Food safety

FDA investigating Lucky Charms after reports of illness

By DEE-ANN DURBINApril 16, 2022 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating Lucky Charms cereal after dozens of customers complained of illness after eating it.

The FDA said Saturday it has received more than 100 complaints related to Lucky Charms so far this year.

EU: Salmonella outbreak in chocolate eggs due to bad milk

April 12, 2022 GMT

LONDON (AP) — European health officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to chocolate Easter eggs that has sickened at least 150 children across the continent said Tuesday they suspect it is due to bad buttermilk in a Belgian factory.

Oregon company recalls ground beef over E. coli concerns

January 11, 2022 GMT

CLACKAMAS, Ore. (AP) — A meat distributor based in Clackamas, Oregon, has recalled more than 28,300 pounds (12,800 kilograms) of ground beef because of concerns the meat may be contaminated with E.

Low pathogenic avian flu found in Minnesota turkey flock

November 23, 2021 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Animal health officials said Tuesday that a strain of avian flu confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in southern Minnesota does not pose a risk to the public and there are no food safety concerns for consumers.

Is there a constitutional right to food? Mainers to decide

By PATRICK WHITTLEOctober 23, 2021 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Depending on whom you ask, Maine’s proposed “right to food” constitutional amendment would simply put people in charge of how and what they eat — or would endanger animals and food supplies, and turn urban neighborhoods into cattle pastures.

Salmonella outbreak tied to seafood sickens 82 in Colorado

October 9, 2021 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A salmonella outbreak tied to seafood that Denver-based Northeast Seafood Products Inc. processed or manufactured has sickened at least 82 Coloradans in 14 counties.

Of 102 people in 14 states who got sick from salmonella, all but two live in Colorado or reported traveling to the state the week before they became ill, according to a food safety alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Greater Omaha Packing recalls 295K pounds of raw beef

July 30, 2021 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha meat processor has recalled more than 295,000 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Greater Omaha Packing’s recall Thursday.

Tyson Foods recalls almost 4,500 tons of chicken products

July 9, 2021 GMT

DEXTER, Mo. (AP) — Tyson Foods is recalling almost 4500 tons (4082.33 metric tonnes) of ready-to-eat chicken products after finding the products may be tainted with listeria bacteria, federal officials announced Thursday.

Plan to use feral hogs as food halted amid safety concerns

February 13, 2021 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri will not move ahead with a plan to process feral hog meat to help feed poor people after conservation officials said the invasive animals don't meet food safety standards...

Hungary first in EU to approve Chinese COVID-19 vaccine

January 29, 2021 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s medicine and food safety regulator on Friday approved China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, making it the first country in the European Union to do so...

Cafe, croissant, worms? EU agency says worms safe to eat

January 14, 2021 GMT

ROME (AP) — The vaunted Mediterranean diet and French gastronomy are getting some competition: The European Union's food safety agency says worms are safe to eat...

China stepping up virus testing on imported food packaging

BEIJINGNovember 25, 2020 GMT

China is stepping up virus inspections on imported food packaging as cooler weather brings new waves of coronavirus infections in several overseas countries, Chinese officials said Wednesday...

Thousands march in Taiwan against US pork imports

November 22, 2020 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Thousands of people marched in Taipei's streets on Sunday demanding the reversal of a decision to allow U...

UN: Live animal markets shouldn’t be closed despite virus

May 8, 2020 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization said Friday that although a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan selling live animals likely played a significant role in the emergence of the new coronavirus, it does not recommend that such markets be shut down globally...

Is it safe to order take-out during the pandemic?

By The Associated PressApril 28, 2020 GMT

US lifts Brazilian beef import ban amid quality concerns

By DAVID PITTFebruary 21, 2020 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government has decided to once again allow raw beef products to be imported into the United States from Brazil, a move that has angered some cattlemen and food safety groups who are voicing concerns about the quality of the meat...

Critics uneasy as federal meat inspectors face work overload

By BRETT BACHMAN and SAMANTHA STOKES of The Midwest Center for Investigative ReportingSeptember 29, 2019 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — At eight months pregnant, government food inspector Rosalie Arriaga was scheduled in March 2018 to handle twice her normal workload at the meat processing plants she was assigned to cover...

