Posts from the "Topics" category


HU: Company stops production at frozen vegetable, fruit facility

Joe Whitworth / Food Safety News: Production is on hold at the Hungarian plant of the company linked to a deadly outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes from frozen vegetables in five European countries.
A spokesperson for Greenyard, a producer of fresh, frozen and prepared fruit and vegetables, told Food Safety News that the company is awaiting more data, information and analysis from the local authorities and EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority). The company is looking into alternative sourcing possibilities to supply customers.
Read the full article at the Food Safety News website

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US: Texas officials report dozens sick from parasitic infections

Photo: Melanie Moser / US CDCP
Food Safety News: Texas officials warned the public Monday about a seasonal increase in infections from Cyclospora parasites, reporting there have been 56 confirmed cases since the beginning of May.
Neither this week’s outbreak notice nor a June 21 health advisory from the Texas State Department of Health Services (DSHS) referenced an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak in four other states. At least 185 people are infected in that outbreak, which is associated with trays of pre-cut fresh vegetables from Del Monte.

Read the full article at the Food Safety News website

Further information:

Read the full News Release at the Texas Department of State Health Services website
Cyclosporiasis FAQ at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

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AU: Melon industry aims to win back consumers in six steps

Great Lakes Advocate: The melon industry is looking to win back consumers through a six stage process after a Listeriosis outbreak earlier this year. Together with Hort Innovation,  the industry launched a six-pronged initiative to combat foodborne illness risks and support the sustainability of the melon industry.
Read the full article at the Great Lakes Advocate website

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US: Growers share food safety wish lists at Forbes AgTech Summit

Ashley Nickle / The Packer: SALINAS, Calif. – Better pathogen detection or a kill step would help growers sleep better at night, executives from two leafy greens companies said during a Forbes AgTech Summit panel June 27.
Read the full article at The Packer

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US: Canal water likely source of E. coli in romaine-related outbreak

Coral Beach / Food Safety News: Federal officials say contaminated canal water near romaine lettuce growing fields is the likely source…

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US: Trump’s new plan to consolidate federal food safety efforts won’t work. Here’s why

Timothy D. Lytton / The Conversation: The Trump administration on June 21 unveiled an ambitious plan to consolidate federal food safety efforts within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Currently, 15 agencies throughout the federal government administer 35 different laws related to food safety under the oversight of nine congressional committees. The administration calls this system “illogical” and “fragmented.”
Concern about this state of affairs has been fueling similar consolidation proposals for decades. But my research for a forthcoming book on the U.S. food safety system suggests…
Read the full story at The Conversation

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AU: How the latest food recall affects you

Rachel Clemons / Choice: Seven people have been hospitalised and 14 more are sick with Salmonella poisoning after eating contaminated alfalfa sprouts sold in South Australia.
Check here for details of the food product affected, why it’s being recalled, who’s at risk and what you need to do to stay safe.
Read the full article at choice.com.au
 

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AU: Making sure floors meet HACCP Standard

foodmag.com.au: Putting in place an effective Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety management plan has become a central priority for any facility involved in the production, processing or storage of food and beverage produce.
This preventive risk assessment system ensures that all food safety hazards are assessed and that appropriate controls are put in place to eliminate or reduce contamination.
Read the full article at the Food & Beverage magazine website

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US: Ensuring the safety of food contact materials: GMPs and beyond

George Misko / Food Safety Magazine: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in January 2018 that it was exercising enforcement discretion with respect to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) requirements for importers of food contact substances (FCSs).
The news was met with a sigh of relief by the industry. The reasons for FDA’s decision centered on the vastly different hazard profiles and risks presented between FCSs and traditional food.
Read the full article at the Food Safety Magazine website

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US: Outbreaks bring sense of urgency to food safety symposium

Chris Kroger / The Packer: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The backgrounds of scientists and their areas of focus at the Center for Produce Safety’s ninth annual symposium were certainly diverse, but presentation after presentation laid down a basic message: shared knowledge is critical.
Read the full article at The Packer

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