Insights

TAG perspectives and recommendations on today’s top topics in food safety and public health.

Canada
Cannabis
Communicable Disease
COVID-19
FDA Warning Letters
Food Defense
Food Recall
Food Safety
Influenza
International
Latin America
Monkeypox
Produce
Public Health
Regulations
Retail / Restaurants
Simplified
Supply Chain
Uncategorized

Jan

Time to travel. The concept of safe rest during a pandemic Covid-19 Coronavirus. Suitcase for travel with a medical mask and China flag.

Communicable Disease

COVID Continues & China Travel Reopens. Should You Go?

COVID continues to m...

CDC, China travel, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, The Kraken

Jan

Interior Of Busy Delicatessen With Customers

Food Safety

2022 Food Code: The Regulatory Eye on Retail Stays Keen

In FDA’s sixth rev...

FDA, FDA Food Code, retail

Jan

BF.7. New variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Subvariant of O

Communicable Disease

2023 Continues Virus Trends with Holiday Impacts Anticipated

It may be a new year...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, vaccine recap

Jan

Food Safety

The Supply Chain – back to normal … or not?

Supply chain issues ...

food industry, supply chain, TAG perspective

Dec

Vitamins medicines for flu woman in background

Communicable Disease

Make Employee Wellness a New Year’s Resolution

While influenza cont...

CDC, employee wellness, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Dec

Loading bar for 2023 goal planning business concept, vector illu

Food Safety

2022 Events Will Impact the Industry’s 2023

From heavy metals an...

chemicals, FDA, food industry, FSIS, heavy metals

Dec

Christmas gift boxes with a mask and a sanitizer bottle

Communicable Disease

Keeping Healthy through the Holidays

While cases of influ...

CDC, Ebola, infectious disease, Measles, MERS, Risk Matrix, RSV, TAG Risk Matrix

Dec

Food delivery moto scooter driver with red backpack behind back

Food Safety

Food Delivery Is Target of New Guidance

In a previous articl...

DTC, FDA, food delivery, TPD, USDA

Dec

Businessman analyzing bacteria microscopic close-up 3D rendering

Communicable Disease

Communicable Diseases Across the Global Scale are Climbing

Not only is influenz...

CDC, communicable diseases, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Dec

FDA concept. Magnifier glass with text on the white background in sunlight.

Food Safety

The Regan-Udall Evaluation – Something New or Same Old Story?

Evaluations of FDA�...

FDA, Regan-Udall Evaluation, TAG perspective

Dec

Cannabis

CBD-Infused Food? FDA Approval Not Expected Anytime Soon

Despite the results ...

Cannabis, CBD, CBD-infused food, FDA

Dec

Flu Season theme with viral and hygiene objects

Communicable Disease

Be Prepared for Absenteeism as Flu Cases Increase

The U.S. is continui...

CDC, infectious disease, influenza, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Dec

young-black-man-choosing-grocery-goods-on-shelves-2022-06-15-23-52-15-utc

Food Safety

Allergen Labeling: What’s New from FDA?

With food labels bei...

allergen, FD&C, FDA, labeling

Dec

burning-fireplace-with-firewood-at-home-2021-08-31-13-58-58-utc

Simplified

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

I have a wood-burnin...

fireplace, indoor fireplace, wood burning, wood burning fireplace

Nov

injecting injection vaccine vaccination medicine flu woman docto

Communicable Disease

Vaccination Key to Reducing Transmission of Current Infectious Diseases

In our continuing tr...

CDC, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, WHO

Nov

burgers-and-fries-2022-11-08-06-01-03-utc

Food Safety

Will Your Food Packaging Be Banned?

Potential risk aroun...

FDA, food packaging, GAO Report

Nov

female-laying-in-bed-sick-with-the-flu-or-cold-2022-11-14-03-32-10-utc

Communicable Disease

What Flu Do I Have?

Influenza is continu...

CDC, covid, monkeypox, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Nov

Food Safety

The Traceability Rule is Final. Are You Prepared for Compliance?

It’s finally here ...

critical tracking events, food traceability list, key data elements, traceability rule

Nov

australian-road-train-2021-08-29-03-28-45-utc

Canada

CFIA Maintains Flexibility in Cattle Transport Compromise

Earlier this year, t...

animal transport, animal welfare, cattle, CFIA, CFIA animal transport regulations

Nov

Communicable Disease

Flu Levels Bring States into the “Purple”

The CDC influenza ma...

