NRN's - Food Safety

FDA's new Food Code cites leafy greens, ground beef

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Cut leafy greens, the source of several foodborne illness outbreaks during the past decade, must now be handled in accordance with time-and-temperature guidelines, according to the latest version of the Food and Drug Administration's Food Code.

Couple accused of poisoning restaurant customers

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Two former employees of Mi Ranchito are accused of intentionally poisoning 48 patrons at the chain’s Lenexa, Kan., restaurant in August. One of the suspects allegedly mixed a pesticide into the restaurant's salsa.

Asking about H1N1can expose risk to lawsuit

LISA JENNINGS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Picture the following scenario: Sally the server has just arrived for her shift, but she doesn’t look well. She is coughing, hoarse with a sore throat and just asked a coworker to feel her forehead for fever.

Pre-emptive protection keeps guests, operators safe

ROBIN LEE ALLEN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

The power of prevention was repeatedly lauded during the fourth annual Food Safety Symposium, held recently in this city.

Kansas restaurant illnesses investigated as possible crimes

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Amid an unconfirmed report that salsa may have been tainted with pesticide, Kansas state officials said Sunday that a criminal investigation has begun related to two incidences in August in which guests of the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, Kan., suddenly fell ill while dining.

Salmonella worries prompt spinach recall

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Ippolito International LP Friday said concern about possible salmonella contamination prompted it to recall 1,515 cartons of bunched spinach under the “Queen Victoria” brand that it sold to foodservice operators and others in multiple states and Canada.

How to prepare your restaurant for a swine flu outbreak

Paul Frumkin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

With summer coming to a close and autumn just around the corner, public health officials are forecasting the arrival of flu season together with the more serious return of the H1N1 pandemic virus, more commonly known as the swine flu.

Calif. food-safety flap fuels system’s critics

LISA JENNINGS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

The ongoing investigation here of three moonlighting food inspectors who face allegations of improprieties when administering food-safety certification exams has raised questions about the oversight of such programs nationwide, a public health official has charged.

Cause of illness at Kansas eatery likely IDed

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Owners of the Mi Ranchito restaurant here, which has been closed since Sunday when a mysterious illness hit at least 20 guests, said Wednesday they have corrected the problem believed by some health and water department officials to have caused the outbreak: improperly installed drink machine lines.

Investigators seek source of outbreak at Kansas eatery

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

The Mi Ranchito restaurant here will remain closed until management and public health agencies can determine why approximately 20 patrons on Sunday suffered nausea, vomiting and dizziness – the second such incident in 19 days, according to state officials.

Calif. ops told food-safety certifications are suspect

Lisa Jennings — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

More than 520 restaurant operators across California were notified Tuesday that their employees’ food-safety certification is no longer valid because of inappropriate testing and certification procedures by three moonlighting food inspectors.

Ill. health officials link McD unit to Hepatitis A outbreak

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

State and local health officials here Tuesday continued giving either Hepatitis A vaccinations or immune globulin shots to consumers who ate at a franchised McDonald's in nearby Milan July 6-10 or July 13-14, where Illinois authorities said an employee diagnosed with Hepatitis reportedly worked while infectious.

NRA praises new food safety proposals

Bret Thorn — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

The National Restaurant Association praised the White House's recommendations to upgrade and strengthen the nation's food safety system.

NRA, NCCR raise issues with food safety bill

PAUL FRUMKIN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Two major foodservice industry groups have voiced concerns about an anticipated federal measure that seeks to overhaul the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and address problems with the nation’s food supply.

CDC: Norovirus, salmonella leading causes of foodborne illnesses

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Norovirus and salmonella were the leading causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in 2006, the most recent year for which such data are available, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest food product recalls

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

A number of food products used by restaurateurs and institutional feeders have recently been recalled, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety & Inspection Service. Affected products include ground beef, duck confit and kolbase sausage.

Anticipated food safety bill raises industry concerns

Paul Frumkin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

Industry: Info an Rx for fighting off flu

PAUL FRUMKIN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

As more than 35,000 restaurateurs in Mexico City waited for the local government to sound the all-clear signal allowing them to reopen their dining rooms, operators in the United States earlier this month were taking measures to help deal with the growing swine flu outbreak at home.

Nothing to sneeze at: Business not sick despite outbreak, operators say

ELISSA ELAN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

As fears about swine flu mounted in late April, operators of Mexican restaurants and those specializing in pork braced for the possible fallout. By early May, however, it appeared that consumer backlash had at least initially been evaded and efforts to rename the type A influenza virus H1N1 were helping.

FDA advises halting use of alfalfa sprouts

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:39 PST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers to stop eating raw alfalfa sprouts and blends containing them until further notice because of possible salmonella Saintpaul contamination.