US Food Safety Not Improving: Feds

But feds don't have enough information yet for a recall

(NEWSER) - Ground turkey joins the salmonella scare parade. The CDC says one person has died and nearly 80 others have gotten sick across the country since March, apparently from eating contaminated batches of the meat, reports ABC News . The feds don't have enough information yet to issue an official recall or name brands or manufacturers. Instead, they're warning people to keep taking the precautions recommended for all ground turkey—cook it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, wash your hands, etc. (See the CDC advisory for details.) More»

(NEWSER) - A third of US states do not require testing of the salmonella bacteria involved in reported illnesses, possibly hampering national efforts to identify outbreaks, MSNBC reports. If testing were mandatory, proponents say, a strain’s widespread dissemination could be more quickly identified and the source more easily pinpointed. But states without mandatory testing say their methods are just as effective and more economical. More»

Firm linked to salmonella outbreak suspends operations at 2nd facility

(AP) - The peanut company at the center of an investigation into a deadly national salmonella outbreak said today that it has suspended operations at a second processing plant. Peanut Corp. of America said in a statement that it was voluntarily suspending operations at its Plainview, Texas, plant while state and federal health officials complete an investigation into procedures and food-safety records there. More»

Common hospital, school brand may have sickened 400 Americans

(NEWSER) - A peanut butter brand distributed exclusively to food services—including those at schools and hospitals—may be the culprit in the latest salmonella outbreak, which has sickened 400 Americans in 42 states. The Peanut Corp. of America has recalled King Nut and Parnell's Pride peanut butters after the contaminant was found in an open King Nut container at a Minnesota nursing facility, HealthDay reports. More»

More than 1,000 cases reported; tomatoes and hot peppers still the main suspects

(NEWSER) - The number of salmonella cases has surpassed 1,000, making it the nation's largest food-borne outbreak, says the CDC. Despite the volume of cases, investigators still can't quite pinpoint the exact cause or source, LiveScience reports. Certain types of tomatoes, hot peppers and cilantro—the main ingredients of salsa—remain the main suspects. More»