This is simply unacceptable. This botulism outbreak, frankly any outbreak that sickens babies, should never have happened. We can do more to protect the most vulnerable. The stork in “operation stork speed” clearly flew into a brick wall and crash landed. This child’s parents bought ByHeart Infant Formula at a Walmart. ByHeart utilized powdered organic […]
Matt Hildner of the Pueblo Chieftain reported that Alamosa County health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella that’s led to the hospitalization of four people and may have infected up to 74 people. In addition to the 18 cases that have been confirmed through laboratory testing, Geiser said the county is also investigating 56 […]
Hew Hallock reports this morning that – “Search goes on for source of Salmonella.” So far the source of the outbreak – most likely a common source given the number of ill people – has not been announced. “As of Tuesday, March 18, 2008 we still have 18 confirmed cases and now have 56 cases […]
Another day on the road. I have taken to emailing pictures of myself to my family and have learned how to text with my 16 year old. This trip was a nearly a two and a half hour drive south of Salt Lake City to attend a hearing to request that the Court approve a […]
Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a foodborne disease-causing bacteria; the disease is called listeriosis. Listeria can invade the body through a normal and intact gastrointestinal tract. Once in the body, Listeria can travel through the blood stream but the bacteria are often found inside cells. Listeria also produces toxins that damage cells. Listeria invades and grows […]
An amendment to the Senate’s 2009 budget resolution, which passed Friday, has implications for food safety. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) and teamed up with Sens. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) and Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) to create a "reserve fund" to allow for legislation that enhances the protection and safety of […]
Yesterday Congress Members Waxman and DeLauro released a report chastising both the FDA and industry for allowing over 20 E. coli outbreaks tied to leafy green vegetables. These failures the committee concluded lead to the 2006 Dole/Natural Selection Food’s/Mission Organics Spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened 205, killing 5. The report in part found: […]
In the last four weeks I have been home in Seattle a total of about four days. I have crossed the country several times testifying before the US House and the CA Senate about food safety, as well as talking to industry groups. I have also been spending too much time with lawyers. I did […]
The Associated Press reported last night that, “Wisconsin family sues Minnesota meat company over E. coli.” That meat company is Rochester Meat Co. of Rochester, Minnesota that in January issued a recall of nearly 200,000 pounds of beef over concerns it may have been contaminated with E. coli. Our clients, Karen and James Evans of […]
Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. President Steve Mendell acknowledged Wednesday that cattle were illegally slaughtered at his plant and that cows too sick to stand were forced into the food supply. Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. President Steve Mendell made the admissions after a congressional panel forced him to watch undercover video of abuses of cattle at his plant. […]
According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Sekiya’s Restaurant in Kaimuki has been cleared to resume operations after it dumped all its food and disinfected the restaurant from top to bottom following the worst outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in the state’s history. The state Department of Health reinstated Sekiya’s permit to conduct food service operations after […]
Health officials have reported that five have been sickened and one died of apparent symptoms of foodborne shiga toxin. It is likely E. coli O157:H7 – a shiga toxin producing E. coli. Shiga toxin is one of the most potent toxins known to man, so much so that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
NBC Augusta broke the story this afternoon that the Food and Drug Administration has closed down an Augusta food plant. In a statement released to NBC Augusta Monday morning, Castleberry’s Food Company says their temporary emergency operating permit has been suspended by the FDA. There’s no word when the plant will re-open. As you may […]
Once again, Stephen J. Hedges of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE is on top of the issues surrounding the slaughter of “downer” cows, and the risks (or not) to our food supply. His article, “The Last Roundup” appeared in the BUFFALO NEWS yesterday morning. It is a must read for those thinking about the safety and financial […]
I was reading the Seattle Times today – “China: Food Poisoning Deaths Up in 2007.” Seems like a big admission from the Chinese Government in the run-up to the Olympics. In contrast in the US according to the CDC, “an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne disease occur each year in the United States. CDC […]
Stephen J. Hedges of the Chicago Tribune has written once again about the dysfunctional relationship between the meat industry, FSIS and consumers in his article this morning, “Meat recall alerts retailers, not consumers.” The largest meat recall in the nation’s history was bound to reverberate through the food-manufacturing world. So far, four major food manufacturers […]