January, 2024

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Implementing and Following Through with Highly Effective Employee Training and Education

Food Safety Magazine

In the ever-evolving world of food manufacturing, employee training and education play a pivotal role in achieving operational excellence, maintaining the highest quality standards, ensuring food safety, and establishing a robust food safety culture within an organization.

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FDA warns pet food producer about improper ingredient storage conditions

Food Safety News

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems.

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Beyond Menus: Creative QR Code Uses for Restaurants

Modern Restaurant Management

During the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes took center stage in the restaurant industry. The technology allowed patrons to bypass physical menus and access digital menus instead, lowering the risk of spreading the virus. But QR codes offer much more than a pathway to a menu on our phones. Businesses use the 2D barcode in new, exciting ways every day. For example, Pizza Hut used QR codes to turn pizza boxes into an augmented reality game of Pac-Man, while Chili’s promoted the technology at its

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597 sick, 226 hospitalized and 15 deaths by Salmonella Cantaloupe

Bill Marler

In the United States a total of 407 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella were reported from 44 states: Alaska (1), Arizona (15), Arkansas (2), California (56), Colorado (11), Connecticut (2), Florida (4), Georgia (8), Illinois (22), Indiana (9), Iowa (12), Kansas 2, Kentucky 10, Maryland 9, Massachusetts 2, Michigan 7, Minnesota 29, Mississippi 1, Missouri (15), Montana (3), Nebraska (7), Nevada (8), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (8), New Mexico (2), New York (14), No

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Food & Beverage Industry Report 2024

Driven by a diverse and exciting ecosystem of passionate, ambitious, and often young entrepreneurs, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector is a highly competitive environment full of immense challenges and exciting opportunities. Expert Market’s 2024 industry report, sponsored by Toast, is informed by a survey of 522 U.S. food and beverage professionals, from restaurant owners to food service managers, providing insights into the real-time challenges and opportunities within the industry.

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Commercial Kitchen Cleaning: Are You Missing These 5 Areas?

Wasserstrom

Maintaining a squeaky-clean commercial kitchen is paramount for food safety and operational efficiency. In this article, we highlight five important, yet often overlooked, areas in your commercial kitchen that deserve regular cleaning attention. Cleaning Zones That Require Your Special Attention While thorough sanitizing and cleaning routines are standard practice, certain areas can unintentionally fall through […] The post Commercial Kitchen Cleaning: Are You Missing These 5 Areas?

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Study Finds Little Difference Between Plastic in Seafood, Meat, and Plant-Based Proteins—It’s All Contaminated

Food Safety Magazine

A new study has found microplastic particles in 88 percent of protein food samples across 16 types, with no statistical difference in microplastics concentrations between land- and ocean-sourced proteins.

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Arizona may join Italy by banning lab-grown meat from the state

Food Safety News

Two bills introduced into the Arizona Legislature may signal that the 2024 sessions of those “Laboratories of Democracy” will be something of an “alt-meat” grinder. Arizona State Rep. David Marshall, R-Snowflake, and four co-sponsors have introduced House Bill 2121, prohibiting cell-cultured animal products. HB2121 prohibits anyone in Arizona from offering to sell or produce a cell-cultured animal product for human consumption.

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2024 Outlook: Restaurant Trends and Challenges, Part Three

Modern Restaurant Management

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2024. Read the first part, here. For the second part, click here. QSRs Shift Focus from Slow-Paced Dining to Swift, Transactional Experiences Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are reimagining their dining spaces to prioritize speed, convenience, and personalization over traditional, slow-paced dining experiences.

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FDA and CDC now warn of Lead and Chromium in WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis Applesauce

Bill Marler

Parents are understandably angry at a company – someone in the cinnamon supply chain – would intentionally add significant about of dangerous metals that would eventually end up in the bodies of U.S. children. As I said to the USA Today – Yesterday: “I have never seen chromium being found in foods before, but we have also never seen these high of levels of lead either,” food safety lawyer Bill Marler told USA TODAY.

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9 thought leaders reflect on what alternative protein trends to look forward to this year

GFI

January 31, 2024 Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on LinkedIn Looking ahead In 2024, we are focused on bringing increased energy and enthusiasm to the alternative protein space. Each of us who work at GFI operates from a unique vantage point across the alternative protein sector and is well-suited to catalyze meaningful change in the areas that will have the most impact.

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Menu expert reveals top 2024 restaurant trends

Fast Casual

Snacking is on the rise for two reasons — cautious behavior and stress — according to trend expert Suzy Badaracco, who predicts consumers' favorite flavors and dishes of 2024.

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PFAS Issues in the Cannabis Industry

Food Safety Magazine

The cannabis industry is no exception to the potential risks of PFAS contamination, ranging from possible health and safety implications to a business' litigation risk.

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Quaker Oats expands December product recall over Salmonella contamination

Food Safety News

The Quaker Oats Company is expanding their Dec. 15, 2023, recall to include additional cereals, bars and snacks because of potential Salmonella contamination. The products listed below are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. This recall applies to the specific products listed below, in addition to the products announced on Dec. 15, 2023.

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Restaurants Can Score Big for the Super Bowl

Modern Restaurant Management

In a few weeks, bars and restaurants will be filled with hungry and thirsty football fans celebrating their favorite team. Now is the time to get your plays in order to be a winner this Super Bowl Sunday. Themed Menus for the Win : Want to show support for this year’s best teams? Provide special menu options from the cities the contenders hail from – a Philly Cheesesteak if the Eagles make it or a Cuban for Miami.

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Stunning – 571 sick, 219 hospitalized, 13 deaths linked to Cantaloupe

Bill Marler

In the United States as of today, a total of 407 people infected with one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella were reported from 44 states (Alaska 1, Arizona 15, Arkansas 2, California 56, Colorado 11, Connecticut 2, Florida 4, Georgia 8, Illinois 22, Indiana 9, Iowa 12, Kansas 2, Kentucky 10, Maryland 9, Massachusetts 2, Michigan 7, Minnesota 29, Mississippi 1, Missouri 15, Montana 3, Nebraska 7, Nevada 8, New Hampshire 1, New Jersey 8, New Mexico 2, New York 14, North Carolina 7, North Dakot

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Post-Incident Forensics:  Piecing Together the Puzzle After a Cyberattack

Food Safety Tech

We live in an age where cybersecurity risks are everywhere—from the emails we receive to the online platforms we use. And industries, such as the food industry, that are part of our nation’s critical infrastructure are key targets for cybercriminals. In September 2021, the FBI’s Cyber Division alerted companies that the Food and Agriculture industry was among the most susceptible to cyberattacks in the U.S.

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How planet, personal health driving restaurant choices in 2024

Fast Casual

Stephanie Lind, founder of Elohi Marketing Strategies, reveals how consumer concerns over personal health and food waste should impact fast casual brands' menu strategies.

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High Levels of Toxic Plasticizers Phthalates, Bisphenols Found in Nearly All Foods in U.S.

Food Safety Magazine

Recent testing for phthalates and bisphenols like BPA in foods found all but one sample to contain phthalates and 79 percent of samples to contain bisphenols. Phthalates were present at worryingly high levels, although levels of bisphenols have decreased since 2009. The study was conducted by Consumer Reports.

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Pennsylvania ag officials search Miller Organic Farm for the source of Shiga-toxins

Food Safety News

This time, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a duly issued search warrant on Amos Miller and Miller’s Organic Farm. The state’s responsibility was to determine if raw eggnog and other unpasteurized, raw dairy products produced by Miller were responsible for positive Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli tests in Michigan and New York, causing human illnesses.

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From Consumption to Connection: Restaurant Promotion Trends for 2024

Modern Restaurant Management

At the beginning of the year, we like talking about trends. They seem like anchors for the new year. Trends create frameworks to understand where to start and what to focus on. I want to highlight trends in restaurant promotion for 2024. We will discuss how to build customer communication and what aspects to prioritize to make your establishment stand out and thrive.

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As many as 321 impacted by lead in Applesauce

Bill Marler

As of January 8, 2024, FDA has received 87 confirmed complaints/reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled product. To date, confirmed complainants, or people for whom a complaint or adverse event was submitted and met FDA’s complainant definition, are between zero and 53 years of age and the median age is one year old. Total Complaint/Adverse Event Report: 87* Report Date Ranges: October 17, 2023 – January 3, 2024 States with Complaint/Report: AL (1), AR (1), CA (1), CT (1), FL (1

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2024 State of the Foodservice Industry

Foodservice Equipment Reports

Following a bumpy road of pandemic closings and restrictions, reopenings and variant surges, the past year brought relative calm. “2023 has been the most normal year for the restaurant industry since 2019,” says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research for the National Restaurant Association. Despite fears of a recession, the economy held up and consumer spending remained strong for.

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Dave's Hot Chicken, Biscuit Belly leaders share operations advice

Fast Casual

Top restaurant brand leaders at Dave’s Hot Chicken and Biscuit Belly provide insight on everything from growing a brand to smart hiring approaches during a session at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit.

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How to Manage Ten Common Risks in the Food and Beverage Industry

Food Safety Magazine

For those leading the food and beverage industry, there is tremendous opportunity for growth—but with growth comes risks that can negatively impact operations, profitability, and reputation.

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National school lunch program could be banned from serving lab-cultivated meat

Food Safety News

A bipartisan pair of U.S. Senators have introduced legislation banning the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) from including cell-cultivated meat products on its menu. The NSLP is the federally assisted meal program in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It serves more than 4,9 billion lunches annually to more than 30 million children in about 100,000 schools.

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Survey Says: Restaurateurs Are Making Expansion Plans

Modern Restaurant Management

Will 2024 be a comeback year for restaurants? Despite challenges including inventory costs, commission fees and staff turnover, many restaurant owners are expressing optimism about moving forward, according to TouchBistro’s 2024 State of Restaurants Report. Ninety-four percent of operators are planning some form of expansion and more than half of the 600 U.S full service restaurants surveyed plan to introduce catering services.

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CDC says Salmonella Cantaloupe Outbreak over – But, not for the likely 22,000 victims

Bill Marler

At least 407 sick in the U.S. and 164 in Canada sickened with a total of 13 deaths. Interesting fact, according to the CDC, for every one person who is a stool-culture confirmed positive victim of Salmonella in the United States, there is a multiple of 38.5 who are also sick but remain uncounted. (See, AC Voetsch, “FoodNet estimate of the burden of illness caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in the United States,” Clinical Infectious Diseases 2004; 38 (Suppl 3): S127-34).

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USDA's Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards program to honor school nutrition professionals

FoodService Director

The USDA has teamed up with Action for Healthy Kids to launch the awards program which seeks to recognize school nutrition teams making strides in child nutrition.

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Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit session to explore scaling up by franchising

Fast Casual

"Scaling Up: From Small Start-up to Full Growth Mode" is a session at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, which will be held March 42-26 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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New FAO Technical Report on Early Warning Tools and Systems for Emerging Food Safety Risks

Food Safety Magazine

A recent publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has provided an in-depth review of early warning systems for food safety risks, an explanation of available open access tools, and the potential applications of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the field.