Pork slaughter rules give companies more food safety tasks

By DAVID PITTSeptember 17, 2019 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government finalized a new rule for most U.S. pork processing plants Tuesday that allows meatpackers to remove limits on the speed of production lines and place more animal inspection and food safety tasks with company employees...

UK worries Brexit could bring ‘chlorinated chicken’ from US

By CANDICE CHOISeptember 8, 2019 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Could Brexit bring America's "chlorinated chicken" to the United Kingdom?

The European Union has long refused to import poultry from the United States that is routinely rinsed with chemical washes to kill germs...

Keep pets away from gardens to prevent food-borne illness

By DEAN FOSDICKApril 30, 2019 GMT

Animal waste tainting fresh produce is one of the major causes of food-borne ailments. So farmers markets and pick-your-own growers who fear fecal contamination are increasingly guarded about tolerating pets near their edibles...

Cat that lived 6 years in Alaska general store gets evicted

March 1, 2019 GMT

HOMER, Alaska (AP) — A cat named Stormy that has spent more than six years as a fixture in a remote Alaska general store is being forced out after officials notified the store owners that the cat's presence violates food safety standards...

Grants Will Help Farmers Upgrade Food Safety

Sentinel & EnterpriseJanuary 26, 2019 GMT

BOSTON -- The Baker-Polito Administration has awarded $300,000 in grants to 21 Massachusetts farms, including one in Lunenburg, to install practices that improve food safety within their operations.

E. coli outbreaks point to lagging implementation of landmark law

By Editorial BoardDecember 1, 2018 GMT

The emptied-out produce shelves greeting consumers at grocery stores after the recent romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak show just how much work lies ahead to modernize the nations food safety laws.

In retrospect, passing a landmark regulatory overhaul eight years ago was the easy part.

Repeat outbreaks pressure produce industry to step up safety

By CANDICE CHOINovember 30, 2018 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — After repeated food poisoning outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce, the produce industry is confronting the failure of its own safety measures in preventing contaminations...

Roundup found in Cheerios reignites debate on food safety

By Josephine MarcottyOctober 25, 2018 GMT

A national environmental research and advocacy group Wednesday issued a second report documenting traces of the herbicide Roundup in popular oat cereals such as Cheerios, saying that its presence in food creates an unnecessary cancer risk to children.

Drug-resistant salmonella from chicken sickens nearly 100

By Jen Christensen, CNNOctober 17, 2018 GMT

At least 92 people in 29 states, including North Carolina, have been infected with a strain of multidrug-resistant salmonella after coming into contact with a variety of raw chicken products, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

Flood waters recede, but hazards to Carolinians persist

Randi KallasOctober 12, 2018 GMT

Food safety, including food recalls and alerts, is one of the more important issues covered in this column.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service is responsible for recalls involving meat, including fish, poultry and processed egg products (https://tinyurl.com/y9v6lr76).

Food Safety Helps Avoid Tapeworm

UCLA HealthMay 26, 2018 GMT

Q: I read a few years ago that someone wound up with tapeworms after eating raw fish, and now it has apparently happened again. What’s the deal?

A: Because we’re familiar with both incidents you’re referring to, we think it’s a good idea to start by letting any sensitive readers know that we’ll be discussing worms and intestines, with details that may be unsettling.

Food Safety Helps Avoidtapeworm

UCLA HealthMay 26, 2018 GMT

Q: I read a few years ago that someone wound up with tapeworms after eating raw fish, and now it has apparently happened again. What’s the deal? A: Because we’re familiar with both incidents you’re referring to, we think it’s a good idea to start by letting any sensitive readers know that we’ll be discussing worms and intestines, with details that may be unsettling.

Why E. coli keeps getting into our lettuce

Tim YonkeApril 27, 2018 GMT

Consumers have grown to love convenience salads, from tubs of pre-washed baby spinach to bags of chopped romaine.

There’s only one problem with these modern-day conveniences: They’re regularly implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks.

Caribbean Currents: Third world gets short end of the stick on food safety

Staff WriterJanuary 28, 2018 GMT

Are third-world countries getting the short end of the stick when it comes to food safety? A story published in early 2017 in the Jamaican Observer gives an account from Lisa Hanna, a member of the South East St.

