Food safety is a matter that affects anyone who eats food. Whether or not a person consciously thinks about food safety before eating a meal, a host of other people have thought about the safety of that food, from farmers to scientists to company presidents to federal government officials and public health officials. Ensuring the safety of food is a shared responsibility among producers, industry, government, and consumers. Safe food is food that is free not only from toxins, pesticides, and chemical and physical contaminants, but also from microbiological pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause illness.
New Web Site, www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov, Will Serve as Hub for Citizens and Stakeholders to Stay Informed and Provide Input – Responding to President Obama’s directive to upgrade the nation’s food safety system, the White House Food Safety Working Group, led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, launched a Web site to provide information about the group’s activities and progress.
FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products Dietary Supplements; Pose Risk of Liver Injury. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y. Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.
FDA Warns Against Consuming Peanuts and Peanut Products Sold by Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc.; Westco/Westcott Products Linked to Recalled Peanuts from the Peanut Corporation of America. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to consume any peanuts or peanut-derived products sold by Irvington, New Jersey-based Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc. (Westco/Westcott) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Rochester study raises new questions about controversial plastics chemical Bisphenol A. – A University of Rochester Medical Center study challenges common assumptions about the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), by showing that in some people, surprisingly high levels remain in the body even after fasting for as long as 24 hours.
Diet Coke Plus violating US FDA food safety law. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the label for Diet Coke Plus 20 FL OZ (1.25 PT) 591ml, and concluded that this product is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the label for Diet Coke Plus 20 FL OZ (1.25 PT) 591ml. Based on the review, FDA concluded that this product is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).
Flour batch believed linked to Salmonella outbreak in New Zealand, reported by New Zealand Food Safety Authority. – Investigations into the outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium phage type 42 have found one detection of the bacteria in samples of flour taken from the home of one of the affected people.
Health Canada Reaffirms Safety of BPA for Use in Metal Food Packaging. North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) Working with Canadian Government and Infant Formula Manufacturers to Develop Industry Code of Practice for Infant Formula. – Announcement by Health Canada regarding completion of its assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) offers reassurance to Canadians that the use of this chemical in the production of epoxy resins in metal food and beverage packaging presents no risk to consumers.
US FDA issues Interim Safety and Risk Assessment of Melamine and Melamine-related Compounds in Food. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the results of its interim safety and risk assessment of melamine and melamine-related compounds in food, including infant formula.
US action to reduce BPA exposures may offer an effective intervention for improving health and reducing the burden of some of the most consequential human health problems. – Researchers found a significant relationship between urine concentrations of the environmental estrogen bisphenol A (BPA) and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is taking precautionary actions to prevent the implicated source of the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in the United States (U.S.) from entering Canada. – In keeping with the Government’s commitment to food safety, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is taking precautionary actions to prevent the implicated source of the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in the United States (U.S.) from entering Canada.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA agency unveiled the plan just months ago to help keep Americans enjoying one of the safest food supplies in the world. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Protection Plan Progress Report in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety Action Plan Update, shows significant areas of activity to further improve the safety of America’s food supply since unveiling its Food Protection Plan in November 2007.
FDA advises seafood processors about ciguatera fish poisoning in the Northern Gulf of Mexico near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to seafood processors, advising them of recent illnesses linked to consuming fish carrying the ciguatera toxin, which has led to cases of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) in consumers.
