Food News

Texas Legacy Joins National Powerhouse (Image Credits: Unsplash) Western Smokehouse Partners has acquired Junior’s Smokehouse, marking a key development in the US meat snacks manufacturing sector.[1][2] Texas Legacy Joins National Powerhouse Junior’s Smokehouse, established in 1985 in El Campo, Texas, brought decades of expertise in producing jerky, smoked sausages, and other specialty meats to the deal.[1] The family-rooted operation specialized in private-label manufacturing, building a reputation for hand-crafted quality over nearly four decades.[3] Western Smokehouse Partners, headquartered in Galesburg, Illinois, operates facilities across Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho.[1] The company focuses on private-label and co-manufacturing services for premium meat snacks, … Read more

No Illnesses Reported, But Caution Prevails (Image Credits: Unsplash) Gerber Products Company launched a voluntary recall on January 26, 2026, for select batches of its Arrowroot Biscuits after a supplier flagged possible contamination risks.[1][2] No Illnesses Reported, But Caution Prevails Gerber acted swiftly out of an abundance of caution following a recall by its arrowroot flour supplier. The company identified potential soft plastic and paper pieces in limited batches of the 5.5-ounce product. Production occurred between July and September 2025. No injuries or health complaints have emerged to date. Gerber emphasized its commitment to safety in an official statement.[2] The … Read more

No Illnesses Reported, But Vigilance Urged (Image Credits: Pixabay) Canada – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall for Dan-D Pak brand Raw Macadamia Nuts following tests that detected possible Salmonella contamination.[1] No Illnesses Reported, But Vigilance Urged Officials confirmed no illnesses linked to the product as of the recall posting on January 28. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency triggered the action through routine testing. Consumers face potential health threats despite the absence of confirmed cases. Salmonella poses risks even without visible spoilage signs. The agency continues its investigation to ensure the nuts leave store shelves.[1] This marks a … Read more

Unprecedented Outbreak Shocks Parents and Regulators (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) Federal investigators linked organic whole milk powder from two suppliers to the contamination that sickened 51 infants across 19 states through ByHeart’s recalled formula.[1][2] Unprecedented Outbreak Shocks Parents and Regulators The first major U.S. outbreak of infant botulism tied to powdered infant formula emerged in November 2025. Health officials confirmed 51 cases, with all affected infants hospitalized but no deaths reported. Illnesses spanned from Arizona to Wisconsin, with the last onset on December 1, 2025.[1] Symptoms included constipation, poor feeding, weak cry, and floppy movements, progressing to severe issues like breathing … Read more

Uncovering the Fraudulent Scheme (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) Bolton Crown Court – Liam Dooney, 53, from the Wigan area, received a prison sentence for his part in handling stolen chicken and turkey worth over half a million pounds.[1] Uncovering the Fraudulent Scheme Criminal networks targeted food supply chains by posing as legitimate businesses. They cloned details from McDonald’s franchises to divert deliveries from overseas suppliers and one UK firm. The operation led to the theft of substantial poultry cargoes. Investigators recovered 16.8 metric tonnes of the stolen goods. Traceability issues forced authorities to downgrade the meat for pet food use only. … Read more

A Heavy Human Cost Across the Nation (Image Credits: Unsplash) Federal health officials announced the conclusion of a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak connected to contaminated prepared pasta products that affected consumers nationwide.[1][2] A Heavy Human Cost Across the Nation Health authorities reported 27 confirmed infections spanning 18 states, with illnesses onset ranging from August 2024 through October 2025.[3] Among those with available data, 25 individuals required hospitalization, highlighting the severity of the infections. Six deaths occurred, one each in Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. Additionally, one pregnancy-related case led to a fetal loss. Patients ranged in age from 4 … Read more

Modeling Real-World Risks (Image Credits: Unsplash) The European Food Safety Authority examined conditions that allow bacteria to multiply in beef, pork, and lamb destined for freezers, focusing on stages from slaughter through chilling, storage, and thawing.[1][2] Modeling Real-World Risks Researchers compared multiple storage scenarios to a reference case of non-vacuum-packed meat held at 7°C for 15 days. They employed mathematical models to calculate “equivalence time,” the duration under varied conditions that matches microbial levels in the baseline.[1] This approach accounted for factors like temperature, vacuum packaging, and time between slaughter and freezing. Chilling typically required a few days post-slaughter to … Read more

A Market Eclipsing FDA Oversight (Image Credits: Unsplash) Washington – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin reintroduced the Dietary Supplement Listing Act to mandate that manufacturers register their products with the Food and Drug Administration.[1][2] A Market Eclipsing FDA Oversight The dietary supplement industry has expanded dramatically since 1994. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act that year, granting the FDA regulatory authority but stopping short of product registration requirements.[2] Back then, roughly 4,000 supplements reached the U.S. market. Today, the FDA estimates more than 100,000 products circulate nationwide.[2] Sales climbed from $4 billion annually to over $50 … Read more

Revolutionizing Recipe Flexibility (Image Credits: Unsplash) NYT Cooking recently introduced an AI-driven tool that scales over 25,000 recipes up or down with a single tap, transforming how home chefs adapt dishes to their needs.[1] Revolutionizing Recipe Flexibility Imagine turning a four-serving meal into a feast for eight without tedious math – NYT Cooking made it reality last week. Engineers collaborated with senior editor Genevieve Ko over nine months to train a generative AI model on nuanced scaling rules. Recipe editors with decades of experience then tested and refined outputs for reliability.[1] Users select halve, double, or reset via a dropdown; … Read more

The Secret to Flavorful Broth in Half an Hour (Image Credits: Pixabay) A nourishing bowl of chicken soup emerges as the ultimate remedy during cold snaps, blending tender meat, crisp vegetables, and hearty grains in record time. The Secret to Flavorful Broth in Half an Hour Traditional chicken soups demand long simmers to build depth, yet this version achieves similar results swiftly. Cooks start with boiling water and add chicken drumsticks alongside fresh ginger for an aromatic base.[1] The low water-to-ingredient ratio concentrates flavors quickly, keeping the meat juicy while vegetables soften to perfection. Ginger slices infuse a warming note, … Read more