Food Safety: Page 2

Startup FoodID develops test for 95% of the most common antibiotics

The company, co-founded by Bill Niman, hopes to bring more transparency with its adulterant test and label claim authentication for beef, pork and poultry.

By Lillianna Byington • July 21, 2020

FDA releases food safety blueprint that uses tech to build on FSMA

Tech-enabled traceability, data tools, modernization and strengthening safety culture are ways the agency believes foodborne illnesses can be reduced.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 14, 2020

Tyson Foods speeds up plans for robot butchers during pandemic

Even though use is growing across the industry, variability in poultry and livestock carcasses has slowed wider adoption by large processors.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 13, 2020

Almost 700 sick in US and Canada in Fresh Express salad outbreak

Federal health regulators are investigating the multi-state outbreak in the Midwest tied to Cyclospora. The products were sold at Aldi, Hy-Vee, Walmart and Jewel-Osco.

By Jessi Devenyns • UPDATED: July 28, 2020 at 11:06 a.m.

Whole Foods' bottled water brand has 'concerning levels' of arsenic, Consumer Reports says

The retailer's Starkey Spring Water, which was recalled three years ago because of elevated levels of the chemical element, has been called out by the organization before.

By Jessi Devenyns • June 26, 2020

Food allergies affect 1 in 4 consumers, study says

An estimated 85 million people spend $19 billion annually to avoid purchasing products with the top nine allergens, according to new research from FARE.

By Jessi Devenyns • June 22, 2020

Most shoppers plan to keep loading their pantries, survey finds

A PwC report found customers are still worried about their safety and until COVID-19 is fully resolved, they plan to continue stocking up and avoiding restaurants.

By Krishna Thakker • June 22, 2020

Coronavirus spreading among fruit and vegetable packers

The produce industry is hoping to avoid the same challenges facing meatpackers where thousands of workers have gotten sick, shuttering facilities and leading to product shortages.

By Jessi Devenyns • June 15, 2020

Coronavirus changed 85% of consumers' food habits

The International Food Information Council's annual Food & Health Survey found people still trust the safety of the food system, are turning more to plant protein for health and are influenced by "natural" label claims. 

By Megan Poinski • June 10, 2020

Dole enters partnership to protect bananas from black Sigatoka disease

The fruit company and boron discovery platform Boragen are developing a treatment against the fungal pathogen. 

By Lillianna Byington • May 26, 2020

Opinion

Pandemic on our plates: The high health risks of industrial animal agriculture

The way animals are raised for meat, physician Shivam Joshi and Josh Balk of the Humane Society write, the U.S. is engaging in a practice that’s a tinderbox for the next outbreak.

By Shivam Joshi and Josh Balk • May 11, 2020

Spread of foodborne pathogens continues to climb, CDC says

The 2019 data was collected by a collaboration of government agencies and state health departments from 10 sites covering approximately 15% of the U.S. population.

By Jessi Devenyns • May 05, 2020

Blue Bell fined $17.25M for 2015 listeria outbreak

The ice cream company was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty in May to distributing adulterated food products.

By Megan Poinski • UPDATED: Sept. 18, 2020 at 8:51 a.m.

Salmonella vaccine will be commercialized in new partnership

Kemin and Pacific GeneTech's solution could help producers raise free-from antibiotic flocks and protect consumers from the bacteria that is the leading cause of foodborne illness.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 17, 2020

Deep Dive

From the blacklist to the spotlight: How MSG is staging a comeback

Ever since a 1968 editorial, consumers have shied away from monosodium glutamate, but manufacturers have continued to use it. Now the ingredient is beginning to lose its bad reputation. 

By Megan Poinski • April 16, 2020

Banana exports from the Philippines may drop 40% amid coronavirus

Quarantine measures are hurting the second largest exporter of the fruit, which accounts for 20% of global banana production and 90% of total exports to Asia.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 16, 2020

Trade group asks government to ensure food workers have protective equipment

The Consumer Brands Association said some state agencies are confiscating thermometers and face masks meant for industrial use, placing essential employees at risk.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 15, 2020

More meat plants close as employee coronavirus outbreaks grow

Cargill, Maple Leaf and Smithfield Foods are the latest companies to suspend production at processing facilities as workers test positive for COVID-19.

By Jessi Devenyns • UPDATED: April 9, 2020 at 3:21 p.m.

Kraft Heinz breaks output records during coronavirus pandemic

The mega-manufacturer is working around the clock at its 39 factories across the U.S. — and will keep going as long as there is demand, said Mitch Arends, senior vice president of operations and manufacturing.

By Megan Poinski • April 03, 2020

Food tech startup reshapes strategy as coronavirus closes down lab work

The pandemic has prompted Clara Foods, the manufacturer of animal-free egg whites, to narrow its research efforts and could delay partnerships the company forges with CPGs to use its product.

By Christopher Doering • April 01, 2020

How identifying root causes could help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks

With the food supply ravaged by a series of recalls, the Pew Charitable Trusts urged more companies and government agencies to use this approach to investigate contamination incidents.

By Lillianna Byington • March 25, 2020

Raisins have more pesticides than the 'Dirty Dozen' produce, report finds

In the fresh produce category, strawberries, spinach and kale again took the top three spots on the Environmental Working Group's list for having the largest amount of the controversial substances.

By Jessi Devenyns • March 25, 2020

Opinion

How companies can cope as coronavirus impacts the food chain

Businesses need to remain vigilant in assessing their risk while mitigating against significant dangers and disruptions from the disease, said Steven P. Blonder, a principal at Much Shelist.

By Steven P. Blonder • March 23, 2020

Corbion shifts focus to natural food preservation and lactic acid

The Dutch food and biochemicals firm also said its growth plans include prioritizing sustainability and on-trend ingredients such as algae.

By Cathy Siegner • March 12, 2020

FDA aims to improve safety of leafy greens with new plan

The agency said "a more urgent, collaborative, and action-oriented approach" is needed after dozens of E. coli infections in the U.S. have been linked to the produce since 2009.

By Cathy Siegner • March 09, 2020