CDC, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Nov

Food Safety

The Impact of Priority Pathogens on Foodborne Illness

An analysis of patho...

e. coli, foodborne illness, Listeria, salmonella

Nov

Communicable Disease

Respiratory Diseases on the Rise: What it means

Rates of respiratory...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease, influenza, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Nov

The words back to basics made of letters on wooden blocks. back to basics – fundamental principles concept

Food Safety

Back to the Basics: Using Data to Manage Risk

As consultants, the ...

back to basics, bacteria, CDC, quality assurance

Nov

Cannabis

Countering the Black Market in Cannabis-Legal States

Despite the legaliza...

black market, cannabis legalization, illegal cannabis, marijuana

Nov

Shallow depth of Field image of Nutrition Facts

Simplified

Chemicals in Food

Whenever I read a fo...

chemicals, chemophobia, IFAC, international food additives council

Nov

Communicable Disease

Cooling Weather Brings Increase in Respiratory Diseases.

With RSV (respirator...

CDC, respiratory disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Nov

Food Safety

The Consequences of Foreign Facility Inspection Refusals

Whether you are a fo...

FDA, foreign supplier, Inspections, supply chain

Oct

Rising Stock Chart During Corona Virus Pandemic 2020 3D Illustra

Communicable Disease

As Upper Respiratory Illnesses Increase, Advice Stands: When Ill – Stay Home

While we are continu...

Respiratory Illness, Risk Matrix, RSV, TAG Risk Matrix

Oct

Meat processing plant.Industrial equipment at a meat factory.Modern poultry processing plant.People working at a chicken factory – stock photo.Automated production line in modern food factory.

Food Safety

USDA Continues to Set its Sights on Salmonella

After announcing its...

chicken, FSIS, salmonella, USDA

Oct

Canada

Class-Action Lawsuits Underscore Importance of Prevention

In 2017, E. coli-con...

consumer illness, e. coli, lawsuit, recall prevention

Oct

Covid british and england variant, covid-19 virus with english f

Communicable Disease

U.S. Seeing Some Increased Activity of New COVID Variants

COVID cases are cont...

CDC, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Oct

Male worker restocking refrigerated case in grocery store

Food Safety

Food Safety Focal Point Shifts to Retailers

As the sales end poi...

consumer, FDA, foodservice, Memorandum of Understanding

Oct

Court gavel in front of national flag of the USA having shadows

Cannabis

What Does Federal Pardoning of Marijuana Possession Mean for the Industry?

Don’t hold your br...

federal legalization, federal pardoning, marijuana

Oct

Communicable Disease

Respiratory Disease Increase Likely Attributable to Annual Seasonal Factors

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Oct

Communicable Disease

The Long-Term Impacts of Infectious Disease

Key Points: COVID In...

food industry, foodborne illness, foodborne pathogen, norovirus

Oct

Food Safety

HAV Foodborne Transmission Is Possible and Hazardous

Although the primary...

food industry, foodborne transmission, hepatitis a

Oct

Syringe with INFLUENZA VACCINE text and conceptual rising graph. 3D rendering

Communicable Disease

Expected Fall Increase in Respiratory Illness Has Begun

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Oct

Food Safety

Do You Make “Healthy Foods”? If So, Changes Are on the Way.

Food manufacturers h...

Daily Value, dietary guidelines for americans, healthy foods

Oct

Couple of Surgeons Washing Hands Before Operating.

Communicable Disease

Hep A Spreads in Europe; Prevention includes Good Hand Hygiene

Key Points: COVID In...

hand hygiene, handwashing, hepatitis a

Sep

Simplified

MSG

I’ve heard all kin...

FDA, food safety, MSG, toxicology

Sep

Doctor with blood sample of New Variant of Covid-19 Omicron B.1.

Communicable Disease

US on Positive Trajectory, though COVID Variant Emergence Continues

Key Points: COVID In...

COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Sep

Hand washing personal hygiene woman washing hands rubbing soap for 20 seconds following steps, cleaning wrists and rinsing under water at home bathroom. COVID-19 infection prevention handwashing.

Communicable Disease

Norovirus Returning: Time is of the Essence for Handwashing

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, handwashing, infectious disease, norovirus

Sep

Compliance rules regulation policy law. Business technology concept.

Food Safety

FDA Report Holds Implications for Entire Food Industry

Just as TAG had pred...

