In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we talk with Michael (Mike) R. Taylor about the regulatory changes that have occurred since the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak of 1992–1993. He served as Administrator of UDSA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) during a time of great transformation within the agency, and is currently a board member for Stop Foodborne Illness. Mike talks about how his previous work at FDA informed his work at USDA; what it was like to negotiate with industry on new Salmonella and E. coli standards, as well as HACCP regulations; the evolution of food safety culture and the concept of taking accountability for prevention; and the personal impact of the stories of foodborne illness outbreak victims.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its internal review of the agency’s response to the U.S. infant formula supply crisis, which details key findings and recommendations that will allow the agency to respond more quickly during food safety emergencies.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with prominent foodborne illness attorney Bill Marler about the deadly 1993 E. coli outbreak in ground beef served by Jack in the Box restaurants along the U.S. West Coast. Marler defended Brianne Kiner, the most seriously injured survivor of the outbreak, as well as hundreds of other victims in a class-action lawsuit. The story of this outbreak—which led to regulatory changes by USDA to declare E. coli an illegal adulterant in ground beef—and its ensuing legal and industry battles, is told in the book Poisoned by author Jeff Benedict. As the central figure in Benedict's book, Marler tells his story of the 1993 outbreak, as well as his outlook on the future of food safety legislation in the U.S.

Researchers from the USDA’s Economic Research Service and CDC developed a model that can be used to assess the value of state and federal foodborne illness outbreak investigations and subsequent recalls. The researchers demonstrated the replicability of the model using a 2018 Salmonella outbreak as a case study.

Food companies are struggling with recall execution and communication, stemming from a patchwork of regulations. Three key issues confront industry due to this fragmentation of the recall system. The path to more effective recalls, in simple terms, is to standardize and streamline the existing system and utilize modern technology to circulate pertinent information.

Even with the right prep work, operations with the best sanitation, pest control, preventive maintenance, manufacturing practices, and food defense can experience a recall. This article establishes the background on recalls in the U.S. and offers a look at the behind-the-scenes activity of a food safety recall, including best practices, necessary steps, and tips for communication. It also explores an often-misunderstood resource that can minimize the negative impact and expense of a recall—your recall insurance policy.
 

A report by the Finnish Food Authority summarizes the country’s recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks, and fraudulent activities for 2021. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a new webpage with resources for farmers and producers of human and animal food whose crops are adversely affected by severe weather incidents. 

With nearly 500 food safety recalls occurring per year, it is difficult for consumers to keep up. Prevention of foodborne illness—the main goal of the nonprofit organization Stop Foodborne Illness—can be aided by the establishment of a faster, more efficient, and modernized recall system.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has released data on recalls in 2021 and recall trends over the last decade, revealing a drop in recalls overall. Allergen recalls accounted for half of all recalls in 2021.