All articles tagged with #food safety
A Washington Post food columnist argues that lettuce provides little nutrition, wastes water and land, and contributes to foodborne illness; with Cyclospora outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, the piece urges readers to rethink lettuce consumption and consider alternative greens.
A UK study of 212 vegan and vegetarian products found mycotoxins in every item, with 19 different toxins detected and some products carrying multiple toxins. Although levels were below EU guideline limits, researchers warn that constant consumption could lead to cumulative exposure and potential health risks, underscoring the need for ongoing raw-material monitoring and improved risk assessments to guide policymakers and protect vulnerable consumers.
FDA updates tie iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms to a cyclospora outbreak that may have reached seven additional states (California, Delaware, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico), bringing total illness reports to over 27,000 across more than 40 states. Michigan has recorded two deaths. Recalled products should no longer be sold, and tracing the outbreak remains challenging for health authorities.
The FDA upgraded a major egg recall to Class I, signaling a high risk of serious health consequences from salmonella. The recall covers more than 1.5 million dozen eggs distributed by Midwest Poultry Services to six states under brands like Kroger and Simple Truth. The action follows at least 98 illnesses reported in 17 states and 26 hospitalizations. Recalled eggs have best-by dates July 20–Aug 17 and can be identified by carton codes listed on the FDA site; consumers should check their eggs and report symptoms if exposed.
The FDA upgraded the recall of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries to Class I high risk due to a reasonable probability of serious harm or death from potential E. coli contamination, a escalation after earlier store withdrawals; the berries were distributed to at least eight states, with an import alert and broader risk assessment that widened the recall beyond a typical alert.
Minnesota and Wisconsin report illnesses tied to alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts/Calco brands, involving multiple strains of E. coli and salmonella; at least 23 Minnesota cases with hospitalizations and 18 Wisconsin cases, with investigators coordinating to identify the source and scope of contamination.
Amid a national salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs, the FSA warns vulnerable groups—including under-fives, pregnant women, and those over 65 or with health conditions—not to eat runny or undercooked eggs or egg-containing dishes in eateries; well-cooked eggs are safe and British eggs are not linked to this outbreak, which has caused over 200 cases and one death.
Dr. Jerome Adams, a former U.S. surgeon general, argues that RFK Jr.’s emphasis on chronic-disease prevention cannot come at the expense of mounting infectious-disease outbreaks and a weakened public-health infrastructure. He urges the secretary of Health and Human Services to act now with concrete steps: restore comprehensive FoodNet tracking, fill critical CDC/FDA leadership roles, prioritize high-risk foods and imports for inspection and recall, use vaccines as a clear, ongoing messaging priority, and bolster international health-security partnerships to protect Americans at home. The piece contends outbreaks and vaccine coverage are interlinked challenges that require a proactive, well-resourced public-health response.
New York faces a summer surge in cyclosporiasis linked to fresh produce, with thousands sick nationwide and hundreds in the city, though officials have not pinpointed a single source. Some cases have been linked to recalled iceberg lettuce in other states; in NYC, transmission sources remain under investigation. Health guidance emphasizes thorough washing of fruits and vegetables, and some people are cooking or choosing local/frozen produce or avoiding leafy greens, while experts differ on how drastic the dietary changes should be. Public health teams are tracing cases through interviews and supplier checks as they monitor the outbreak's evolution.
The FDA has elevated a large egg recall to Class I, its highest warning level, after about 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations linked to salmonella. The recall covers roughly 1.6 million cartons (about 19 million eggs) distributed to Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Brookshire Grocery stores across multiple states, and other retailers. Affected eggs carry sell-by dates between July 20 and August 17, 2026 and codes P-1950 or 0840962 with Julian dates 157–184. The recall began in July; consumers who have these eggs should discard them or return them for refunds.
Five Outshine Fruit Bars flavors (strawberry, watermelon, grape, tangerine, black cherry) and a 24-count variety pack are being recalled nationwide due to potential glass contamination. Best-before dates range May 31 to November 30, 2027. Dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund; no illnesses have been reported.
A CNN explainer argues that replacing today’s one-dimensional UPC barcodes with 2D barcodes could embed bin and lot numbers, production data, and farm origin directly in the label, enabling precise recalls and helping prevent outbreaks (such as cyclospora) from reaching shelves or homes. The upgrade could cut waste and improve safety, but it requires packaging changes and new on-site labeling; GS1’s Sunrise 2027 plan envisions a gradual rollout alongside existing UPCs, with early adopters like Topo Chico and Procter & Gamble and a consumer-friendly SmartLabel tool. While adoption may take years and regulatory push, the potential to greatly improve food-safety tracking is significant.
The FDA elevated a July recall of about 19 million eggs linked to Salmonella to Class I, its highest risk level, signaling a reasonable probability that exposure could cause serious health consequences or death. The eggs were produced in Texas and distributed to six states; initial reports noted 98 illnesses, 26 hospitalizations, and Texas accounted for the majority of cases. Consumers should discard any remaining eggs or return them to the point of purchase. The digest also includes briefs on measles transmission from vaccinated individuals, vaccination messaging to boost older adults’ immunization, and chronic wasting disease found on Wisconsin deer farms, among other public health updates.
FDA has upgraded an egg recall to Class I, its highest health-risk level, due to potential Salmonella contamination linked to 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states. Recalled eggs bear carton codes P-1950 or 0840962. The recall comes amid other recent safety alerts (jalapeño and lettuce outbreaks). Officials say seasonal factors and distribution-center issues may contribute to contamination, with root causes still under investigation; some lawmakers also point to CDC funding cuts. Public should monitor FDA/state health sites, dispose of or return recalled products, wash produce, and remain vigilant as investigations continue.
A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to recalled shell eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services has sickened dozens across 17 states, prompting a recall of about 1.59 million dozen eggs sold under brands including Country Morning, Cal‑Maze Sunups, Brookshire’s, Simple Truth and Kroger. The eggs were produced in Texas between June 6 and July 3, 2026. The CDC, FDA and state health departments are investigating, and consumers should not eat recalled eggs and should discard them or return them to the retailer; businesses should stop selling the eggs and sanitize affected surfaces as updates from official health agencies are issued.