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February 18, 2016 The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will transform the nation’s food safety system into one that is based on the prevention of foodborne illness. It will be a system in which the food industry systematically puts in place measures proven effective in preventing contamination. Thus, food industry training will be an important component of successful implementation. In 2015, recognizing the need for food safety …

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2015 – Holten Meat Inc., a Sauget, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 501,509 pounds of Extra Value Meats Quarter Pound Beef Patties products due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.The individually frozen patties were produced between Feb. 13, 2015 and July 28, 2015. The following products are subject to recall:  1.5-lb. cartons containing 6 pieces of “EXTRA VALUE MEATS QUARTER POUN …

February 8, 2016Recently, cheesemakers have raised concerns suggesting that the FDA is applying safety criteria that may, in effect, limit the production of raw milk cheese without demonstrably benefitting public health.In response, we want to first acknowledge our respect for the work of the artisan cheesemakers who produce a wide variety of flavorful, high-quality cheeses using raw milk and our appreciation for the great care that many take to produce raw milk cheeses safely. We understan …

USDA Finalizes New Food Safety Measures to Reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter in PoultryNew Standards to Help Prevent an Estimated 50,000 Illnesses AnnuallyWASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2016 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced the finalization of new federal standards to reduceSalmonella and Campylobacter in ground chicken and turkey products, as well as in raw chicken breasts, legs, and wings. Based on scientific risk assessments, FSIS …

Update: January 26, 2016On January 26, 2016 the CDC reported an updated case count. Since the last update on November 19, 2015, 50 more ill people have been reported from 16 states. Tennessee was added to the list of states with ill people, bringing the total number of states to 39.The number of reported illnesses has declined substantially since the peak of illnesses in August and September; however, it has not returned to the number of reported illnesses that would be expected to be see …