Author: Kit Redwine

Early last month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of tomatoes distributed to Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina due to potential contamination with Salmonella, a dangerous pathogen that can cause serious illness, and sometimes, death in certain members of the population. On Wednesday, May 28, this recall was upgraded by the FDA to its highest ranking, Class I, meaning that “there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Tomatoes rank among the most common produce items linked to Salmonella outbreaks in the…

Preventing foodborne illness begins in the kitchen with four evidence-based practices known as the “Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill” framework. This systematic approach, promoted by food safety authorities, provides consumers with clear guidelines to minimize the risk of harmful bacteria contaminating food. Clean: Eliminating Pathogens at the Source Thorough hand hygiene forms the foundation of food safety. Scientific guidelines specify washing hands with soap under warm, running water for at least 20 seconds before handling food and after touching raw meat, pets, or garbage. Cleaning extends beyond hands to all kitchen surfaces: cutting boards, utensils, and countertops require hot, soapy water washing,…

Established under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence (CoEs) serve as specialized training and resource hubs for state and local health departments. Their mission: to enhance the detection, investigation, and prevention of foodborne illnesses through workforce development and technical assistance. Six CoEs, based in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Washington, and Florida (2012–2019), operate via partnerships between state health departments and academic institutions, such as the University of Washington and Cornell University. Regional Expertise and Academic Collaboration Each CoE supports a designated geographic region, providing tailored…

PulseNet represents a coordinated national laboratory network that identifies and investigates foodborne illness outbreaks through standardized molecular analysis. Established in 1996 by the CDC and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), the system emerged following a multi-state E. coli O157 outbreak linked to contaminated hamburgers that sickened 732 people and killed four children. This event exposed critical gaps in detecting widely distributed outbreaks. How the Network Operates The network comprises over 70 U.S. public health laboratories—including at least one in every state—along with federal regulatory agencies and international partners. Participating laboratories follow identical protocols to perform DNA “fingerprinting” on bacteria…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates as the central epidemiological hub for detecting, investigating, and preventing foodborne diseases in the United States. Through coordinated surveillance and data analysis, the agency transforms outbreak information into actionable public health strategies. Core Functions: Surveillance and Data Integration The CDC maintains multiple specialized systems to monitor foodborne pathogens in real time: These systems allow the CDC to document approximately 48 million annual foodborne illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths, with non-typhoidal Salmonella ranking as the leading cause of both hospitalizations and fatalities. Table: Top Pathogens Contributing to Foodborne Illness Burden …

Food preservation employs scientific principles to inhibit spoilage by controlling microbial growth, enzyme activity, and chemical degradation. Spoilage mechanisms include bacterial proliferation, mold, yeast, enzymatic reactions, and oxidation, which thrive in the “danger zone” of 40–140°F (4.4–60°C). By manipulating temperature, moisture, acidity, or oxygen, preservation methods extend shelf life while maintaining safety. Key Preservation Techniques and Their Mechanisms Canning Freezing Dehydration Pickling and Fermentation Safety and Efficiency Considerations Table: Microbial Growth Requirements and Preservation Countermeasures FactorOptimal for MicrobesPreservation ControlTemperature40 – 140°F (Danger Zone)Freezing (0°F); Canning (>212°F)Water Activity (a_w)>0.91Dehydration (<.60)pHNeutral (7.0)Pickling (<4.6)OxygenVaries by organismVacuum-sealing; Antioxidants Modern preservation relies on evolving science,…

​ Armed conflict and natural disasters create devastating food safety crises by disrupting production, contaminating supplies, and impeding aid delivery. In 2023 alone, conflict pushed over 117 million people into acute food insecurity, the primary global driver of hunger. Natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes compound these threats by destroying crops, livestock, and food storage facilities, while also paralyzing transportation networks. Even when food exists locally, populations often cannot access it safely. Immediate Food Safety Hazards In emergencies, food contamination risks soar due to: Humanitarian Strategies for Safe Food Access Aid organizations deploy multi-pronged approaches: Ongoing Challenges Despite these efforts,…

UK health authorities have issued travel advisories for tourists planning visits to the Czech Republic following a substantial increase in hepatitis A infections across the country. The outbreak has particularly affected Prague and the Central Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia regions. The Czech Republic documented 450 confirmed hepatitis A cases and six deaths by May 5, 2024, already surpassing the previous year’s annual total of 636 cases with two fatalities. The Czech Health Ministry has identified poor hygiene practices as the primary factor driving transmission of the liver-affecting virus. Hepatitis A spreads through the fecal-oral route when people consume food or water…

During foodborne outbreaks, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses distinct communication tools to inform the public: food safety alerts and outbreak investigation notices. These serve different purposes based on the level of evidence and public health risk, guiding consumers on protective actions. Food Safety Alerts: Specific, Actionable Warnings Food safety alerts are issued when investigators have clear and convincing evidence linking illnesses to a specific contaminated food product available in stores or homes. These alerts: Outbreak Investigation Notices: Early-Stage Advisories Investigation notices signal an ongoing outbreak before a specific food…

Foodborne pathogens cause an estimated 48 million U.S. illnesses annually, driving scientific efforts to revolutionize detection, sanitization, and prevention methods. Recent innovations focus on speed, precision, and sustainability to safeguard global food supplies, addressing challenges from farm-level contamination to supply chain vulnerabilities. Rapid Pathogen Detection Traditional pathogen testing takes ≥24 hours, allowing contaminants to proliferate. Breakthroughs in 2024 include: Advanced Sanitization Technologies Emerging FDA-approved methods overcome limitations of chemical sanitizers, which struggle with biofilms and leave residues : Digital Integration and Traceability IoT sensors and Blockchain are reshaping food safety infrastructure: Conclusion Science bridges detection, sanitization, and digital oversight to…