Organic food news

• Organic Valley and Maple Hill create new standard for organic grass-fed dairy products

  22-02-2019 18:07 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Consumers will start to see a new certification showing up on grass-fed dairy products that aims to set a universal standard definition for grass-fed organic farming standards and products for farmers, processors, manufacturers, certification bodies, retailers, and consumers.
  
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• Kellogg continues to expand identity beyond cereal: 'We are confident that North America can return to growth'

  22-02-2019 17:45 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  On its quest to become more than a cereal company and reverse years of negative growth, Kellogg has expanded into new categories including snacks and has been revitalizing some of its core brands. But has it been a success?
  
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• Publisher’s Platform: Is it ‘reckless misconduct’ to grow, process and sell romaine lettuce?

  22-02-2019 06:05 via Food Safety News
  Opinion
  We have a romaine E. coli case in Idaho of a young man who suffered a severe case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), was hospitalized for a month and incurred nearly $250,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. He has a risk of future kidney complications, (including a transplant), but not likely to meet the legal standard of more likely than not – greater than 50 percent. He did suffer seizures because of the HUS, but it is well maintained on medications, and it is hopeful, over
  
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• Public Health shuts down Ooba Tooba Restaurant in heart of high tech country

  22-02-2019 06:03 via Food Safety News
  Public Health — Seattle & King County closed the Ooba Toooa Restaurant in Redmond on Feb. 20 because facilities were inadequate to control or maintain food temperatures. Redmond, located east of Seattle, is the King County city known for being home to Microsoft, Nintendo of American and a population of about 65,000.
  Ooba Tooba, 15802 NE 83rd St., is the third restaurant that Public Health has shut down this year. Two others that were forced to close in January — The Juice Emporiu
  
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• UK investigates outbreak linked to mayonnaise; product distributed in Europe

  22-02-2019 06:02 via Food Safety News
  Authorities in the United Kingdom are investigating a foodborne outbreak linked to avocado oil mayonnaise.
  It is suspected to be caused by too low acidity due to a production error leading to absence of vinegar in the product prompting a mold and Salmonella risk.
  The outbreak is linked to a recall made this week in the U.K. by The Condiment Company Ltd. of Hunter and Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise in 250-gram glass jars.
  In the recall notice, the firm, based in the English city of Chichester, sai
  
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• Officials eye raw eggs in Salmonella outbreak; patient count increasing fast

  22-02-2019 06:01 via Food Safety News
  The likely source of contamination in a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people is related to handling raw egg products, according to Australian authorities.
  An investigation into the outbreak associated with three Angkor Bakery stores found a number of food and environmental samples collected from stores last week were positive for Salmonella.
  In an update from the initial announcement of 11 cases and nine hospitalizations one week ago, South Australia (SA) Health reported 51
  
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• FDA has no objections to GRAS status of Kemin’s oil-soluble green tea extract GT-FORT

  22-02-2019 02:01 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  The FDA has no objections to the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of Keminâs oil-soluble green tea extract GT-FORT, says the company.
  
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• Plant-based 'milks' should be labeled as 'imitation,' 'alternative,' or 'substitute' products, says NMPF petition

  22-02-2019 01:04 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has filed a citizen petition with the FDA proposing âa practical solution to the dairy labeling problem [a problem that plant-based companies say does not exist] that is grounded in current law and addresses contemporary concerns.â
  
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• Kashi taps Gen Z to launch new 'super foods' snack bites: 'A twist on your average granola bar'

  21-02-2019 18:42 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Kashi has expanded its 'Kashi by Kids' line -- which launched with three kids' cereals last summer -- with soft baked snack bites made with a base combination of coconut flour, chickpeas, acai, and sweet potato.
  
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• Kashi taps Gen Z to launch new super food snack bites: 'A twist on your average granola bar'

  21-02-2019 18:42 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Kashi has expanded its 'Kashi by Kids' line -- which launched with three kids' cereals last summer -- with soft baked snack bites made with a base combination of coconut flour, chickpeas, acai, and sweet potato.
  
