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Food Safety

All articles tagged with #food safety

Michigan Faces Cyclospora Surge; Health Officials Warn and Guide Precautions
health33 minutes ago

Michigan Faces Cyclospora Surge; Health Officials Warn and Guide Precautions

Michigan has 1,562 cyclosporiasis cases since June 22 (44 hospitalizations), with the source of the outbreak still under investigation and cases concentrated across several counties. Health officials and the CDC urge anyone with GI symptoms to seek care and follow food-safety guidelines, including cooking produce to 158°F or higher, washing fresh produce thoroughly, and maintaining strong kitchen hygiene. Foods previously linked to Cyclospora outbreaks include bagged salads, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions, with specific handling tips provided for high-risk groups.

Massachusetts Faces Cyclospora: Key Facts on a Foodborne Parasite
health21 hours ago

Massachusetts Faces Cyclospora: Key Facts on a Foodborne Parasite

Massachusetts has 18 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases this year, a seasonal foodborne illness linked to fresh produce that causes watery diarrhea and can last weeks if untreated; prevention focuses on washing or cooking produce. The newsletter also notes a Massachusetts Senate bill to curb addictive social‑media features for teens and an ongoing Merrimack Valley Transit strike with a tentative one‑year deal under review.

Arsenic in Rice Persists Across Brands, but a Simple Cooking Method Reduces Exposure
health1 day ago

Arsenic in Rice Persists Across Brands, but a Simple Cooking Method Reduces Exposure

Consumer Reports tested 52 rice products and found inorganic arsenic in every sample, with brown rice typically higher than white and basmati/sushi varieties among the lowest. There has been no consistent market-wide drop since 2014, and regulators are urged to set limits on all rice products. CR recommends choosing lower-arsenic varieties, using a parboiling/absorption cooking method (which cut inorganic arsenic by about 50–58%), rotating grains to diversify sources, and being mindful of rice-based side dishes and water quality to reduce overall exposure.

FDA declines to cap PFAS in foods, opting for non-binding action levels
public-health2 days ago

FDA declines to cap PFAS in foods, opting for non-binding action levels

The FDA rejected a petition by the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force to set formal PFAS limits in food, instead proposing non-binding action levels and indicating it will pursue standards later. The group plans to sue, arguing that if PFAS are regulated in water they should be limited in food. Independent testing has found PFAS in seafood and milk, as well as in various foods and packaging, underscoring ongoing exposure concerns. PFAS are a broad class of persistent chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues, and critics say the FDA’s testing and regulatory approach remains insufficient to protect consumers.

Cyclospora outbreak prompts nationwide warnings, Texas included
health4 days ago

Cyclospora outbreak prompts nationwide warnings, Texas included

The CDC says Cyclospora cayetanensis is causing a stomach illness across 17 states, including Texas, with at least 145 cases and 20 hospitalizations (no deaths reported). Infections stem from contaminated produce or water, and many cases are linked to produce; symptoms commonly include severe diarrhea. Prevention tips include washing produce and hands with soap and water, avoiding swallowing water during recreation (alcohol-based sanitizers don’t work), and avoiding public pools if you have diarrhea; consult a doctor for possible treatment options.

Michigan Faces Cyclospora Surge as Health Officials Expand Produce-Prep Guidance
health4 days ago

Michigan Faces Cyclospora Surge as Health Officials Expand Produce-Prep Guidance

Michigan’s cyclosporiasis cases climbed to 572 by July 4, with the highest counts in several counties, leading the MDHHS to broaden produce-prep guidance for restaurants and households. Officials say outbreaks have been linked to items like bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions, and they urge thorough washing, cooking when possible, and strict hygiene practices, plus refrigeration to protect vulnerable populations.

Screwworm comeback: a dinner-safe scare, but beef prices could rise
health5 days ago

Screwworm comeback: a dinner-safe scare, but beef prices could rise

The New World screwworm has reappeared in the United States and targets living tissue in livestock, but public health officials say it does not threaten food safety—meat is still considered safe thanks to veterinary care and strict inspection; the bigger impact is economic, with potential billions in damage to the southwestern US and potential higher beef prices, since infestations affect livestock health and supply rather than the safety or quality of meat already in the food chain.

Eight-State Recall: Frozen GreenWise Blueberries Tied to E. coli Cases
health5 days ago

Eight-State Recall: Frozen GreenWise Blueberries Tied to E. coli Cases

Publix is recalling GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10-ounce) produced by Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. and distributed to eight states after 12 people reported E. coli O145 illnesses; the affected lot is 60401 with a best-by date of Feb 9, 2028. Shoppers who bought the product should discard it or return it for a refund; no other lots are affected. The recall covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; the supplier is investigating the contamination source.

Michigan Faces Rapid Cyclospora Surge as Cases Reach 572
health6 days ago

Michigan Faces Rapid Cyclospora Surge as Cases Reach 572

Michigan’s cyclosporiasis cases have jumped to 572 as of July 4, 2026, up from 170 on June 30, with the largest rise in southeast Michigan; no single grower or produce type has been identified. MDHHS is coordinating with local health departments and MDARD and will update guidance as needed. Foods previously linked to Cyclospora outbreaks include bagged salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions. Businesses handling raw produce should take precautions (e.g., avoid prewashed greens, wash and cook certain items); consumers—especially high-risk groups—should cook when possible, thoroughly wash produce, sanitize surfaces, and refrigerate promptly. If you develop symptoms like ongoing diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider and local health department.

Recall Alert: Publix GreenWise Blueberries Recalled Over E. coli Risk Across Eight States
health6 days ago

Recall Alert: Publix GreenWise Blueberries Recalled Over E. coli Risk Across Eight States

Publix is recalling GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries (10-ounce bags, lot No. 60401) after 12 illness cases linked to E. coli O145:H28; the recall covers Publix stores in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee. Buy date on or before July 3, 2026 should return or discard the product for a full refund; the product’s best-by date is Feb. 9, 2028. For questions, contact the provided email or phone number.

Michigan confronts a rapid cyclosporiasis surge as cases top 300
health7 days ago

Michigan confronts a rapid cyclosporiasis surge as cases top 300

More than 300 people in southeast Michigan have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, prompting state health and agriculture officials to investigate a common source across several counties; the illness, caused by Cyclospora, typically presents with watery diarrhea and can relapse if untreated, with ages from 8 to 84 (median 41). Authorities are urging precautions such as thoroughly washing produce and following safe food-handling practices to prevent infection, while they determine the exposure route.

FDA classifies Utz potato chips recall as highest-risk over Salmonella
food-safety7 days ago

FDA classifies Utz potato chips recall as highest-risk over Salmonella

The FDA has elevated Utz Quality Foods' recall of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips to Class 1, its highest risk level, after a seasoning containing dry milk powder may be contaminated with Salmonella. The issue, tied to a supplier from California Dairies, Inc., prompted recalls announced April 28 and affects a limited number of products; no illnesses have been reported. Consumers should discard affected products and contact Utz for refunds; other Utz items are unaffected.

FDA Flags Class 1 Recall for Utz and Zapp’s Chips Over Salmonella Risk
health8 days ago

FDA Flags Class 1 Recall for Utz and Zapp’s Chips Over Salmonella Risk

The FDA has classified Utz’s Dirty and Zapp’s potato chips as a Class 1 recall—the most serious—due to Salmonella linked to dried milk powder used in seasonings from California Dairies; the recall began in April/May 2026 with no reported illnesses, but the FDA warns exposure could cause serious health consequences, advising consumers to discard recalled products and contact Utz for questions, with specific best-by dates and product variants listed.