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

Jun

Simplified

BPA: A History of Safe Use

Bisphenol A (BPA) is...

BPA, food industry, food safety, Simplified, toxicology

Jun

Defending Against Infectious Disease

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease

Jun

Food Safety

Consumer Concerns Steer Industry Action

Consumers cite foodb...

e. coli, food industry, food safety, foodborne illness, International Food Information Council, Listeria, salmonella

Jun

medical mask and hand disinfectant and woman working

Cases Seem to be Improving and Moving Across the Country

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

May

Outbreaks in in the United States of America, Canada, Mexico with foci with coronavirus infection covid-19 SARS-CoV-2.

Food Safety

What Outbreaks Teach Us About WGS

CDC’s review of th...

CDC, epidemiology, food industry, food safety, peanut butter outbreak, salmonella

May

travel safe during the coronavirus pandemic. airplane model with

Virus Update: COVID Masks, Hepatitis Outbreak

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, hepatitis a, Masking, Vaccination

May

Protective medical face mask and latex gloves. Personal protecti

COVID Showing Stable and Declining Global Rates

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, WHO

May

Food Safety

Produce Continues to Prompt Regulation and Recalls

From recalls to regu...

FDA, food industry, food safety, leafy greens, Listeria, produce

May

New covid-19 omicron variant. Concept Medical and COVID-19 Omicr

Prepare Your Business for Omicron Variant Reinfections

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Omicron, Vaccination

May

Cannabis

Congressional Cannabis Bills: Pending but Contentious

Regulations legalizi...

Cannabis, HashTAG, marijuana, MORE Act

May

Two young diverse business colleagues wearing face protective masks bumping elbows, greeting each other while working during covid 19 quarantine

Levels Increasing, but Significantly Lower than Early 2022

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

May

Food Safety

Avian Flu Continues its Spread: What You Can Do to Protect Flocks

Avian influenza (bir...

avian flu, bird fluAPHIS, food industry, food safety, H5N1

May

Roasted chicken or turkey for Thanksgiving Day on festive table

Keeping Ill Workers Home Reduces Transmission of Both Infectious and Foodborne Diseases

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, foodborne diseases, infectious disease

May

Canada

Biosecurity Essential in Mitigating Canada’s HPAI Spread

Avian influenza (bir...

avian influenza, bird flu, Canada, consumer, food industry, food safety, HPAI

May

fresh prawn in hand shrimp harvested and sold in the fish market

Food Safety

Enhancing the Safety of Imported Shrimp Through Regulatory Partnerships

In early May 2022, t...

food industry, food safety, import, shrimp

May

SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, Omicron variant concept – 3D illustration

COVID Variants Continue Impacting NE U.S.

Key Points: In today...

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

May

Flat lay composition of different products on wooden table. Food

Food Safety

FAO/WHO Set Allergen Thresholds. Will the U.S.?

With both the U.S. a...

allergens, food allergies, food industry, food safety, WHO

May

Diverse group of business people wearing face masks in creative

Variants Continue to Evolve. What Does it Mean for Your Business?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Omicron, Vaccination

May

Weekly COVID Matrix Shows “Smoldering” of Cases

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

May

Grunge red recall round rubber seal stamp on white background

Food Recall

Improving Communication to Improve Recalls: A Review of AFDO Recommendations

As of April 21, ther...

AFDO, FDA, food industry, food safety, recalls

May

Silhouette of a man on a hemp field in sunlight

Cannabis

Delta-8-THC: A Question of Legality

With its derivation ...

Cannabis, CBD, consumer, Delta8THC, HashTAG

May

Food Safety

Keeping Tabs on FDA’s Increased Guidance “Action Levels”

The areas where FDA ...

FDA, food industry, food safety, FSVP, Imports

May

COVID Vaccine: How Effective Are They Against Variants?

COVID Vaccine: How E...

COVID variant, Omicron, Vaccination

May

tractor spraying glyphosate pesticides on a field

Simplified

Glyphosate in Food: Should You Worry?

Glyphosate is the ac...

EFSA, food industry, food safety, Glyphosate, Simplified

Apr

digital corona virus background 3d rendered. second wave of infe

Number of Factors Keeping U.S. COVID Rates Low

Key Points: In today...

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

Apr

COVID Vaccines: The Current and Projected Status

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID Vaccines, COVID variant, infectious disease

Apr

City of London at sunset. Illustration with communication and business icons, network connections concept.

