This article presents the key findings of outbreak investigations from 2014–2021 that have been linked to the consumption of fresh, soft queso fresco-type cheeses in the U.S. The authors outline some of the specific circumstances that small manufacturers of all cheeses may encounter in an effort to provide lessons learned and highlight available resources.

This article looks back at the events of the 1993 E. coli outbreak associated with hamburgers served at Jack in the Box restaurants along the U.S. West Coast, examining the regulatory changes inspired by the fatal outbreak and its impact. Also discussed are the corporate and industry changes, spearheaded by Dr. David Theno, that set new standards for leadership and management in foodservice and food safety. 

Food safety guiding principles are the same for all companies, but how they are used is dependent not only on the uniqueness of the company but also upon the biases and culture inherent to the company. The latter are often underestimated in their importance and impact. To address these topics, Food Safety Magazine recently hosted a webinar that featured a group of experienced senior leaders and a food safety culture expert as the panelists and moderator, which this article summarizes.

Researchers have developed a new quantitative risk assessment model for foodborne illness outbreak investigations that takes into account epidemic curves, and demonstrated its efficacy with a case study on a 2019 Salmonella outbreak linked to precut melons. 

A study has demonstrated the economic impacts of foodborne illness outbreaks on supply chains by observing the damages caused by the 2018 Escherichia coli outbreak that was linked to romaine lettuce grown in California.

Food safety stories are essential to communicate lessons learned and share the practical experiences of food safety professionals to enhance the effectiveness of food safety training.

Producing products that are safe for consumers has long been a basic requirement for food companies.

After a foodborne outbreak is identified, specific food vehicles may become the focus of an investigation based on the pathogen implicated and past outbreaks linked to the pathogen.