Report Finds High Levels of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in MeatApril 17th, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
A new report released by the Environmental Working Group finds an alarming amount of the meat sold in U.S. supermarkets and restaurants contain high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Read More:Report Finds High Levels of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in MeatFood Poisoning Risks on the Rise, Cites New ResearchAugust 3rd, 2012 - Jill Ettinger
A new report released by the Government Accountability Office finds measures to reduce outbreaks of serious foodborne illnesses in the U.S. are not meeting the nation’s safety goals, and the systems employed to catch and prevent outbreaks are in need of significant strengthening. Read More:Food Poisoning Risks on the Rise, Cites New ResearchGot A Urinary Tract Infection? Thank Antibiotic-Resistant ChickensJuly 14th, 2012 - Jill Ettinger
Infectious E. coli strains that have become resistant to antibiotics are being linked to a rise in hard-to-treat urinary tract infections, reports The Atlantic. Read More:Got A Urinary Tract Infection? Thank Antibiotic-Resistant ChickensWhere’s the Dog Food? In Your HamburgerJanuary 1st, 2012 - Jill EttingerReducing food waste is a critical responsibility not to be dismissed by any individual or industry, but concerns over ammonia-treated low-quality beef otherwise used as dog food and winding up in burger meat is sounding major alarms for food activists and concerned consumers. Credit Jamie Oliver, the host of “The Food Revolution” for speaking out [...] Read More:Where’s the Dog Food? In Your HamburgerPesticides and Bacteria Cause More Than a Dozen Recent Food-Related DeathsSeptember 26th, 2011 - Jill Ettinger
Three Peruvian children between the ages of six and ten died earlier this month and 50 more became seriously ill after eating food donated by a school nutrition program that was contaminated with high levels of a toxic pesticide. Read More:Pesticides and Bacteria Cause More Than a Dozen Recent Food-Related DeathsWill the USDA’s New Livestock Tagging Really Prevent Disease?June 25th, 2011 - Jill Ettinger
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to announce a proposed new rule—the Animal Disease Traceability system—that would mandate livestock animal tracking through ID tagging. The agency has proposed similar rules in the past—beginning in the early 1990s and again in 2003 after 3 cases of “mad cow disease,” bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) were discovered in the U.S. Read More:Will the USDA’s New Livestock Tagging Really Prevent Disease?Dirty Restaurant Dish Cloths May Sicken UsSeptember 17th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
If you’re planning to dine out, this story is about to ruin your day. British researchers have found that more than half of the cleaning cloths used in restaurants and takeout kitchens contained alarming levels of bacteria—sure signs of poor hygiene and cross-contamination. These cloths must be frequently changed or disinfected to halt bacterial growth that could cause food poisoning, according to the research team at the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency. Failure to do so means bacteria can spread from the cloths to foodservice workers’ hands, as well as work surfaces and equipment. Read More:Dirty Restaurant Dish Cloths May Sicken UsProduct Tracing Needed to Protect Us from Foodborne IllnessesAugust 29th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
Cover enough salmonella or E. coli outbreaks, and you become intimately familiar with the “T” word: traceback. The term refers to the process federal inspectors use to determine exactly where contamination occurred in the food supply chain. Recent recalls highlight the critical need for an effective product tracing system, according to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a Chicago-based organization that represents food scientists and related professionals. Read More:Product Tracing Needed to Protect Us from Foodborne IllnessesNew Ground Beef Recall; More Eggs Join ListAugust 28th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
About 8,500 pounds of ground beef have been recalled by Wyalusing, PA-based Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. This is an E. coli-related Class I recall, which designates “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” This isn’t Cargill’s first time at the recall rodeo. As I reported in November, the company was forced to recall 5,522 pounds of beef tongues because workers neglected to remove tonsils—a violation of both USDA regulations and my personal “ick” meter. Read More:New Ground Beef Recall; More Eggs Join ListNew Recall: 1 Million Pounds of Ground BeefAugust 8th, 2010 - Barbara Feiner
Modesto, Calif.-based Valley Meat Co. is recalling approximately 1 million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. This is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Class 1 recall, which indicates “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” Affected products are listed here. At press time, seven individuals have become ill. As I reported in October, eating ground beef is still considered a “gamble.” Photo: aMichiganMom Read More:New Recall: 1 Million Pounds of Ground Beef |