CDC Map Showing Low COVID Levels Across 94% of U.S.

Key Points: In today...

COVID Protections, COVID variant, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Apr

Many-Styles-of-Fabric-Face-Masks-Selling-for-Protective-Face-Cover-Obligatory-during-COVresized

Travel Mask Mandate “Outlawed” – What this Means to your Business

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, infectious disease, Omicron, Vaccination

Apr

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) written on a page.

Food Safety

FDA’s Data Dashboard “Opens” Food Facility Doors to the Public

Under the Freedom of...

consumer, FDA, FOIA, food industry, food safety

Apr

Canada

CFIA Suspensions: Is Your Business Susceptible?

While CFIA suspendin...

Canada, CFIA, food safety, SFCR Licence

Apr

COVID Case Nudges No Cause for Behavior Change

Key Points: In today...

BA.2, COVID variant, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Apr

COVID Levels – Follow the Curve

Key Points: In today...

BA.2, COVID variant, Vaccination

Apr

Food Safety

Mycotoxins: A Dogged Issue Heightened by Climate Change

With the worldwide c...

food industry, food safety, mycotoxins, pet food, supply chain, WHO

Apr

Cases decreasing: Maintain Course

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, infectious disease, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Apr

New England Cases Rise – What’s It Really Mean?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, Flu vaccine, infectious disease, Vaccination

Apr

Worker examining a can of olive oil in factory

Food Safety

Conditions are Ripe for EMA

Conditions are Ripe ...

consumer, EMA, FDA, food industry, food safety, supply chain

Mar

Rapid antigen test kit with positive result during swab COVID 19

U.S. Seeing Only a Blip in Cases Despite BA.2 Dominance

Key Points: In today...

BA.2, CDC, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Mar

Microscopic close-up of the covid-19 disease. Coronavirus illnes

Global COVID Flattening, Showing No Rise in U.S.

Key Points: In today...

COVID Protections, COVID variant, infectious disease, Omicron

Mar

Food Recall

Recall Readiness: Preparedness, Discovery, Action

Recalls in the food ...

FDA, food industry, food safety, New Era of Smarter Food Safety, product recall, recall

Mar

Canada

Are You Prepared for “High in” Labelling?

It has been nearly s...

Canada, FDA, food industry, food safety, labeling, regulations

Mar

Testing for coronavirus Covid-19 in a lab. Covid medical screening

Trends Indicate Slight Nudge (not surge) in U.S. COVID Cases

Key Points: In today...

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

Mar

Young Woman Controlling Production at Food Factory

Regulations

Is FDA’s Extended Enforcement Discretion Applicable to Your Facility?

On Friday, March 11,...

FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA, FSVP, intentional adulteration

Mar

On the whole: Each week is looking better!

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease, Vaccination

Mar

Coronavirus COVID-19 all around the Earth.

What Do Europe’s COVID Trends mean for Current US Decline?

Key Points: In today...

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

Mar

Cleaning home table sanitizing kitchen table surface with disinfectant spray bottle washing surfaces with towel and gloves. COVID-19 prevention sanitizing inside.

Symptom Monitoring Key to Limiting Workplace Transmissible Disease

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, Influenza Vaccine, Vaccination

Mar

Food Safety

How Workable is FDA’s New Proposed Ag Water Rule?

With National Ground...

agricultural water, FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA, National Groundwater Awareness Weel, World Water Day

Mar

Marijuana, indica, marijuana, marijuana, CBD, marijuana leaves a

Cannabis

Federal Edible Legalization: What’s the Holdup?

Federal Edible Legal...

Cannabis, CBD, Edible, Farm Bill, FDA

Mar

Girl, young woman in protective sterile medical mask on her face looking at camera outdoors, on asian street show palm, hand, stop no sign. Air pollution, virus, Chinese pandemic coronavirus concept.

