FDA Encourages Manufacturers to Clearly Declare All Uses of Sesame in Ingredient List on Food Labels
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance encouraging food manufacturers to voluntarily declare sesame in the ingredient list on food labels. On Oct. 30, 2018, the FDA issued a notice inviting data and information on the occurrence and severity of sesame allergies in the U.S. and the prevalence of sesame-containing foods […]
Natural Grocers Organic Elderberries Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Organic Elderberries from Natural Grocers have been recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. The specific product being recalled is Organic Whole Elderberries sold in 4 oz quantities with UPC code 000082003043 and “Packed on Dates” 20-216, 20-225, 20-246, 20-265, and 20-281. The recall was issued after the supplier notified the company that the organic elderberries […]
FDA posts alerts against imports of cheese, seafood, juice, etc.
The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed. Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed below. Use the links to view the full alert modifications. Import Alert Description URL […]
The FDA Just Released These 6 New Food Safety Tips
1. Never consume raw flour. The FDA starts off its list of safety tips that can help you avoid foodborne illness this fall with a warning about raw flour: It may contain harmful bacteria. “If you’re baking apple pies, pumpkin bread, or anything in between, you’re likely using flour,” the FDA says, “and it’s important […]
Sugar’s Up. Vitamin A Is Out. The Deets on the New FDA Nutrition Label
One of the easiest ways to know what’s *actually* in your favorite store-bought foods – the heat-and-eat tamales, instant udon, or that strawberry granola you can’t live without – is to check out the nutrition facts label located on the back of the package. The nutrition facts label hadn’t had a major update in 20 […]
There’s a problem with some of Trader Joe’s fish. Over 4,400 pounds have been recalled
About 7,120 boxes of Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Battered Halibut got recalled Friday after a packaging error that could have serious consequences for those with a food allergy or those who feed someone with a food allergy. Orca Bay Foods, which made the fish product for Trader Joe’s, put the halibut in boxes that didn’t […]
FDA pilot program tests third-party audit alignment with FSMA
The Food and Drug Administration is launching a voluntary pilot program to evaluate whether services by third-party food safety auditors align with Food Safety Modernization Act requirements. The program focuses on the Preventive Controls and Produce Safety rules, and is designed to help the industry and FDA determine whether the third-party services follow the FSMA […]
Dozens Of Spices From 2 Companies Are Being Recalled Over Salmonella Fears
Two companies have issued recalls on their dried spices over fears that the products could contain salmonella, the FDA posted this month. The first is Sauer Brands, Inc. which voluntarily recalled specific lot codes of more than two dozen spices by The Spice Hunter, including organic parsley, organic cinnamon, Madagascar cloves, gourmet sesame seeds, and […]
Chlorpyrifos: common pesticide tied to brain damage in children
Chlorpyrifos, a widely used pesticide, is strongly linked to brain damage in children. Longitudinal birth cohort study of inner-city mothers and children found that “Higher prenatal CPF exposure, as measured in umbilical cord blood plasma, was associated with decreases in cognitive functioning on two different WISC-IV indices, in a sample of urban minority children at […]
Former Blue Bell president charged in connection with 2015 listeria contamination
HOUSTON – A Texas grand jury charged the former president of Blue Bell Creameries L.P. with wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to cover up the company’s sales of listeria-tainted ice cream in 2015. In an indictment filed in federal court in Austin, Texas, former Blue Bell president Paul Kruse was […]