Last June, Brian Grubbs, of Colorado, suffered a Salmonella Saintpaul infection after consuming contaminated jalapeno peppers. His illness was one of more than 1,200 in a nationwide outbreak. The Grubbs purchased the peppers at their local WalMart. Marler Clark subsequently filed suit against WalMart on Mr. Grubbs behalf. WalMart tried unsuccessfully to have the suit thrown out, and has
Bacteria on the menu?
Michelle Bridgestock, a student at Abilene’s Holland Medical High School, recently released the results of a medical research project she conducted as part of an independent study course. Ms. Bridgestock tested menus at 12 local Abilene restaurants for the presence of bacteria. Most menus tested positive for bacteria commonly found in soil, and of the
Sprouts: Honestly, Does it get any Riskier???
There can only be two reasons why anybody in the country would be eating alfalfa sprouts right now: one, they have not seen any of the hundreds of news reports, blog posts, or FDA/CDC reports on the several large outbreaks or recalls that have happened already in 2009; or two, they just don’t care about
FDA Gets 19 Percent Increase In Obama’s First Budget
With nearly equal increases on both the food and drug side of its business, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is getting a 19 percent increase in its budget in 2010.
That at least is President Obama’s recommendation to Congress, which controls the federal purse strings.
FDA’s annual budget would rise to $3.2 billion
Sarsaparilla, Spearmint, and Sassafras Siezed as Suspect
It looks like a foodborne illness disaster just waiting to happen was averted by swift action from our federal government. The FDA announced today that due to extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout a warehouse for the American Mercantile Corporation of Memphis, Tennessee, a warrant was issued and executed by the US Marshalls, resulting in the
WHO Sees Possibility of Contracting H1N1 Flu Through Food Exposure
Striking a more cautious chord than previous health agencies, the World Health Organizaiton (WHO) announced today that meat from pigs infected with H1N1 flu (the so-called "Swine Flu") should not be used for human consumption. The WHO also stated that it was preparing guidelines designed for workers handling the pigs.
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According to Reuters, two global health
Georgia Senators Calling for More Regulation of the Food Industry
You know the landscape has changed when two senators are calling for more regulation of their home state’s big business. Georgia’s two senators, Isakson and Chambliss, are calling for an overhaul of the FDA in the wake of two massive Salmonella outbreaks linked to peanut products from their home state, in 2007 and 2009.
Honor National BBQ Month By NOT Getting Sick
In honor of National BBQ Month, now is the perfect time to post a reminder about safe food handling and cooking practices that can significantly reduce your risk of becoming ill from a foodborne pathogen like E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Norovirus, just to name a few.
Thankfully, Chris Macias
Contaminated Sprouts- The Importance of Knowing the Source
There is a report today that produce supplier Los Angeles Calco is recalling its own sprout products over fears of Salmonella contamination. There is no apparent connection between these sprouts and previously implicated sprout seeds from Caudill Seed Co. in Kentucky.
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Calco spokesperson Yue Shen Hsiao claims that the implicated sprouts actually came from a farmer
FDA Traces Salmonella Outbreak to Sprout Seeds
According to this story in he Packer, the FDA has traced the recent salmonella oubreak in alfalfa sprouts to imported seeds. Caudill Seed Co, of Kentucky, has recalled batches of seeds imported from Italy.
The recent sprout outbreak has sickened 35 persons in 7 states.