January, 2024

article thumbnail

Implementing and Following Through with Highly Effective Employee Training and Education

Food Safety Magazine

In the ever-evolving world of food manufacturing, employee training and education play a pivotal role in achieving operational excellence, maintaining the highest quality standards, ensuring food safety, and establishing a robust food safety culture within an organization.

article thumbnail

FDA warns pet food producer about improper ingredient storage conditions

Food Safety News

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 has been given months to years to correct problems.

FDA 138
professionals

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Beyond Menus: Creative QR Code Uses for Restaurants

Modern Restaurant Management

During the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes took center stage in the restaurant industry. The technology allowed patrons to bypass physical menus and access digital menus instead, lowering the risk of spreading the virus. But QR codes offer much more than a pathway to a menu on our phones. Businesses use the 2D barcode in new, exciting ways every day. For example, Pizza Hut used QR codes to turn pizza boxes into an augmented reality game of Pac-Man, while Chili’s promoted the technology at its

article thumbnail

597 sick, 226 hospitalized and 15 deaths by Salmonella Cantaloupe

Bill Marler

In the United States a total of 407 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella were reported from 44 states: Alaska (1), Arizona (15), Arkansas (2), California (56), Colorado (11), Connecticut (2), Florida (4), Georgia (8), Illinois (22), Indiana (9), Iowa (12), Kansas 2, Kentucky 10, Maryland 9, Massachusetts 2, Michigan 7, Minnesota 29, Mississippi 1, Missouri (15), Montana (3), Nebraska (7), Nevada (8), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (8), New Mexico (2), New York (14), No

article thumbnail

Food & Beverage Industry Report 2024

Driven by a diverse and exciting ecosystem of passionate, ambitious, and often young entrepreneurs, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector is a highly competitive environment full of immense challenges and exciting opportunities. Expert Market’s 2024 industry report, sponsored by Toast, is informed by a survey of 522 U.S. food and beverage professionals, from restaurant owners to food service managers, providing insights into the real-time challenges and opportunities within the industry.

article thumbnail

Commercial Kitchen Cleaning: Are You Missing These 5 Areas?

Wasserstrom

Maintaining a squeaky-clean commercial kitchen is paramount for food safety and operational efficiency. In this article, we highlight five important, yet often overlooked, areas in your commercial kitchen that deserve regular cleaning attention. Cleaning Zones That Require Your Special Attention While thorough sanitizing and cleaning routines are standard practice, certain areas can unintentionally fall through […] The post Commercial Kitchen Cleaning: Are You Missing These 5 Areas?

More Trending

article thumbnail

Study Finds Little Difference Between Plastic in Seafood, Meat, and Plant-Based Proteins—It’s All Contaminated

Food Safety Magazine

A new study has found microplastic particles in 88 percent of protein food samples across 16 types, with no statistical difference in microplastics concentrations between land- and ocean-sourced proteins.

132
132
article thumbnail

Arizona may join Italy by banning lab-grown meat from the state

Food Safety News

Two bills introduced into the Arizona Legislature may signal that the 2024 sessions of those “Laboratories of Democracy” will be something of an “alt-meat” grinder. Arizona State Rep. David Marshall, R-Snowflake, and four co-sponsors have introduced House Bill 2121, prohibiting cell-cultured animal products. HB2121 prohibits anyone in Arizona from offering to sell or produce a cell-cultured animal product for human consumption.

article thumbnail

2024 Outlook: Restaurant Trends and Challenges, Part Three

Modern Restaurant Management

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2024. Read the first part, here. For the second part, click here. QSRs Shift Focus from Slow-Paced Dining to Swift, Transactional Experiences Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are reimagining their dining spaces to prioritize speed, convenience, and personalization over traditional, slow-paced dining experiences.

Catering 215
article thumbnail

FDA and CDC now warn of Lead and Chromium in WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis Applesauce

Bill Marler

Parents are understandably angry at a company – someone in the cinnamon supply chain – would intentionally add significant about of dangerous metals that would eventually end up in the bodies of U.S. children. As I said to the USA Today – Yesterday: “I have never seen chromium being found in foods before, but we have also never seen these high of levels of lead either,” food safety lawyer Bill Marler told USA TODAY.

