Porca Food

One-third of samples tested by Consumer Reports showed Salmonella contamination of ground chicken, including product from one of the nation’s largest producers.

The investigation by the non-profit consumer watchdog group included testing of 75 samples of ground chicken from Perdue and other companies. Purdue sells under its own brand and supplies chicken to Trader Joe’s and Wholesome Pantry. Consumer Reports also found Salmonella in samples from Isernio’s, Walmart and Whole Foods. Overall, no single brand stood out as being statistically better or worse than another, and CR found no difference between ground chicken from organic and conventionally-raised birds.

“Dangerous salmonella is far too common in chicken and sickens hundreds of thousands of people every year,” said James E. Rogers, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. “The USDA has pledged to reduce illness from salmonella contamination for more than a decade, but CR’s tests show that more … Read more

The FDA is investigating an outbreak of “adverse events” related to a frozen food that has been recalled, but the investigation notice does not identify a specific product.

As of June 29 there have been107 people who reported what the Food and Drug Administration is referring to as adverse events. Traceback, testing and on-site inspections are ongoing in addition to the recall of the product.

All facts — including a statement from the company’s CEO — point to the product being Daily Harvest brand frozen French Lentil + Leek Crumbles.

“We have spent the past ten days working with the FDA, state agencies and multiple independent labs, as well as experts in microbiology, food safety and toxicology to conduct testing. These tests cover common foodborne pathogens, toxins, and allergens,” Daily Harvest founder and CEO Rachel Drori said in a written statement released June 27.

She said the company has used … Read more

It is unclear what actions an infant formula manufacturer is taking to clean its production facility after it was inundated recently with floodwaters.

Abbott Nutrition shut down operations at its Sturgis, MI, plant the third week of June when floodwaters surged in after local storm drain systems were overcome by torrential rains.

At that time Abbott officials said the plant would be cleaned and sanitized but did not say how long it would be before production at the infant formula plant would resume. They also did not provide any details on which parts of the plant were affected or how cleaning would be accomplished. Floodwater is known to carry many contaminants and it is particularly difficult to clean buildings and surfaces exposed to it.

As of June 28 the plant remained closed and company officials remained close mouthed about its status.

“Abbott hasn’t shared any updates since our public posting … Read more

Angelo’s Italian Market Inc. is recalling Gelato Artigianale al gusto di Raspberry Gelatois from the marketplace because of possible norovirus contamination of the raspberries used in this product.

This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results.

The recalled product has been sold at Angelo’s Italian Market Inc. in London, Ontario.

Recalled product:

As of the posting of this recall, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

About norovirus infections

People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start … Read more

National Pork Producers Council v. Karen Ross is a case that might be destined for the World Trade Organization, not the U.S. Supreme Court.

After all, it seems to involve a non-tariff trade barrier, harming other states. But the analogy falls apart because California is not trying to sell more pork than its neighbors; it just wants to dictate its consumption.

And this dispute is entirely domestic, involving several states.

So, to the U.S. Supreme Court, it goes with amicus briefs being submitted for the next term on Oct. 11. State attorney generals are supporting the pork producers on behalf of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

And those 26 states have now been joined by the Solicitor General of the United States. The solicitor general … Read more