Haribo is recalling all 1kg bags of Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands with a best-before date of January 2026 after cannabis was detected in three packs. Several consumers, including a family, reported feeling unwell—specifically dizziness—after consuming the sweets. Dutch authorities are investigating the contamination source, which remains unclear, and are working with Haribo to determine if the affected bags are genuine. The recall is a precautionary measure, and Haribo assures consumers that products outside the Netherlands are unaffected.
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A recent E. coli outbreak, linked to contaminated romaine lettuce and sickening nearly 90 people, saw federal agencies fail to issue any public warnings, a departure from standard practice. This inaction follows a pattern of the Department of Health and Human Services neglecting public health information regarding infectious diseases like listeria and hepatitis. Furthermore, the administration has withdrawn a proposed regulation to reduce salmonella in poultry and disbanded a Justice Department unit focused on contaminated food, shifting responsibilities to under-resourced states. This lack of federal oversight and resource allocation raises serious concerns about public safety and food security.
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Publix voluntarily recalled its Greenwise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach & Pea Baby Food pouches due to elevated lead levels exceeding the FDA’s 10 parts per billion limit. The recall, encompassing pouches produced by Bowman Andros and sold in eight states, followed routine testing by North Carolina officials revealing 13.4 parts per billion of lead. All affected products have been removed from shelves, and customers can receive full refunds. This recall follows a similar incident involving Target baby food earlier this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about lead contamination in baby food products. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the Publix recall.
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A new salmonella outbreak, linked to Florida-based Bedner Growers’ cucumbers, has sickened at least 26 people across 15 states, with nine hospitalizations. These cucumbers, distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales between April 29 and May 19, are suspected to be the source of illness reported between April 2 and 28. The outbreak follows a larger 2024 outbreak involving the same grower, and investigations reveal matching salmonella strains in both incidents. Consumers are urged to discard any cucumbers of uncertain origin.
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Following initial layoffs impacting drug and food safety, the FDA has announced a partial reversal of job cuts. Scientists in drug safety labs and food safety labs, along with some support staff, will be reinstated. This reversal, attributed to inaccurate data from HHS’s HR divisions, affects scientists in Puerto Rico, Detroit, Chicago, and San Francisco. However, the impact of the initial cuts remains significant, with delays in drug safety work, stalled foreign inspections, and unpaid expenses.
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The USDA has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have mandated salmonella limits in poultry products, citing over 7,000 public comments. This decision reverses a Biden-era initiative aimed at reducing the 1.35 million annual salmonella infections, many foodborne, and approximately 420 associated deaths. Industry groups applauded the withdrawal, while advocates criticized the move as prioritizing industry concerns over public health. The USDA will now evaluate whether to update existing salmonella regulations.
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Due to reduced capacity within the FDA’s food safety and nutrition division, a quality control program for dairy product testing has been suspended. This suspension follows the termination of 20,000 Department of Health and Human Services employees and impacts multiple food safety programs, including bird flu and pathogen testing. The suspension affects the proficiency testing program for Grade “A” milk and related products, highlighting a significant setback for food safety oversight. This reduction in capacity comes despite a long history of FDA efforts to ensure the safety of the nation’s milk supply.
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An E. coli outbreak in November 2024, affecting 89 individuals across 15 states, resulted in one death and numerous hospitalizations, including a child who suffered near-fatal kidney failure. The FDA closed its investigation without publicly naming the responsible companies, citing a lack of available contaminated lettuce and therefore no actionable advice for consumers. This decision, however, has drawn criticism from food safety advocates and victims who believe the public has a right to know which companies were involved, to make informed choices and prevent future incidents. The FDA maintains that its response aligned with existing policy, prioritizing actionable consumer advice.
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The USDA plans to close its D.C. headquarters, resulting in thousands of layoffs and the relocation of remaining staff to three yet-to-be-determined national hubs. This restructuring also targets numerous field office leases. The stated rationale is to better serve farmers and ranchers, although critics argue that centralization near other agencies would be more effective. Concerns are rising among farmers, particularly given the current planting season and previous, albeit temporarily reversed, job cuts.
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President Trump imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on Australian beef, citing Australia’s ban on US beef since a 2003 mad cow disease outbreak. Despite the US being Australia’s largest red meat market, importing nearly 400,000 tonnes of Australian beef in 2024, Australian officials firmly rejected compromising biosecurity standards. While some Australian farmers expressed concern, the tariff was deemed manageable, particularly given the current exchange rate. The situation may also prompt renewed trade negotiations with the European Union.
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John Q. Hosedrinker