All Signs Show a “Return to Normal” Ahead

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, Omicron, Return to Normal, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Mar

Fresh fish and other seafood isolated on white

Food Safety

Are Seafood Processors Subject to FSMA? The Short Answer: Yes, Some of the Rules

Are Seafood Processo...

food industry, food safety, FSMA, FSVP, hazard analysis, seafood HACCP

Mar

Sustaining the Next Normal

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, infectious disease, New normal, next normal, Vaccination

Mar

Communication and meeting in office after returning from quarantine. Young guy and african american woman in protective mask talking through glass board at workplace

Communicable Disease

How Do CDC’s Adjusted Community Levels Apply to Your Workforce Levels?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, communicable disease, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Mar

Legislation New Laws Government Action Regulation Headlines News

CDC Updates Mask Guidance, Provides County-Searchable Tool

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, infectious disease, masking guidance, Omicron, Vaccination

Mar

Global logistics network Flat 3d isometric vector illustration Icons set of air cargo trucking rail transportation maritime shipping On-time delivery Vehicles designed to carry large numbers of cargo

Supply Chain

World Events Continue to Increase Food Industry Challenges

World Events Continu...

consumer, facility management, food industry, food safety, supply chain, Ukraine

Feb

3d endemic sign with people and virus in background

Is COVID Shifting from a Pandemic to an Endemic Disease?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, endemic, infectious disease, Masking, Omicron, pandemic, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Feb

Indian male factory warehouse worker wearing face mask working in logistic industry indoor. Friends greeting and shaking with elbows as new normal. Coronavirus – Covid 19 elbow bump

Assessing Risk for Lifting Mask Requirements in Your Business

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, infectious disease, Masking, Omicron

Feb

The food scientist checks the potato for chemicals and pesticides. Study quality of soil and crop. Growing organic vegetables. Eco-friendly products. Pomology. Agriculture and farming. GMO test.

Food Defense

Zero Tolerance on Chlorpyrifos Residue Heightens Need for Traceability

Zero Tolerance on Ch...

chlorpyrifos, FDA, food industry, food safety, traceability

Feb

Covid-19 Vaccine Research and Development progress – Global trial phase 3 concept. Hand of a researcher take a 2019-nCov vaccine vial with loading bar and syringe needle beside. Hope, Support, Success

When Can We Reduce Masking Requirements?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, infectious disease, masking requirements, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Feb

As COVID Recedes, New Challenges Arise

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, flu, hepatitis a, Omicron, public health, WHO

Feb

Asian factory workers were checking list with chart to safety po

Food Defense

FDA Resumes Inspections, Plans 2022 Guidance

FDA Resumes Inspecti...

2022 Guidance, allergens, FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA, labeling

Feb

Cannabis

Cannabis Recall Analysis Provides Lessons for Industry

Cannabis Recall Anal...

Cannabis, CBD, HashTAG

Feb

Female medical staff worker wearing protective equipment takes sample from nose of a patient to antigen test for coronavirus.

COVID Declining; Continuing to Impart Lessons for Infectious Disease Control

Key Points: In today...

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

Feb

COVID Transitional Period Increases Masking Debate

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, infectious disease, Omicron, Vaccination

Feb

Food Safety

The Hygiene Hypothesis and Allergy Reduction

The Hygiene Hypothes...

egg allergies, FDA, food allergies, food industry, food safety, peanut allergies

Feb

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

TAG COVID Matrix Showing Encouraging Trends

Key Points: In today...

COVID variant, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Feb

Group of happy diverse female and male friends in face masks sho

Cliché but True: Keep Calm and Carry On

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, Delta, Omicron, Vaccination

Feb

Food Defense

FDA Retains Regulatory Flexibility to Offset Continued Supply Chain Disruptions

With supply chain is...

FDA, food defense, food industry, food safety, supply chain, temporary guidance

Jan

TAG Holds Guarded Optimism for the Ebbing of Omicron

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, Guarded Optimism, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, WHO

Jan

packages and coronavirus cell 3d-illustration symbolic. elements

Supply Chain

Looking Past the Pandemic to Resolve Challenges

Since the first year...

consumer, food industry, Great Resignation, supply chain

Jan

What Does an Endemic COVID Really Mean?

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, endemic, infectious disease, Omicron

Jan

Border liver detox diet food concept, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, garlic. Cleansing the body, healthy eating. Top view, flat lay.

Canada

Will Your “Natural” Label Pass a CFIA Inspection?

In late 2021, the Ca...

Canada, CFIA, food safety

Jan

Increase in virus cases illustrated by a rising graph

COVID Case Rates Following Predictable Pattern

Key Points: In today...

COVID Protections, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix

Jan

Japan, Sapporo-November 28: Ishiya, chocolate factory on novembe

Is Your Facility Qualified for PC Rule Exemptions?

Since 2018, FDA has ...

FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA, FSMA Preventive Controls

Jan

Asian Woman Showing Vaccinated Arm Vector Illustration

Build Your Systems for COVID’s Next Wave

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, infectious disease, Omicron, Vaccination

Jan

Even Unrelated Vaccines Can Help Protect Against COVID-19

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Encouraging Vaccination, infectious disease, Omicron, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination

Jan

Omicron Covid-19 SARS-CoV-2 handwritten CORONAVIRUS quotes with

Yes, Omicron is Here but No Need for Panic

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, Encouraging Vaccination, FDA, MRSA, Omicron, Vaccination

Jan

Storm cyclone over summer fields, hills and forests

2022: Hold on to Your Hat: Squalls Ahead

As we discussed in l...

2022 Regulations, FDA, food industry, food safety, FSIS, salmonella, traceability

Jan

woman showing thumb up and her arm with bandage after got vaccinated or inoculation

Back to Basics: Looking Ahead & Looking Back

Key Points: In today...

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

Jan

2021 looking back text on white card on office desk. Year highli

TAG Looks Back at 2021

Continuing TAG’s t...

2021 look back, 2021 review, baby food, e. coli, food safety, rules and regulations, TAG Insights

Jan

Testing Before Return from Isolation

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID testing, COVID variant, Omicron, Vaccination

Dec

3D rendering of footstep stamps on an airport queue representing social distancing

Preparing for Increased Absenteeism in January

Key Points: In today...

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

Dec

Managing Your Workforce in the Omicron Spread and Shortened Recommendations

Key Points: In today...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Encouraging Vaccination, Omicron, Vaccination

Dec

Flip the wooden cube to change from 2021 to 2022. New 2022.

Letter from TAG’s President

As 2021 winds down a...

Canada, food industry, food safety, Letter from the President, TAG, TAG Canada

Dec

Communicable Disease

Omicron is Surging, while Delta Continues to Rove

Key Points: In today...

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

Dec

Food Safety

A TAG Analysis of 15 Years of Recall Events

On January 13, 2009,...

e. coli, FDA, food industry, food safety, recalls, salmonella, supply chain

Dec

Communicable Disease

Are You Prepared for a Twindemic?

Key Points In today�...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID testing, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Delta, Encouraging Vaccination, Omicron, Vaccination, WHO

Dec

Economically Motivated Adulteration

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Food Safety Education for Workers

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Food Safety Education for Consumers

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Why Your Food Facility Should Audit Itself

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Safe Food For Canadians Regulations (SFCR)

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Reducing the Spread Impact of Hepatitis-A

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Food Safety

TAG Canada Meet the Team

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Food Safety

Protecting Against Respiratory Viruses in the Workplace

Https://achesongroup...

Dec

Happy yellow earth pig on the farm. Sow and piglet. Symbol of th

Food Safety

Judicious Transition from Gestation Crates Beneficial to Producer as well as Sows

Pork producers are f...

2022 Regulations, Canada, food industry, food safety, pork, pork producer, Prop 12, sow, TAG Canada

Dec

Communicable Disease

Omicron in the US: Likely in the Calm before a Surge

Key Points In today�...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID testing, COVID treatment, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Delta, Encouraging Vaccination, Face Masks, infectious disease, Omicron, Return to Work, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Travel, Vaccination

Dec

Communicable Disease

COVID Protection Strategies in Food Manufacturing Proven Effective

Key Points In today�...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID testing, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Encouraging Vaccination, Omicron, Vaccination

Dec

Irrigation systems in a vegetable garden

Food Safety

What the Proposed Ag Water Requirements Mean for Growers

Six years after FDA�...

2021 Regulations, 2022 Regulations, ag water, FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA Produce Safety Rule

Dec

Communicable Disease

Delta Wave Continues in U.S.; Be Sure Handwashing is Included in Protective Measures

Key Points In today�...

CDC, communicable diseases, COVID Protections, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Delta, Encouraging Vaccination, Risk Matrix, TAG Risk Matrix, Vaccination, WHO

Dec

cropped view of molecular nutritionist using microscope and sitt

Food Defense

Accredited Lab Rule Published: What Does it Mean to You?

FDA has, at long las...

2021 Regulations, FDA, food industry, food safety, FSMA, LAAF Rule, supply chain

Dec

Mutant virus in a vaccine bottle, coronavirus COVID 19 variant

Communicable Disease

Omicron: A Beginning Understanding?

Key Points In today�...

CDC, COVID Protections, COVID testing, COVID treatment, COVID variant, COVID-19 Booster, Encouraging Vaccination, Face Masks, infectious disease, Omicron, Vaccination