Cronobacter, FDA, food safety culture, infant formula, recordkeeping

Sep

Canada

Heavy Metals Continue to Have Heavy Focus in Foods

Reductions in allowa...

Baby Food Heavy Metals, heavy metals

Sep

Communicable Disease

Infectious Diseases on Positive Trend; Handwashing Remains Key Practice

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, covid, influenza, monkeypox, norovirus, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Sep

Communicable Disease

Norovirus Cases Up … and Down

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, COVID variant, norovirus, Omicron

Sep

Food Safety

OJT Worker Training Can Aid or Thwart Food Safety Efforts

Food safety training...

food safety education month, training, worker training

Sep

Blue Raspberry Delta-8 Gummies with Hemp Leaves

Cannabis

Food Safety Education for Cannabis Producers

With cannabis edible...

Cannabis, cannabis regulations, food safety, food safety education month, HashTAG

Sep

Communicable Disease

TAG’s Diseases Matrices and Updates Evolve to Keep You Informed

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Sep

Communicable Disease

Stay Up to Date on CDC’s Definition of Up to Date

Key Points: COVID In...

COVID booster, COVID variant

Sep

Food Safety

You Ask, TAG Answers: From Leafy Greens to Compressed Air

Answering client que...

compressed air, food industry, food safety, leafy greens

Sep

Coronavirus cases reduction chart. End of pandemic. medical fron

Communicable Disease

COVID and Monkeypox Showing Positive Trajectories

Key Points: COVID In...

communicable diseases

Sep

Simplified

Pesticides

I see so many articl...

food safety, pesticides, Simplified

Sep

COVID-19

Be Prepared: Fall Typically Brings Increased Respiratory Disease

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, infectious disease

Sep

Image of workplace in office room without people with open lapto

Food Safety

FDA’s Expanded RRAs Make Every Facility More Susceptible to “Assessment”

During the pandemic,...

FDA, food safety, remote regulatory assessments, RRAs

Sep

Medical research vector illustration. Concept with icons related

COVID-19

The Ups and Downs of Today’s Communicable Diseases

Key Points: COVID In...

communicable diseases

Aug

COVID-19

2022-23 U.S. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Overview

Key Points: COVID In...

Aug

Young Woman Controlling Production at Food Factory

Food Safety

Why BE Labeling Carries Risks for Manufacturers

Intended to help con...

bioengineered, food safety, GMO, regulations, USDA

Aug

Canada

Country Food Systems Vary but Achieve Recognized Superiority

A recent study commi...

Canada, food industry, food safety, FSA

Aug

Monkeypox (infectious disease) diagnosis medical concept on tabl

Continuing Trending of Monkeypox and Covid

Key Points: COVID In...

CDC, communicable disease, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Aug

Food Safety

The Incessant Pursuit of Zero

Over the last year, ...

ethylene oxide, food industry, food safety, pet food

Aug

Flu influenza concept. Hands closeup listening with stethoscope

Communicable Disease

Southern Hemisphere Flu Season Bodes Ill for U.S.

Key Points: COVID In...

Aug

Cannabis

Could a Roadside Test Move the U.S. Closer to Cannabis Legalization?

If the research and ...

Cannabis, CBD, HashTAG, legalization, roadside test

Aug

Vial of Covid – 19 vaccine and mask on yellow background

Communicable Disease

TAG Expands Assessments to Include Current Communicable Disease Data

TAG Expands Assessme...

communicable diseases

Aug

Uncategorized

The “Why” Behind Day 6 and Multiple COVID Testing

Key Points: In today...

Aug

Food Safety

Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products: Who’s Responsible for their Food Safety?

Reports of mishandli...

food industry, food safety, salmonella, stuffed chicken, USDA

Aug

Cubes dice with arrows up and down and risk

Communicable Disease

Positive COVID Trends Enable Focus on other Emerging Disease

Key Points: In today...

Aug

Communicable Disease

Monkeypox Takes Headlines as COVID Turns a Corner

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID hospitalizations

Aug

Nutrition expert testing food products in lab

Food Safety

How Likely Is Proposed GRAS Act to Become Law?

Historically, the ru...

FDA, food industry, food safety, GRAS

Aug

Communicable Disease

Indicators Point to CDC Reductions in COVID Control Guidelines

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID guidelines

Aug

Food Safety

Ag Water Compliance Looms Ever Closer

Having proposed revi...

ag water, food industry, food safety, FSMA, harvest

Aug

Monkeypox new disease dangerous over the world. Patient with Monkey Pox. Painful rash, red spots blisters on the hand. Close up rash, human hands with Health problem. Banner, copy space

Communicable Disease

Is There a Risk of Monkeypox Workplace Transmission?

