Author: Kit Redwine

Costco, based in Issaquah, Washington, has issued a voluntary recall of Kirkland brand smoked salmon 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 No information was provided in the recall notice as to how the potential presence of Listeria in the affected product was discovered. Distribution The recall notice said that the recalled product was distributed only in “select” Costco stores in their Southeast region. Product Details Consumer Action…

A recall first initiated by Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC), based in Seattle, Washington, on September 30, 2024 for Hungarian Mushroom Soup produced by Ladle & Leaf due to potential presence of larvae remains ongoing. Larvae may carry bacteria like salmonella and E. coli or cause intestinal myiasis. Background According to Newsweek, the larvae were discovered at a PCC store and that it was “an isolated incident limited to one small batch of mushroom soup.” PCC has removed the item from store shelves and has alerted customers. This is classified as a Class II recall, meaning that the recalled product is…

McDonald’s is grappling with a serious E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder burgers, resulting in 49 confirmed cases and one death across 10 states. According to CNBC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerted the fast-food giant late last week. After receiving notification, McDonald’s engaged with multiple federal agencies, including the CDC, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Food and Drug Administration. The company has proactively removed Quarter Pounder burgers from approximately 20% of its U.S. restaurants, particularly in affected areas including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of eight other states. Investigation details reveal that among…

Japan TOKYO – Japan Considers New Guidelines to Combat Food Waste Through Takeaway Leftovers In many parts of the world, “to go” or “takeaway” food is an expectation. However, in a significant shift from traditional practices, Japan’s health ministry is proposing new guidelines that would encourage restaurant customers to take their unfinished meals home, an initiative aimed at addressing the country’s food waste concerns while maintaining strict food safety standards. The proposal marks a notable departure from Japan’s long standing cautious approach to leftover food. Historically, Japanese authorities have discouraged the practice of taking restaurant leftovers home due to food…

In the latest development of a growing foodborne illness crisis, McDonald’s Corporation faces lawsuits after an E. coli outbreak has sickened dozens across multiple states, leading to the temporary removal of popular menu items at numerous locations. A lawsuit filed on October 23, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, details how Eric Stelly of Greeley, Colorado, became ill after eating at a local McDonald’s restaurant, adding a personal face to what health officials are calling a significant outbreak. Summary of Lawsuit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration…

An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s has sickened 49 people, resulting in 10 hospitalizations, and one death across 10 states, prompting the fast food chain to pull specific ingredients from its Quarter Pounder hamburgers in several locations. The outbreak is currently under investigation by multiple federal and state agencies. Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), are working to identify the specific contaminated ingredient causing the E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most affected individuals reported consuming McDonald’s…

A severe food poisoning outbreak at a Maryland seafood distribution center sent dozens of workers to local hospitals on Monday afternoon, overwhelming emergency services in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, according to Newsweek. The incident occurred at the North Atlantic Fish Company (NAFCO) Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, where employees reportedly fell ill after consuming the same meal. Emergency crews responded to the industrial facility around 3:45 p.m. when multiple workers began experiencing symptoms of foodborne illness. The number of impacted individuals required a coordinated response from three counties. Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services led the emergency…

A common ingredient found in most kitchens, raw flour is a key ingredient in many delicious recipes. However, that uncooked flour can harbor harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella, posing significant health risks to consumers. Contrary to popular belief, most flour is typically a raw agricultural product that has not undergone treatment to eliminate pathogens. The milling process, including grinding and bleaching, does not kill these harmful microorganisms, which can taint grain in the field or during flour production. Multiple outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix have made national news in recent years, including…

Cleaning and sanitizing kitchen surfaces is vital for food safety, both preventing cross-contamination, and maintaining a healthy home environment. Ensuring these practices are followed properly can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. Here are some best practices for keeping your kitchen surfaces clean and sanitized. First, always start with the basics: clean your hands. Before and after handling food, washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is crucial. This simple step can prevent the transfer of bacteria from your hands to kitchen surfaces and food. When cleaning kitchen surfaces, use a combination of…

North Macedonia North Macedonia’s Defense Minister announced at a press conference last week that the Army has ended its contract with a catering company responsible for a food poisoning incident that affected 60 service members. The decision was not politically motivated, said the minister, but rather based on recommendations from a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Army, and the Army’s General Staff. The committee reviewed reports, identified food safety issues, and advised terminating the agreement. The minister assured that the contract termination followed all legal protocols and stressed that maintaining the army’s combat readiness and ensuring…