Food & Beverage

A fully-stocked grocery store with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods perfectly lined up on the shelves like synchronized swimmers, and that special cut of meat to be there when I’m planning to cook for an audience is what I’ve grown to expect from my grocery store. Today is different. Workers are […]

On March 10, 2020 the U.S.–Canadian Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) published its 2019-2020 work plans. These work plans introduce the specific initiatives that the RCC will pursue over the coming year to promote further alignment between U.S. and Canadian health, safety and environmental regulations. The 2019-2020 RCC work plans will specifically focus on continued alignment […]

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 recently added 160 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This addition creates immediate regulatory requirements for establishments that manufacture, process, or otherwise […]

Working from home has become more common with advances in technology. Whether you are a full-time remote employee or work from home occasionally, you can probably relate to performing tasks that require your undivided attention in a space where it might be too comfortable to focus. In 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics published data […]

In the early 1990s, a new market trend called “ethical consumerism” was just starting to lay its roots. Over the last two decades, consumers have increasingly sought and purchased products with labels such as “fair trade,” “green,” “locally sourced,” and “organic.” More recent market trends from Nielsen and Stanford University have confirmed that consumers value, […]

What is Ammonia? Ammonia is a colorless gas with a characteristically pungent odor. One of the most common industrial chemicals in the U.S., ammonia is used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer. Other uses for ammonia include: Potential Ammonia Health Hazards Ammonia gas reacts instantly with the moisture in the skin, eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract […]

Earlier this week, Slate reported that the EPA is considering a new rule for 2016 that could impact the use of methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane), a chemical commonly found in paint strippers. The rule could result in anything from new warning label requirements to an outright ban. According to OSHA, workers using methylene […]

What is Salicylic Acid? Salicylic acid is a colorless crystalline acid derived from organic sources. This chemical has a variety of applications and can present several health hazards if used without adequate precautions. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind when handling and storing salicylic acid. Common Uses of Salicylic Acid Salicylic […]

More than a decade ago, the chemical compound diacetyl, which is used to add flavor and aroma to foods and other products, came under fire after an investigation by The National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health exposed it as responsible for lung disease in several microwave popcorn plant workers. The disease, bronchiolitis obliterans—often called […]

As a consumer, I go into grocery stores often.  Like many of us, I don’t always go in with my “ergo eyes”. I am usually thinking about what I need to buy. Having recently worked with clients in retail and food distribution, however, I became very aware of common ergonomic issues that exist in this […]