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• TAJA Coconut brings cold-filtered coconut water with 'true taste' to market

  21-02-2019 17:52 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Coconut water brand TAJA -- created by beverage industry veteran and engineer by trade, Nilang Patel -- uses a patented multi-step cold filtration process to create a coconut water that the company claims is as close to drinking right out of a coconut as one can get.
  
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• Good Karma launches plant-based sour cream and dips, defends ‘plant milk’ labels: ‘This whole nutritional equivalency argument doesn’t even hold up within the dairy industry'

  21-02-2019 17:52 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Good Karma â best known for its flaxmilk-based milks and yogurts â is moving into new territory with the launch of plant-based sour cream, ranch dips, and French onion dips, categories currently underserved when it comes to dairy-free options, says CEO Doug Radi.
  
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• Where next for the US yogurt category? Chobani, Danone North America, General Mills, weigh in

  21-02-2019 17:30 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  US retail sales of yogurt fell -3.4% in the 52 weeks to January 26, 2019, but there have been some signs of recovery in recent weeks, with category sales in the 12 weeks to Jan 26 down a more modest -1.9%, according to the latest Nielsen data (all outlets and c-stores).*
  
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• Researchers explore an often ignored source of greenhouse gas

  21-02-2019 17:04 via Organic News -- ScienceDaily
  Researchers have discovered a surprising new source of carbon dioxide emissions -- bicarbonates hidden in the lake water used to irrigate local orchards.
  
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• Letter From The Editor: The Winter of Discontent

  21-02-2019 06:05 via Food Safety News
  Opinion
  Usually, I hold my opinions until the weekend, but this week it dawned on me that we may be experiencing the winter of raw milk’s discontent. I thought it best to speak up immediately.
  State capitols are hot during the coldest weeks of winter because state lawmakers are introducing bills they hope will get them attention. In many years past, we’d be tracking bills to expand raw milk sales in a half dozen or more states by this time of year.
  Raw milk action is currently on the
  
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• Salmonella infant formula illnesses increase; strain related to past outbreak

  21-02-2019 06:04 via Food Safety News
  The case count in a Salmonella outbreak linked to rice milk formula has increased again, with 26 possible infections in France.
  The French National Public Health Agency (Santé publique France) reported 12 confirmed cases of Salmonella Poona and another 14 under investigation. Luxembourg and Belgium also have one case each linked to the outbreak.
  Of the 26 cases in France, 18 are boys and eight are girls that live in 10 different regions. They were aged between 2 months and 2 years at the
  
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• FDA lifts suspension, but Working Cow Homemade isn’t making ice cream

  21-02-2019 06:03 via Food Safety News
  After suspending an ice cream company’s food facility registration in late 2018 during a  foodborne illnesses investigation, the FDA is allowing Working Cow Homemade Inc. to reopen, but not as a manufacturer.
  The company, in St. Petersburg, FL, is now an ice cream warehouse business, according to a notice from the Food and Drug Administration.  The company is allowed to store and distribute products from third-party manufacturers. The FDA notice did not include information about
  
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• Leafy greens, ground beef among top FMI 2019 food safety initiatives

  21-02-2019 06:00 via Food Safety News
  OpinionThe FMI Food Safety Program supports the food retail industry in selling safe food to loyal customers every day. FMI has several member committees dedicated to food safety and the technical staff offers expertise, 24/7 crisis support and comprehensive food safety training programs for member companies. Last year, FMI members focused on Listeria prevention, cleaning and sanitation resources, and traceability technologies to advance food safety. The year ended up being a
  
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• T’s Wellness Guide to Milan

  20-02-2019 20:48 via Organic Foods and Products
  A shortlist of places to find holistic facials, ashtanga yoga — and, yes, even gluten-free pizza.
  
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• The next two Ocado-powered fulfillment centers for Kroger will be in central Florida and the Mid-Atlantic

  20-02-2019 18:47 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Kroger and UK-based online grocery retailer Ocado will construct two new customer fulfillment centers (CFCs) in central Florida and the Mid-Atlantic, expanding the national grocery chain's online delivery reach throughout the East Coast.
  
