FOOD SAFETY

May 14 2026FOOD-SAFETY

Los Angeles Eatery Faces Brief Closure Over Bug Problem

A well-known Thai restaurant in Los Angeles recently had to shut down temporarily after health inspectors found unwanted visitors—rats, cockroaches, and flies—in the kitchen. The restaurant, which has been a local favorite since the 1970s, reopened just two days later after fixing the issue. This ki

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May 14 2026HEALTH

Spices aren't always as clean as you think

Many people assume their kitchen spices are safe since they come in sealed containers. But research shows spices can be risky due to tiny toxic compounds called mycotoxins. These aren't just found in food left too long in the fridge - they can hide in everyday seasonings too. Experts explain that mo

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May 13 2026SCIENCE

Milk Mix‑Up: Spotting Coconut in Cow’s Milk

A new test can quickly find coconut milk hidden in dairy. The method uses a special light that shows how the two drinks glow differently. Scientists shine three colors of light on milk samples and record their glow patterns. They found that two natural dyes – one from tryptophan and another

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May 12 2026HEALTH

Headcheese Recall alert: Check your fridge just in case

A health warning about possible listeria in headcheese landed in Illinois homes recently. The product, made byone meat processor, was pulled from store shelves weeks ago. Authorities believe some families may still have it tucked in their freezers. Tests found listeria in an unopened package of the

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May 04 2026CRIME

Uncovering the hidden science behind testing drug-laced foods

Food isn’t always what it seems. In crime labs worldwide, scientists regularly examine foods for hidden drugs after crimes or seizures. But testing isn’t straightforward—chocolate, drinks, or even gummy candies behave differently when mixed with substances like cannabis, painkillers, or sedatives. E

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May 02 2026HEALTH

Ghirardelli Mixes Pulled After Possible Salmonella Risk

A batch of Ghirardelli powdered drinks has been taken off shelves because the company suspects that a key ingredient might be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall follows an earlier pull of milk powder from a supplier in California that raised similar concerns. This milk powder is used in

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May 01 2026BUSINESS

When restaurants clean up their act: One bakery shines while another struggles

A local Vietnamese eatery recently learned the hard way that food safety isn’t optional. House of Saigon faced 14 violations during a routine health check, including an employee handling trash before touching clean dishes without washing up. Moldy leftover lemon slices were found in a staff fridge,

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Apr 26 2026HEALTH

Restaurants in Orange County face sudden closures due to health violations

Between April 16 and April 23, health inspectors in Orange County ordered several food businesses to shut down temporarily. The reasons ranged from serious pest problems to construction issues. Some places reopened the same day, while others took a few extra days to fix the problems. A pizza place

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Apr 17 2026SCIENCE

A Smarter Way to Spot Salmonella in Food

Detecting harmful bacteria in food isn't as fast or easy as it should be. Most tests take too long, need too many steps, and don’t always catch the problem. That’s why a new method aims to change the game. Instead of relying on old-school lab work, this approach combines three tools: a quick DNA cop

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Apr 16 2026HEALTH

Hidden chemicals in your food supply: What preppers often overlook

Dioxins might not be on most people’s radar, but these stubborn pollutants could be hiding in the very supplies meant for emergencies. They don’t just disappear—they build up in the environment, slipping into food chains through contaminated soil, water, and animal fats. The foods we rely on most—da

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