Author: Kit Redwine

A voluntary recall first initiated on May 6, 2025 by GBC Food Services LLC, based in Farmers Branch, Texas, for two types of peanut butter snack cups due to plastic contamination is ongoing. Food contaminated with foreign objects, like plastic, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background The product is being recalled because it may be contaminated with plastic material. No press release was issued for this recall. How the contamination with foreign objects was discovered has not been announced. This recall is classified as a Class II recall, meaning…

As global freshwater supplies dwindle, agricultural regions increasingly rely on recycled water for irrigation, a practice critical for food security but laden with microbial risks for raw-consumed crops like lettuce, spinach, and kale. Leafy greens, with their large surface area and proximity to soil, are particularly vulnerable to pathogen transfer during irrigation. Here’s what research reveals about the risks and mitigation strategies. How Pathogens Reach Crops Recycled water (treated wastewater) can introduce human pathogens into agricultural systems through direct contact with edible leaves. Key contaminants include Escherichia coli O157:H7, norovirus, Salmonella, and parasites like Giardia. These pathogens originate from fecal…

Fuentes Farms LLC, based in McAllen, Texas, has issued a recall for 71 boxes of fresh cucumbers 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 At this time, this recall seems unrelated to the recent recall of cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc associated with a multistate Salmonella outbreak. Distribution The recalled product was distributed in Texas “by local vendors at the Flea Markets in the McAllen and Alamo areas.” As with any food…

The UK Food Standards Agency has issued a food alert advising consumers to stop purchasing and consuming Jolly Rancher confectionery products due to the presence of unsafe mineral oil compounds. The affected products contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), making them non-compliant with UK food safety laws. The alert covers four specific Jolly Rancher products: Hard Candy, Misfits Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies. All pack sizes, batch codes, and expiration dates for these products are included in the safety warning. Food businesses importing these products have also been advised to…

The drive to develop cultivated seafood, grown from animal cells in bioreactors rather than harvested from oceans or farms, stems from urgent global challenges: over 90% of global fish stocks are depleted or overexploited, and conventional aquaculture faces pollution, antibiotic use, and microplastic contamination. Proponents highlight significant food safety advantages, but scaling this technology requires confronting unique biological and chemical hazards. Promises of Enhanced Safety Cultivated seafood is produced in controlled, sterile environments akin to pharmaceutical clean rooms, drastically reducing exposure to ocean-borne pollutants. Independent analyses confirm these products lack detectable microplastics, heavy metals (like mercury), and parasites commonly found in…

Three members of a family operating a traditional Japanese restaurant in Osaka Prefecture, Japan have been arrested for violating a government shutdown order following multiple food poisoning incidents. The arrests occurred Monday in connection with the operation of Kiichi restaurant in Kawachinagano. Police arrested Hirokazu Kitano, 69, along with his son Hirotoshi, 41, and wife Noriko, 68, all residents of Kawachinagano. The three face charges under the country’s Food Sanitation Act for allegedly continuing to operate their business during an official suspension period. The restaurant, which previously held a Michelin star, became the center of a health investigation after customers began falling ill…

A recall first announced on May 28, 2025 by Post Consumer Brands, LLC, based in Lakeville, Minnesota for Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds due to contamination with pieces of metal remains ongoing. Food contaminated with foreign objects, such as pieces of metal, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth and tongue, or even death. Background A press release was not issued for this recall. How the presence of metal in the recalled food was discovered has not been announced. Distribution The affected products were distributed only in California and Colorado Product…

Health authorities in the UK are investigating a cluster of adverse reactions following cosmetic injection procedures in County Durham and Darlington, according to the BBC and other media outlets. The UK Health Security Agency reports that 14 people have experienced serious side effects after receiving botulinum toxin treatments. The affected patients developed concerning symptoms including drooping eyelids and double vision. Ten people have required medical treatment for their conditions. Health officials are now alerting local medical practitioners to monitor for similar reactions in patients who have recently undergone comparable cosmetic procedures. According to the health agency, symptoms consistent with botulism…

Foodborne illnesses increase significantly during summer months due to environmental conditions and human behavior. Warmer temperatures accelerate bacterial growth, with pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter multiplying rapidly in the “Danger Zone” (40°F–140°F). Simultaneously, outdoor activities such as picnics and barbecues expose food to environments lacking refrigeration, handwashing facilities, and temperature controls. These factors contribute to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documenting seasonal peaks in infections from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Vibrio, and other pathogens. Critical Prevention Strategies Temperature Management Bacterial growth escalates exponentially in warm conditions. Keep cold foods below 40°F using insulated coolers with ice…

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has confirmed that a food handler at the Tim Hortons location on 181 Livingstone Street East in Barrie, Ontario, Canada has tested positive for hepatitis A. Customers who purchased food or beverages from the restaurant between May 17 and June 3, 2025, may have been exposed to the virus. Health officials state that the risk of transmission to customers remains low, but those who visited the restaurant during the specified period should monitor themselves for symptoms. The incubation period for hepatitis A ranges from 15 to 50 days after exposure. The health unit has…