Author Archives: Berkshire Corporation

What Readers Need to Know About Low-Energy Irradiation in Spice Contamination Control

A collection of different spices on wooden spoons

A Lead on LEEB. Back in 2017 we were arguably ahead of the game in publishing our article entitled “Spice Manufacturing: Racking up the Contamination Violations.” Given that it was received with great interest by our community we are excited to call attention to a similar piece in the April/May issue of Food Safety Magazine. “Winning […]

FDA, GRAS, and CFR: How Much Do You Know?

Food Poisoning inspection concept

In our industry, a couple of acronyms are important to understand: FDA, GRAS, and CFR. This article explains what these stand for and their implications for products manufactured for inclusion in and contact with food items and packaging. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was established following the passage of the 1906 Pure Food […]

Spice It Up! Can Modern Pharmacognosy Halt the Pandemic?

Spiceuticals

Antioxidants, micronutrients, phytonutrients, polyphenols…who knew there were so many health-supporting compounds in everyday foods like fruits and vegetables? Well, most everyone reading Food Contact Surfaces, we would hope. But did you also know that ingredients as simple as spices such as turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek are also packed with potential health benefits? No longer just […]

Contaminated Chow – How Aflatoxins Can Be Fatal for Fido

Mold and aflatoxin

Even as 2020 begins its slow recession into the rear view mirror of daily life, it nonetheless succeeds in finding ways to unsettle and discourage. During the purgatory of social isolation – be it quarantine, lockdown, or shelter-in-place – many of us have benefited from the easy company of man’s best friend, our faithful dog. […]

Food Contact Surfaces: Top Five Articles of 2020

Food Contact Best of 2020

In our other annual review over at Cleanroom News, we may have already mentioned the apparent cognitive dissonance of pairing ‘Top 5’ and ‘2020’ in any single sentence. But here we are, doing it again! And, as much as we too feel the relief of closing the door on the back of that most challenging […]

Allergens, Bagels, and Contamination: ABCs on the Safety of Sesame

Bagel and Cream Cheese

Welcome to the ‘holiday season’ – a temporary period of celebration in what has been a bleak year. Although it’s a time to relax and seek respite from the on-going stresses of 2020, news from the FDA hints at the need for continued vigilance. According to the agency, a new food-borne threat has been identified, […]

Psychedelia Redux: Do You Believe in the ‘Magic’ of Mushrooms?

psychedelic psilocybin mushrooms

Sometimes, when we discuss cleanroom technologies and contamination controlled environments, it’s a challenge not to fall headlong down the research rabbit hole of quirks,  intriguing snippets, and absorbing information. And today’s topic is no different. As usual we’ll be chasing our intellectual curiosity in addressing some controversial questions regarding cleanroom-based research, but we’ll also be […]

Could a Childhood Favorite Offer More than Just a Snack?

baby-milk-cookies

COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID…that’s all anyone’s talking about! Not here at Food Contact Surfaces – well, not completely anyhow. Although we continue to reflect on the current reality of living under the shadow of the virus, we’re also consciously looking forward – after all, the daily experience of quarantining, mask-wearing, and social distancing can eat […]

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