Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) did not significantly affect seed firmness, but some treatment conditions changed seed lightness and moisture content. While microbial reductions achieved by ACP were promising, the impact of other cold plasma delivery systems should be explored to achieve greater log reductions.
By facilitating a process called hydrodefluorination, hydrogen-based catalytic membrane technology achieved removal efficiencies ranging from 93–99 percent for six “forever chemicals” of regulatory concern (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals), with an overall defluorination efficiency of 83 percent.
The researchers investigated microbial contamination on food-contact equipment at a bakery processing facility following routine sanitation, assessed the biofilm-forming ability of recovered B. cereus isolates, and compared disinfectant efficacy against planktonic and biofilm-associated cells on stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces.
The phage showed promise as a biocontrol agent against B. cereus contamination in food due to its sustained antibacterial activity, environmental stability, and efficacy against biofilms and germinated spores. It was able to reduce B. cereus to below detectable levels without regrowth.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in collaboration with the Swedish Food Agency raised questions about the reliability of the “ultra-processed foods” definition for dietary research and nutrition policymaking.
Based on 25 years of sampling data, USDA-FSIS researchers found that seasonal patterns of Salmonella contamination in raw meat and poultry products have changed significantly, with ground beef being the only commodity to maintain a strong peak in warmer months.
Yersiniosis is the second most frequently notified foodborne illness in New Zealand. While Y. enterocolitica BT 1A accounts for approximately 20–30 percent of annual notifications, it lacks several recognized virulence genes, which has historically raised questions about its ability to cause illness.
Researchers found that EPA’s interpretation of drinking water contaminant monitoring data, in which PFAS measurements that fall below laboratory reporting limits are treated as “zero,” could underestimate “forever chemical” occurrence by as much as 56 percent.
A diverse group of nutrition scientists has developed an International Food Guide Pyramid based on global dietary guidance, reflecting broad scientific consensus that prefers plant-based or lean protein and fat sources to meat, butter, tallow, and full-fat dairy—contradicting U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030.
Treatment effectiveness varied by L. monocytogenes strain and bacteriocin used. While the findings supported continued development of enzyme-bacteriocin combinations as potential bio-based tools for L. monocytogenes biofilm control, researchers highlighted the need to ensure that biofilm disruption is accompanied by effective bacterial inactivation.
