Defending Food Safety : Food Safety Defense Lawyer & Attorney : National Food Industry Counsel : National Food Regulatory Lawyer and Attorney, FDA Lawyer and Attorney. USDA Lawyer and Attorney : Gass Weber Mullins Law Firm

Thanksgiving is, of course, a wonderful holiday. In addition to countless memories, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to share an incredible meal with friends and family.

Thus, in advance of the holiday, we simply wanted to take a quick moment to mention the efforts of those who have dedicated their careers to putting safe food on our tables.

At no time has food been as plentiful, affordable and as safe as it is today. This has not happened by accident, or as a result of luck. It has taken the constant dedication and tireless efforts of many, many individuals who, rarely, if ever get so much as a “thank you.”

The people we have worked with over the last decade care deeply about the quality and safety of their food. And, whether in California or Connecticut  – or any of the countless states we have visited in between – one thing always rings true. The people who provide us with the stunning bounty we enjoy are, hands down, good, caring citizens. Thus, our message is this: be proud of what you do, and know your efforts are appreciated. Especially today.

So... Thanks for feeding our families.  And, "Happy Thanksgiving" from all of us at www.defendingfoodsafety.com.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

According to the FDA, Timco Worldwide Inc. (based in Davis, California) has announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of Large Seedless Watermelons.

The Large Seedless Watermelons affected by the precautionary recall contain the “MelonUp!” sticker label, with a PLU (Price Look Up) # 4032 and UPC # 0 33383 40240 6. The watermelons were distributed to select grocers, wholesalers and processors in California and Texas. Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release.

Timco announced the recall immediately after learning that routine, random sampling by a distribution company confirmed positive for Salmonella. In turn, the company announced, in an abundance of caution, a recall of all potentially affected products.

It is also important to note that, to date, there are no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, consumers who may have purchased watermelons in the markets noted above (with the MelonUp! label) are being urged by the company to return them to the place of purchase for a refund. In turn, consumers with questions, or who need additional information, are invited to contact the company at 1-530-757-1000 (press “4” for Food Safety).

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, Timco also recommends that fresh melons be thoroughly washed and rinsed before cutting and/or consuming them.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

According to the FDA, Five Crowns Marketing (based in Brawley, California) has announced a voluntary and precautionary recall of select cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label.

The cantaloupes affected by the precautionary recall were packed in various sizes with and without individual “Majesty” stickers. All cartons carry the label "Majesty," and are further identified with lot numbers 198 2 or 198 3, and pack dates of Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Additionally, the cantaloupes in the identified lots were harvested and shipped to wholesalers, retailers, and food service operators in the states of Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Click on the following link to view the FDA Recall Release.

Five Crowns Marketing announced the recall immediately after learning that routine testing on a lot of cantaloupes packed on November 4, 2009 confirmed positive for Salmonella. In turn, the company announced, in an abundance of caution, a recall of all cantaloupe from the same lot.

It is also important to note that, to date, there have been no reports of illness associated with the consumption of these products. According to the company, most of the cantaloupes have likely already passed through the distribution chain. Nevertheless, the company continues to work with its customers to ensure that all of the potentially affected cantaloupes have been accounted for.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

According to the FDA, Service Smoked Fish Corp. (based in Brooklyn, New York), has announced a voluntary recall of certain Brooklyn's BEST brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON.

The Smoked Nova Salmon affected by the recall was vacuum-packed in clear, plastic bags of various size packages including 3 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., and random weight sides with the brand name "Brooklyn's BEST" appearing on a circular label inside the vacuum bag. A "Use-By" date appears on the bottom of the gold board. Units with "Use-By" dates of 12/03/09 through 12/19/09 are being recalled. The product was also air-packed in bulk boxes. Air-packed units with lot numbers 060 through 043 are being recalled. No other use-by dates or lots numbers are involved in this recall.  Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release.

The Smoked Nova Salmon was distributed in the greater New York area, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the areas of Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, Oregon. Consumers may have purchased the product from retail food stores.

The company announced the recall following the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes during routine product sampling. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product, and is working with the FDA to investigate the potential source of the problem.

It is also important to note that, to date, there have been no illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, consumers who may have purchased the above "Use-By" dates or lot codes of "Brooklyn's BEST" brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions, or who need additional information, are invited to contact the company at 718-388-4067.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Sonia Johnson, a distinguished advocate for equal rights, once said “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.”

In the past month, the Gass Weber Mullins’ Food Safety Defense Team has addressed more than a thousand food industry leaders in venues across the globe, on topics ranging from advancements in food safety technology to outbreak surveillance and food-borne illness litigation.

The 29th Annual Microbiology Symposium in River Falls, the American Conference Institute Food-borne Illness Litigation Conference in Chicago, and the National Center for Food Safety and Technology 2009 Annual Meeting, where Shawn Stevens filled in as Keynote Speaker for Senior FDA Policy Advisor Mike Taylor, are but only a few examples.

The distinguished members of Gass Weber Mullins, of course, have written the doctrine on Managing Food-borne Illness Outbreaks and Claims.

The utilization of emerging technologies to identify previously indeterminate sources of food-borne illness outbreaks, combined with broad expertise in national outbreak surveillance, media relations, government regulation and food-borne illness litigation, have cemented the firm's unsurpassed reputation as a food safety leader, and opened the door to speaking engagements throughout the United States and abroad. In the past few weeks, the firm’s food safety attorneys have also given presentations at the SQF Annual International Conference in Guadalajara, and the 3rd Annual International Food Safety and Quality Conference in Beijing, China.

Gass Weber Mullins strives, through hard work and determination, to recognize the valiant efforts of the hardworking individuals and food companies who work tirelessly, not only to put food on our tables, but also to improve the safety of our food. And, in a world marked by an increasing number of outbreaks, an escalating number of recalls, and rising number of meritless lawsuits, their mantra always has been, and always will be, "proudly defending the hard working Americans who feed our families."

When it comes to food safety litigation, Gass Weber Mullins leads the way.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Scientists from the University of Missouri have developed a new method to detect live E. coli O157:H7 cells in ground beef.

Notably, the two-step method can distinguish between dead and living E. coli cells. The research uses a technique called a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a quick, reliable method for detecting and identifying pathogens in food. However, PCR can't differentiate living from dead microbial cells. Dead cells will not make people ill, and the presence of dead cells often results in false-positive findings, which can result in unnecessary product recalls.

To prevent this, researchers developed a method to stain samples with a dye called ethidium bromide monoazide (EMA). EMA cannot penetrate live cells, but it can enter dead cells. In the dead cells, EMA binds to DNA molecules, making them insoluble and therefore invisible to PCR tests.

The researchers have had success using the new technique on ground beef, chicken and eggs. Testing takes about 12 hours, compared with older methods, which require up to two days to generate results.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

An outstanding group of international food safety regulators, academics, industry leaders and top food safety lawyers are gathering in Beijing this week for a 2 day conference on food safety.

The Third Annual China International Food Safety and Quality Conference is designed to provide expert perspective on emerging industry trends impacting foreign food product imports, production and safety.

Speakers include Ge Zhirong, President, China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association; Wang Yong, Minister, General Administration for Quality Supervision Inspection & Quarantine; David Tharp, International Association for Food Protection; Michael Pulch, European Commission to China, Bernard Kuhnle, German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection; Murray Lumpkin, FDA; Robert Charlebois, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Art Liang, CDC and many, many more.

In turn, I will be speaking this year about the impact of food safety litigation in the United States on foreign food product production, imports and safety. Fellow food safety attorneys Bill Marler and David Ernst will offer additional perspective on food safety litigation at home and abroad.

More, of course, to follow.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link