Author: Kit Redwine

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. But, warns the nation’s leading e. coli lawyer, “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…

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…

Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches, based in Corsica, South Dakota, has issued a voluntary recall of three products 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 company is recalling the products because they contain beef sourced from a third-party ingredient supplier, BrucePac who recently announced their own large recall of ready-to-eat chicken and meat products due to potential Listeria contamination. The company said they are “no longer using this ingredient…

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has announced a voluntary recall of specific frozen waffle products 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 Routine testing at the production facility uncovered the potential presence of Listeria in the affected products. Distribution The impacted products were distributed and sold throughout the United States and Canada. Product Details Affected brands include: Always Save, Best Choice, BetterGoods, Breakfast Best, Clover…

Church Brothers, LLC, based in Salinas, California has announced a voluntary recall of 1,271 cases of green onions due to potential Salmonella contamination remains ongoing. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background Routine sampling by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency uncovered the potential presence of Listeria. Church Brothers, LLC reported those findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA). Distribution The recalled products were distributed to a small number of “retail and foodservice customers” in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,…