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• PepsiCo boosts sports nutrition credentials with acquisition of CytoSport (Muscle Milk, Evolve Protein)

  20-02-2019 18:38 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Hormel Foods has sold its CytoSport business â which makes the Muscle Milk and Evolve Protein sports nutrition brands - to PepsiCo for an undisclosed sum.
  
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• Study: Food date labels can cause widespread confusion and unnecessary food waste

  20-02-2019 18:06 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  A heightened awareness around food safety paired with consumer confusion around deciphering food date labels may be a major source of food waste at the consumer level, a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) suggests.
  
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• Glanbia Nutritionals strikes deal to acquire Watson Inc

  20-02-2019 17:51 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Glanbia Nutritionals - a $1.4bn nutritional ingredients and cheese business - has struck a deal to acquire Watson, a Connecticut-based manufacturer and supplier of custom nutrient premixes, bakery ingredients, edible films and material conditioning products.
  
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• Kidfresh to launch frozen breakfast items: 'At the end of the day, the kids need to like it'

  20-02-2019 17:24 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Frozen kids meal brand Kidfresh is expanding into the breakfast category with a line of products rolling out in early April to address what CEO Matt Cohen calls 'the most intense time of the day' for parents.
  
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• Hemp food giant Manitoba Harvest to be acquired by Tilray, plans summer launch of broad spectrum hemp extracts with CBD

  20-02-2019 15:56 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Canadian cannabis specialist Tilray is to buy Manitoba Harvest â the worldâs largest hemp food manufacturer - from Compass Group and other shareholders in a deal that could be worth up to C$419m (US$317m).*
  
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• Public health officials say KFC in Mongolia linked to food poisoning cases

  20-02-2019 06:04 via Food Safety News
  Dozens of people have been hospitalized in Mongolia after eating at KFC, according to reports.
  From Feb. 8 to 15, more than 100 people showed food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting after eating at the Zaisan outlet of KFC in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
  A total of 37 people were hospitalized according to figures from the National Center for Communicable Diseases and 79 people were treated at home.
  Almost 100 samples of foods, beverages and environmental swabs were sent for lab
  
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• Produce importer initiates dukkah recall for potential risk of glass pieces

  20-02-2019 06:02 via Food Safety News
  An importer in Massachusetts is recalling cans of dukkah from retailers nationwide because they may contain pieces of glass. The company, Sid Wainer & Son, did not report how the problem was discovered.
  The New Bedford, MA, company notified the Food and Drug Administration of the recall in recent days. Officials with Sid Wainer & Son said that had not received any reports of injuries in relation to the recalled product.
  Consumers are urged to check their homes for opened and unpened cans
  
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• Pet owners file civil suits against Hill’s Pet Nutrition in relation to dog deaths

  20-02-2019 06:01 via Food Safety News
  UPDATED: Distribution details added.
  Pet owners have filed a total of three separate civil lawsuits in federal court against Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. following the company’s recent admission that some of its pet foods contained excessive levels of Vitamin D. The consumers are seeking class action status.
  The named plaintiffs in the three lawsuits allege that their dogs became ill as a result of elevated vitamin D in the pet foods. Four of the sick dogs either died or had to be eutha
  
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• Company recalls chicken salad for Listeria; some went to Whole Foods

  20-02-2019 06:00 via Food Safety News
  Lean Culinary Services LLC of Hollywood, FL, is recalling about 220 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad because the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product. Some of it carries the Whole Foods Market brand logo.
  The FSIS reports all of the chicken salad was produced on Feb. 12. Consumers are urged to check their homes for unused portions of the products, which can be identified by the following information:14.9-ounce plastic
  
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• Beverage startup SZENT to enter physical retail: 'SZENT is changing what it means to be a flavored beverage'

  19-02-2019 17:51 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Beverage startup SZENT is using the power of smell to its advantage in its line of 'flavored' bottled waters that will be entering California grocers later this year backed by a $2.2m round of financing from a group of independent investors.
  
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• Former Campbell Soup president Mark Alexander joins skyr brand Icelandic Provisions as CEO, plans Krímí whole milk launch

  19-02-2019 17:44 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Former Campbell Soup executive Mark Alexander is moving into the yogurt aisle to take the helm at fast-growing skyr brand Icelandic Provisions, replacing outgoing CEO Steve Platt, who will retain an advisory position at the company.
  
