In a new report, the Food and Drug Administration outlines the steps the organization has taken to regulate genetically engineered foods, or GE foods.  This type of food is differentiated from standard breeding and selection processes by the adoption of biotechnology.  The FDA notes that such foods entered our nation’s food supply in the 90s, with soybeans, cotton, and corn quickly becoming the most visible types of GE food.  The FDA requires that GE foods adhere to the same standards set forth in regards to any other type of food.  Manufacturers are also asked to work with the FDA prior to bringing a GE product to market.  At the moment, having a label disclosing the presence of GE ingredients is not required, but the FDA does encourage manufacturers to include such information voluntarily.

Click here for more about the FDA’s regulatory efforts.

The threat of Clostridium Botulinum has prompted the Food and Drug Administration to steer consumers away from juices and other assorted drinks from the Brooklyn, New York-based Juices Incorporated.  Although distributed chiefly in the New York area and Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the FDA warning notes that it’s possible that consumers themselves may have moved the drinks to other sections of the country.  The Department of Justice actually sought a permanent injunction against the company back in October 2010, and a Consent Decree issued in January 2011 was supposed to stop production by Juices Incorporated.  After disobeying this decree, last June saw an Enforcement Order issued, and still the company continues to produce juices.  Because of the Botulism concerns, consumers are being told to stop drinking anything from the company.

For more about the warning, follow this link.

A product mix-up and subsequent allergen threat has led to the recall of “Vanilla & Chocolate” Ice Cream under the IGA brand by Dairy Fresh.  The impact affects 1.75 quarts with a Sell By date of August 13, 2013 and a plant code of 3783.  This ice cream actually contains the Heavenly Hash flavor rather than Vanilla & Chocolate, and thus individuals could be exposed to coconut, soy, and almonds.  Sensitive persons could thus suffer a severe allergic reaction if they consume the product.  One person has reportedly already sustained such a reaction at this point in time. The item should be brought back to IGA for a refund.  The ice cream was sold across the country.

For more about the recall, click here.

This week, Wrigley introduced the world to a caffeinated gum product, and with concerns mounting about the prevalence of caffeinated food items that could potentially be tempting to children, the Food and Drug Administration has decided to look into the matter.  In a new interview, the Deputy Commissioner of the Foods and Veterinary Medicine branch of the FDA explains the FDA’s decision.  The agency hasn’t revisited the caffeine issue since the 50s, as up until now, no one really thought that caffeine would explode among food products the way it has.  But now, the FDA wants to look into what effect so many caffeinated items could have on kids and potentially enact rules that would protect such susceptible individuals.  Considerations could include banning caffeine from certain foods and putting restrictions on the amount of caffeine that could be put in a product.

For more about the FDA’s efforts, click here.

A consumer watchdog group known as Citizens for Health has issued a press release detailing the admission by the Corn Refiners Association of the sale of High Fructose Corn Syrup-90 to manufacturers of foods and beverages.  Citizens for Health says that this substance is currently illegal, as it has not been tested nor approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration.  The group accuses the CRA of making misleading statements to the FDA; chiefly, they take offense at the CRA President’s claim that HFCS-90 has been added to products for years and that manufacturers can determine the safety of an ingredient without the FDA’s approval.  Citizens for Health is petitioning the FDA to crack down on the ingredient’s unapproved usage.

To learn more, follow this link.

Imports of cured pork from Italy have been banned from the United States by the Food and Drug Administration for years, but that changed recently.  The agency will now allow such imports into the country on the heels of swine vesicular disease apparently being removed from areas of Italy where such meats typically come from.  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services released a statement talking up the newfound safety of these products.  Beginning on May 28, entities that want to obtain such meats from artisanal producers in Italy as opposed to large plants that meet the stringent standards of the USDA will be able to do so.

Follow this link for more information.