Food Safety Inspections in Sioux City

Amy HyndsDecember 21, 2017 GMT

Database of inspections and number of violations found by Iowa Department of Inspections so far in 2017.

Source: food.iowa.gov

Food safety inspections, Dec. 11, 2017

Staff WriterDecember 11, 2017 GMT

For the period ending Dec. 8. To file a complaint, call the state Environment Department at 505-837-1840.

AMY BIEHL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, 310 Avenida del Sur. Cited for rodent droppings in janitor closet, lunch room and office, and old unused equipment in building and janitor closet attracting pests.

Tips for food safety at holiday buffets

Kathleen Riggs USU extensionNovember 16, 2017 GMT

LOGAN — Aromas of holiday foods often bring to mind the sweet memories of years past. Whether a large family gathering, office party or potluck, the holidays are filled with traditional foods that bring people together.

H-E-B shredded beef supplier issues recall

Lynn BrezoskyOctober 13, 2017 GMT

Consumers with trays of H-E-B Fully Cooked Smoked Seasoned Shredded Beef with BBQ sauce in their fridge or freezer are being urged to throw away or return the product due to possibility of plastic in the product.

Food safety inspections, Sept. 18, 2017

Staff WriterSeptember 18, 2017 GMT

For the period ending September 12. To file a complaint call the state Environment Department at 827-1840.

TESUQUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 1555 Bishops Lodge Road. Cited for milk refrigerator door out of adjustment, dust on air conditioning vents and burned out exhaust hood light.

Food safety inspections, July 3, 2017

Staff WriterJuly 3, 2017 GMT

For the period ending June 29. To file a complaint, please call the state Environment Department at 505-827-1840.

PHILLIPS 66, U.S. 285. Cited for failure to fix ventilation problem.

Avoiding a wedding crash

By Julie BuckJune 10, 2017 GMT

Since catering is one of the largest expenses in a wedding budget, couples can often find themselves struggling to satisfy their visions of a dream wedding and finicky guests. One of the ways couples can please guests and keep costs low is by doing the catering themselves.

Golden Gourmet recalls some frozen foods due to possible Listeria contamination

Staff WriterMay 26, 2017 GMT

WASHINGTON, – Golden Gourmet, an Americus, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,248 pounds of frozen entree products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Food safety trainings to be held at fairgrounds

StaffApril 14, 2017 GMT

Food safety inspections, March 27, 2017

Staff WriterMarch 27, 2017 GMT

For the period ending March 23. To file a complaint, call the state Environment Department at 505-827-1840.

DR. FIELD GOODS MOBILE UNIT, 2860 Cerrillos Road. Cited for torn screen on window and particle accumulation on skylight.

Restaurant food safety class to be held at fairgrounds

StaffMarch 26, 2017 GMT

King’s Command Foods recalls beef products

Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2017 GMT

WASHINGTON – King’s Command Foods, LLC., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 63,252 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Food safety inspections, Nov. 28, 2016

Staff WriterNovember 28, 2016 GMT

For the period ending Nov. 18. To file a complaint, call the state Environment Department at 505-827-1840.

AMANECER HEAD START, 1320 Agua Fría St. Cited for dirty lights and ceiling fan and chipping paint.

Fast-food fan Trump could remake healthy school lunches

By MARY CLARE JALONICKNovember 15, 2016 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Will Donald Trump remake school lunches into his fast-food favorites of burgers and fried chicken when he's president?

Children grumbling about healthier school meal rules championed by first lady Michelle Obama may have reason to cheer Trump's election as the billionaire businessman is a proud patron of Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's while promising to curb federal regulations.

Food safety inspections, Oct. 31, 2016

Staff WriterOctober 31, 2016 GMT

For the period ending Oct. 28. To file a complaint, call the state Environment Department at 505-827-1840.

PAISANO, 3140 Cerrillos Road. Meat: Cited for drain condensation lines not protected, problem with light protection, lack of internal thermometer in walk-in, particle accumulation on nonfood contact surfaces and beans not proper temperature.

Ill. health dept. gives holiday food safety tips

November 24, 2013 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Thanksgiving is still several days away, but it might already be time to take your turkey out of the freezer.

Depending on the size of the bird, it can take up to six days to thaw a Turkey in the refrigerator, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding people why it's important that the meat is completely defrosted before cooking.