News - Food Safety Summit

Home

2009 Food Safety Summit

Frequently Asked Questions

Attendee Information

Exhibiting at the Summit

Assigned Exhibitor Information

Request for Information

Contact Food Safety Summit Staff

Search in: EditorialProductsCompanies

News

Nestle recalls frozen chicken meals

Springville, Utah-based Nestle Prepared Foods Co. pulled nearly 900,000 pounds of frozen chicken meals nationwide that may contain small pieces of hard plastic.

Canada probing U.S. source of E. coli-tainted lettuce

The source of lettuce contaminated with E. coli linked to 26 cases of illness in Ontario may be U.S.-based, reported the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as it continued its investigation into the outbreak.

FDA office in China ushers in new safety strategy

The opening of the first overseas Food and Drug Administration office in China this week is the start of a new U.S. product safety strategy with that country, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

China, Europe, U.S. meet in Brussels on safety

Officials from the United States, the European Union and China met in Brussels for their first top-level gathering on product safety, seeking a three-way strategy for better information sharing.

Salmonella outbreak response lacking: Pew report

A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that the U.S. salmonella outbreak last summer was marked by organizational problems and unclear communications from food safety officials.

Canada confirms new mad cow disease case

A 7-year-old cow from British Columbia was Canada’s 15th case of mad cow disease since 2003, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced.

Chinese imports with milk held at U.S. borders for testing

The Food and Drug Administration ordered that Chinese products containing milk be tested at U.S. borders to ensure that they are free of the toxic chemical melamine.

Seattle’s Favorite recalls muffin tops

Tukwila, Wash.-based Seattle’s Favorite Gourmet Cookies & Dessert Co. pulled Orange Cranberry and Banana Nut Muffin Tops nationwide because they contain undeclared milk.

UK asks for voluntary ban on 6 artificial food colors

The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency is recommending a voluntary ban on six artificial food colors by the end of 2009, based on research suggesting the additives may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

HHS, FDA heads in China this week for safety talks

Leaders of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration were scheduled to meet with Chinese officials in China the week of Nov. 17 to cover food safety issues and open three new FDA offices in the country.

Mars pet food-linked salmonella sickened 79 people since 2006: CDC

Salmonella-contaminated dog and cat food was responsible for at least 79 cases of illness in 21 states since 2006, reported the Centers for Disease Control.

Hong Kong inspectors find melamine in Chinese fish food

Fish feed imported from China contains high levels of melamine, reported Hong Kong food inspectors, another sign that the toxic chemical is widespread in China’s food industry.

Lettuce may be link among Canada E. coli cases

Four related E. coli outbreaks in Ontario, Canada, may have been caused by contaminated Romaine lettuce served at restaurants linked to the illnesses.

Amy’s Kitchen recalls tofu sandwiches

Tofu Scramble in a Pocket Sandwich products are being recalled by Amy’s Kitchen Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif., due to undeclared milk.

Americans want more FDA food inspections: survey

Most U.S. consumers want the government to inspect food more often, and only 54 percent say the government is doing all it can to ensure food safety, according to a new poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Nestle pulls Farinha cereal in U.S.

Nestle took its Nestle Farinha Lactea cereal off store shelves in the United States because the product, which is made in Brazil, may contain traces of a pesticide not approved for use on wheat in the United States.

Barber Foods recalls frozen stuffed chicken products

Portland, Maine-based Barber Foods Co. withdrew more than 41,000 pounds of frozen stuffed chicken products sold through Schwan’s Home Service because the products may contain foreign materials.

Listeria risk forces hot dog removal

More than 28,000 pounds of hot dog products that may be tainted with Listeria were pulled by Selma, Ala.-based R.L. Zeigler Co. Inc. in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Nestle strawberry powder pulled for aluminum fragments

Nestle Nesquik Strawberry Powder is being recalled in the United States and Puerto Rico due to possible contamination by small aluminum fragments.

Information gap may be to blame for food poisoning prevalence

Consumers’ ignorance about food safety may be making it more difficult for manufacturers to justify spending more on contamination prevention measures.

China nabs 3,600 tons of melamine-tainted animal feed

Chinese officials destroyed more than 3,600 tons of tainted animal feed last weekend and shuttered 238 illegal feed makers.

AMI head to oversee food safety at Maple Leaf Foods

American Meat Institute Foundation President Randall Huffman will become Canada-based Maple Leaf Foods’ new chief food safety officer in January.

Sausage products withdrawn

Jolly Good Meat Products, Los Angeles, pulled nearly 600 pounds of ready-to-eat and raw banger sausage rolls that may contain undeclared eggs.

General Mills recalls Progresso tomato soup

Progresso Hearty Tomato soup is being withdrawn by General Mills due to the possibility of undeclared egg, milk and soy.

Biscuits pulled for possible melamine contamination

Bayonne, N.J.-based Everlasting Distributors Inc. recalled Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits, distributed nationally in Asian grocery stores, because they may be contaminated with melamine.

FDA made mistakes on BPA research: FDA panel

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously to accept a subcommittee report that said the FDA should redo its risk assessment for bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastic food containers.

