Porca Food

It’s the Fourth of July weekend and with that comes the expectation of lots of food, time with friends and family and fireworks. Prep for the heat, review firework safety and read the following food safety tips to keep everyone safe this Independence Day. 

Holiday events are often inter-generational affairs, which means that those most vulnerable — elderly parents, pregnant women and young children — to food poisoning will be enjoying the holiday spread. Because of this, it is best to go the extra mile to make sure the food is safe for everyone.

Foods to avoid if you want to be extra safe this holiday weekend:

Starting with the obvious, unpasteurized or so called raw milk should be avoided. Cows can be infected with all types of bacteria, and though some argue that milk loses nutrients during pasteurization, this is false.

Similarly, raw juice … Read more

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