat at their desks or share workstations, the risk of contamination becomes even more serious. How Do Keyboards Become Contaminated? Keyboards are touched by fingers all day long, often without being disinfected. Each keystroke can deposit skin cells, oil, food…

Listeria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella are among the most well-known pathogens responsible for foodborne illness. Each has a long and fascinating history of discovery that laid the foundation for modern microbiology and food safety. The identification of these microbes, their links to human disease, and the ongoing scientific exploration of their behavior have shaped public health policies and food handling protocols around the world. Listeria monocytogenes: A Quiet but Deadly Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for listeriosis, was first discovered in 1926 by E.G.D. Murray and his colleagues. At the time, they were studying infections in rabbits and observed a previously…

Foodborne illness outbreaks can disrupt supply chains, damage public trust, and pose serious health risks. E. coli outbreaks in particular can result in severe illness and even fatalities, especially among vulnerable populations. Traditional methods of detecting foodborne outbreaks rely on reports from healthcare providers and lab testing, which can take days or even weeks to piece together. With the rise of artificial intelligence, there is hope that outbreaks can be spotted earlier, contained faster, and even prevented altogether. Understanding the Challenge E. coli outbreaks often begin with a few isolated cases that seem unrelated. People in different states might fall ill…