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• Biena Snacks’ baked chickpea puffs take the company and legume in new direction with fresh look

  19-02-2019 16:57 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  After pioneering and rising to the top of the roasted chickpea-based snack category, Biena Snacks is taking the legume â and company â in a new direction with the launch of a line of baked chickpeapuffs and a corresponding brand refresh complete with a new look and tagline.
  
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• Banza rolls out high protein, low carb, chickpea rice at Whole Foods nationwide

  19-02-2019 16:53 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Chickpea-fueled brand Banza is hoping it can emulate its success in the pasta aisle with a chickpea rice that delivers three times the protein, double the fiber, and 30% fewer net carbs than brown rice.
  
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• Califia Farms debuts Übermilk, a plant-based milk with extra protein, essential nutrients

  19-02-2019 16:51 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  With the nutrition facts panels of plant-based milks under intense scrutiny as the row over naming conventions in the category heats up, Califia Farms has unveiled Ãbermilk, a new oatmilk-based line packed with extra protein and micronutrients.
  
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• Defenders of raw milk focusing on liberty more than health in Tennessee

  19-02-2019 06:05 via Food Safety News
  A narrative is rapidly emerging in Tennessee against Dr. Richard Briggs bill to close the cow-share loophole that makes raw milk sales legal that otherwise would be illegal. The Tennessee Senate Commerce and Labor Committee has yet to schedule a hearing on the Briggs bill, but what lawmakers are hearing is that Senate Bill (SB) 15 pits community health against civil liberties.
  Briggs, is a Republican, a cardiac surgeon and a retired U.S. Army Colonel. He represents Knoxville in the Tennesse
  
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• Government’s Listeria test causes recall of Eat Smart kale bagged salad kits

  19-02-2019 06:04 via Food Safety News
  For the second time in two months, kale salad kits packaged under the Eat Smart brand are under recall because government sampling testing returned positive results for Listeria monocytogenes.
  Canadian officials did not report how many individual salad kits are affected by the recall. They also did not report how many pounds total are included in the recall, per the policy of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
  Curation Foods, known until this year as Apio, recalled its Eat Smart “
  
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• Packaged Facts: What are the disruptive food trends for 2019?

  18-02-2019 17:27 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Consumers are approaching food shopping differently than they have in years past with a greater emphasis on local, convenient, fresh, and functional, says market researcher Packaged Facts.
  
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• GUEST ARTICLE: Could the cashierless Amazon Go experience work in Whole Foods stores?

  18-02-2019 16:56 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  As Amazon tests its cashierless checkout technology in bigger stores, it begs the question: what would a cashierless technology integration of this size and scale look like at its Whole Foods locations, and what would be required to make the integration successful?
  
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• Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha raises $3.5m, plans move into cans

  18-02-2019 16:50 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Boulder-based organic kombucha brand Rowdy Mermaid â which has carved out a distinct niche in the category with its herb and botanical infused beverages - has raised $3.5m in a Series A round, led by KarpReilly and supported by high profile investors including Justinâs nut butter founder Justin Gold and Bear Naked co-founder Brendan Synnott.
  
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• NEW PRODUCTS GALLERY: From plant-based burgers, yogurt, and creamers to sophisticated soda

  18-02-2019 16:49 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  Check out FoodNavigator-USAâs latest gallery of new products hitting US shelves, spanning the latest plant-based launches in the meat and dairy aisle, new pulse based pastas, keto-inspired launches in everything from bone broth and pancake mixes, and nitro cola.
  