FDA 256
article thumbnail

9 thought leaders reflect on what alternative protein trends to look forward to this year

GFI

January 31, 2024 Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on LinkedIn Looking ahead In 2024, we are focused on bringing increased energy and enthusiasm to the alternative protein space. Each of us who work at GFI operates from a unique vantage point across the alternative protein sector and is well-suited to catalyze meaningful change in the areas that will have the most impact.

Chef 118
article thumbnail

What’s in Your Glove?

Food Safety Tech

In the food processing and food service industry, glove wearing is meant to protect, not infect. That’s the theory, but not necessarily the reality. Over 100 billion protective gloves—over 90% of the national supply—are imported into the U.S. each year from factories scattered throughout Asia. A good proportion of the gloves are destined for a substantial proportion of the 700,000 workers in meat and poultry processing and fresh produce sectors, as well as a proportion of the 14 million workers

FDA 119
article thumbnail

PFAS Issues in the Cannabis Industry

Food Safety Magazine

The cannabis industry is no exception to the potential risks of PFAS contamination, ranging from possible health and safety implications to a business' litigation risk.

132
132
article thumbnail

Quaker Oats expands December product recall over Salmonella contamination

Food Safety News

The Quaker Oats Company is expanding their Dec. 15, 2023, recall to include additional cereals, bars and snacks because of potential Salmonella contamination. The products listed below are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. This recall applies to the specific products listed below, in addition to the products announced on Dec. 15, 2023.

article thumbnail

Restaurants Can Score Big for the Super Bowl

Modern Restaurant Management

In a few weeks, bars and restaurants will be filled with hungry and thirsty football fans celebrating their favorite team. Now is the time to get your plays in order to be a winner this Super Bowl Sunday. Themed Menus for the Win : Want to show support for this year’s best teams? Provide special menu options from the cities the contenders hail from – a Philly Cheesesteak if the Eagles make it or a Cuban for Miami.

Inventory 208
article thumbnail

Come on Costco and Sam’s Club – you can do better than selling Salmonella tainted Charcuterie

Bill Marler

47 sick in 22 states. As of January 17, 2024, a total of 47 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 22 states – Arizona 2, Colorado 1, Connecticut 1, Idaho 1, Illinois 1, Kentucky 1, Maryland 1, Michigan 1, Minnesota 1, Missouri 1, Nebraska 3, New Jersey 1, New York 4, Ohio 11, Oregon 1, Pennsylvania 3, Texas 3, Utah 1, Vermont 1, Virginia 1, Washington 5, Wisconsin 2.

article thumbnail

2024 State of the Foodservice Industry

Foodservice Equipment Reports

Following a bumpy road of pandemic closings and restrictions, reopenings and variant surges, the past year brought relative calm. “2023 has been the most normal year for the restaurant industry since 2019,” says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research for the National Restaurant Association. Despite fears of a recession, the economy held up and consumer spending remained strong for.

116
116
article thumbnail

Post-Incident Forensics:  Piecing Together the Puzzle After a Cyberattack

Food Safety Tech

We live in an age where cybersecurity risks are everywhere—from the emails we receive to the online platforms we use. And industries, such as the food industry, that are part of our nation’s critical infrastructure are key targets for cybercriminals. In September 2021, the FBI’s Cyber Division alerted companies that the Food and Agriculture industry was among the most susceptible to cyberattacks in the U.S.

article thumbnail

High Levels of Toxic Plasticizers Phthalates, Bisphenols Found in Nearly All Foods in U.S.

Food Safety Magazine

Recent testing for phthalates and bisphenols like BPA in foods found all but one sample to contain phthalates and 79 percent of samples to contain bisphenols. Phthalates were present at worryingly high levels, although levels of bisphenols have decreased since 2009. The study was conducted by Consumer Reports.

