Author: Kit Redwine

UBC Food Distributors, based in Dearborn, Michigan, has issued a recall for its Baraka-brand Ground Black Pepper. The recall was prompted by concerns over potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Background Routine sampling by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets found Salmonella in some 7 ounce packages of Baraka-brand ground black pepper. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) then alerted UBC Food Distributors of the presence of Salmonella in the product. The recalled product was sold in retail stores across the country. As of this writing, the…

A multi-industry initiative is underway to enhance food safety culture across the supply chain. The Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness is a collaborative effort that unites major food companies with consumers who have been affected by food safety issues. The goal of this alliance is to foster positive changes in food safety practices to prevent future incidents and protect public health. The Need for Food Safety Improvement According to Vending Market Watch Magazine, an estimated 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses each year. Of that 48 million, 128,000 people must be hospitalized, and 3,000 die due to foodborne pathogens. …

Publix Super Markets, the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States, has issued a recall for certain ground beef products. The recall specifically affects ground beef sold at The Village at Flynn Crossing location in Alpharetta, Georgia. Background The recall was initiated due to concerns about potential contamination from foreign material in the ground beef. The recall does not state how the contamination was discovered or what foreign materials might be present. “As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from store shelves,” said Maria Brous, Publix Director of Communications, in the recall…

Nearly 100 people suffered from food poisoning at a community event in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The incident occurred during a gathering organized in celebration of Ekadashi, a three-day religious fast dedicated to the god Vishnu, where around 1,500 attendees were present. The primary dish served was Khichdi, a traditional meal of rice and moong lentils, often prepared for such occasions. Shortly after breaking their fast and consuming the food, many individuals began experiencing severe symptoms, including vomiting and nausea. Health authorities were alerted to the situation as the number of affected individuals quickly increased. Those who fell ill were promptly transported…

Delray, Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. has initiated a recall of whole cucumbers distributed to several states between May 17th and May 21st, 2024. The recall is due to the potential contamination of these cucumbers with Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall began when the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that a sample of the product tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA is now using whole genome sequencing to find out if this sample is linked to an…

In 2023, food recalls in the U.S. surged to their highest levels since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report released by the nonprofit U.S. Public Research Interest Group Education Fund. The increase in recalls was primarily due to undisclosed allergens and listeria contamination. Here are the key findings from the report: Recall Numbers and Impact Commonly Recalled Foods Snack foods like cookies and granola bars accounted for one in five recalls. Other frequently recalled items included fruit (especially cantaloupes), beef, soup, salads, leafy greens, poultry, cheese, vegetables, supplements, and pet food. Reasons for Recalls Notable…

At least 20 people in Oregon have fallen ill due to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) after harvesting mussels from specific beaches in Tillamook and Clatsop counties. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported that those infected individuals fell ill after gathering mussels last weekend at Short Beach near Oceanside in Tillamook County and Hug Point near Seaside in Clatsop County. While some cases have required hospitalization, no deaths have been reported. PSP is the most severe type of shellfish poisoning, caused by saxitoxins. According to the National Institute of Health, saxitoxin is “an alkaloid isolated from the marine dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria…

Mesa County Colorado’s public health department has issued a food safety alert regarding a recent recall of frozen, half-shell oysters. The recall is due to a potential contamination of norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily.  This follows a number of growing concerns about food poisoning and consumption of raw oysters. Background How the contamination was discovered has not yet been released. However, the affected product was distributed nationwide. Because the contaminated oysters were distributed in Colorado, and thus potentially Mesa County, the public health department is alerting local consumers. Product Details The recalled product consists of frozen, half-shell oysters…

In a quiet corner of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, the Marmaris Kebab House once beckoned hungry patrons with tantalizing aromas of grilled meat and spices. However, behind the counter, a darker story unfolded—one of negligence, contamination, and the suffering of unsuspecting customers. The Outbreak In February of last year, more than 50 people fell ill after consuming food from Marmaris. Eleven of them ended up in the hospital, their symptoms ranging from vomiting and fever to severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. The guilty party? Shigella, an intestinal infection that, while not life-threatening, can cause significant discomfort and hospitalization in some cases.…

The Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority has made a surprising discovery in its investigation into recent food poisoning incidents. According to their findings, crucial evidence related to the cases has been deliberately hidden and destroyed. The cases in question involve several incidents of food poisoning across the country at a popular hamburger chain. Seventy-five people fell ill, and one person died, after eating mayonnaise that was found to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. Symptoms of botulism may be apparent in as little as six hours but can sometimes take up to 10 days to present. …