China broadens contaminated food probe

In the wake of increasing evidence that melamine may be present in China’s animal feed supplies, Chinese officials are expanding their contaminated food safety investigations.

Red meat eaters at higher risk for food poisoning

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that eating red meat makes people more vulnerable to certain strains of E. coli.

Nestle launches Beijing R&D center to boost China food safety

Nestle opened a $10.2 million research and development center in Beijing, China, that includes product testing machines for melamine.

Biotech corns OKd by EU group

The European Food Safety Authority has given clearance to two genetically modified corns, the Bt-11 corn seed made by Syngenta AG and the 1507 corn from Pioneer Hi-Bred and Dow Agrosciences.

New FDA task force tackles international food supply

The Food and Drug Administration announced it has started an internal science and policy workgroup to help identify firms that could chemically contaminate the food supply.

Hops may help control pathogenic bacteria in chicken

The Agricultural Research Service reported that a substance in hops may help prevent chicken contamination by reducing Clostridium bacteria in the birds’ intestines.

Recalled Hershey’s candy sold in Canada

A variety of Hershey’s chocolate products that were recalled two years ago are being sold in the Toronto, Ontario, area, warned the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Consumers change buying habits after recalls: study

Fifty-eight percent of consumers changed their buying habits after hearing about product quality and/or safety issues, according to a new study from Deloitte.

Pest control part of food plant safety

Pest control plays an integral role in effective sanitary practices at food processing plants, say experts.

Panel questions FDA assessment of BPA safety

A report by U.S. independent scientific advisers contends that the Food and Drug Administration didn’t offer “reasonable and appropriate scientific support” to claim that bisphenol A, a chemical found in food storage containers, is free of safety risks.

China probes egg contamination

As Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced it would pull eggs from China’s Dalian Hanwei Enterprise Group from its China stores, Chinese authorities said they are probing melamine contamination of Hanwei’s egg products.

Mars Petcare pulls dry cat food

Mars Petcare USA’s Special Kitty Gourmet Blend dry cat food is being pulled from Wal-Mart stores in 15 states because of possible salmonella contamination.

Few antibiotic-resistant bacteria in retail meat: study

In some of the first U.S. research on infections spread through retail meat, scientists in Rhode Island found little or no presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meats from local supermarkets and butcher shops.

Local foods not necessarily safer, say experts

Despite consumers’ perceptions that “locally grown” foods are safer, experts says there’s no evidence to back it up.

Lobster withdrawn for Listeria risk

South Portland, Maine-based Portland Shellfish Co. withdrew frozen, cooked Claw Island brand Lobster Claw and Knuckle Meat due to possible Listeria contamination.

Japan recalls tainted meats, noodles

Japan’s second-largest ham and sausage maker pulled 13 products off shelves because of possible cyanide contamination, days after a recall of instant cup noodles that may have been tainted with an insecticide.

Hong Kong finds contaminated eggs from China

Melamine-contaminated eggs from Northeast China have been found by Hong Kong food inspectors, suggesting that melamine may have contaminated animal feed and possibly meats in China.

Contaminated milk consumed by nearly 25 percent of Beijing babies

More than 74,000 of the Chinese capital’s 308,000 households reported feeding their infants melamine-contaminated milk before it was pulled from store shelves.

Groups call for Chilean salmon tests

After German officials found banned chemicals in Chilean farmed salmon, consumer groups called for the U.S. government to test additional samples of the fish.

China introduces first major food safety legislation

China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, began reviewing a draft of the country’s first comprehensive food safety law late last week.

Wal-Mart announces new quality standards for China products

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is requesting that its suppliers of Chinese-made products take full responsibility for product safety, including raw materials.

UN tells China to beef up food safety system

Calling China’s food safety system “disjointed,” the United Nations said the nation needs “a coherent system that covers the full farm-to-fork table.”

Harry and David recalls Moose Munch

Harry & David Moose Munch Confection, Milk Chocolate Gingerbread, is being recalled by Medford, Ore.-based Harry and David due to possible undeclared pecans.

Allergy alert issued for stuffed artichokes

Slidell, La.-based Nonna’s Real Italiana Cuccine put out an allergy alert for its Stuffed Artichokes, distributed in New Orleans, because the product contains undeclared milk, soy and wheat.

Maple Leaf products OKd for distribution

Products from the Maple Leaf Foods plant in Canada, which was linked to a major Listeria outbreak recently, have been approved for public distribution once again.

Food safety concerns tops with consumers: survey

Food safety is one of consumers’ most highly ranked concerns, topping even the war in Iraq, according to a newly released survey from the Center for Food Integrity.

Hartz pulls rawhide chips for dogs

Citing possible salmonella contamination, Secaucus, N.J.-based Hartz Mountain Corp. took its chicken-basted rawhide chips for dogs off the market.

Lotte USA withdraws crème-filled cookies

Koalas’ March cookies that were made in China have been recalled by Lotte USA Inc. in Battle Creek, Mich., due to possible melamine contamination.

Vermont ground beef recalled for E. coli

Ferrisburg, Vt.-based Vermont Livestock, Slaughter and Processing Co. pulled more than 2,700 pounds of ground beef for restaurants and institutions because of possible E. coli contamination.