Erica Shaffer

FDA releases blueprint for more tech-driven, traceable food safety culture

'New Era of Smarter Food Safety' to focus on tech, traceability, food safety culture

07.16.2020

The agency has put forth a blueprint for creating a digital, transparent and safer food system by leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning and through other initiatives.

Employers responsible for reporting COVID-19 illnesses among workers to OSHA

06.03.2020

By Erica Shaffer

The agency has required companies to report instances of work-related employee illness caused by the coronavirus.

Market manipulation in meat industry sparks calls for investigation

05.11.2020

By Erica Shaffer

Eleven state attorneys general added their voices to a growing chorus of public officials and cattle producers urging the federal government to investigate possible anticompetitive business practices.

Smithfield pork plant toured by CDC before reopening during COVID-19

CDC weighs in on Smithfield pork plant reopening

04.24.2020

By Erica Shaffer

The agency toured Smithfield's Sioux Falls facility and offered several recommendations for company leaders to consider before reopening as COVID-19 continues to pose challenges.

Federal agencies have loosened temporary worker restrictions to ensure continued food industry labor

H-2A worker restrictions loosened to maintain food industry labor

04.18.2020

By Erica Shaffer

Federal agencies are easing some restrictions on foreign guest workers to ensure an adequate supply of labor to the agriculture industry.

Canadian firms build pet food plant, Jupiter

Canadian companies break ground on $45 million pet food facility

09.05.2019

By Erica Shaffer

The firms expect the manufacturing plant, called Jupiter, to be operating by early 2021.

Walmart to broaden 3 areas of pet care

05.08.2019

By Erica Shaffer

The expansion includes offering "a more wholesome assortment of pet foods," as well as launching an online pet pharmacy.

Petri dishes in a testing lab (©STOCKR - STOCK.ADOBE.COM)

Emerging food safety tech addressed by FDA

05.03.2019

By Erica Shaffer

Traceability, digital technologies and evolving food business models are among the areas the US Food and Drug Administration will address in its "Blueprint for a New Era of Smarter Food Safety."