Fresh Cut Magazine

Survey of State Health Departments Underscores Gaps in Foodborne Illness Response

Oct. 30, 2009 - A survey of state health departments regarding their capacity to track produce-related foodborneillnesses found that the response and investigation of outbreaks varies greatly and can lead to delays in public-health response, according to the Produce Safety Project.The survey was commissioned by the Produce Safety Project (PSP), an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts at Georgetown University, and conducted by Safe Tables Our Priority (S.T.O.P.). Thirty-nine of the 51 state and District of Columbia health departments responded to the survey, which asked about the types of questions and questionnaires administered to victims of foodborneillness, the time frame in which they were completed, and how states collected and stored the resulting data for calendar year 2007. Despite the increase in the number of multi-state outbreaks of illnesses linked to fresh produce over the past several years, the data show that only 25 of the 39 states…  » Read more

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Calgary Doctor on Trail of Resistant E. Coli

Oct. 27, 2009 - A doctor is trying to find out why so many people in Calgary have a strain of E. coli with the potential to create difficult-to-treat infections. CBC NewsClick here to read the rest of the story.

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FDA Seeks Funds for Food Safety

Oct. 23, 2009 - A Senate bill to overhaul food safety and expand FDA oversight needs to be stronger and include more funding and authority, the head of the agency told lawmakers Thursday. Wall Street JournalClick here to read the rest of the story.

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FDA to Reconsider BPA’s Use in Food Packaging

Aug. 18, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it is reviewing new studies on bisphenol A and expects to rule by Nov. 30 on whether the chemical is safe for use in food and beverage containers. Milwaukee Journal-SentinelClick here to read the rest of the story.

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Southern Legislative Conference in Winston-Salem

Aug. 16, 2009 - State legislators from across the South are coming together in Winston-Salem over the next few days to network and share ideas. The 63rd annual meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference opened yesterday in the Benton Convention Center and will run through Wednesday.North Carolina is one of 16 states that make up the Southern Legislative Conference. The last time North Carolina was the host of the conference was in Asheville in 1990.This year, the conference program includes a forum on food safety, an overview of high-speed-rail initiatives, a discussion on autism and schools, and a review of the mortgage meltdown and state responses to it. Legislators are also participating in various workshops and committee meetings. Winston-Salem JournalClick here to read the rest of the story.

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NewStar Recalls Jumbo Green Onion Cartons

Aug. 12, 2009 - NewStar Fresh Foods has issued a voluntary recall of 772 cartons of iced jumbo green onions distributed by three companies due to the possible presence of salmonella, the company said Aug. 12.The green onions were packed under the brand names Omo and Fu Choy and distributed by R.A.M. Produce Distributors of Detroit, Franzella Distributing of San Francisco and United Food Service of East Point, Ga. No illnesses have been reported. The product is packaged in a 48-count iced carton, item numbers 02487403 and 02487452, product lot numbers 40550707 and 40510707, with production dates of July 20 and July 21. No other foodservice distributors or products are involved in this recall. All affected product within the foodservice channel has already been accounted for and destroyed. Two distributors shipped 58 cartons to small grocery outlets in the Detroit and San Francisco areas. Consumers in California may have…  » Read more

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Editorial: Bad Food-Safety Bill in Pipeline for Salinas Valley Ag

Aug. 4, 2009 - Be careful what you wish for. Many people in California agriculture have said it isn't fair that the rest of the country isn't required to follow our stringent food safety rules. Salinas CalifornianClick here to read the rest of the story.

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Keeping Foods Safe and Bacteria Free

Aug. 3, 2009 - Eating food contaminated with bacteria can cause serious illness. In 2006, at least 276 people became ill and three deaths were attributed to an E. coli outbreak from contaminated spinach. Many people now take extra care to wash and clean food, but is it enough? Ivanhoe News ServiceClick here to read the rest of the story.

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