Tag: pathogen
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Court Gives Renewed Life to Suit Challenging Almond Pasteurization Rule
With one judge dissenting, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that federal law does not bar domestic almond producers from challenging a rule that requires them to pasteurize or chemically treat their product to prevent Salmonella outbreaks. Koretoff v. Vilsack, No. 09-5286 (D.C. Cir., decided August 3, 2010). While the court allowed those…
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FDA Announces Draft Guidance Regarding Salmonella in Animal Feed
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of a draft compliance policy guide for FDA staff that provides direction on Salmonella in animal feed or feed ingredients that come into direct contact with people, such as pet food and treats, or that are “contaminated with a Salmonella serotype that is pathogenic to…
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Federal Legislation Would Strengthen Food Safety Measures Regarding E. Coli
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has introduced a bill (H.R. 6024) that would require stricter testing procedures designed to eradicate “the dangerous Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria” from meat and meat-processing facilities. The E. coli Traceability and Eradication Act would also establish a tracking procedure to enable the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement faster recalls. According…
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Senator Leahy Proposes Jail Time for Food Contaminators
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has introduced legislation that would give federal prosecutors the authority to seek prison sentences up to 10 years for those who “knowingly place contaminated food products into the nation’s food supply.” Explaining his reason for introducing the Food Safety Enhancement Act (S.3669), the senator referred to the Salmonella contamination of peanut…
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Raw Milk Dairy Challenges Restrictions on Sales in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin organic farm was reportedly scheduled to argue in court this week that state restrictions on the sale of raw milk do not apply where the sales are made to consumers who are part owners of the farm. While the legislature recently attempted to change a law that regulators contend allows incidental raw milk…
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Master Recommends Denying Class Certification Motion in Ground Beef E. Coli Case
A federal magistrate in New York has recommended that the district court deny the class certification motion filed by plaintiffs who allege either personal or economic injury from the purchase of frozen ground beef products purportedly tainted with E. coli. Patton v. Topps Meat Co., No. 07-654 (W.D.N.Y., recommendation entered May 27, 2010). The defendants include…
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New York Lawmaker Introduces Legislation to Address Additional E. Coli Strains
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has introduced a bill that would regulate six confirmed strains of E. coli that have largely been ignored given the notoriety of recalls involving meat and produce contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Referred to by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as non-0157 STECs, the six strains are apparently estimated…
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Pew Report Urges Integration of Pathogen Data
The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Produce Safety Project (PSP) at Georgetown University has issued a report that calls for a “unified, cross agency” approach to tracking foodborne pathogens in humans, animals, food, and feed. Titled Building the Foundations of a Modern Food Safety System, the report charges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food…