Key Points: In today...

Vaccination, Vaccine Q&A

Aug

Man cooking tasty meat on barbecue grill outdoors, closeup

Simplified

Grilling

Summer grilling is a...

food industry, food safety, grilling, maillard, Simplified

Jul

Covid-19 pandemic or endemic symbol. Turned wooden cubes and changed the concept word pandemic to endemic. Beautiful orange background copy space. Medical Covid-19 pandemic or endemic concept.

Communicable Disease

COVID becoming an endemic virus

Key Points: In today...

Jul

Communicable Disease

COVID Vaccines Continue to Evolve

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Jul

Spices forming the flag of Europe.(series)

Regulations

EU Regulatory Awareness Can Help Reduce U.S. Risk

The European Union h...

aflatoxin, ethylene oxide, EU, food safety, global, ochratoxin A, regulation

Jul

Increase in virus cases illustrated by a rising graph

COVID Cases Rise Again – but Don’t Overreact

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, WHO

Jul

BA.5 Continues Transmission, but Severity is Low

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant

Jul

Food Safety

PFAS: Health, Regulatory & Perceived Risk. Which Will Have the Final Impact?

Earlier this month, ...

chasing zero, EPA, food safety, PFAS, regulation

Jul

Canada

“High in” FOP Labelling Symbol Revealed

The updated Canadian...

Canada, food industry, food safety, FOP

Jul

Cannabis

Cannabis Safety: A Consumer Matter?

There has been a sig...

Cannabis, cannabis regulation, CBD, HashTAG, potency

Jul

Young woman with group of business people have a meeting and wor

Westward Wave of COVID Continues – as Projected

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Jul

Asian factory workers were checking list with chart to safety po

Question on COVID Transmission from Packaging Resurfaces

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, infectious disease

Jul

Food Safety

Water Reuse: The Need and the Safety

Water is one of the ...

food industry, food safety, HACCP, water, WHO

Jul

Diverse group of business people wearing face masks in creative

Current Status & Trajectory of COVID

Key Points: In today...

CDC, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Jul

Simplified

Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks

I’ve seen cocktail...

alcoholic drinks, CDC, energy drinks, FDA, Simplified

Jul

Doctor hand and concept of New covid variant Omicron. Covid-19 n

TAG Recommendations for COVID and Monkeypox

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant

Jul

Regulations

PFAS: The Consequences of Chasing Zero

Food companies are o...

FDA, food industry, food safety, PFAS, toxicology

Jun

Modern team meeting, group work and social distancing. Manager with tablet speaks with workers in protective masks in interior of modern office with gadgets

COVID Westward Migration Continues

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Jun

Coronavirus Covid-19 Covid Pandemic Influenza Flu Epidemic Outbr

COVID-19 & Monkeypox Updates

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease

Jun

Regulations

Still Using UNK? Time to Update Your FSVP!

In 2021, more than h...

FDA, food industry, FSVP

Jun

close up hands of inspector waer safety vest and checking list i

Canada

Detecting and Preventing CFIA “Posers”

Is that CFIA inspect...

CFIA, food industry, food safety, Inspections, TAG Canada

Jun

COVID: Progressive Trajectories Very Encouraging

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Jun

Monkeypox: Steps Businesses Can Take to Keep Risk Low

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease

Jun

Legislation New Laws Government Action Regulation Headlines News 3d Illustration

Food Recall

Infant Formula Recall Repercussions Impact Entire Industry

The recent shortages...

FDA, food industry, Food Recall, food safety, infant formula

Jun

Cannabis

CBD & Food-Producing Animals: Where FDA Stands

FDA has been very cl...

Cannabis, CBD, farm animals, FDA, food-producing animal, HashTAG

Jun

COVID Trends Continue, but Severity Remains Low

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, food recalls, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Jun

Monkeypox virus banner for awareness and alert against disease s

Monkeypox: What It Is and How It Spreads

Key Points: In today...

CDC, infectious disease

Jun

Food Recall

High Volume Recalls = Massive Impact

While the first quar...

FDA, food industry, Food Recall, food safety

Jun

COVID U.S.: Surge Moving Westward; BA.4 and BA.5 Increasing

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix