"foodsafety" news and stories

Over the past 70 years, the U.S. has seen drastic changes in food operation, including the introduction of industrial agriculture and mass foodborne illnesses. And yet standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have barely changed, save for the USDA's and FDA's joint egg inspection plan introduced on July 9th.

The outdated rules have left the FDA with insufficient funds and without authority to order recalls -- that call, believe it or not, is left to the individual companies, which often wait too long, resulting in a slew of consumer illness reports. A new bill -- the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510) -- would finally update standards and give the FDA the power it now needs to better moderate our current system, including conducting more frequent inspections of high-risk facilities. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives over a year ago, on July 30, 2009, and has been sitting with the Senate ever since.

Football fans may want to rethink that visit to the concession stand during the Indianapolis Colts' big Sunday game against the New England Patriots.

Marion County health inspectors cited the food contractor, Centerplate, at Lucas Oil stadium for food safety violations -- including mice feces in storage rooms, kitchens and an oven. Inspectors also found actual mice (not just evidence of them) in the kitchen area, both dead and alive.

The Marion County Health Department issued 42 citations and $3,900 in fines in all against the Stamford, Conn.-based food service company.

Coffee beans. Photo: Monika Bartyzel

• Co-owner of Seattle's Coffee Works defends a price hike of 50 cents per pound on their espresso blend.
• In a world of tightening budgets and resource concerns, how to make the most of your money and not waste food.
• Fall gets fancy and frugal with art lectures and free appetizers at Hotel 1000.
• To help food safety concerns, the Obama administration has launched a new informative Web site, http://www.foodsafety.gov.
• How to fight the bitter taste in eggplant dip.
• Frank Bruni's "Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater" tells how he went from adult bulimic to New York Times food critic.
• Restaurants: Bastille Cafe & Bar in Ballard is on its way to prime French fare, Greenwood's Aloha Ramen dishes "satisfyingly chewy" noodles and Lola sizzles with Mediterranean meals.
• Recipes: Cool Summer Minestrone; Fresh Corn Omelet with Smoked Mozzarella and Basil; Roasted Eggplant Spread with Onion and Sweet Pepper; Salmon, Red Potato and Green Bean Salad; Smoky Chicken and Three-Bean Salad; Classic Barbecue; Toasted Pecan Rice and more.

Kielbasa. Photo: Brad.K, Flickr

• Once frequented by steelworkers' wives, one can still time-travel to the 1930s at the South Side's Schwartz Market for everything from kimchi to organic produce.
• Churchview Farm, once an oversized garden, is now a community-supported "farmette" serving 17 families, with 60 on the waiting list for next year.
• Drinking in celebration of the kids heading back to school with a "wheels up" party, and a menu that works for that or a nice Labor Day shindig.
• A contest will help two home cooks and professional food writers create a cookbook full of their online food community's best recipes.
• In the aftermath of the E. coli/cookie-dough issue, food safety becomes a high priority in the White House.
• Recipes: Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Simple Summer Peach Cake

Bubble tea. Photo: Ben + Sam, Flickr

• Fruits, flavored syrups, and those little tapioca balls make bubble tea a refreshing summer beverage.
• The Embury cocktail lounge boasts Fred Sarkis -- a traditional bartender who crafts his cocktails with old-school flair.
• Another business falls victim to economic woes as Pittsburgh's upscale Wine Loft files for Chapter 11.
• Café Obscura wins dedicated followers with vegetarian fare like toasted cheese.
• A look at Pennsylvania's farmers' markets -- from pick-your-own organic vegetables to hen houses.
• The unusual weather extends the local strawberry season.
• Obama's administration takes a step toward improving food safety regulations via a new food safety proposal.
• Recipe: Charred Thin Asian Pork Chops