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• Food safety funding again secure — this time through Sept. 30, 2019

  18-02-2019 06:05 via Food Safety News
  Spending authority to keep the federal government running through Sept. 30 was put into place in time to avert another partial government shutdown, which would have begun Saturday if the budget deal had not been approved.
  It means the Fiscal Year 2019 budget process is finally wrapped up, and it is time to ask about food safety funding. Congress and President Trump had to reach an agreement on the FY2019 budget to avoid another partial government shutdown. The budget deal covers the seven approp
  
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• Recommendations made in strawberry tampering report

  18-02-2019 06:03 via Food Safety News
  The government’s response to tampering of Australian strawberries with needles this past year was timely but areas to improve have been identified in a Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) report.
  These include centralizing incident coordination to include relevant government agencies such as police, and improving the consistency and messaging associated with such an event. The report made seven recommendations and raised the idea of industry, government and law enforcement doing m
  
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• FDA tells Michigan juice producers to put food safety measures in place

  18-02-2019 06:01 via Food Safety News
  The Food and Drug Administration cited a Michigan company known for its raw and cold-pressed juices for violating federal food safety law in a warning letter recently made available to the public.
  The Feb. 1 letter references an inspection from Aug. 15-31, 2018 and says juices at the production operation Panther James LLC in Berkley, MI, are adulterated because the facility doesn’t have a plan for and documentation of proper Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point procedures. Such proce
  
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• One heck of a way to run a government

  17-02-2019 06:03 via Food Safety News
  Opinion
  Dr. Elisabeth Hagen left the USDA in December of 2013, leaving the position of the USDA’s Undersecretary for Food Safety vacant and President Obama chose not to fill it for the remainder of his term.
  Trump got Ted McKinney in as the USDA’s Undersecretary for Agriculture Trade and Foreign Affairs and my old friend from Nebraska, Greg Ibach, as the Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Affairs almost immediately after he put his left hand on a bible and raised his right.
  
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• Nature’s Path Foods recalls cereals containing undeclared gluten

  16-02-2019 23:29 via Food Safety News
  Nature’s Path Foods, a privately held, family-owned company, producing USDA and Canadian Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified breakfast and snack foods sold in grocery and natural food stores in over 50 countries around the world recalled a specific production run of EnviroKidz Choco Chimps, Gorilla Munch and Jungle Munch cereals for they may contain undeclared gluten (wheat and barley).
  People who have a wheat allergy, celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten and wheat should not
  
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• Smoked silver salmon in jars recalled over botulism fears

  16-02-2019 22:58 via Food Safety News
  Wasilla, AK-based Smoked Alaska Seafoods Inc. has recalled all jars and cans of Smoked Silver Salmon in 6.5 oz. containers with the production code of AL81111133 on the bottom of the jar/can because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
  Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
  Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following sympt
  
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• Six-month old Salmonella outbreak from raw turkey continues to expand

  16-02-2019 22:41 via Food Safety News
  The deadly multistate outbreak of multiple drug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to raw turkey products continues to expand, according to the latest update from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
  The outbreak dates back to last July and the most recent of four associated recalls occurred only two weeks ago.  According to the latest report:Since the last update on December 21, 2018, 63 more ill people were reported, bringing the total to 279 ill pe
  
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• Officials haven’t named supplier behind yeast recalls affecting dozens of brands

  16-02-2019 06:04 via Food Safety News
  With more than 80 yeast products recalled in the past week, Canadian officials say an ingredient supplier is likely the source of the problem. However, the government is not naming that supplier.
  A consumer complaint about an allergic reaction to Indigo Packaged Goodness brand yeast spurred the initial recall on Feb. 7. Officials said as of last night they had not received any reports of adverse reactions to other companies’ products. The companies distributed the recalled yeast to various
  
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• Cheese made with raw milk from TB-positive herd recalled; two other cheese recalls are unrelated

  16-02-2019 06:03 via Food Safety News
  Corleggy Cheese has recalled two cheeses in Ireland made withunpasteurized milk from a herd in which animals tested positive for tuberculosis (TB).
  Mycobacterium bovis causes TB in cattle and consumption of contaminated dairy products can cause human TB.
  Cavanbert raw cows’ milk cheese with best before dates up to Feb. 14, 2019, and Drumlin cheese with dates up to March 13, 2019, are affected. No other Corleggy Cheese products are implicated. Cavanbert and Drumlin Cheese with best before d
  
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• The future of baby food is fresh, says Little Spoon: ‘We believe your baby’s food should never be older than your baby’

  15-02-2019 17:05 via FoodNavigator-USA RSS
  
  The future of baby food â according to some brands at least â is fresh. But which business models make the most sense for new players in this small, but rapidly growing, chilled segment of the market?
  
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