Porca Food

Whether it was the extra time at home because of the pandemic, DIY trends or rising grocery prices, there has been an increase in home food preservation.

The benefits of home food preservation include storing food when you have more produce than you can eat right away and building a reserve of dehydrated and canned food that will stay safe during a power outage.

However, home food preservation is not without risk. According to Andy Hirneisen, senior food safety and quality educator and team leader with Penn State Extension, one of the greatest risks of improper canning is botulism, a potentially deadly illness.

To help prevent improper canning, Penn State Extension is offering two “can-along” webinars. The webinars aim to provide guidance on up-to-date and science-based methods for home food preservation.

The two webinars are scheduled in June and July and will walk participants through the process of making strawberry … Read more

– OPINION –

1. Will J.M. Smucker Company and/or the FDA release immediately all inspection reports on this Jif plant from 2010 (see below) to the present?
2. Will J.M. Smucker Company and/or the FDA answer if other WGS Salmonella Senftenberg samples found on the public database NCBI from 2010 to the present (notably 2014) are or are not linked to the J.M. Smucker Company Jif Peanut Butter plant?

A little transparency would be nice.

Since the last update on May 21, 2022, two more illnesses have been reported. As of May 25, 2022, a total of 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Senftenberg have been reported from 12 states:  Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (2), Ohio (1), North Carolina (2), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1).

Interesting fact, according to the CDC, for every one person who … Read more

Wawa is recalling two products containing Jif Peanut Butter sold at their stores, Wawa Apple & Peanut Butter Dipper and JIF Creamy Peanut Butter, because of potential Salmonella contamination.

The product was removed following a recall by the J.M. Smucker Co. of Jif peanut butter products because of a new outbreak of infections from Salmonella Senftenberg. The full recall can be viewed here.

Recalled products:

• Wawa Apple & Peanut Butter Dipper 4.9 oz (all codes) – All Wawa Stores
• JIF Creamy Peanut Butter 16 Oz | UPC: 00051500255162 | Lot codes: 1274425 thru 2140425

If consumers have products matching the above description in their possession, they should dispose of it immediately. 

About Salmonella infections

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of … Read more

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce today holds its much-anticipated hearing on “Formula Safety and Supply: Protecting the Health of America’s Babies.”

It will be live-streamed from the Rayburn House Office Building via Cisco WebEx online video conferencing, beginning at 11 a.m. EDT.   The Oversight and Investigations hearing will examine the nation’s infant formula crisis including the recall, shortage, and attempts to increase supply.

Sworn testimony will be taken from top U.S. Food and Drug officials including FDA Commissioner Robert M Califf, Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas, and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Director Susan Mayne.

Corporate officials from the three top formula producers will also be on the hot seat, including Abbott Senior Vice President Christopher J. Calamari, Gerber VP Scott Fitz, and Reckitt Senior VP Robert Cleveland.

The background paper,  prepared for the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee by … Read more

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), in collaboration with the City of Manchester Department of Health, is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Buba Noodle Bar, a Machester, NH, restaurant.

As of May 22, 2022, seven people with Salmonella Enteriditis infections have been identified who also reported eating at Buba Noodle Bar at 36 Lowell Street in Manchester, prior to their illness. 

One patient was hospitalized and there have been no deaths. Several other people with Salmonella infection are currently under investigation.

Buba Noodle Bar voluntarily closed on May 20 while a public health investigation is conducted, and the restaurant is partnering with public health to help determine a source for the infections.

“Anybody who develops a gastrointestinal illness within 7 days after eating at the Buba Noodle Bar restaurant should contact their primary care provider for Salmonella testing,” … Read more