126
126
article thumbnail

Pennsylvania ag officials search Miller Organic Farm for the source of Shiga-toxins

Food Safety News

This time, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a duly issued search warrant on Amos Miller and Miller’s Organic Farm. The state’s responsibility was to determine if raw eggnog and other unpasteurized, raw dairy products produced by Miller were responsible for positive Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli tests in Michigan and New York, causing human illnesses.

article thumbnail

From Consumption to Connection: Restaurant Promotion Trends for 2024

Modern Restaurant Management

At the beginning of the year, we like talking about trends. They seem like anchors for the new year. Trends create frameworks to understand where to start and what to focus on. I want to highlight trends in restaurant promotion for 2024. We will discuss how to build customer communication and what aspects to prioritize to make your establishment stand out and thrive.

article thumbnail

As many as 321 impacted by lead in Applesauce

Bill Marler

As of January 8, 2024, FDA has received 87 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled product. To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom a complaint or adverse event was submitted and met FDA’s complainant definition, are between zero and 53 years of age and the median age is one year old. Total Complaint/Adverse Event Report: 87* Report Date Ranges: October 17, 2023 – January 3, 2024 States with Complaint/Report: AL (1), AR (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1

FDA 242
article thumbnail

A Sea Change for Marine Foodservice Equipment

Foodservice Equipment Reports

There was a time when fine dining on cruise ships had its limits. Not so anymore. Of the foodservice offerings on newer ships, like Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, “I’ve never seen anything like it in all the work I’ve done landside,” says one marine equipment manufacturer. At Virgin Voyages’ Gunbae Korean BBQ concept, there’s at-table cooking, with a glass dome above tables serving as a hood.

Cruise 111
article thumbnail

Novolyze Appoints New Board Member, Nabs Most Innovative Food Safety and Quality Software Award

Food Safety Tech

Novolyze, developer of food safety and quality digitalization technology and solutions, was recognized as the Most Innovative Food Safety and Quality Software Company of 2023 by New World Report ’s Software and Technology Awards. The Software and Technology Awards, now in their fourth year, recognize companies across North and South America that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and a commitment to advancing technology.

article thumbnail

How to Manage Ten Common Risks in the Food and Beverage Industry

Food Safety Magazine

For those leading the food and beverage industry, there is tremendous opportunity for growth—but with growth comes risks that can negatively impact operations, profitability, and reputation.

article thumbnail

National school lunch program could be banned from serving lab-cultivated meat

Food Safety News

A bipartisan pair of U.S. Senators have introduced legislation banning the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) from including cell-cultivated meat products on its menu. The NSLP is the federally assisted meal program in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It serves more than 4,9 billion lunches annually to more than 30 million children in about 100,000 schools.

article thumbnail

Survey Says: Restaurateurs Are Making Expansion Plans

Modern Restaurant Management

Will 2024 be a comeback year for restaurants? Despite challenges including inventory costs, commission fees and staff turnover, many restaurant owners are expressing optimism about moving forward, according to TouchBistro’s 2024 State of Restaurants Report. Ninety-four percent of operators are planning some form of expansion and more than half of the 600 U.S full service restaurants surveyed plan to introduce catering services.

Inventory 203
article thumbnail

Consumers beware – 26 with Listeria linked to unknown food according to FDA

Bill Marler

This just came up on the FDA Outbreak Table: What is Listeria? Listeria is a bacterium that causes a serious infection called listeriosis. Around 300 deaths in the United States are caused by Listeria infection each year, according to estimates from a 2011 CDC report. Listeria bacteria are most found in raw foods. Vegetables can be contaminated by soil and water carrying bacteria.

FDA 233
article thumbnail

Menu expert reveals top 2024 restaurant trends

Fast Casual

Snacking is on the rise for two reasons — cautious behavior and stress — according to trend expert Suzy Badaracco, who predicts consumers' favorite flavors and dishes of 2024.

117
117
article thumbnail

FDA Releases 2022 Annual Report on Investigations of Foodborne Outbreaks

Food Safety Tech

On January 8, the FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network released its first annual report summarizing the investigations of foodborne outbreaks and adverse events in FDA-regulated human foods for the 2022 calendar year. In 2022, CORE evaluated 65 incidents, responded to 28 and issued advisories for 11. These numbers show a slight increase from 2021 when 59 incidents were evaluated with 19 responses and 10 advisories.

FDA 111
article thumbnail

New FAO Technical Report on Early Warning Tools and Systems for Emerging Food Safety Risks

Food Safety Magazine

A recent publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has provided an in-depth review of early warning systems for food safety risks, an explanation of available open access tools, and the potential applications of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the field.