Publisher’s Platform: We Haven’t Finished the Job - A Warning From the Kebab Shop
A recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to beef kofta from The Kebab Shop sickened nine Californians, including six children, with two developing hemolytic uremic syndrome. The contaminated product, supplied by Olympia Food Industries, prompted an FSIS public health alert after the chain halted sales on May 18. The incident revives concerns first raised after the 1993 Jack in the Box outbreak and highlights persistent gaps in ground‑beef safety across the supply chain. The author, a veteran food‑safety attorney, calls for pre‑grind testing, mandatory recall authority, and uniform standards for all ground‑beef products.
New Guidance for Infant Manufacturers Available
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued final guidance for infant formula manufacturers and testing laboratories on Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) studies. The document outlines best practices for designing, conducting, evaluating, and reporting PER tests, which gauge the quality...
Court Gives Judgement in Aldi Pest Control Case
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that repeated signs of rodent activity alone constitute a breach of EU food‑hygiene regulations. The judgment arose from a lawsuit against Aldi over pest‑control failures in its stores. The court clarified...
Raw Milk Lattes Stir Debate in Wyoming
Public health officials in Wyoming ordered a shop to stop selling raw milk lattes, prompting a sharp response from former state representative Tyler Lidholm, the chief author of the state’s Food Freedom Act. Lidholm has previously challenged the Department of Agriculture...
Foodborne Virus Analysis Shows Key Role of Prevention
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) released a comprehensive review of recent scientific data on foodborne viruses, emphasizing prevention and intervention strategies across the supply chain. The report highlights the effectiveness of hygiene protocols, temperature controls,...
FDA Warns Airline Caterer, Florida Bakery After Listeria and Allergen Violations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to an international airline catering firm and a Florida bakery after inspections revealed recurring Listeria contamination, allergen labeling failures, and unsanitary practices. The letters cite repeated violations despite prior corrective actions...
Cheese Curds Recalled because of Salmonella Risk
Stoltzfus Family Dairy of Vernon Center, NY, is recalling four batches of its Sour Cream & Onion cheese curds after discovering a potential Salmonella contamination. The issue traces back to a milk powder ingredient used in the seasoning blend, which...
Williams Sonoma, Fireworks Brand Seasonings Recalled for Salmonella Risk
Jonco Industries is recalling several White Cheddar Seasoning products sold under the Williams Sonoma and Fireworks brands after learning the seasoning may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected items, identified by lot codes 088594-2-1, -5-1, and -7-1, were distributed in...
Chocolate Bars Recalled because of Undeclared Milk
CBSL Commissary LLC, operating as Winfield’s Chocolate Bar, is voluntarily recalling five dark chocolate products sold at its three Houston locations after discovering that the ingredient label omitted the word “milk.” Milk is a major allergen under the Food Allergen...
Bluberry Muffins Recalled because of Undeclared Nuts
Brownie Baker Inc. has voluntarily recalled its Nouria Banana Nut Muffins that were mistakenly packaged as blueberry muffins, leaving walnuts undisclosed on the label. The 9‑count, 6‑oz muffins (lot code 6082) were distributed on March 31, 2026 and reached retail and food‑service...
More than 6 Tons of Sunflower Seeds Recalled because of Undeclared Allergen
George J. Howe Co. of Grove City, PA is voluntarily recalling 13,619 pounds (about 6 tons) of sunflower seeds after discovering undeclared cashew nuts in the product. The recall spans several SKUs, including 11‑oz pouches and 9.5‑oz tubs, with best‑by dates...
Vegan Kale Caesar Salad Recalled because of Undeclared Sesame
Market of Choice is recalling its 9.5‑ounce Vegan Kale Caesar Salad after discovering undeclared sesame, an allergen that can trigger severe reactions. The affected units, with expiration dates from April 20 to May 8 2026, were sold in Oregon stores between April 16 and...
'Brocoli Calabrese' Seeds Recalled because of E. Coli
Germina’s "Brocoli Calabrese" seeds are being recalled in Canada after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified pathogenic E. coli contamination. The recall was prompted by a similar action in another country, leading CFIA to issue an alert for seeds sold online...
USDA Shuffling Staff Out of Washington D.C.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving 200 Food Safety and Inspection Service employees from Washington D.C. to new hubs in Iowa, Georgia and Colorado. The shift creates a National Food Safety Center in Urbandale, Iowa, and a Science Center...
Halva Recalled in Canada because of Salmonella Contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall of Hafez brand "Sugarless" Halva with Date Syrup after confirming Salmonella contamination. The 400‑gram packages bearing UPC 8 15872 00501 1 and code BB 12_26 35/11420 were sold in British Columbia and Ontario. CFIA testing triggered...