Author: Kit Redwine

Food safety practices play a critical role in minimizing food waste, which accounts for approximately 30–40% of the U.S. food supply annually. Improper handling, storage, and misconceptions about food safety contribute significantly to premature spoilage, costing households and businesses billions of dollars while exacerbating environmental impacts like methane emissions from landfills. By addressing these challenges through evidence-based strategies, stakeholders can reduce waste while ensuring food remains safe for consumption. Mitigating Spoilage Through Temperature Control Proper refrigeration and freezing are foundational to extending food shelf life. The USDA recommends storing food in refrigerators at 40°F or below and freezers at…

Advantage Health Matters, based in North York, Ontario, Canada has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds in Canada and the United States 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 The recall was initiated a supplier’s recall in another country. This has been categorized as a Class II recall in Canada, meaning that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) believes there is a moderate risk that consuming the affected…

Weight loss is fundamentally governed by the principle of energy balance: consuming fewer calories than the body expends. While exercise is often promoted as a key component of weight management, scientific evidence confirms that it is not strictly necessary for achieving a calorie deficit. Instead, dietary adjustments, metabolic processes, and lifestyle modifications can drive weight loss effectively without structured physical activity . The Role of Calorie Deficit At its core, weight loss occurs when calorie intake is reduced below the body’s total energy expenditure, which includes basal metabolic rate (BMR), digestion, and non-exercise activities. Research indicates that creating a daily…

A voluntary recall first initiated on April 19, 2025 by Lamb Weston Inc., based in Richland, Washington, for hash brown patties 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 fragments of varying size from 1 mm to 8 mm. No press release was issued for this recall. How the contamination with plastic was discovered has not been announced. This recall is classified as a Class…

Yersinia enterocolitica, a gram-negative bacterium, is a significant but often underestimated cause of foodborne illness linked to pork consumption. Found naturally in swine, this pathogen thrives in raw or undercooked pork products, particularly chitterlings (pig intestines), and poses a heightened risk during food preparation due to its ability to survive refrigeration temperatures. While less recognized than Salmonella or E. coli, Yersinia infections affect an estimated 117,000 Americans annually, with approximately 650 hospitalizations and 35 deaths each year. Transmission and Symptoms Yersinia infections primarily occur through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated pork or cross-contaminated surfaces. Consuming undercooked pork, especially chitterlings,…

Shigella, a genus of bacteria responsible for the diarrheal disease shigellosis, is a leading cause of dysentery globally. Transmission occurs primarily through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated water, which plays a critical role in both direct infection and food contamination. This pathogen thrives in environments with inadequate sanitation, where water sources may be compromised by sewage or improper waste disposal. Even minimal exposure, as few as 10 to 100 bacterial cells, can trigger infection, indicating its high contagiousness. Mechanism of Dysentery Shigella bacteria invade the colon’s epithelial cells, releasing enterotoxins such as ShET1 and ShET2, which induce inflammation and…

Food safety remains a critical consideration for outdoor enthusiasts embarking on hiking and camping trips. Whether planning a brief day hike or an extended wilderness expedition, proper food handling practices can prevent foodborne illness and ensure an enjoyable outdoor experience. Temperature Control Temperature control represents the foundational principle of food safety during outdoor activities. Experts recommend keeping perishable foods either adequately chilled below 40°F or hot above 140°F to prevent bacterial growth in the “Danger Zone” between these temperatures. Since maintaining hot temperatures in outdoor settings proves challenging, most hikers and campers opt for chilled food transportation. For day hikers,…

Ray & Mascari Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, have issued a recall of select tomatoes 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 The recall was initiated after the company was notified by Hanshaw & Capling Farms that tomatoes sent to Ray & Mascari Inc. had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Distribution The affected products were sold by Gordon Food Service stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York,…

A voluntary recall has been issued by Williams Farms Repack LLC, based in Lodge, South Carolina, of select sizes of tomatoes 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 The recall was initiated after the company was notified by Southeast Tomato Distributors that tomatoes from H&C Farms had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Distribution The affected products were distributed between April 23, 2025 and April 28, 2025 in Georgia, North…

Health officials in Los Angeles County have declared a community-wide hepatitis A outbreak following a significant increase in cases and elevated virus levels detected in local wastewater. Since 2024, the county has confirmed 165 hepatitis A cases, which represents three times the number reported in 2023. A notable shift in infection patterns has emerged in 2025. While people experiencing homelessness typically face higher risk due to limited access to handwashing and toileting facilities, most of the 29 cases confirmed this year have occurred among individuals without housing or travel risk factors. This change coincides with recent increases in hepatitis A…