The New York Times reported this afternoon that Metz Fresh has recalled some bagged spinach due to a positive salmonella sample.  FDA also has a press release about the recall here (with some pretty good quotes from Metz Fresh).I visited the Metz Fresh website and came across their food safety commitment

The Washington Post reported today that teams involved with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Tomato Safety Initiative have completed their Virginia visits and went to more than 50 growing fields and three packing facilities.Jack Guzewich, a specialist in foodborne diseases at the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, was cited as saying that because water can carry bacteria, investigators look at irrigation water, wells, chemical mixing procedures and the results of drought and flooding, adding, "Animals can be anything from reptiles to birds and mammals -- the whole zoological garden

I don't even like peanut butter. But Elizabeth Lee of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution managed to find two fans, with decidedly different perceptions of risk after the Peter Pan salmonella outbreak.Linda Moore, 59, who works nights as a licensed practical nurse, was quoted as saying, "It's a comfort food

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) reports that salmonella has been found in 13 percent of pet turtles that have been sold at aquariums, retail outlets and Internet shopping malls.The story says that according to statistics from the Korea Customs Service (KCS), nearly 200,000 pet turtles were imported last year

The BBC reports that four confirmed and three suspected cases of Salmonella have been linked to the Princess Rose Chinese restaurant in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, U.K.The restaurant has been formally closed by West Dunbartonshire Council's environmental health section pending further investigation

Reuters reported yesterday that ConAgra Foods Inc.  is gearing up to bring Peter Pan back to life.The company plans to relaunch the peanut butter this month with a new jar, a money-back guarantee and an extensive direct marketing campaign to reach 5 million Peter Pan consumers.David Palfenier, president of grocery for ConAgra, was quoted as saying, "Our full intent is to regain the trust from both our consumers and our (retail) customers so that we can regain the business that we had, or even more

In a breathtaking example of doublespeak, the Chicago Department of Public Health is reporting today that,"As anticipated, reports of illnesses related to the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth at Taste of Chicago are slowing down considerably. As of noon today, a total of 678 people have reported that they became ill after they ate food purchased from the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth—up from the 636 reported Tuesday

Elex Scheels, the mother of 20-month-old triplets, two of whom were sickened with Salmonella Wandsworth in the Veggie Booty outbreak, was cited as saying she is disappointed with Veggie Booty's owner, Robert Ehrlich, president of Robert's American Gourmet."If this man reached out and said 'Oh, my gosh, this is horrifying, I'm so sorry

My pre-game hockey ritual always included scarfing back a Dairy Milk chocolate bar. The caffeine-chocolate buzz really helped me focus on the hard rubber discs being shot at my head.But, if I ever find ice again, and can fit into my goalie equipment currently being soiled by pigeon's in Naylor's barn back in Guelph, Ontario, I'll think twice about the Dairy Milk ritual