New legislation has been introduced in a bid to strengthen the powers of America’s food safety regulator in the wake of two major food contamination issues in the past year. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, Judd Gregg, Ted Kennedy and Richard Burr announced the legislation that they believe will dramatically improve the way the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protects the safety of the nation’s food supply. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act will give the FDA new authorities, tools and... ...Read more »

The salmonella outbreak in America linked to the now bankrupt Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has been responsible for 666 illnesses and one of the biggest food recalls in US history. Tragically, it may have also led to nine deaths. Over 2,000 products have been recalled from manufacturers large and small, who have used PCA’s products in everything from biscuits to ice-cream. The scandal has caused consumer confidence in the food supply to plummet. Fewer than one in four consumers now believe... ...Read more »

In the wake of the salmonella peanut butter scandal, products from the US with peanut butter that may contain salmonella have made it to Australian shores. A large number of manufacturers in America have instigated recalls of associated peanut containing food products such as peanut butter, peanut paste, ice cream, cookie dough, confectionery and pet foods -  with over 800 products subject to a voluntary recall. FSANZ is still working with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to... ...Read more »

Besides potentially helping consumers save a little money on their grocery purchases, retail loyalty card programs can help supermarket chains assemble gigantic databases on the shopping preferences of their customers. The nonprofit consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging retailers that collect this kind of information to use it to notify consumers when they purchased items subject to a food safety recall. Imminent Australian arrival Costco, which requires a membership,... ...Read more »

As the second major food recall in the US within a year continues to expand, food industry bodies and consumer groups are calling for change. The current peanut butter Salmonella scandal in America has led to over 500 illnesses already and has been linked to eight deaths. Overnight, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the recall to include all products produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant since January 1, 2007. Products produced... ...Read more »

As the old saying goes, ‘one man’s misery can be another’s good fortune’ and news from the US is that over 125 peanut based products have been recalled in America’s peanut butter salmonella food scare – and US officials have warned that the number may grow as the investigation widens. It represents the second major salmonella outbreak in the US within a nine months following last year’s jalapeno chilli contamination, and again puts the issue of food safety... ...Read more »