Where can I learn about the latest food recalls?

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Product Recall 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively investigating findings of Salmonella in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods. At this time, no illnesses associated with this contamination have been reported to the FDA. You may wish search the database of recalled products containing HVP.

Salami Outbreak 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health officials as well as federal and state agencies to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo infections. On January 23, 2010, FSIS issued a news release that Daniele International Inc. is recalling approximately 1,240,000 pounds of ready-to-eat varieties of Italian sausage products (including salame/salami) in commerce and potentially available to customers in retail locations because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. On February 4, 2010, FSIS updated its January 23, 2010 news release to include two additional salame/salami products, adding approximately 23,754 pounds to the initial recall. These products can have an extended shelf life of up to one year. The manufacturer has voluntarily halted production of salami products. For more information, please visit the updated FSIS news release concerning the recalled Italian sausage products.

Beef Products 
On March 2, 2010, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Randolph Packing Co. Inc., an Asheboro, NC establishment, is recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. For more information, please visit the press release regarding the beef product recall, which includes a list of products affected by the recall.

A recall is a voluntary action by a manufacturer or distributor to protect the public from products that may cause health problems.

The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) share responsibility for food safety and recalls.

The FDA has jurisdiction over recalls involving:

• seafood, fruits, vegetables and other non-meat food products
• pet and farm animal feed

You may visit the FDA website for food recalls, withdrawals and alerts, and you may also view the food recall, withdrawal and alert archive.

The FSIS of the USDA inspects and regulates the following:

• meat
• poultry products
• eggs

The FSIS website offers information on federal food recalls, including a list of current open recall cases and the recall case archive.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1.888.MPHOTLINE (1.888.674.6854), is available in English and Spanish and can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. ET.

You may also wish to visit FoodSafety.gov for information on food poisoining, reporting a food problem, or read news and food safety alerts. Or, you may wish to access information about regulating imported food.

Additional Resources:

• E. Coli
• Salmonella
• Botulism