The color of a food product is a key part of its identity. We expect our orange soda to be bright orange and our mint chocolate chip ice cream to be green. When a company changes the color of a classic product without any warning, it can be a jarring experience. This change is often…
A major food contamination outbreak can destroy a brand’s reputation overnight. When a product links to a widespread illness, the company will issue a massive recall and pull it from every store shelf. After the headlines fade, however, these same products often make a quiet return to the market. The company rarely announces its comeback.…
When a food product is recalled, a rapid response is critical to protect public health. While federal agencies like the FDA and USDA issue national alerts, it is the job of state and local health departments to ensure the dangerous product is actually removed from store shelves. In Alabama, this crucial task falls to the…
When a food product is recalled for a safety issue like Listeria or E. coli, a rapid and effective communication system is critical to protecting public health. Federal agencies like the FDA and the USDA will issue a national alert, but it is often up to state and local health departments to get that warning…
If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed that the Nutrition Facts panel on your favorite packaged foods looks different from what it did a few years ago. These changes are not your imagination. Food manufacturers have been quietly altering their nutrition labels for a variety of reasons, ranging from new federal regulations…
You walk into the grocery store, see a “fresh” label, and think you’re getting the best. But sometimes, that “fresh” food was frozen solid on a ship for weeks before it hit the shelf. This matters because you want to know what you’re really eating. Frozen foods can lose texture, flavor, and even nutrients. And…
Organic food is supposed to be the safer choice. Many people pay extra for organic produce because they want to avoid pesticides. But sometimes, even foods labeled “organic” can contain pesticide residues. This can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you’re trying to make healthy choices for your family. Knowing which organic foods have tested…
When a food company recalls a product, it is often because of a serious and potentially life-threatening mistake: the presence of an undisclosed ingredient. This usually happens when a major allergen, like nuts or dairy, is accidentally introduced into a product that is not supposed to contain it. For people with severe food allergies, this…
We trust our favorite grocery chains to ensure the safety and quality of their store-brand products. However, most retailers are not manufacturers. They outsource the production of their private-label items to a complex and often anonymous network of third-party suppliers, many of which are located overseas. This reliance on outsourcing can create significant risks, as…
Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, and we often make purchasing decisions based on a product’s packaging. We choose items that look like they are made from paper or other “eco-friendly” materials, assuming we can simply toss them in the recycling bin. However, many of these products are a form of “greenwashing.” Their packaging…
Every year, health-conscious consumers await the release of the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen,” a list of the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. These findings consistently show that even after being washed, certain popular produce items retain a shocking amount of potentially harmful chemicals. The latest reports from 2025…
The world of food regulation is a constantly evolving field, where new scientific research can lead to a reversal of long-standing rules. Several ingredients that were once banned or heavily restricted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to health concerns have been quietly allowed back into our food supply. These reversals often…
The “fresh” seafood counter at the grocery store, with its glistening fish fillets arranged on a bed of ice, is designed to look like the catch of the day. However, the term “fresh” can be highly misleading in the world of seafood. Many of the products sold at the counter have secrets that the store…
The “all-natural” label on a snack food is a powerful marketing tool that can make you feel good about your purchase. However, because the FDA does not regulate the term, food companies can use it on products that contain highly processed and artificial ingredients. One of the most striking examples of this is the use…
When the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issues a recall for a meat product, the reason is not always a problem with the meat itself. Often, the recall is due to a cross-contamination risk that occurred during the packaging process. This happens when a product comes into contact with an…
Every shopper has done it: you get home from the grocery store and realize you bought the wrong flavor of yogurt or a brand of cereal you did not want. While stores have return policies for these items, a crucial question remains. What happens to the food that you bring back? Due to strict food…