Author: Kit Redwine

The global spice trade, valued at over $20 billion annually, faces a hidden challenge: spices can act as efficient vehicles for transmitting pathogens and contaminants across international borders, transforming local food safety issues into worldwide public health concerns. Unlike perishable foods, spices’ low moisture content allows pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Bacillus cereus to survive for months or years, enabling long-distance spread during distribution. Contamination Pathways Contamination occurs at multiple points: Pathogen Prevalence and Heavy Metal Hazards Salmonella is the leading bacterial culprit in spice recalls, capable of surviving desiccation during processing and storage. The FDA identifies red pepper, coriander,…

Raw milk consumption continues to pose documented public health challenges, with Campylobacter emerging as a significant pathogen linked to outbreaks globally. Recent studies highlight persistent contamination routes and concerning trends in virulence and antibiotic resistance associated with this zoonotic bacterium. Pathways of Contamination Campylobacter spp., particularly C. jejuni, naturally colonize cattle intestines and enter milk primarily through fecal contamination during milking. Key vectors include: Prevalence and Emerging Data Meta-analyses indicate a global Campylobacter prevalence of 4% in milk samples, with regional variations. Emerging research reveals: Outbreaks and Health Impact Multi-country outbreaks underscore the acute risks. Washington State (2024) reported two C. jejuni cases epidemiologically…

Frozen vegetables, perceived by many as a convenient and nutritious option, face a significant food safety challenge: persistent contamination by Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”). This pathogen can survive for at least 100 days in frozen vegetables without significant reduction, posing risks if products are consumed without thorough cooking. Recent multi-country outbreaks, including one spanning 2015–2018 that caused 53 illnesses and 10 deaths, highlight the real-world consequences of such contamination, often traced to processing environments rather than raw agricultural inputs. The Persistence Puzzle Research confirms Listeria can colonize food processing facilities for years. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies in frozen potato processing plants identified identical bacterial strains persisting…

The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency and McCormack Family Farms have issued a recall for various spinach and mixed leaves products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall notice did not mention how the presence of Listeria in the affected products was discovered. Distribution Except for grocery store chain Lidl, the recall notice did not specify other retail outlets that received the affected products. Product Details ProductPack SizeBatch…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Green Farm Pistachio Inc., based in Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada, have issued a voluntary recall for Habibi-brand pistachio kernel due to potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background How the presence of Salmonella in the recalled product was discovered was not announced. This recall has been categorized as a Class 2 recall by the CFIA, meaning that “there is a moderate risk that consuming the food may lead to…

Probiotics are widely consumed live microorganisms intended to confer health benefits, particularly for gut health. However, emerging research indicates these supplements may cause adverse effects in certain individuals or circumstances, creating a paradox where “good bacteria” might potentially cause harm. Colonization Challenges and Individual Variability Human studies reveal significant individual variation in gut response to probiotics. When administered standardized probiotic formulations, approximately half of healthy participants were classified as “persisters” (allowing bacterial colonization) while “resisters” expelled the probiotics without gut changes. This resistance correlates with specific immune system gene expression profiles, suggesting an individual’s biological makeup influences probiotic efficacy. Furthermore,…

The World Health Organization (WHO) Food Safety Strategy 2030 provides a comprehensive global framework to significantly reduce the burden of foodborne diseases (FBDs). This strategy acknowledges that unsafe food causes an estimated 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths annually worldwide, disproportionately affecting children under five and vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. Its core objective is to strengthen national and international food safety systems through collaborative, evidence-based actions. The strategy is structured around five interconnected strategic priorities: Implementation relies on mobilizing resources, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration (One Health approach), leveraging technological innovations, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track…

The consumption of raw fish in sushi and sashimi presents inherent risks of parasitic infections, primarily from nematodes (e.g., Anisakis spp.) and cestodes (e.g., Diphyllobothrium spp., or fish tapeworm). These parasites can cause gastrointestinal illness, allergic reactions, or systemic complications in humans. Rigorous mitigation strategies are employed throughout the supply chain to minimize these risks, focusing on freezing, sourcing, inspection, and regulatory compliance. Freezing is the most effective and widely mandated method to kill parasites. Regulatory standards globally require specific time-temperature combinations: This process destroys parasite larvae embedded in fish muscle tissue. Commercial “flash freezing” at ultra-low temperatures preserves texture while ensuring safety. Note…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert advising consumers and food establishments to avoid frozen, raw, half-shell oysters potentially contaminated with norovirus after an outbreak investigation linked illnesses to the imported shellfish. Wang Globalnet of Vernon, California initiated a recall on July 21, 2025, for frozen oysters bearing lot code B250112. The affected products were harvested from Designated Area No. 1 in South Korea on January 12, 2025, and processed by JBR KR-15-SP in Tongyeong-si, Republic of Korea. Distribution occurred across Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, and Utah, with potential spread to additional states. The Utah Department of Agriculture…

A recall first initiated on June 9, 2025 by Gedney Foods Product, LLC, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, for 3,520 cases of dill pickles due to product and container damage remains ongoing. A defective container could lead to microbial contamination with pathogens like Clostridium botulinum, or others, that could potentially cause foodborne illness or damaged pieces of the container which have the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background The recall notice said that the damaged product was to be destroyed but was accidentally released to market. Distribution The recalled item was only…