Natura Pet Products has announced the recall of all dry cat and dog foods that have an expiration date of March 24 of next year or any time before that date.  Concerns have arisen that each of the items could be privy to a Salmonella contamination, a dilemma that has the potential to lead both humans and pets alike to experience an illness.  This is an expanded recall of an announcement from a couple of weeks ago.  The recall pertains to all dry products under the EVO, Karma, Innova, California Natural, and Healthwise brands.  Testing by the Departments of Agriculture of both Georgia and Michigan uncovered the threat.  Persons who own the food should throw it out and get in touch with Natura to get their money back.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Yesterday, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration spoke in front of a Senate appropriations committee to defend the agency’s budget request for 2014.  Among the subjects discussed were $83 million in user fees that the Commissioner hopes will not be affected by the sequester, as those types of fees allow the FDA to more swiftly get through new drug applications.  The FDA also hopes to receive an allotment of $3 million that will increase their ability to monitor compounding pharmacies.  Even without these funds, the Commissioner has pledged to do what is necessary to crack down on unsafe practices among such entities.  The proposed budget would also expand the FDA’s reach in other countries in order to meet the demands of an increasingly globalized society.

For more information, please follow this link.

A Food and Drug Administration inspection that turned up a number of safety violations has led to the seizure of assets from a Ridgewood, New York-based warehouse under the ownership of V.I.P. Foods.  Carried out by U.S. Marshals this past Friday, the seizure came on the heels of a February FDA inspection which purportedly turned up the type of unsanitary conditions that could lead to foodborne illness.  In particular, findings suggested that rodents were present throughout the facility, as inspectors identified tracks, waste pellets, and live and dead rodents in and around places where food was available.  Thankfully, no sicknesses have been reported in conjunction with the company’s products, which include such things as bread crumbs and bases for various soups.

Click here to learn more about the seizure.

The Food and Drug Administration has released its requested budget for next year, and the agency is hoping for $4.7 billion in order to ensure that food safety measures continue to evolve and protect consumers.  The Commissioner of the organization explains that although budget concerns are a reality across the board, the budget request reflects those areas that need the most attention.  For instance, the FDA is asking for nearly $300 million in order to help them implement the Food Safety Modernization Act and move toward a more preventative approach to foodborne illness and away from the current reactionary method.  The FDA also hopes to receive $10 million to bolster their ability to inspect production facilities in China.

To learn more about the budget, click here.

As part of their bid to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act that was passed back in 2010, the Food and Drug Administration has introduced new rules that aim to improve the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables.  But a new report shows that not everyone is happy with the new rules, tree farmers in particular.  Growers of apples and bananas argue that the FDA needs to place more emphasis on things like cantaloupes and spinach, as these foods have been far more commonly linked with foodborne illness.  The farmers fret that the cost of increased irrigation, sanitation, and preventing animals from gaining access to fruit areas wouldn’t be worth the scant benefit to safety.  But the FDA stresses that this is just the first step in what could be a long process to make food safer.

For more about the debate, click here.

Every item that was produced at the Waycross, Georgia facility under the ownership of the Buffalo, New York-based Rich Products Corporation has been recalled because of a potential E. coli contamination.  This recall is actually expanded from a previous announcement that only targeted certain products.  24 people across 15 states have reportedly contracted E. coli that can potentially be traced back to a product from the Waycross plant.  All those items containing a Best By Date between January 1 of this year and September 29, 2014 are included within the scope of the recall.  The products, which were available around the country, should be brought back for a refund.

For more about the recall, click here.

A lack of evisceration has led to the recall of Pickled Herring and Smoked Herring by Little Mermaid Smoke House.  The products were available across California up until Wednesday.  When a fish hasn’t been adequately eviscerated, consumers are in danger of sustaining botulism, a condition that stems from the bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum.  This organism is typically found in the viscera of a fish.  Persons suffering from botulism can experience weakness, breathing problems, constipation, and dizziness.  No one has reported getting sick in conjunction with the product at this time, but consumers are being told to refrain from consumption.  A contamination wouldn’t necessarily entail a poor smell or appearance, and thus consumers should err on the side of caution and opt to bring the items back for a refund.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

Chicken Balance frozen raw diet chubs in a five pound bag, Chicken Blend frozen raw diet chubs in a two pound bag, and Beef Blend Burgers in a five pound bag have each been recalled by Bravo! because of concerns about a potential Salmonella contamination.  Independent product testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in certain products, and although those were quarantined prior to distribution to the general public, the company has recalled these particular products because they were manufactured during the same period of time.  No illnesses have come to the fore at the moment.  A Salmonella contamination could endanger pets and their owners, as the mere handling of a pet food product could lead one to become ill if they don’t immediately wash their hands afterward.

