Latest news with #foodSafety
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
AHS temporarily shutters Saskatoon Farm food facilities after 88 fall ill
More than a week after dining at the sit-down restaurant at Saskatoon Farm, best friends Kayla Scott and Alanna Jensen are still battling a stubborn illness — and they aren't the only ones. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has temporarily closed all food services at the popular Okotoks farm after 88 people reported gastrointestinal illness following visits on July 15 and 16. Officials are also investigating whether two recent hospitalizations are connected. AHS says food services will remain closed while it waits for test results from the farm's water system and food preparation areas. The kitchen is also being thoroughly cleaned. "I haven't ever experienced anything like this," said Scott, a Calgary resident. Scott and Jensen — as well as their friend and all their young babies — visited last Wednesday. Their symptoms hit the next day: intense vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fevers, chills and more. "My already-low milk supply for my daughter has gotten even lower because I can't eat, I can barely drink. That's been a huge cause of stress for us. This whole thing has just been a nightmare." Water quality concerns Saskatoon Farm apologized to those affected through a social media post on July 22. After a request for an interview, management wrote to CBC News that after last week's heavy rain, they believe groundwater got into the cisterns from which they truck in their restaurant water. "As soon as we noticed we switched to our treated well, purged all our affected lines with chlorine and switched to bottled water/pop. We had to throw out many produced items as well that might have been affected," Seann Hamer, one of the owners, wrote in an email. Jensen said she knew all along that it was an issue with the water. She said she even asked for lemon slices to add to her water to help with the taste. "There were three of us that went to the farm. Two of us ended up sick, and the two of us that were sick were the ones that drank the water," said Jensen, who lives in Okotoks. She wrote the farm an email on Friday morning, two days after their visit, to let them know about their symptoms. "I'm probably just never gonna drink water at a place of business ever again," said Scott. Watch for dehydration, bloody diarrhea Dr. Catherine Patocka, an emergency department physician and emergency medicine department head at the University of Calgary, said in situations like this, she worries most about vulnerable populations. "Younger children or much older individuals who are not able to eat or drink anything could certainly be at risk for dehydration." "And then also certainly if you're having diarrhea that has blood in it, that's always more concerning to us and should be brought to attention sooner." Microbiologist Jason Tetro said this is an example of why water testing is so important — especially in rural, agricultural settings. "It's very rare that we see this, but if you suspect that a lot of rain has occurred and you know that you're going into an environment that may be using water that isn't pressurized and treated like we do in the city, it's OK to ask for bottles." U-Pick open this weekend On Facebook, Saskatoon Farm said their other services — including their gift store and farmer's market stand — remain open. The Saskatoon Berry U-Pick will also be open this weekend.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
RECALL: Pickled seafoods sold in stores and on Facebook
People are being advised not to consume pickled whelks and lobsters by Fermes Belles-Amours Inc. (MAPAQ) People are being advised not to consume pickled whelks and lobster packaged in glass jars and sold at room temperature by Fermes Belles-Amours Inc. 'These products could promote the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria,' said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ). The items affected include pickled whelks (140 g) and pickled lobster (145 g) sold until July 7, 2025. MAPAQ explains that the items were sold by the retailer, on Facebook and various other establishments. 'Anyone who has one of these products in their possession is advised not to consume it,' the agency notes. 'They should return it to the establishment where they purchased it or throw it away.' MAPAQ People are being advised not to consume pickled whelks and lobsters by Fermes Belles-Amours Inc. (MAPAQ) Anyone with symptoms related to the consumption of the products is advised to consult a health care professional. 'Even if the products in question show no signs of spoilage or have no suspicious odour, consuming them may pose a health risk,' MAPAQ states. The agency says no cases of illness have been reported.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nestlé Is Making a Big Change to Its Products
Since the beginning of the year, the spotlight has been shining on the ingredients found in our foods—specifically synthetic food dyes. On Jan. 15, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced its plans to ban Red Dye No. 3. The food additive was determined to violate the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), which prohibits the use of any food additive that has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals. While Red Dye No. 3 has not been linked to any cancer cases in humans, two studies found that high levels of the additive caused cancer in male lab rats. The FDA declared a deadline for companies to remove Red Dye No. 3 from all products by 2027 to 2028. Since the ruling, all eyes have been on the other six FD&C colors the FDA have deemed safe for food use. In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shared new steps the FDA was taking to remove all petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from all products in the U.S., including the remaining FD&C colors. While not mandatory, the FDA is 'requesting' companies remove Red Dye No. 3 from all products before the deadline, as well as 'working with the industry' to ban FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 by the end of 2026. Some companies have been proactive in removing the dyes—like Sam's Club, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills. Now, Nestlé is the latest company to announce its plans to remove all FD&C colors from its products. On June 25, Nestlé released a statement declaring plans to 'fully eliminate FD&C colors in its U.S. food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026.' The company stated that it has been working to remove synthetic dyes and 'identify alternative solutions' for over a decade, which has resulted in more than 90% of its products being free of FD&C color additives. Nestlé says it should be 100% synthetic dye-free within the next 12 months. 'As [customers'] diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them,' said Marty Thompson, Nestlé USA's CEO, in a press release. Nestlé didn't provide a list of the products that will be changing, but some of its products that still contain synthetic food dyes include select Nesquik milks and some Nestlé Toll House cookie doughs. Nestlé will replace the synthetic FD&C colors with naturally-derived colorants like turmeric, vegetable juice, and annatto extract—similar to what Aldi and Trader Joe's have been using for years. Thompson added that "Nestlé USA remains committed to providing consumers with affordable, high-quality food and beverages.' Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Washington Post
A kindergarten in China added lead to food, and over 200 children are affected
BEIJING — More than 200 kindergarten students were found to have abnormally high levels of lead in their blood after the school added paint to their food, authorities in northwest China reported Tuesday. The case highlights long-running food safety concerns in China. State broadcaster CCTV, citing a police official, said the school in Gansu province added the paint to try to attract more students and increase revenue. CCTV obtained and posted online the full text of an investigation by the province and city.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kraft Heinz Food company recalls over 360,000 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon
( — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety and Inspection Services announced that Kraft Heinz Foods Company recalled almost 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may have been adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. The turkey bacon was produced from April 24 through June 11, and the following labels were recalled. According to FSIS, the products subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the label. The items photographed above were sold at retail locations nationwide, and some were sent to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. Public House Downtown announce closure after 13 years of service FSIS said that officials found the program after laboratory testing at the establishments showed that the product could have been contaminated with LM. At this time, there have been no confirmed reports of customers having reactions due to the consumption of the products. 'Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,' FSIS said. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions that sometimes could be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, FSIS stated. FSIS said, 'Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
