NRN's - Food Safety

Researchers seek better E. coli testing methods

ALAN LIDDLE — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Even as legislative efforts to improve the safety of the nation’s food supply remain stalled in Congress, scientists are seeking better detection methods for deadly pathogens that could help restaurant operators better ensure the safety of their menu items.

Hatching a safety plan

LISA JENNINGS — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

When the news first hit in mid-August that eggs were being recalled because of possible salmonella contamination, Peggy Bevan of The Egg Shell restaurant near Denver decided not to take any chances. Not sure whether the eggs she had in stock were affected, she threw them all out—90 dozen, along with the pancake batter and other mixes that had already been prepared using eggs.

NRA focuses efforts on high-risk customers

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

As concern over children’s health grows, restaurateurs are fielding more special requests from parents and children about customized menu options, greater variety in kids’ meals and food safety.

Several Subways linked in salmonella outbreak

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Subway is working with public health agencies investigating a salmonella outbreak involving units of the chain in 22 counties in Illinois, the state's Department of Public Health said Thursday.

Alfalfa sprouts recalled over salmonella concerns

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Raw alfalfa sprouts sold to foodservice and retail are being voluntarily recalled by Caldwell Fresh Foods because of “links” to a 10-state outbreak of Salmonella Newport illness, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Lettuce recall grows over E. coli fears

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Vaughan Foods is voluntarily recalling romaine products for foodservice with “use by” dates of May 9 and May 10 because they contain lettuce from a field possibly linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak, federal officials said Monday.

Food safety proctor accused of letting students cheat

Lisa Jennings — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

The food safety credentials of 27 foodservice workers in central Florida were revoked recently because of alleged improprieties by the proctor who administered their exams.

Illinois Subway unit still closed after illness outbreak

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

The number of people with confirmed cases of shigella illness associated with a franchised Subway restaurant in Lombard, Ill., has climbed to 78, with 11 of those individuals requiring hospitalization, public health officials said Wednesday.

NYC approves letter-grade inspections

Elissa Elan — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

New York City's Board of Health has approved a letter-grade “report card” system that will require all restaurants in the city to publicly display the grades they receive for food-safety inspections.

Recalls grow over contaminated flavor enhancer

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

As predicted by federal officials, food processor recalls are starting to mount in the case of a flavor enhancer that may be contaminated with salmonella, including three in the foodservice space since March 8.

California beef recall expanded

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Huntington Meat Packing Inc. has greatly expanded a January recall of 864,000 pounds of ground beef products to include an additional 4.9 million pounds of those items and selected veal goods, the U.S. Food Safety & Inspection Service said.

Massachusetts unveils food allergy rules

Elissa Elan — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Beginning this summer, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will require restaurants in the state to be more proactive in addressing potential reactions to food allergens.

Ground beef recalled over E. coli concerns

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Huntington Meat Packing Inc. is recalling 432 tons of ground beef shipped to restaurants, hotels and distribution centers in California because of possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, federal officials said Monday.

UPDATE: Applebee’s, Darden also hit by beef recall

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

At least five restaurant chains are now included in a list of those affected by the late December recall of 124 tons of beef, including Darden Restaurants Inc.’s Olive Garden and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.

Restaurant chains react to beef recall

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

Moe’s Southwest Grill and Carino’s Italian, two of at least three restaurant chains associated with a recall of 124 tons of beef products in connection with a multi-state E. coli outbreak, said they have pulled the meat in question and have received no reports of related illnesses.

Blast chiller proves vital to cooking on large scale

JAMES SCARPA — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

For a growing number of restaurant operators, the blast chiller is a vital tool for swiftly cooling cooked foods below the temperatures at which microbes flourish, helping prevent foodborne illness. However, as rapid-cooling equipment comes into wider use in the industry, some find that it provides additional benefits as well, such as greater productivity in the kitchen and improved flavor and shelf life of food.

Swine flu sows seeds for paid sick leave bills

ELISSA ELAN — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

As the H1N1 flu sweeps across the country, the number of paid sick leave bills being considered in city, state and federal legislatures is mounting as lawmakers try to ensure ill workers take time off to recuperate.

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

Alan J. Liddle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

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, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

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, 08 Apr 2011 14:54:48 GMT

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.