Click here for more about the recall.

Could heightened levels of arsenic be found in juices and rice cracker products in your home right now?  Consumer Reports and the Consumers Union branch of that organization are so concerned about such an occurrence that they have filed a Freedom of Information Act request to learn what the Food and Drug Administration turned up during its own testing of these products.  Consumer Reports noticed the potential for arsenic in rice products and juice more than a year ago, and prompted by their testing, the FDA vowed to conduct research of its own into the matter.  But since that time, the results of their studies have remained hidden from public view.  Consumer Reports hopes to change that.  They want to find out the results of as many as 1,300 rice product tests conducted by the FDA, and they also want to know the nature of an FDA proposal which might introduce guidelines for apple juice arsenic levels.

For more information, follow this link.

The Miami, Florida-based Lisy Corporation has announced the recall of five types of seasoning blends because there’s a chance that they might contain undeclared soy.  The recall pertains to Adobo All Purpose Seasoning With or Without Pepper, Fajita Seasoning, Perfect Seasoning, and Seasoned Meat Tenderizer.  The recall affects bottles ranging from four to 32 ounces in size, depending on the type of product.  The seasoning was available across the country between March 1, 2011 and this past Thursday.  An inspection uncovered the presence of soy.  Persons allergic to this substance are advised to bring the items back to the store for a refund.

For more about the recall, click here.

The threat of undeclared walnuts has led the Chicago, Illinois-based Gold Standard Baking to announce the recall of Caramel Apple Danish Coffee Cake of the Sweet P’s Bake Shop brand.  1,134 cases available across the country could be affected, and each version of the product will have a lot code of 020313 or 030613 (the dates of manufacture).  The labels fail to disclose the presence of walnuts, and thus sensitive individuals would be put at risk of an allergic reaction.  No one has reported an injury at this time, and to ensure that continues, concerned individuals should bring the item back to obtain a refund.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Another pet food product is being recalled due to the potential for a Salmonella contamination, something which could even endanger those pet owners who make contact with the product.  This particular recall was issued by the Rockford, Illinois-based Jones Natural Chews and concerns their Woofers beef patties.  245 boxes distributed to a handful of states, including California, are impacted by the recall.  Testing by the Feed Program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture uncovered the Salmonella contamination issue, which could lead pets and their owners to experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.  No instances of such have been reported at this time, and the products should be brought back for a refund.

Click here for more about the recall.

The Hackensack, New Jersey-based Daesang America has announced the recall of Sesame and Garlic Flavored Mixed Soy Bean Paste.  17.64 ounce versions of the item that were available across the country are affected by the recall, which was initiated once it was discovered that peanuts could be contained within the item without the label declaring as much.  The product, which hails from Korea, does not disclose the peanut ingredient in English.  Although the release states that no serious issues have been reported, one instance of an allergic reaction, albeit minor, has come to the attention of the company.  Available up until last month, the soy bean paste should be brought back for a refund.

Click here for more about the recall.

The threat of a Salmonella contamination has prompted the recall of numerous dry pet food items from Natura Pet Products.  The potential contamination hazard could pose a threat to both pets and their human owners, as simply making contact with the pet food might be enough to allow a person to incur an illness.  Symptoms of a Salmonella-based foodborne illness typically involve vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and more serious issues such as arterial infections and arthritis.  Produced in Michigan toward the end of last year and available across the country, the products will have expiration dates between December 17 of this year and January 2, 2014.  The items should be thrown out.

Numerous products are affected, so check the full list to find out if your pet’s food is affected.