Hoosier Hospitality Consulting, LLC

04/29/2026

🚨 HEALTH ALERT: The CDC is warning of a drug-resistant Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry. 🐥

So far, at least 34 people across 13 states have fallen ill, with 13 hospitalizations reported. Most concerning? Some of these infections are resistant to common antibiotics, making them much harder to treat.

Children under 5 are especially at risk, accounting for 40% of the cases. If you keep chickens, ducks, or other backyard birds, health officials recommend:

✅ Washing your hands thoroughly after touching birds or their environment.
✅ Keeping birds and poultry supplies out of the house.
✅ Avoiding kissing or snuggling your feathered friends.

Stay safe and spread the word to your fellow backyard flock owners!

Federal health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella poisoning linked to backyard poultry that has sickened at least 34 people since February

04/23/2026

🧺 Happy National Picnic Day! 🧺

There’s nothing quite like outdoor dining, but nobody wants a side of food poisoning with their potato salad. As the weather warms up, remember that the "Danger Zone" for bacteria is between 41°F and 135°F.

Keep your outdoor feast fun and functional with these quick safety tips:

❄️ Keep it Cool
The 2-Hour Rule: Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours. If it’s hotter than 90°F outside, make that 1 hour.

Ice, Ice, Baby: Pack plenty of ice or frozen gel packs. Your cooler should feel like a portable fridge.

Separate Coolers: Keep drinks in one cooler and perishable food in another. The drink cooler gets opened way more often, letting the cold air escape!

04/13/2026

Last week, HHC was invited to interview for a piece on Café Patachou’s regional expansion. The homegrown Indiana chain, which currently operates eight locations, is preparing to enter the Ohio and Kentucky markets.

The first location outside of Indiana opened in November in Lexington, Kentucky, and two locations are scheduled to open in suburban Cincinnati later this year.

04/13/2026

💼 Small businesses are the backbone of our communities.

Brightpoint’s Small Business Lending & Assistance program helps entrepreneurs access affordable financing and expert guidance, especially when traditional options aren’t available. From start‑up support to business growth, we’re investing in local success.

🔗 Learn more at mybrightpoint.org/businesslending

04/07/2026

Hospitality professionals ~ Check out our latest blog post!

Navigate Indiana’s food safety laws with ease. Learn the 2026 requirements for Food Handler vs. Food Manager certifications to keep your business compliant and safe.

03/16/2026

Check your fridge! 🚨 Costco has issued a recall for one of its popular ready-to-eat meals due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Here are the details you need to know:

📦 Product: Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze (Item #30783)
📅 Sell-By Dates: 03/05/2026 through 03/16/2026
📍 Locations: Sold at Costco warehouses in 27 states and D.C. (including IN, IL, MI and more) between March 2 and March 13.

Costco is recalling select sell by dates of Item #30783 Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze because an ingredient supplier, Griffith Foods Inc., has announced the recall of an ingredient used in the Meatloaf because the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Meatl...

03/11/2026

Is your produce carrying "forever chemicals"? 🥦

A new report highlighted by CNN reveals a concerning trend: nearly 40% of non-organic produce grown in California—the nation’s largest supplier—contains traces of PFAS "forever" pesticides.

Key takeaways from the study:

*High-risk crops: Stone fruits like peaches and plums showed the highest contamination rates (90%!).

*The Culprit: These chemicals are used in pesticides to make them more effective, but they don't break down in the environment or our bodies.

*Health Concerns: Exposure to PFAS has been linked to immune suppression, reproductive issues, and certain cancers.

What can you do?

*Go Organic: Organic standards prohibit the use of these synthetic PFAS pesticides.

*Wash Thoroughly: While it won’t remove everything absorbed into the fruit, it’s still a vital step for surface residues.

*Stay Informed: Check out the full breakdown on CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/11/health/pfas-pesticides-california-produce-wellness

Nearly 40% of California-grown nonorganic produce has residues from pesticides made from potentially toxic PFAS chemicals that can remain in the body for years.

03/09/2026

Current Recalls! 👇

Quick Action Steps ~

* Identify: Match the UPC codes or Best-By dates above with items in your pantry.

* Dispose/Return: Do not open or consume these items. Most retailers (like Walmart or Trader Joe's) will provide a full refund even without a receipt for recalled goods.

* Clean: If you had the Great Value Cottage Cheese or Drayton Harbor Shellfish open in your fridge, it is recommended to wipe down the shelf with a diluted bleach solution to prevent cross-contamination.

03/04/2026

👨‍🍳 Now Hiring: Executive Chef - Indianapolis south-side

02/25/2026

Today we’re training the F&B crew at this gorgeous venue, continuing a partnership that’s 12 years strong. Save your team the trip and the travel costs—HHC offers private, on-site food safety classes tailored to your facility. Contact us today!

02/19/2026

🚨Stay informed! There have been several major food safety updates this week (February 2026) that you should know about. From baby food to pantry staples, here is the breakdown of current recalls and alerts:

Peanut Butter Alert: The FDA just upgraded this to a Class II Recall on February 12. This affects over 20,000 cases of single-serve packets and dipping cups (brands like Katy’s Kitchen, Sysco, and Flavor Fresh). Check those school or office lunchboxes!

Baby Food Safety: Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana (2-pack plastic tubs) is being recalled due to elevated levels of patulin (a mold toxin). Look for "Best By" date: July 17, 2026.

Salmonella Outbreak: An active investigation is underway for Rosabella-brand Moringa powder capsules. They have been linked to a multistate outbreak of drug-resistant Salmonella. If your bottle has an expiration date in 2027, stop using it immediately.

Ground Beef: Approximately 22,000 lbs of raw ground beef (including Fire River Farms) are under recall. Check for case codes 18601, 19583, or 19563 with "Use/Freeze By" dates of 02/04/26.

Salmon: One specific lot of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon (2-lb bags, Lot 3896) sold at BJ's Wholesale has been flagged for possible Listeria contamination.

🛡️ What should you do?
Check your pantry & freezer: Look for the specific brand names and dates listed above.

Don’t consume: Even if the food looks or smells fine, bacteria like Listeria and toxins like Patulin are invisible.

Return or Toss: Most retailers offer a full refund for recalled items.