Casey Laughman

Food Safety

Canned chicken recalled due to possible contamination

Hard plastic discovered in product

March 29, 2018

Madelia, Minn.-based Tony Downs Food Company is recalling more than 96,000 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with hard plastic.

Food Safety

Coconut flour recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

Supply chain investigated as potential source of contamination

Casey Laughman

March 23, 2018

King Arthur Flour Company has recalled 6,300 cases of organic coconut flour after testing showed Salmonella in one pouch of the product.

Food Safety

Smoked sausage recalled due to possible contamination

Johnsonville recalls more than 109,000 pounds of product

Casey Laughman

March 15, 2018

Johnsonville, LLC has recalled more than 109,000 pounds of smoked pork sausage products due to possible contamination with extraneous materials.

Regulatory Watch

FDA confirms final rule regulating calcium carbonate use

Rule amends color additive regulations

Casey Laughman

March 14, 2018

FDA has confirmed an effective date of Dec. 8, 2017 for the final rule amending color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium carbonate.

Food Safety

Catfish recalled due to possible contamination

Product may be contaminated with leucomalachite green

Casey Laughman

March 12, 2018

Heartland Catfish Company, based in Itta Bena, Mississippi, has announced a recall of almost 70,000 pounds of catfish products due to possible contamination by leucomalachite green.

Regulatory Watch

FSIS proposes modernization of swine slaughter inspection

New regulations will update standards for establishments that slaughter swine

Casey Laughman

March 11, 2018

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing amendments to the federal meat inspection regulations to establish a new inspection system for swine.

Opinion: Don't give up on sustainable operations

Operating challenges make sustainability a challenge, but it's still a worthy goal

Casey Laughman

March 4, 2018

Whether it's been pursuing LEED certification, energy efficiency, saving water, or the role of equipment in meeting sustainability goals, each of those stories has had one thing in common: No matter what you do from a planning or an equipment standpoint, bad operations can undo everything.

Food Safety

Chocolate biscuits recalled due to undeclared peanuts

Product was sold nationwide and in Canada

Casey Laughman

March 2, 2018

LOTTE International is recalling 1.48-ounce packages of chocolate biscuits due to undeclared peanuts.

SaltWorks employee using controls for grinder

Dry Processing Technology

Salt processor uses MPE grinder to cut down on fines

Gran-U-Lizer technology helps speed up cleaning, cut down on fines

Casey Laughman

February 25, 2018

SaltWorks reached out to MPE because their previous grinder was not doing a great job at grinding to the desired grain size. The yields might contain up to 25 percent fines by weight, which would mean more product was used than necessary to fulfill the order.

How food processors can fight cross-contamination

Processors must have a detailed plan and execute it properly to prevent big problems.

Casey Laughman

February 21, 2018

To prevent cross-contamination in your plant, you have to consider every single step in the chain and do everything you can to ensure that none of the links are weak.