FDA is launching “Operation Stork Speed,” comprising a series of actions like increased contaminant testing, to better ensure the safety and adequacy of the U.S. infant formula supply. Consumer Reports, which says Operation Stork Speed was announced one day after it shared contaminant testing results with the agency, has questioned whether FDA is adequately resourced to deliver on its new promises.
A Boston University study has shown that Escherichia coli exposed to microplastics form strong biofilms and develop increased levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistance.
In a March 10 meeting with the CEOs of food industry giants, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr), known for his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, demanded that their companies end the use of artificial food dyes in their products—before the government is forced to act.
The Food Packaging Forum’s open access Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex) has been updated to include the most recent science on thousands of food contact chemicals to which humans are exposed. FCCmigex supports scientific and regulatory efforts to improve food contact material safety.
Warming temperatures associated with climate change are increasing the risk of human exposure to fungi-produced mycotoxins from food, warned the European Environment Agency in a new briefing. Mycotoxins pose significant health risks to humans and are present in foods like grains and cereals.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has directed FDA to explore ways to eliminate the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) rule, which is considered by critics to be a “loophole” that enables ingredients to enter the food supply without oversight or a formal safety review.
A recently published summary of an FAO technical meeting identified the challenges and needs related to applying gut microbiome data in future food chemical safety risk assessments.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has put out an open call for data on the use and presence of food additives and flavorings to inform a pilot monitoring program. The data may help inform dietary exposure estimates for authorization and risk assessment purposes.
Arizona House Bill 2164, aiming to ban 11 chemicals and colorants, has passed the state House and has moved onto the Senate. Similar bills are currently progressing in West Virginia and Texas.
A joint report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) shows that resistance to key antibiotics among important foodborne pathogens is persistently high in both humans and animals.