Slovakia recorded a decrease in some human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites that are transmitted from animals or through food and water in 2020. In total, 17,067 cases were reported compared to 26,999 in 2019 and the number of outbreaks fell from 902 to 380. Campylobacter caused the majority of illnesses while Salmonella…
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company…
Citrus producers from California are making a collective $500,000 contribution to Center for Produce Safety’s research capital campaign to fund produce-specific food safety research. The funds will support CPS’s work to identify produce safety questions, call on researchers to answer them, and then share the learnings to industry, government, public health and other stakeholders. When…
A Salmonella outbreak linked to egg fried rice in China affected more than 220 people this past year, according to researchers. Scientists evaluated the incident using epidemiological surveys, routine laboratory testing methods, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) and findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. The outbreak occurred in Beijing over three days…
With COVID-19 cases surging, it may finally be time to opt for the best N95 face mask (or KN95 or KF94) you can find. Some health experts are now saying that because cloth masks are generally made with a looser fit and more breathable materials, these types of face masks are more susceptible to leakage.…
If you’re shopping for anal sex toys, a butt plug or dildo might be the first thing that comes to mind, but prostate massagers can offer another facet of sexual pleasure on your journey into anal penetration and play. These popular sex toys are shaped and contoured to specifically target the prostate gland, which is…
Winter storm Izzy has made its way across the eastern United States stranding many in heaps of snow, and leading to thousands of power outages. Among all the other concerns caused by the weather, food safety can become a critical issue. Without power, it’s important to take certain precautions to take care of food, so…
Thailand last week discovered the country’s first official case of African Swine Fever (ASF). Thailand’s finding is part of the worldwide spread of ASF. The disease has reached numerous countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific in domestic and wild pigs. ASF reached the Americas late last year when the Dominican Republic and…
A Norwegian agency has pledged almost $2.75 million to support food safety in developing countries. The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) funding covers 2021 to 2023 and is for the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). Norad is part of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The STDF is managed by the World Trade Organization…
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s job of keeping African Swine Fever out of the United States is not helped by stepped up and all too common meat smuggling. Whether commingled in those shipping containers stacked up at U.S. ports or moved across a southern border run by cartels, there are more opportunities…