Posts By: Zoila Chevez
A Peer-Reviewed Article Calls for a Re-Evaluation of Handwashing Practices in the Food Industry
A peer-reviewed article published in January 2026 in the Journal of Food Protection compared the efficacy of hand-washing durations and application methods for alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs). The article is authored by scientists from consulting firms, private laboratories, Chick-fil-A, RFG Environmental, and Rutgers University. Currently, the food industry generally follows…
Food Safety Insights from Alabama Specialty Crop Growers
Zoila Chevez, Data Analyst Research Associate, recently published an article in Food Protection Trends, in collaboration with researchers from Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and Tuskegee University. The study explores the food safety challenges faced by small specialty crop growers in Alabama and highlights opportunities to better support…
New Study Underscores the Importance of Environmental Salmonella Monitoring and its Significance within One Health
A peer-reviewed article published in December 2025 in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology highlights the need for increased environmental surveillance for Salmonella to identify alternative reservoirs and transmission pathways. The publication is authored by scientists from the University of Georgia (UGA) and the Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied…
Beyond Foodborne Transmission: First Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 REP Strain in Recreational Water
A peer-reviewed article published in March 2026, in the Open Forum Infectious Diseases provides an overview of the first reported outbreak of persistent Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain REPEXH01 associated with untreated recreational water. The publication is authored by scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California…
The FDA Office of CORE+EP Recently Released the Core 2024 Annual Report
Previously known as CORE Network, CORE+EP was established in 2024 as part of a government reorganization to protect public health and oversee food defense, traceability, and supply chain initiatives. CORE+EP offers weekly updates on foodborne illnesses and adverse events across the United States and works in coordination with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and…