Seaboard Foods wants to intervene in UFCW v. USDA “to move to stay the effect of the Court’s forthcoming judgment by 10.5 months as to Seaboard, and for the purpose of perfecting an appeal” with a stay pending appeal if necessary. A federal court in Minnesota in March ruled that USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) hadn’t fully assessed how faster line speeds in pork plants affect employee safety. Shortly after the March 31…

Four children needed hospital treatment in England after eating sweets thought to have contained cannabis. A 12-year-old boy was discharged on May 1 and the other three were expected to be released from hospital in Surrey after being kept in overnight for monitoring and observation. Two 12-year-olds, one girl and a boy, and a 13-year-old boy were taken to hospital after suffering a violent reaction from eating jelly sweets. Three of the children were vomiting…

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in commemoration of the Mexican Army’s victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. The holiday is also a way people celebrate their Mexican heritage and share it with other groups. As with any celebration, food becomes an integral part of the festivities. In the excitement of the holiday, food safety can easily be forgotten. And warm and…

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Nestlé company have shared how they handled challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, including doing official controls and dealing with supply shortages. During a session at the International Association for Food Protection – Europe event this past week, the presenters covered the experiences of the regulator and food company in managing the assurance of food safety as well as COVID-19 disruption. Wayne Anderson, director of food science…

Data for foodborne and other reportable diseases in Oregon might take on more clarity if Senate Bill 719 ever gets moving. Time is still on its side, with the Oregon Legislature not scheduled to adjourn until June 30.  But, progress is slow. The Senate Committee on Health Care produced and engrossed an amended version of SB 719 on April 23. After a public hearing and a work session, the committee gave the amended version a…

Cooking your own beans is a great way to save money, reduce waste and lower your sodium consumption, but eating improperly cooked beans can lead to serious illness. This is especially true for kidney beans. Eating raw or undercooked kidney beans can lead to food poisoning, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Only a few beans are needed to cause poisoning. Kidney beans, or red beans, contain a natural protein, Lectin, that is…

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), novel foods and emerging risks are some of the main topics facing the food system, according to EFSA’s chief scientist. Marta Hugas, from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), said regulatory agencies face challenges ranging from current priorities, such as tackling AMR and food waste, to identifying emerging risks, where methodologies or data may be lacking, such as microplastics in the food chain. Hugas told attendees at IAFP’s European Symposium there are…