Responding to the global infant formula recall affecting products from Nestlé, Danone, and other producers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined concentrations of cereulide in formula that pose a safety concern to guide risk management decisions that protect public health.
Following a global recall of infant formula products due to cereulide toxin contamination, EU officials are taking steps to prevent illnesses from cereulide-tainted formula in the future. Cases of mild illness associated with recalled product have been reported in Europe.
A new paper describes U.S. regulatory agencies’ roles in two recent, high-profile foodborne illness outbreak investigations—the Boar’s Head listeriosis outbreak and the McDonald’s Escherichia coli outbreak—and highlights the shortcomings and strengths in how the outbreaks were managed.
WHO has released a set of updated manuals to help national authorities strengthen foodborne illness outbreak surveillance and response, contributing to faster and more reliable communication and response internationally (i.e., through INFOSAN).
On January 1, three new EU reference laboratories for foodborne and waterborne diseases became officially operational, bringing the total number to nine. These laboratories will help national public health laboratories improve testing, data quality, and outbreak preparedness related to food- and waterborne pathogens.
In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to four seasoned professionals with experience in the regulatory, academic, and industry spheres about the increasing rate of U.S. food recalls and how the foodborne illness outbreak investigation system could be improved.
The recently updated Cost Estimates of Foodborne Illness data from USDA break down the total estimated cost of foodborne illnesses per case and per pathogen.
In a retrospective analysis of two Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks linked to packaged salads, CDC epidemiologists underline key learnings and suggest proactive measures for industry.
Considering the infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, during which product was found on store shelves weeks after the recall was announced, FDA issued a letter to industry describing firms’ legal obligations in the case of a recall, as well as warning letters to four major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons).
During the inaugural meeting of the Third National Congress on Animal and Plant Health and Food Safety 2025, representatives from the Mexican government, academia, and private industry discussed the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure food safety in the face of emerging risks.