Archive of April, 2024

Rapid methods for the detection of pathogens have been gaining acceptance in the food industry. Recent advances in technology can result in faster detection of pathogens, more convenient, more sensitive methods.  We have seen many new alternative methods being proposed in the past couple of years. Below is an example of such a novel method. According to a press release from University of Massachusetts Amherst (https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-food-scientists-are ) a team of scientists (including Lily He, Lynne McLandsborough, and Brooke Pearson) developed a low cost, rapid method for the detection of bacteria in food samples. The assay steps include rinsing the fruit or vegetable, collecting...

The trending page is active now.  I would like to emphasize the importance of this page in bringing up-to-date information about the trends of our profession. I encourage you to go to the trending page and read the topics that so far have been posted. If you have any relevant interesting topic, it is easy to post it on the page and help bring the information to the benefit of our members. This week’s covered topics include: Microbial Sensor Provides Non-Destructive Snapshot of Environments; It is Possible That Lactalis Sold Contaminated Baby Formula for ten years; Raws for Paws Recalled...

In February a number of dog food brands were recalled.  The recalls were due to bacterial contamination (Salmonella and Listeria) as well as the presence of an illegal drug. Recalls due to Bacterial Contamination In February, Salmonella contamination appeared in four different dog food products, prompting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce the recall of these products.   Salmonella can cause illness in pets, but it can also cause the pets to become carriers infecting humans.  The companies recalling dog food include: Raws Paws(Minneapolis, MN) On February 8th the FDA announced the recall of ~ 4,000pounds of 5 lb. and 1 lb. sealed plastic tubes (chubs) of Ground Turkey...

On February 9, 2018, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was notified by Iowa health officials about an investigation regarding Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses. The health authorities linked the outbreak with chicken salad sold in Fairway stores. On February 14, 2018, the FSIS issued the first alert relating to potential Salmonella contamination in chicken salad sold at Fareway grocery stores. On February 21, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety (USDA) and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall of Triple T Specialty Meats Inc., from Ackley Iowa, of approximately 20,630 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad products that may have been contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. The FSIS/USDA announcement...