FOOD SAFETY

Apr 23 2025HEALTH

Aldi's Pork Problem: What You Need to Know

Aldi shoppers in Minnesota, and across the U. S. , should take a moment to check their freezers. The popular discount grocery store has been flagged for a potential hazard in one of its products. The U. S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert. The issue involves a 16-ounce package of pork carnitas. The pro...

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Apr 19 2025HEALTH

Food Safety Guardians: 100 Years of Expertise

A significant milestone is approaching in the world of food safety. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, or JECFA, is set to hold its 100th meeting in 2025. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that the food we eat is safe. It does this by evaluating various substances that might end up in our food, whether intentionally added or not. Thes...

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Apr 19 2025SCIENCE

Fighting Pesticides with Smart Science

Pesticides, especially organophosphorus types, are a big problem. They stick around in food and mess up the environment. So, scientists need clever ways to spot them. One new method uses a special tool called a ratiometric fluorescent immunosensor. This tool is like a detective that finds tiny amounts of a pesticide called fenitrothion. This detective tool uses some...

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Apr 17 2025SCIENCE

Milk Safety Revolution: Nano-Particles and Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves can heat milk quickly and evenly. This is important for pasteurization. This process keeps milk safe while preserving its nutrients and taste. A recent study looked at how silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles in milk behave under these waves. The study used special plates that create electromagnetic fields. These fields have temperatures that dec...

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Apr 15 2025SCIENCE

Bright Dots to Spot Dangerous Dye

The fight against food contamination just got a new weapon. Scientists have created tiny, glowing particles called carbon dots. These aren't your average carbon dots. They are blue and have been altered to be extra sensitive. They can spot a harmful dye called Sudan Red. This dye is dangerous because it causes cancer. It is often hidden in food to make it look better...

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Apr 04 2025HEALTH

Dining Dangers: When Pest Problems Shut Down Restaurants

A recent health inspection roundup revealed a mix of stellar and shocking results. While many restaurants aced their inspections, a few notable spots faced significant issues. Saigon Tapioca, a Vietnamese eatery, found itself in hot water after a series of inspections. The first inspection on March 11 uncovered 14 violations, but that was just the beginning. A fo...

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Mar 25 2025SCIENCE

Aflatoxin B1: The Silent Killer in Our Food

Aflatoxin B1 is a big problem in food safety. It is highly toxic and found in many foods. Scientists have created a new way to detect it quickly. They used a mix of natural enzymes and tiny nanozymes. These work together to create a special signal. This signal helps to find even tiny amounts of aflatoxin B1. The new method is much better than the old one. It can fin...

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Mar 15 2025HEALTH

Oysters and Viruses: A Hidden Danger in Your Seafood

Oysters are a popular seafood choice, but they can harbor hidden dangers. Two viruses, human norovirus (HuNoV) and human sapovirus (HuSaV), can lurk in oysters. These viruses are often spread through contaminated shellfish. With the rise of online shopping, it's important to consider how this affects the safety of our seafood. The study looked at oysters from both p...

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Mar 15 2025HEALTH

Bird Flu Virus in Cheese: A Hidden Danger?

The bird flu virus, specifically H5N1, can linger in raw milk cheese for months. This poses a significant health risk, especially during outbreaks. The virus can survive in raw milk cheese because of the protective environment created by the protein and fat content. This is a concern because raw milk cheeses are made from milk that hasn't been pasteurized. Pasteuriza...

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Mar 15 2025HEALTH

Bird Flu Virus Lurks in Raw Milk Cheese for Months

The H5N1 bird flu virus can survive in raw milk cheese for a long time. This is a problem for public health. The virus can stay infectious for months, even after the cheese has been aged for 60 days. This aging process is supposed to kill off harmful germs. But it seems it might not be enough to stop the bird flu virus. The virus can survive because of the proteins ...

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