This afternoon, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sent layoff and separation notices to 170 employees whose positions were funded by recently terminated federal grants. Additionally, “at risk” notices will be going to MDH staff at risk for layoffs due to seniority rules around layoffs. An estimated 300 notices are going to MDH employees today.
It is hard to believe that Poisoned the book came out 14 years ago and that a documentary was inspired by it. The book has quietly become a cult classic in the food safety and legal communities. It was originally published in hardcover and twice in paperback. It is likely an update is on the
Thanks to dedicated public servants.
What’s New:
• A new outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1286) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated sampling.
• For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1292) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated an inspection.
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Problem/Condition: Approximately 800 foodborne illness outbreaks occur in the United States each year. These outbreaks include approximately 15,000 illnesses, 800 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths. Although illnesses from outbreaks account for a small portion of all foodborne illnesses, outbreak investigations reveal how these illnesses originate by offering crucial data through epidemiologic, environmental health, and laboratory analyses
Two multi-state foodborne illnesses outbreaks have been reported by the FDA since the beginning of the year. However, against how it has been done for decades, the CDC has remained silent. Why?
Last month, the FDA announced that it, the CDC, in collaboration with state, local, and international partners, were investigating illnesses in a multistate
More people in the United States got sick from contaminated food in 2024 than the year before, and the number of people who were hospitalized or died doubled, according to U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s new report, Food for Thought 2025.
Of the people who were sickened by food in 2024, 98 percent of their illnesses
So says Forbes this morning following reporting of yesterday in Reuters. As one good friend in public health said:
“The damage they are doing will take years or generations to repair. It reminds me of giving somebody a haircut while blindfolded and wildly swinging a straight razor.”
Here is the full post on Forbes:
According to the FDA, for the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1288), the product linked to illnesses has been identified as recalled Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries. See the outbreak advisory for additional information. FDA has initiated an inspection.
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1285), the case count increased from 34 to 35 cases.
It is with great sadness that we share that APHL’s global health program had to stop work temporarily in over 50 nations—including shuttering APHL offices in 10 countries—which affects more than 100 individual team members based both in the US and internationally who supported this work. Our work supported early alerts on the existence and
