Author: Kit Redwine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to Yeshua Bendito, C.A., a Venezuelan seafood processing facility, citing violations of federal seafood safety regulations. The action follows a remote regulatory assessment conducted in June 2024 that revealed significant deficiencies in the company’s food safety protocols. The FDA’s Foreign Remote Regulatory Assessment examined the facility located in San Francisco, Zulia, Venezuela, which processes cooked ready-to-eat crab meat products in reduced oxygen packaging. The assessment identified multiple violations of the Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point regulation, which governs how seafood processors must identify and control food safety hazards.…

Hormel Foods Corporation., based in Tucker, Georgia, has issued a recall of over 250,000 pounds of canned beef stew due to contamination with pieces of wood. Food contaminated with foreign objects, such as wood, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth and tongue, or even death. Background The company notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) that three consumer complaints had been received regarding pieces of wood found in the beef stew product. The notice said that “FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify…

As alternative diets gain popularity, their unique food safety challenges require careful consideration. Ketogenic, carnivore, and raw vegan diets each present distinct risks that adherents should address to minimize health hazards. Ketogenic Diet Concerns The high-fat, low-carbohydrate approach (typically 70-75% fat, ≤50g carbs daily) increases reliance on animal products and specialty ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Keto-specific packaged products often lack rigorous safety oversight, with manufacturing facilities potentially introducing cross-contamination risks. When carbohydrates are limited to ≤50g daily, improper handling of high-fat common ingredients like dairy and meats may create ideal environments for pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria. Sourcing becomes critical, as toxins…

On May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an ongoing multi-state outbreak linked to specific growers and distributors of cucumbers that, so far, has caused 26 illnesses and nine hospitalizations across 15 states. Salmonella bacteria have caused several significant foodborne illness outbreaks globally, varying in both scale and severity. Historical and recent outbreaks demonstrate the persistent public health challenges posed by this pathogen. Largest Documented Outbreak: 1985 Milk Contamination The largest single-source Salmonella outbreak occurred in 1985, when pasteurized milk from Hillfarm Dairy in northern Illinois contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium infected over 16,000 people. Of these cases, 5,770 were…

Urban agriculture, encompassing community gardens, rooftop farms, and vertical growing systems, provides fresh produce while strengthening neighborhood bonds and improving food access in cities. However, these initiatives face unique food safety challenges requiring targeted mitigation strategies to ensure harvested foods are both nutritious and safe for consumption. Soil Contamination: Assessment and Mitigation Urban soils frequently harbor contaminants from historical industrial activities, vehicle emissions, or older building materials. Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium can accumulate in edible plant parts, particularly root vegetables (carrots, potatoes) and leafy greens. Sites with prior industrial use, gas stations, factories, or areas near high-traffic…

As food safety concerns grow among consumers, home testing kits promising rapid detection of pathogens, allergens, and contaminants have surged in popularity. These products range from lateral flow strips for pathogen screening to lead-testing kits for ceramics and allergen detection assays. While their convenience is undeniable, evidence suggests their accuracy varies significantly depending on technology, target contaminant, and regulatory oversight. Types and Technological Capabilities Home food safety kits primarily utilize three approaches: Immunoassay-based strips (e.g., lateral flow devices) detect pathogens like E. coli or allergens through antibody reactions, typically providing visual color changes. Studies indicate these can achieve sensitivities of 80-100%…

Restaurant health inspection reports serve as critical tools for public health transparency, offering diners insights into food safety compliance. Understanding how to access and interpret these documents empowers consumers to make informed choices about where they eat. Health departments across the United States maintain online databases where inspection results are publicly available, though search methods vary by jurisdiction. Major cities like New York, Washington D.C., and San Diego provide dedicated online portals where consumers can search by establishment name, address, or zip code. Key Report Elements Explained Interpreting Context For optimal use, cross-reference the “Person in Charge” (PIC) signature to confirm accountability…

Health authorities have launched a national investigation into a Salmonella outbreak that has affected 25 people across the United Kingdom, resulting in five hospitalizations. The cases involve a rare strain of the bacteria known as Salmonella Saint Paul, which has sickened at least 20 individuals, including 13 young children. Geographic Distribution and Timeline The outbreak cases span multiple regions throughout the UK rather than being concentrated in a single area. Between February 20 and March 4, 2025, infections were reported across nine regions: six cases in the North West of England, four in the West Midlands, three in the South…

Health officials in Massachusetts are investigating a case of Hepatitis A connected to a food service worker at The Red Inn in Provincetown. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment are assisting with the response. The restaurant remains open for business and continues operating while cooperating with the ongoing public health investigation. Officials said that patrons who visited the business between April 30 and May 15 may have been exposed to the virus. Immediate Action Required for Exposed Individuals Health authorities recommend that anyone who dined at The Red Inn during the specified…

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert for various ready-to-eat and shelf stable food products that include infant cereals, baking ingredients, and other food that were imported and distributed by Pan-African Food Distributors Inc., dba East African Boutique LLC, due to potential contamination from products being stored in unsanitary conditions. Background The FDA inspected the company’s distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky this month, which revealed the presence of an active rodent infestation. The firm has been required to halt operations because they are lacking a necessary permit. All products distributed by the company have been quarantined.…