The RMP map plots the locations of U.S. chemical facilities regulated under the EPA's Risk Management Program (RMP). Larger or darker rings indicate sites with recent incidents, drawing a visual link between industrial activity and past chemical releases. In recent days, two high-profile chemical incidents on the West Coast have underscored the real-world stakes behind federal tracking systems like the RMP database.
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.
The Kebab Shop in California has stopped selling grilled beef kofta at all locations due to an outbreak of STEC O157:H7. Marler Clark has been involved in food-borne illnesses since 1993. He represented victims of Jack in the Box, Golden Corral, AFG/Supervalu, Bauer Meat, Emmpakak, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Excel.
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.
Fleur Breteau is in the Gironde, where Bordeaux wines grow. The old manor house in the street village of Plassac is now a community meeting place, clubs use the high rooms, workshops take place and children learn how to mend bicycle tires.
Severe weather can harm both quantity and quality of a crop. Some products could become more expensive. Some growers will be able to salvage what they can and survive until next year, but others who are already struggling financially may choose to sell their land and leave farming for good. Florida agriculture industry leaders are hoping for additional federal aid.
Farmer explains the threats to our food supply and offers practical tips on growing food in the backyard and planning meals. She also shares insights into the dynamics of a food system under stress and the value of bonding with your neighbors. Â .
A coalition of public health, environmental, and consumer organisations is sounding the alarm in an open letter to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. The negotiations on the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal are being pushed through at speed with little scrutiny, no democratic debate, and insufficient expert input. The organisations warn that credible alternative solutions, including those identified by EFSA, have not been properly considered by the Council. The Council adopted its position yesterday on parts of the proposal related to pesticide-spraying drones.
The temperature inside the tank filled with a toxic chemical at risk of exploding has risen to 90 degrees, up from 77 degrees a day earlier. The main hope to avoid an explosion is to keep spraying water on the tank, keeping temperatures cooler. The primary solution to resolve the crisis would have been to pump a neutralizing agent into the problem tank, quenching it and making it no longer explosive, but the valve is clogged up.
40,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to the chemical incident at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over the industrial accident. The company manufactures landing gears, jet engines and other materials for commercial and military aircraft.