March 2007

school lunch

Libby Quaid from the Associated Press wrote a comprehensive story about the dangers of the school lunch program:

Millions of children eat in school cafeterias that don’t get the twice-yearly health inspections required by Congress to help prevent food poisoning.

Schools are supposed to get two visits from health inspectors every year. But one in 10 schools didn’t get inspected at all last year, according to Agriculture Department data obtained by The Associated Press. Thirty percent were visited only once.

"Do you want to go to a restaurant that hasn’t been inspected?" asked Ken Kelly, attorney for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer group that has studied cafeteria safety.

Continue Reading Many School Cafeterias Rarely Inspected

produceThe San Jose Mercury News reports that Californians shouldn’t be surprised that the federal Food and Drug Administration is essentially abdicating its responsibility to help ensure the safety of fresh produce, most of which is grown in the Central Valley.

In fact, it’s hard to decide which is the worst part about the new guidelines offered Monday by the FDA: That they took seven years to develop or that they are non-binding, meaning food processors can simply choose to ignore them.

Now it’s up to the state to maintain consumer confidence in the safety of its leafy green vegetables, like lettuce and spinach. Quality greens are important for consumer health and are a vital part of the state’s economy.

The state should complete its plans by summer to impose mandatory controls on growers. The food industry should work with the Legislature to guarantee that a set of enforceable standards is in place that will guarantee that every food handler in the business complies. Continue Reading Mandatory safety rules best for produce industry

Kraft Foods Inc., in what officials called "a precautionary measure," this morning issued a recall for meat products made at a certain production facility because of concerns about possible contamination with Listeria

The Northfield-based food-product concern said that Carolina Culinary Foods, an "external manufacturer" for Kraft which is based in South Carolina, issued a recall Feb. 18 because "of a finding of Listeria monocytogenes in a single package" of Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips – Grilled with a "best when used by date" of 19APR2007.Continue Reading Kraft issues recall over Listeria concerns

olives 1. Flora Foods, Pompano Beach, FL, is recalling its 25-oz. jars of “Cerignola Olives” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

The recalled “Cerignola” olives were distributed in Florida, Georgia and upstate New York in retail stores. The product comes in a 25-oz., clear glass jar marked with LOT #G080 stamped on the label. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product had been underprocessed.

Consumers who have purchased 25-oz. jars of “Cerignola” olives are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 954-785-3100.

2. Cibo Specialty Foods, a division of Colavita USA, L.L.C., Linden, NJ, is voluntarily recalling the following olive products sold under the “DAL RACCOLTO” brand. Consumers should immediately stop using these products.

Testing of the Dal Raccolto brand olives has revealed that the pH and water activity exceed the levels necessary to control botulism.

Continue Reading Two Recalls of olives because of potential Botulism contamination

A very interesting article y Keith Frederick of the Altoona Mirror:
Not all pantry foods will last the same length of time

The aluminum can is possibly the scariest thing in your kitchen. You don’t know when you bought it. There’s no “sell by” or “use by” date stamped on it. And now it’s starting to bulge.

What do you do?

“The best rule to keep in mind is ‘When in doubt, throw it out.’ It’s always best to err on the side of caution,” says Beth Lutton, a registered dietitian and the food production manager at Altoona Regional Health System.

Still good?Continue Reading Use it or lose it: Keeping foods in the pantry for too long is asking for trouble

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. is recalling its 25-count packages of "Berkley & Jensen" Full-Cut Pig Ears dog treats with no lot number and only the expiration advisory "BEST IF USED BY 2009" (without referencing a specific month) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious infections in…

According to the AP – One case of salmonella tied to tainted peanut butter made at a ConAgra Foods Inc., plant in Georgia has been identified in Louisiana, the Food and Drug Administration says.

The FDA has identified 425 cases of food poisoning from the peanut butter in 44 states.

On Feb. 14, ConAgra recalled…

The Food and Drug Administration is warning parents about baby food contaminated with a bacteria that can cause botulism.

The FDA says certain jars of Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food may be contaminated with Clostridum botulinum.

They warn that the food should be thrown out even if it…

There is to be a total withdrawal of a South Australian nachos meal linked with a case of botulism and the manufacturer is planning a refrigerated product if it is ever returned to store shelves.

A Melbourne man became paralysed after eating ‘Nachos to Go’ in January.

The pack’s cheese dip was considered suspect, with…