Author: Kit Redwine
Public health officials in Nova Scotia, Canada are investigating a confirmed case of hepatitis A in the town of Bridgewater. The health agency said the overall risk to the public is low, but have issued a warning for people who may have been exposed to the virus. Those who ate or drank at Sushi Bay Japanese Cuisine at 450 LaHave Street, Unit 170, in Bridgewater between March 8 and March 28, 2025, are advised to monitor themselves for hepatitis A symptoms for the next five weeks. If symptoms develop, individuals should contact their primary care provider or local Public Health…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a public health alert for multiple soup and bowl products due to contamination with 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 alert was issued after FSIS was made aware that an ingredient in the soups, cilantro, had been recalled due to contamination with foreign material. In the announcement, FSIS said that they anticipate other products could soon be added to the alert. Distribution The…
Imagine biting into a crisp salad or savoring a juicy burger without worrying about hidden dangers like E. coli or Salmonella. Thanks to nanotechnology—the science of manipulating materials at the atomic level, this vision is becoming a reality. In a world where foodborne illnesses sicken 600 million people annually and claim 420,000 lives, scientists are turning to particles smaller than a grain of pollen to detect and eliminate pathogens long before they reach our plates. This is the story of how “nano” is making food safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Nanosensors on Patrol Traditional methods of detecting harmful bacteria in…
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered global hygiene practices, embedding aggressive disinfection routines into daily life as households sought to protect themselves from viral transmission. Kitchens, in particular, became focal points for scrubbing, spraying, and sanitizing, driven by early fears of surface contamination. While these measures were initially justified as critical for public safety, emerging scientific evidence now raises alarms about their unintended consequences. The overuse of antimicrobial products, especially in home kitchens, may be accelerating the evolution of drug-resistant pathogens, or “superbugs,” a phenomenon that threatens to reverse decades of progress in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This growing crisis underscores…
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a six-month delay in implementing its new Salmonella testing program for not ready-to-eat (NRTE) breaded stuffed chicken products. The program, initially scheduled to begin May 1, 2025, will now start on November 3, 2025. This postponement also extends the deadline for businesses to reassess their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans for these products to the same November date. The delay follows FSIS’s May 1, 2024 final determination that declared NRTE breaded stuffed chicken products containing Salmonella at levels of 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), along with Concord Premium Meats Ltd., based in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada, and Caldic Canada Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, have announced recalls of food products 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. Concord Premium Meats Ltd. is recalling M&M Food Market-brand Brazilian Style Picanha Steaks and Marc Angelo-brand Carnitas. Caldic Canada Inc. is recalling SupHerb Farms-brand IQF Cilantro Large. Background No information was provided by either…
Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., based in Oxnard, California, is voluntarily recalling a single lot of washed and ready-to-eat Marketside Celery Sticks due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). 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 potential presence of Listeria contamination was discovered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture during random testing at a retail store in Georgia. One of several samples tested positive for Listeria. Distribution The product was distributed to a select…
In an era dominated by clean-label trends and wellness culture, the food industry has rushed to replace synthetic preservatives with alternatives branded as “natural.” From rosemary extract in snack bars to fermented radish powder in deli meats, these plant-derived, mineral-based, or microbial substances promise to keep food fresh without the perceived risks of artificial chemicals. But as “natural” preservatives proliferate, scientists and regulators are raising urgent questions: Do these ingredients truly deliver on their safety claims, or are consumers trading one set of risks for another? The Rise of Natural Preservation The shift toward natural preservatives reflects a broader demand…
In an era where food waste is widely condemned as both an ethical failing and an environmental crisis, a dangerous contradiction has taken root: the societal pressure to avoid discarding food is compelling individuals to consume items that may jeopardize their health. From scraping mold off bread to reheating leftovers past their prime, the deeply ingrained mandate to “clean your plate” is clashing with basic food safety principles. This collision of values has created a public health dilemma, as cultural guilt over waste overrides the rational assessment of food spoilage. This article examines how the fear of waste drives unsafe…
A recall first initiated by Agri-Mark Inc, based in Waitsfield, Vermont, for Cabot Creamery 8 oz. Extra Creamy Premium Butter Sea Salted due to contamination with elevated levels of coliform bacteria remains ongoing. Presence of coliform bacteria may indicate fecal contamination and can result in serious illness in certain populations. Background No press release was issued for this recall and the company has not said how the presence of coliform bacteria was discovered. Distribution The recalled item was distributed to Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Product Details Consumer Action Consumers should search their homes to…