The outbreak linked to salami and pepper, and the recall linked to hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), have sparked additional food recalls. First, the pepper. The FDA’s recall notice posted today (it is dated March 25th–from a consumer health standpoint, shouldn’t these notices be going up a little closer in time to the day they occurred)
New Florida Tomato Safety Legislation- Good for Business
In the summer of 2008 over 1,400 persons were confirmed ill with Salmonella, eventually traced to jalapeno peppers grown in Mexico. In the early stages of the investigation, FDA and other health 
officials raised concerns that the implicated product might instead be tomatoes. As a result, U.S. tomato growers, particularly in Florida, were hard
Michigan company recalls spice packs that contain contaminated black pepper
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The FDA announced Tuesday that, as a result of a recall of using salmonella-contaminated black pepper from Mincing Overseas Spice Company in its products, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution of Farmington Hills, MI is voluntarily recalling Little Caesars Spice Paks. The Spice Paks are small white packets, approximately 1.5” X 2.5” that contain black pepper and other
Ourbreak Reporting Needs Improvement In Nearly Half Of States
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) announced today the results of a study on the current state-by-state surveillance system for foodborne illness detection. The results reveal a very fractured system, with nearly half of the states in need of improvements in their surveillance and reporting systems.
“State and local health departments are
More companies recalling black pepper . . . a little late in the game
Yesterday, yet another company announced a recall of products containing black pepper sold by Mincing Overseas Spice Company. The company that announced yesterday’s recall is John B. Sanfilippo and Sons, from Elgin, Illinois. The FDA’s recall notice states as follows:
As a follow up to the voluntary recall of black pepper from Mincing Overseas
Delays in Pepper Recalls Threaten Public Health
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From July 2009 through February 2010, at least 252 people were infected by Salmonella as a result of consuming Daniele, Inc. salami products that were manufactured using contaminated pepper. The salami actually contained two kinds of pepper, red and black, both of which may have been contaminated. Daniele purchased the contaminated pepper from two
FDA seeks permanent injunction against Louisiana sprout company
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Sprouts are a food item that have been associated with outbreaks of foodborne disease on multiple occasions in the past decade, including a major Salmonella saintpaul outbreak between February and April of 2009. In the 2009 outbreak, the CDC counted 235 confirmed outbreak victims, and likely thousands more people across the country were sickened.
Update on Daniele salami/pepper Salmonella outbreak
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Yesterday, the CDC updated the case count in the Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled salami from Daniele Inc., red pepper from Wholesome Spice, and likely black pepper as well. A total of 245 people are now counted by the CDC as cases in this outbreak, coming from 44 states and the District of Columbia. But this
More on black pepper recall due to Salmonella contamination
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Yesterday, Heartland Foods, Inc., an Indianapolis, Indiana company recalled "all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis IN. Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010."
This recall comes on the heels of a major national outbreak linked to pepper-coated salami
Heartland Foods Inc. Recalls Black Pepper
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Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is voluntarily recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis IN. Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause