Author: Kit Redwine

A recall by FGF, LLC, first announced on January 7, 2025 for over 2 million cases of assorted donut products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) remains ongoing. 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 No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not released how the potential presence of Listeria was discovered. This recall is classified as a Class II recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning…

Pacific Coast Fresh Company, based in Portland, Oregon, is recalling a number of its hummus products sold at Kroger and Kroger-affiliated grocery stores due to potential contamination with pieces of plastic. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not revealed how the potential presence of plastic in the recalled products was discovered. Distribution The affected products were distributed to select Kroger, Fred Meyer, and QFC grocery stores. No additional information on specific states…

Outbreak Background – February 6, 2025 Federal health agencies are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to Italian-manufactured mini pastries distributed in the United States. The Sweet Cream-brand pastries, exported by Quebec-based Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc., have been linked to 18 infections across seven states. One person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. In interviews conducted with five of those affected, three confirmed consuming pastries before falling ill. A number of the victims have retained a nationally known Salmonella lawyer to file their Sweet Cream lawsuits for damages, including medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.…

United States NEW YORK – Raw Milk from New York Farm Tests Positive for Listeria New York state agriculture officials have issued a consumer warning about raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm in Ballston Spa, New York following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a routine sample. The farm has been temporarily prohibited from selling raw milk until follow-up testing confirms the product is safe. The contamination was identified in a sample collected by a state inspector, with preliminary results received on January 30 and confirmation obtained on February 4. The farm has advised customers who purchased raw milk between…

Restaurant inspections by local food safety officials are crucial for protecting public health by ensuring that food establishments adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards. These inspections help identify potential risks, such as improper food handling, inadequate storage temperatures, cross-contamination, and unsanitary conditions, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. Regular oversight encourages restaurants to maintain consistent safety practices, reduces the likelihood of outbreaks, and fosters consumer confidence in the food they consume. Additionally, inspections provide an opportunity for education, allowing food safety officials to guide staff on best practices and regulatory compliance, ultimately promoting a culture of health and safety…

The United States experienced its most severe impact on egg production since the current bird flu outbreak began, with more than 20 million egg-laying chickens lost in the last quarter, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. The deaths, which include both birds that succumbed to the virus and those culled to prevent further spread, have contributed to surging egg prices across the country, according to CBS News. The USDA reports that the 2024 outbreak has uniquely affected all major production systems, including conventional caged, cage-free, and certified organic operations. To manage the crisis, the federal government continues to…

A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress on Tuesday would grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to investigate concentrated animal feeding operations during disease outbreaks. The Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act (EFSIA), sponsored by Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), addresses current limitations in FDA’s ability to collect microbial samples from large-scale animal farming operations. The legislation comes amid ongoing concerns about foodborne illness rates in the United States. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, foodborne illnesses affect one in six Americans annually, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Over…

A new government report has found that approximately 10 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses each year caused by just six major pathogens, resulting in over 53,300 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually. The forthcoming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study focuses on illnesses caused by Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and norovirus. The economic impact of foodborne illness is substantial, costing Americans an estimated $75 billion annually in 2023 dollars. These costs encompass medical care, lost productivity, and premature deaths, including complications from secondary chronic illnesses that develop after the initial infection.…

Sunday’s Big Game will see people around the world join together to cheer on their favorite team. Celebrations often include plenty of food and drink, which introduce the opportunity for foodborne illness under the right conditions. Food safety experts stress that the typical four-hour duration of Super Bowl gatherings creates specific challenges for food safety, according to the AP. Perishable foods such as chicken wings, deli wraps, meatballs, and fresh produce should not remain at room temperature for more than two hours, as this allows harmful bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends specific…

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), first identified as a cause of food poisoning in the 1940s, continues to be a significant food safety concern primarily linked to temperature control issues in food preparation and storage.  According to the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer, Ron Simon: “We have all heard of salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, to name a few which have become household names, but clostridium perfringens is another dangerous bacteria that should be on any food safety advocates short-list. Nearly 1 million people get C. perfringens food poisoning in the United States each year.” This bacterium, which forms heat-resistant spores,…