Food Safety News - 05/06/2021

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Ag Secretary Vilsack, Food Safety Deputy Eskin in court defense of new hog inspection program By Dan Flynn on May 06, 2021 12:05 am On the same day that a federal judge in Minnesota issued an order slowing line speeds under the New Swine Inspection Program, attorneys for USDA in California filed a cutting 45-page answer to an amended complaint by other plaintiffs also wishing to bring down the program. Filed in U.S District Court for the Northern District... Continue Reading Local authority shortages could impact food safety checks By Joe Whitworth on May 06, 2021 12:03 am More than half of local authorities in England are not taking on trainees or apprentices in environmental health because of funding and capacity issues, according to a survey. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) said findings from its workforce survey of environmental health professionals were “concerning.” A third of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in... Continue Reading Another patient confirmed in E. coli outbreak; source remains unknown By News Desk on May 06, 2021 12:01 am The table below shows outbreak investigations being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages. Some outbreaks have limited information with investigations ongoing, others may be near completion. This weeks table includes an additional patient to the tally in a new outbreak of E. coli O145:H28. Sixteen people are now... Continue Reading Food controls in Iceland improve but weaknesses remain By News Desk on May 06, 2021 12:00 am Iceland has been told to improve its controls on animal by-products by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) added the country had made progress in other areas covered by past audits. An updated country profile summarizes Iceland’s system of official controls in the food and veterinary sector. As part of a general review audit... Continue Reading Publisher’s Platform: Food Safety Suggestions to Expecting Moms from a Food Safety Lawyer By Bill Marler on May 05, 2021 09:41 pm A few days ago, “Down Under” a.k.a. Australia, my friend, food safety guru, and for some strange reason, eater of raw shellfish, Dr. Julian Cox, was speaking about the risk of pregnant women consuming unpasteurized juice or cider and tahini or hummus. The risk to the mother and the baby is Listeria, which can spread... Continue Reading New E. coli outbreak hits children; investigation ongoing with no source yet By Coral Beach on May 05, 2021 05:37 pm At least seven children are sick with E. Coli infections in a new outbreak involving an unknown source. All of the sick children are younger than 14, with three of them younger than five years old, according to an outbreak announcement by King County, WA, health officials. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we have not... Continue Reading NY ag secretary warns consumers against certain turnip greens because of Listeria By News Desk on May 05, 2021 03:19 pm State testing found Listeria monocytogenes in bagged turnip greens, prompting New York officials to issue a public warning today. The fresh turnip greens are sold under the Robinson Fresh brand and are packaged by a company of the same name. As of the posting of the public warning no illnesses had been confirmed in relation... Continue Reading