I asked our AI friends – What are the pros and cons of replacing FDA Commissioner Makary with me – here is the response? This is a very timely question — Makary resigned as FDA Commissioner today, May 12, 2026, amid reports of internal tensions and policy clashes, with the vaping dispute reportedly being a […]
A. The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment Listeriosis is one of the most important bacterial infections worldwide that arises mainly from the consumption of contaminated food.[1] The disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, which is considered an opportunistic pathogen that affects mainly those with underlying immune conditions, such as pregnant women, neonates, and elders, resulting in septicemia, […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for headcheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. Headcheese is a ready-to-eat (RTE), pork deli meat product typically made from meat and seasonings that […]
The list keeps getting longer—and the regulators keep getting slower. I have spent more than thirty years representing the people the food system failed. Children on dialysis after eating a hamburger. Grandparents who never came home from a hospital after a scoop of ice cream. Pregnant women who lost babies to a sandwich. After all […]
Shining Sea Fish Co. of Detroit MI, is recalling its catch weight packages of “Ma Cohen’s Kippered Herring” smoked fish because this product consists of, uneviscerated fish longer than five inches, which has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the […]
Stoltzfus Family Dairy recalls Sour Cream & Onion cheese curds (8 oz bags; Best by 03/25/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, and 05/06/2026) due to potential Salmonella contamination. JCB Flavors, LLC recalls Wildlife Seasoning brand Popping Topping – Sour Cream & Onion (1.6 oz; Lot 057596; Best by 5/18/2027) due to potential Salmonella contamination. Albrights Raw Pet Foods […]
As of May 4, 2026, a total of 5 children infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Woodinville were reported from 4 states – Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma and Iowa. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 12, 2026, to April 10, 2026. Two of these children (40%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
I am putting Emmy stickers on books to be sent to the Food Safety Summit in Chicago for the Food Safety News booth. Stop by and get one. I also got this email tonight – and, folks ask why I do not retire: Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch the Netflix documentary on food […]
Summary. Generally speaking, per FDA regulations, processors of low-acid, uncanned juices must either include a warning label concerning the presence of harmful bacteria or utilize a 5-log reduction in microorganisms as part of their HACCP control measures. Since botulism operates through spores, these regulations do not directly address the risk of botulism in low-acid, uncanned juices. […]
The a2 Milk Company (“a2MC”) has voluntarily recalled three specific batches of its imported a2 Platinum Premium USA label infant formula 0-12 months (“Product”) due to the presence of cereulide. The Product is sold only in the United States. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by some strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. Illness occurs […]
The CDC reports: Shigellosis is a nationally notifiable diarrheal illness caused by gram-negative bacteria. Shigella infection is spread through fecal-oral transmission and sexual contact. Although most infections are self-limited, antibiotics are indicated for severe illness or to reduce transmission in settings with high risk for spread. Since 2015, a growing proportion of cases has been caused by […]
On June 27, 2025, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) initiated an investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella. Initially reported cases were interviewed to see what food items they consumed prior to their illness. It was discovered that each case had eaten at least one meal at different Ramsey’s Diner locations—Helmsdale Place, Lucille Dr., Old Harrodsburg […]
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to RAW FARM-brand raw dairy products. As part of this investigation, FDA, in coordination with state partners, has completed onsite inspections and sample collections at RAW FARM, LLC retail and processing facilities. FDA has […]
Liquid Blenz Corp of Rockville Center, NY is recalling all codes of Good Brain Tonic because of Botulism potential. Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning and can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common […]
On August 19, 2024, four-year-old Noah Ruiz experienced onset of diarrhea. A stool specimen collected at St. George Regional Medical Center on 8/22/2024 was PCR positive for E. coli O157:H7. The Utah Department of Health (UDH) State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) isolated E. coli O157:H7 in Noah’s specimen (Accession Number 2017861). UDH SPHL conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) on […]
Between October and December 2025, an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections was identified and investigated. The outbreak was ultimately linked to aged raw-milk (unpasteurized) cheese produced by Twin Sisters Creamery. The Washington State Department of Health (WADOH) worked with local and state agencies, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and federal public health partners to […]