News
January 22, 2015
The US Department of Agriculture recently announced that over 18,675,102 pounds of meat (that’s over 8 million kilograms!) were recalled across the US in 2014 due to food safety issues.
The biggest single issue causing recalls was undeclared allergens accounting for around a third of all recalled products. Considering the pathogen statistics, it’s shown that almost a million kilograms of meat products were recalled due to E. Coli and a further 300,000 kilograms…
January 15, 2015
More than 110 people have been arrested, and 1000 tonnes of pork and 48 tonnes of cooking oil have been seized in the latest food safety scandal to hit China.
Recent reports claim that pigs that had died from disease where being bought by syndicates and the contaminated pork then used to produce bacon, ham and oil.
Government livestock insurance agents were allegedly bribed by the syndicates to advise when disease-ridden pig deaths were verified and then the s…
January 8, 2015
More than 100 people have reportedly fallen ill from Salmonella poisoning after eating food at Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant in Springwood, South of Brisbane, last weekend.
Complainants include people from high risk groups including pregnant women, the elderly and children. People from these groups are especially susceptible to adverse effects from food poisoning. In this case however, it’s not just high risk customers suffering severe reactions and many Chin Ch…
January 7, 2015
In 2013/2014, triple the number of Adelaide food businesses were fined for breaching food safety laws compared to previous years according to Adelaide Now.
Food safety breaches
That’s 44 businesses that were warned, fined or told to improve. The previous year 28 businesses were reprimanded, and in 2011/2012 just 19 received a reprimand.
Of the 44 businesses identified, 9 food establishments received fines between $500 and $2500 for offences including improper…
January 6, 2015
McDonald’s chicken nugget sales in Japan have stalled after a consumer reportedly discovered vinyl inside one of her nuggets whilst dining at a restaurant in the northern prefecture of Aomori.
The offending item came from one of three production facilities based in Thailand that are used by McDonald’s. It’s another blow for the Japanese version of the fast food chain as they’d only recently switched production from China to Thailand following a food scare conce…
January 2, 2015
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) released its approved version of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code on December 16 2014.
FSANZ stated that the key goal of the revision was to make the Food Standards Code interact “more effectively” with State, Territory and Federal food legislation, especially with regard to enforcement against infringements and making clearer legal requirements. Provisions relating to food additives, processing aids…
December 23, 2014
Seafood makes up an essential and nutritious part of any balanced diet. Fish contains high amounts of essential omega-3 fatty acids and other high-quality proteins that keep our minds and bodies performing at their best. Though there’s always the option to buy fish from your local store, freshly-caught seafood provides an even healthier option. However, it’s important to remember that even freshly-caught fish need to be treated with the same caution and safety m…
December 17, 2014
The Christmas season is edging ever closer and with that in mind, people are being encouraged to start thinking more seriously about their understanding of food safety.
With temperatures rising, it is essential to know how to keep yourself, and your family safe and healthy throughout the holiday season. This means ensuring that food is always stored, handled and transported with the highest level of care.
Of course, it’s worth recognising that the social situa…
December 10, 2014
Although it is important to be aware of the dangers of food poisoning at all times of the year, various studies have shown that people are more susceptible to contracting food-based illnesses throughout the Christmas season.
According to Julia Madden of the Food Safety Information Council, the holiday period equates to more people around the dinner table. During multi-generational celebrations, family meals are made to serve everyone from young children, to pre…
December 1, 2014
In today’s modern world, people are becoming more dedicated to the concept of food safety and showing greater interest in the ingredients that make up their meals, including preservatives and additives. What’s more, consumers are more health conscious now than they have ever been, especially in regards to what their children are consuming as they grow up.
With that in mind, people are paying greater attention to the way that their food has been labelled. Variou…
November 28, 2014
Cooking and consuming food are a huge part of most summer festivities. There are few better ways to enjoy the delightful weather and company of your loved ones than by getting together over a delicious bite to eat. However, as the summer weather approaches, so too do a wealth of enhanced food safety risks.
Increased risks
Bacteria that are typically present in food can easily multiply and thrive in warmer temperatures. Preparing and storing meals at home for t…
November 19, 2014
A lot of people believe that if food has been frozen, it carries no risk of food poisoning. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is important to practise proper food safety in any setting, including when you are dealing with frozen food products, as food poisoning is not only limited to freshly prepared produce.
If you are one of the many people who fall into a high-risk category in regards to your immune system, it is even more essential to observe and unde…
November 10, 2014
One of the most common misconceptions that persists in regard to food safety is that any “off” food should be easy to identify.
Unfortunately, the truth is that food can smell, look and taste exactly as you would expect, and yet still not be safe to eat. The reason for this is that bacteria does not always emerge because the food is old. Bacteria can be present on fresh foods, and improper handling or preparation methods can help it to thrive.
Although it’s us…
November 3, 2014
Minced beef is a staple in many families diets. Whether you enjoy eating it as part of a casserole, wrapped in pastry, or shaped into burgers for the grill, it’s important to always observe basic food safety guidelines.
Knowing how to properly prepare and handle minced beef can help you to avoid contamination and stay clear of food-borne illnesses.
Choosing your minced beef
People often forget that when they are shopping for minced beef, it is one of the item…
October 30, 2014
Many people find that they are more pressed for time and energy than ever before. This high paced lifestyle has led to people from all cultures and nations to search for ways that they can save time and increase convenience when it comes to preparing food.
Because of this, many families are beginning to turn to mail order food. Although this is undoubtedly convenient, it is still important that you take the proper food safety precautions to keep your food free…