June 7 – “Food Safety: Science in Action”
Every June 7, we celebrate World Food Safety Day (WFSD), and in 2025 we commemorate its seventh edition. This day aims to raise awareness and promote concrete actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, thereby supporting human health, safe trade, responsible agriculture, and sustainable
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Study And Framework for Efficiency in Food Oversight and Organizational Design (SAFE FOOD) Act, legislation that would direct the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on the consolidation of federal agencies that have a primary role in ensuring food safety into a single agency.
I landed in Washington DC a few hours ago to the FDA reporting, despite personal cuts, on ongoing outbreak investigations. And, there was this image:
The FDA is investigating two new outbreaks of foodborne illnesses (Salmonella and E. coli). The sources of the pathogens have not yet been determined.
An outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections
I have tried to steer clear of politics with respect to the Felon in Chief, but this is nuts, or at least peanuts. According to yet another edict from the White House, it is now the policy of the United States that:
(a) Criminal enforcement of criminal regulatory offenses is disfavored.
(b) Prosecution of criminal
I turned 68 yesterday. I must admit most of the time I do not feel it. I still have much to do, but clearly a little less time in which to do it.
A good friend of mine sent me the below article from the Pullman Herald. In the Fall of 1977, at the age
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome at a single time. This includes identifying the order of bases in the DNA molecules (adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)) and assembling them to map out all of an organism’s genetic material.
WGS
I generally to not take on cases like this, but it was simply to gross and interesting not to investigate. I will report back on how this happened.
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.
Our Food Safety Guardians Deserved Capes, Not Pink Slips
This is not just another editorial. This is a thank you letter, an acknowledgment, and a rallying cry.
For decades, people have stood quietly between us and harm – heroes who safeguarded every bite we take, every meal we share. They kept food safe and public
RFK’s cuts to FDA are a threat to public health and safety
Statement of CSPI Director of Regulatory Affairs Sarah Sorscher
Deadly Listeria in shakes served at nursing homes. Disease-causing E. coli linked to onions served in McDonald’s. Salmonella in cucumbers landed 155 people in the hospital. These are just a few of the disturbing
