As we trudge along in food safety at the farm level, the sense of desperation is obvious, but there is hope and movement forward.
Not only is the produce industry reeling from the recent food safety disasters in its products, the pressure
Food Safety & Environmental Health Blog
The Food Safety & Environmental Health Blog, published by Environ Health Associates, Inc., focuses on issues related to foodborne illnesses, environmental health risks, and sanitation practices within the food production industry. It covers topics such as contamination sources, disease transmission routes, regulatory compliance including FSMA and FDA rules, and challenges in industrial food production like egg farming. The blog also discusses the roles of importers, auditors, consultants, and laboratories in ensuring food safety, as well as the impact of environmental factors and animal welfare on public health. It addresses both domestic and international food safety concerns and industry practices.
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A New Role for the Environmental Health Professional in Produce Food Safety
By Roy Costa
While the Environmental Health professional’s role in food safety is marginalized in some places (such as in Florida, where the Environmental Health staff conduct less than 10% of the food safety inspections) there is a growing need for their involvement…
Lessons Learned from Recent Outbreaks in Fresh Produce-Part 2
By Roy Costa
Lessons Learned From Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
Part 2.
Listeria Outbreak in Cantaloupes
“They probably look at themselves as victims too, but as between the person who bought the cantaloupe in the grocery store, who is more of the victim? And …
The US Cannot Afford Food Safety Says AMI
By Roy Costa
We are now seeing huge gaps in the food safety net. We also see the effect of the serious pathogens like E coli that have become entrenched in our food animals, thus in our food supply, and in our…
The Role of the Third Party Food Safety Auditor
By Roy Costa
As the result of the release of the FDA environmental assessment at Jensen Farms, the roles of all food safety persons involved at Jensen Farms-Frontera have rightfully come under fire. Once again the the nature of industry led food safety regulation itself (food safety auditing)…
Lessons Learned from Recent Outbreaks in Fresh Produce
By Roy Costa
Part 1
Outbreaks in fresh produce, while tragic for victims, nevertheless can have a positive outcome if we can learn how to better prevent them, or at least reduce their occurrence. This four part series will discuss the current produce …
Listeria and Cantaloupes; a Marriage Made in Hell
By Roy Costa
Media types looking for a sound bite on Listeria in cantaloupes are pulling their hair out tonight.
You couldn’t ask for a more complicated scenario. Advice like “wash your hands” or “cook your foods” or “don’t cross contaminate” is nearly…
Is Contaminated Irrigation Water to Blame at Jensen Farms?
By Roy Costa
Could it be that the Jensen Farms LM outbreak will be traced to contaminated irrigation water?
Looks like the Arkansas river is the irrigation source for this entire farming region through a series of diversion canals and ditches. We also have to remember that pesticides…
Mid Year 2011 Food Safety Insights
By Roy Costa
Its good to refelct on where we are every once in a while, this way we can benchmark the face of food safety which is changing all the time. So at mid year 2011, here are my thoughts.
I continue to…
Making Believe Sprouts are Safe
By Roy Costa
In Bill Marler’s blog below, he quotes Bill Bagby of Tiny Greens, who sickened scores of people for 4 months with his contaminated sprouts.
http://www.marlerblog.com/legal-cases/bill-bagby-and-tiny-greens-sprout-farm-are-full-of-well-a-fecal-bacteria-salmonella—sprouts-are-ki/
Mr. Bagby says,
“Sprouts are kind of a magical thing,” says Bagby, owner of Tiny…