I asked our AI friends – What are the pros and cons of replacing FDA Commissioner Makary with me – here is the response? This is a very timely question — Makary resigned as FDA Commissioner today, May 12, 2026, amid reports of internal tensions and policy clashes, with the vaping dispute reportedly being a […]
Marler’s Baker’s Dozen 1. Tattoo on a body part that you use everyday FSIS’s Mission Statement: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and […]
I need to hand it to the FSIS, I am beginning to loose track how often its recall notices go out on either a Friday night or on a holiday. They sure have learned to get bad news out when no one is watching. Kudos to press manipulation 101. I used to know the FSIS […]
According to Meatingplace.com: The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a new directive for inspection program personnel on how to do routine sampling of ammoniated beef products for E. coli O157:H7. The agency did so in the wake of a Dec. 30, 2009, story in The New York Times, examining the products manufactured […]
E. coli O157:H7 is blamed for 73,000 illnesses and 61 deaths in the United States annually (not all from red meat). In the last two years, about 44 million pounds of beef has been recalled for E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Thousands of our friends and neighbors have been sickened and dozens have died. So it […]
My oldest daughter is a budding photographer. Here is a story that ran in our local paper this AM – "Photography students giving back to inspirational BHS class" – email me if anyone who attends the show wants a print or two. "Bainbridge High School senior Morgan Marler has organized a photo show at Andante […]
Is “Made in US” safe? Or, is it a trade war? When I was a kid in the early 60’s, I recall that goods stamped “Made in Japan” meant cheap, and also sub-par in quality and "Made in US" meant the best. Interesting how that has changed (compare Japanese made cars to those in US […]
I will match up to $10,000 to the Red Cross for Haiti. Please tweet me @bmarler the amount of your donation. On Monday I will send in my match. See video below:
As most might know (perhaps from a previous post), the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) stated mission renders it “responsible for ensuring that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.” FSIS operates as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To […]
Chris Martin, then age seven, developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in September 2006 following consumption of raw milk. He was hospitalized beginning on September 8, suffering from severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloody diarrhea. Shortly thereafter, he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In an effort to properly treat his rapidly deteriorating condition, Chris was moved […]
I have always had a love/hate relationship with my Alma Mater. I was admitted conditionally (low GPA), but wound up receiving three Bachelor Degrees (Political Science, English and Economics), while at the same time being the first and only student elected to the Pullman City Council. In my spare time I found the time to […]
Yesterday’s announcement from Nestle that it had “informed the FDA [on January 11, 2010] that two samples of Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough … had tested positive for E. coli O157:H7…,” came as both a shock, that sick months after a severe E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, product was testing positive again, and a wake […]
Michael R. Taylor, J.D., was named Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, on Jan. 13, 2010. He is the first individual to hold the position, which was created along with a new Office of Foods in August 2009 to elevate the leadership and management of the Foods Program. Mr. Taylor […]
Sometimes when bad things happen, companies do step up. A few minutes ago, Nestle USA’s Baking Division announced "it will begin using heat-treated flour in the manufacture of its Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough." This was in response to recent positive E. coli O157:H7 test results that were disclosed to the FDA two days […]
Sitting at the Seattle Airport waiting for my flight to Pullman (no, that is not the plane), gave me a little time to work on the 2009 JBS meat recall and E. coli outbreak. In early April 2009, health officials from several states began investigating reports of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses associated with the consumption […]
You really have to question, if we do not criminally prosecute Stewart Parnell and others responsible for over 700 illnesses and at least nine deaths, when will we? Why has it not happened? Where is the outrage? Why the double standard for corporate executives? Perhaps they need a bail-out too?