Author: Claire Cosgray

FDA Establishes New System of Food Tracing Requirements For Certain Foods According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 48 million Americans become sick with some type of foodborne illness each year, 128,000 of these people are hospitalized, and 3,000 of them die. Because of the growing number of people affected by foodborne illnesses, public health institutions, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been working to develop more adequate systems that prevent and detect foods contaminated with harmful pathogens. The FDA recently published a final rule on its new…

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Morasch’s Raw Frozen Diced Beef Recalled Due to Potential E. coli O157:H7 Contamination The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently announced a recall of nearly 4,000 pounds of frozen diced beef products produced by Morasch Meats Inc., an establishment based in Portland, Oregon, due to a potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. You may wonder at the astonishing quantity of meat included in the recall. According to Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, American slaughterhouses can process between 300 and 400 cattle per hour. At this speed, workers are more likely to make mistakes…

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On the 16th of December, 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) shared the voluntary recall announcement of TFP Nutrition’s HEB Texas Pets Indoor Complete Dry Cat Food due to possible Salmonella contamination. There is a two-fold risk: first, there is the threat that Salmonella contamination poses to the cats who consume the HEB Dry Cat Food; then there is the serious threat for the cats’ owners who either handle the TFP Nutrition’s HEB Texas Pets Indoor Complete Dry Cat Food or their sick cat or kitten. Both feline and human illnesses can be serious. According to a National…

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On the 23rd of December, 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wegman Food Markets Inc.’s voluntary recall of their cat grass, micro greens and sweet pea leaves products. The cause of Wegman Food Markets Inc.’s recall has been reported to be contamination of the sweet pea leaves, cat grass and micro greens with the bacteria Salmonella. With Wegmans stores located in over 7 states, the recalled Wegman Food Markets Inc. micro greens, sweet pea leaves and cat grass products were reportedly distributed in the states New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. The…

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On the 21st of December, 2022, an Alpha Foods Product Recall was initiated, due to Misa Brothers Inc.’s Burritos and Breakfast Sandwiches containing an undeclared allergen of milk. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published Misa Brothers Inc. dba Alpha Foods’ recall on December 21st, 2022, declaring, “Alpha Foods, Glendale, California (December 21, 2022) – Out of an abundance of caution, Miso Brothers, Inc. dba Alpha Foods, is voluntarily recalling its Meatless Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos due to traces of undeclared milk (Casein – a milk protein), that may pose a health risk for those with milk allergies.” The…

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On the 11th of December, 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced Byheart’s voluntary recall of their Infant Formula. The recall of Byheart’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, Milk Based Powder with Iron for 10-12 months, was initiated due to concerns of cross-contamination with the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) the bacteria Cronobacter may “cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes),…

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On the 29th of November, 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of Rocky Mountain Pies, LLC’s Red Button Vintage Creamery French Silk Pie. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Rocky Mountain Pies’ voluntary recall was initiated due to their Red Button Vintage Creamery French Silk Pie containing undeclared almonds. The mix up was discovered after a staff member found there were cases containing “Turtle Cream Pies” but in fact were in sleeves labeled as “French Silk Pies”, which likely contains the undeclared allergen of almonds. The affected Red Button Vintage Creamery French Silk Pie…

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Monical’s Pizza in Washington, Illinois, was temporarily closed after being the cause for 155 sick customers. Located at 6 Cherry Tree Shopping Center, Monical’s Pizza closure was initiated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The cause for the outbreak is believed to be Norovirus, a highly contagious/communicable virus. The final test results are due soon, and the investigation between the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Tazewell County Health Department is considered to be ongoing. According to the National Food Poisoning Lawyer, Ron Simon, the symptoms of Norovirus can be experienced  “…within 24 to 48 hours of…

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On the 27th of November, 2022, the city of Houston, Texas issued a Boil Water Alert. Affecting 2.2 million Houstonians, the Boil Water Notice was issued after the water treatment plant East Water Purification Plant had a power outage at approximately 10:30 am Sunday, the 27th of November. The loss of power at East Water Purification Plant caused the water pressure to reach a level lower than minimum requirements. As reported in the Texas Tribune’s article regarding the Houston Boil Alert, “Low pressure hurts water quality and can be a threat to public health. A reduction or loss of pressure…

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an investigation notice regarding an ongoing Listeria outbreak in deli meat and cheese across various states. As of November 9, 2022, there have been 16 adversely affected by the Listeria outbreak, with a high percentage of them requiring hospitalization (13), and 1 death. It has long been known that deli meat and cheese are particularly susceptible to harboring Listeria monocytogenes. For one reason, Listeria, unlike some other foodborne bacteria, can thrive in a cold refrigerator. Furthermore, if one item is unknowingly contaminated, it is easy to spread the bacteria throughout…

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