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Aging Matters: Food safety, recalls and outbreaks

News headlines this year have highlighted significant food safety recalls and

outbreaks. Just this month the State of Hawaii Department of Health Food and Drug Branch issued a new release detailing a dog food recall for potential listeria and salmonella contamination (https://go.hawaii.edu/atU), the Associated Press and local news outlets announced a USDA investigation of the multi-state Boar’s Head listeria outbreak (https://go.hawaii.edu/eta), and the Department of Justice announced action against a cheese manufacturing company in California relating to listeria (https://go.hawaii.edu/atB).

As we approach a season of preparing and eating delicious foods with families and friends, it is important to know how to access resources from entities that monitor food safety and alert consumers when issues arise. This is especially important for families with small children, individuals with allergies, and those with compromised immune systems which make them more vulnerable to illnesses and reactions to contaminated foods.

FOOD RECALLS,

OUTBREAKS, AND ALERTS

Several state and national agencies track, announce, and investigate food safety concerns. The Food and Drug Administration provides food safety alerts via email to those who register for the service. To register, go to the FDA recall and alert page (https://go.hawaii.edu/Tta), click on the envelope icon, enter your email address, and select preferred notice frequency (immediate, daily, or weekly). The two most common terms used by state and federal agencies who track food safety are the following:

¯ Recalls take place when a food does not meet safety or quality standards and is taken off the market. Most are voluntary and initiated by the food manufacturer. Common issues that spur a recall include mislabeled foods, undeclared ingredients such as common allergens, contamination including pathogens or foreign objects, and other safety concerns.

¯ Outbreaks happen when two or more people from different households become ill after consuming the same food or beverage. Health care professionals who treat individuals with a foodborne illness will report it to Hawaii’s Department of Health.

RECALL, OUTBREAK, AND FOOD SAFETY RESOURCES

Departments and agencies that monitor and track food safety issues also provide online resources to learn about and navigate recalls and outbreaks. These include:

State of Hawaii Resources

¯ Department of Health (DoH) News Releases, https://go.hawaii.edu/oYa

¯ DoH Food and Drug Branch: Food Recalls, Tips, and Guidance, https://go.hawaii.edu/at5

¯ DoH Food Safety Tips, Minimum Internal Temperatures, https://go.hawaii.edu/fYa

National Agencies

¯ FoodSafety.gov Recalls & Outbreaks, https://go.hawaii.edu/atW

¯ FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts, https://go.hawaii.edu/Tta

¯ USDA Recalls, https://go.hawaii.edu/aYj

¯ USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHOTLINE (1-888-674-6854)

Here’s to a healthy, informed, and safe holiday season!

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