Author: Kit Redwine

Ontario, California-based Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of its yogurt-covered pretzels due to potential contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes severe infections in vulnerable populations. The recall affects several brands and distribution channels in the state of California. Background The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the source supplier of the yogurt coating revealed the presence of Salmonella in the finished products. Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. has halted production and distribution of the affected product. Both the company and the FDA are actively investigating…

Hospital admissions for food-related illnesses have reached an alarming level in England, prompting concerns about food safety and governmental response. According to a recent article in The Guardian, nearly 1,500 people were admitted to hospitals in England for salmonella infections between April 2022 and March 2023. This represents a rate of three admissions for every 100,000 people, marking an all-time high. Additionally, E. coli and campylobacter infections have also surged in the past two years, with over 4,300 hospital admissions for campylobacter alone. The reasons behind this increase are multifaceted and somewhat contentious, say experts: Tim Lang, a professor of…

A study published this week by The BMJ journal involving 115,000 people has shed additional light on the potential dangers of consuming ultra-processed foods. These highly processed food items, which include cookies, doughnuts, frozen meals, hot dogs, potato chips, and white bread have been associated with several health risks. The study defines ultra-processed foods as “ready-to-eat/heat industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods, including flavors, colors, textures, and other additives with little if any intact whole food.” As such, ultra-processed foods are usually low in nutritional value, lacking important dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Further complicating…

Fears of potential salmonella contamination have led to recalls of cream cheese at several major supermarket retailers. On Wednesday, May 8, Food Poisoning News reported on cream cheese recalls at Iowa-based Hy-Vee, Inc. but the size of the incident has now grown as store-branded cream cheese from Aldi, Schnucks, and Hornbacher’s grocery chains have joined the list. The affected products were manufactured for the retailers by Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Schreiber Foods. Recall Background A supplier to Schreiber Foods discovered that one of the ingredients used to make many of their cream cheese spreads had the potential to be contaminated by…

Foodborne illnesses, caused by various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, have significant economic consequences. These illnesses range from mild symptoms like gastrointestinal distress to severe outcomes such as difficulty swallowing, organ failure, and sometimes death. Understanding their economic impact is crucial for policymakers, public health agencies, and industries. Estimating Costs The United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has been assessing the economic burden of major foodborne illnesses since the mid-1990s. By quantifying health effects in monetary terms, ERS provides a common metric for comparing the impacts of different pathogens and evaluating the costs of prevention.…

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for certain products due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall affects two varieties of Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread and bulk-packaged Cookies & Cream Mix. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes severe infections in vulnerable populations. Background Hy-Vee initiated the recall after third-party manufacturers raised concerns about potential Salmonella contamination. These products were distributed to multiple retail outlets including Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstore, Dollar Fresh Market locations, and Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh convenience stores across eight states including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and…

Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company has issued a voluntary recall of its “White Coated Confectionery Items” due to possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations. Background Palmer Candy Company became aware of the potential contamination after its liquid coating supplier discovered an ingredient used in the coating process from one of their suppliers was potentially contaminated with salmonella. In response, the company suspended production of the affected products and has said they are working with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to uncover the cause of…

In conjunction with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hormel Foods Sales, LLC of Austin, Minnesota has issued a voluntary recall for specific batches of PLANTERS® Honey Roasted Peanuts and Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts. The recall was prompted by concerns that these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious health issues, especially in vulnerable populations. Background The company has not yet disclosed how the contamination was discovered but that an investigation into the cause of the incident has been initiated. Hormel has said that the affected products were produced last month at…

Over 450 people in Dong Nai, Vietnam, have been hospitalized with stomach pain, vomiting, and other symptoms after consuming ‘banh mi’ Vietnamese-style sandwiches from a well-known bakery in the region, reports Tuoi Tre News. The victims began showing symptoms approximately 4 to 8 hours after consuming the sandwiches. The affected individuals, many who were children, were admitted to a local hospital where they received medical attention. Among the hospitalized patients, many have been stabilized and discharged, while the remaining patients’ health still requires further monitoring before they can be released. Two patients are in critical care and have been put…

A public health alert for potentially E. coli-contaminated beef products has been initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  This alert aims to inform consumers that these products should not be consumed.  In the announcement, released on April 20, 2024, the FSIS stated that no recall is associated with the alert because the products are no longer for sale. Key Details: Background: An inventory by Greater Omaha Packing Company of on-hold product that had previously tested positive for E. coli led to the discovery of additional contamination. They mistakenly utilized some of the tainted…