Civil Law

Researchers search for microbes that offer protection against Salmonella

Scientists have identified how a bacteria in the gut can act as a protective species against Salmonella infection.

A team at the University of Cambridge in England revealed a novel role for the commensal bacterium Enterocloster clostridioformis as helping to protect against salmonellosis.

Virginia Pedicord, Benjamin Beresford-Jones, and researchers at the University of Cambridge found Enterocloster clostridioformis could protect the host against bacterial pathogens like Salmonella by inducing protective responses in gut cells and increasing anti-inflammatory immune cells in the gut. Findings were published in the journal Microbiome.

The gut … Read the rest

Civil Law

New Listeria outbreak detected; other outbreaks remain under investigation

Inspectors with the Food and Drug Administration are tracking a new outbreak of infections from Listeria monocytogenes.

So far there are three confirmed patients. The FDA has not reported the ages of the patients or where they live. 

There are likely many more sick people than have been confirmed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that for every patient confirmed in a Salmonella outbreak there are 29 patients who go undetected. This is because some patients do not … Read the rest

Civil Law

Significant changes to sentencing of OHS offences recommended

Following more than 12 months of analysis and consultation, the Sentencing Advisory Council (Council) has released its final report into Sentencing Occupational Health and Safety Offences in Victoria (Report) on 26 February 2025.

The Council concluded that:

  • many fines go unpaid, particularly for companies that have been deregistered;
  • sentencing outcomes other than fines are rarely used, but have great potential to improve safety practices;
  • fines that are imposed are often out of step with community expectations; and
  • people affected by
… Read the rest
Civil Law

FSA voices concern about lack of local authority resources for food safety

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has expressed concern about the ability of local authorities to meet inspection targets and the impact this could have on standards.

Comments were made in written evidence submitted as part of an inquiry looking at whether the local government finance system in England is fit for purpose.

The FSA said it is concerned that local food teams do not have sustainable funding to deliver official controls in line with what the current regulatory regime requires. … Read the rest

Civil Law

Death toll in Listeria outbreak traced to supplemental shakes increases to 12

Another death has been confirmed in an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections traced to supplemental shakes.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that there are now 12 confirmed deaths in the outbreak, which has sickened 38 people across 21 states. Thirty-seven of the patients required hospitalization.

The supplemental shakes were distributed by Lyons Magnus LLC to long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and were not available for retail sale. 

The shakes are packaged in 4-ounce cartons and packaged under … Read the rest

Civil Law

FDA steps up import enforcement for pesticides, Salmonella and more import

The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.

Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed below.

Click here to go to the FDA page with links to details on specific alerts. See chart below for list of alerts.

Click on chart to enlarge. Use link above to go to FDA page with links to
… Read the rest
Civil Law

Spanish Botulism outbreak prompts report on risks

Spanish scientists have produced a report on the growth of Clostridium botulinum and the risk of botulism following an outbreak that affected 12 people in 2023.

In June and July 2023, an increase in botulism was detected in Spain linked to consumption of prepared food packaged under vacuum or in a modified atmosphere. This association was not confirmed microbiologically as the presence of Clostridium botulinum, or botulinum toxin, was not detected in the analysis carried out on dishes prepared from … Read the rest

Civil Law

Firing of thousands of health agency employees will undermine food safety

— OPINION —

The cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services today make a mockery of the “Make America Healthy Again” slogan by arbitrarily decimating new staff in key public health agencies who might actually implement the slogan.  

The firings impact staff across HHS and affect thousands of people on “probationary” status.  

The mass firings will undermine the work of two of the agencies that solve and prevent foodborne outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the … Read the rest