Food Defense

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U.S. federal, state, and local public health agencies authorities are currently investigating an ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or "avian flu," among dairy herds nationwide. This article advocates the need for new technologies to address current and future food safety needs.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and hyperspectral imaging are proposed in a One Health context to be applied to biosurveillance.

A recent evaluation of the UK post-harvest seafood supply chain has pinpointed factors that leave the nation’s seafood supply vulnerable to food fraud, with third-party certification identified as the most important factor associated with a company’s level of defense against food crime.

A recent publication from the World Trade Organization (WTO)—written in collaboration with other expert groups that have expertise in food safety and food crime—explores the challenges of combating food fraud and illegal practices in food trade, and how the WTO rulebook can help address these challenges. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI), while offering remarkable advancements in various fields, also presents a paradoxical threat, especially when misused. 

A recent study has mapped the edible insect supply chain to identify the main points for potential food safety hazards and food fraud, and concluded that, in general, substantial food safety and authenticity gaps need to be addressed before edible insects can be considered safe and sustainable protein sources for Western markets.

This article explores the benefits offered by "beneficial" artificial intelligence (AI) as applied to the food and beverage industry and specifically to food safety practices. It discusses relevant elements of President Biden's October 2023 Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, as well as the Department of Defense's June 2023 Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy, and what these documents mean to AI applications in food safety.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a guidance for businesses on how to spot and prevent food crime.

For those leading the food and beverage industry, there is tremendous opportunity for growth—but with growth comes risks that can negatively impact operations, profitability, and reputation.

With regard to the recently recalled, lead-contaminated applesauce packages that have caused lead poisoning among dozens of children, Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recently shared that the agency’s leading theory is economically motivated adulteration of cinnamon used in the products.