In 1993, undercooked hamburgers from Jack in the Box restaurants caused an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. Bill Marler negotiated a $15.6 million settlement, setting a state record, and he and his colleagues won $50 million in damages for nearly 200 victims. Marler funded a study costing $500,000. He petitioned FSIS to extend the adulterant designation to non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli strains. In 2012, the USDA declared six of these strains as adulterants.
A child in Hainan dropped some crumbs from a packet of dried meat in a cheap snack marketed to young children. The snack's ingredient list identified two additives: ethyl maltol, a flavor enhancer and sodium nitrite, a preservative used in processed meat products. Food safety experts warned that snacks with this level of additive loading are unsuitable as a regular dietary staple for children. Separately, Fujian bayberry depots were caught soaking fruit in banned preservatives.
A recent U.N. report declares the world is facing a state of water bankruptcy. Food and agriculture systems will have to adapt to a new normal. The agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable to water shortages. Governments must offer alternative economic modes of life to farmers and compensate them for stranded investments.
A tank at a Southern California aerospace facility containing a hazardous chemical overheated last week and began leaking vapors into the air around Garden Grove, a city in Orange County. More than 50,000 residents were under an evacuation order over the Memorial Day weekend. The company, GKN Aerospace, continues to work with local authorities.
There is an overheating tank filled with 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate. Firefighters discovered a crack that could lessen the risk of a BLEVE, or Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. Garden Grove toxic chemical tank incident and evacuation updates.
A leaky tank of toxic chemicals in Orange County, California, has forced tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes. The tank contains 7,000 gallons (26,000 liters) of methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable liquid used to make plastics. Firefighters found a crack in the tank on Saturday night, relieving pressure.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the pause on new loans for anaerobic digesters through the end of the year. The digesters convert animal manure from large-scale feeding operations into biogas. They are popular with the agricultural industry and viewed with concern by environmentalists. The American Biogas Council says only a few digesters are seriously delinquent.
There is a potential leak or explosion at a chemical storage tank at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, California. Disneyland Resort is not in the evacuation zone. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the incident, mobilizing "every state resource available" to assist Orange County officials.
Governor Newsom declares a state of emergency over toxic chemical tank. The crisis at an aerospace plant has entered its second day. The tank is on the brink of catastrophic failure. Additional shelters have been opened for the roughly 50,000 people under evacuation. For up-to-date reporting, head to The New York Times, NPR, or CNN.
A leaking chemical tank in Garden Grove, California, forced 50,000 people to leave their homes. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable liquid used to make plastics. Two law firms have filed a class action lawsuit against the tank's owner, British aviation company GKN Aerospace.