Michigan State University Extension scientists on May 31 published an article urging consumers and foodservice employees to "open your vacuum packed fish before thawing." The reason? Both Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes can survive in reduced oxygen packaging at refrigerator temperatures, and thawing the fish before opening the package may promote the growth of those pathogens.
The FDA on June 2 published the final version of “Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 100.250 Food Facility Registration – Human and Animal Food,” which provides guidance for FDA staff on enforcing the food facility registration provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. They include the requirement that certain food facilities register with FDA, the requirement that registered facilities biennially renew their registrations with FDA, and FDA’s authority to suspend a food facility’s registration.
Iowa-based Quality Egg has agreed to pay $6.8 million in fines for crimes that include selling the tainted eggs that caused a nationwide Salmonella outbreak in 2010.
The UK's Food Standards Agency last week unveiled MyHACCP, an online tool designed to guide UK food and beverage companies — especially small businesses — through the process of developing a food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, as required by EU Food Hygiene rules.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced May 29 that it is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to organic sprouted chia powder distributed by Navitas Naturals of Novato, CA. On Twelve cases have been reported in seven states, and one of those people has been hospitalized.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced May 27 that it has received reports of 50 new Salmonella Heidelberg infections likely related to Foster Farms chicken since April 9. The agency said it is continuing its investigation of this outbreak, in which 574 persons infected with Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 27 states and Puerto Rico since March 1, 2013.
The food safety agency Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) this month issued a Food Industry Recall Protocol, which provides information on recalling food in Australia and guidance for food businesses on developing a written food recall plan.
U.S. health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121 infections linked to raw clover sprouts that have sickened as many as 10 people, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced May 22.
Health officials are concerned that as many as 5,000 people could have been exposed to hepatitis A at a Red Robin restaurant in Springfield, MO, after a worker was diagnosed with the virus.
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