The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has published the results of an extensive literature review examining the effects of consuming three pervasive, chemical food contaminants—pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, and microplastics—on the human gut microbiome. The literature reviews aim to fill existing knowledge gaps about how dietary components can impact the gut microbiome and human health, which is crucial information to improve food safety risk assessment.
In an effort to address the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking data and information on alternative and advanced feed practices in animal agriculture to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are pervasive in the food supply and may be affecting food safety and security on a global scale, according to a new study led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency.
On May 15, 2023, the California State Assembly passed first-of-its-kind legislation that would prohibit the use of certain dangerous and toxic chemicals in processed foods and drinks. Assembly Bill (AB) 418 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product in California containing red dye 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propyl paraben.
A recent study out of the UK has revealed that raw dog food containing pheasant meat may pose a health risk to pets due to the presence of high lead concentrations caused by ammunition used to hunt game. With the popularity of raw pet food in the UK on the rise, the numbers of pets at risk for lead exposure could be high.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to register new uses for the pesticide chlormequat chloride on food crops. If finalized, the decision would mark the first-ever approval for using chlormequat chloride on U.S. food. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has raised food safety concerns with EPA’s proposal.
The majority of food on the EU market contain pesticide residues below legally permitted thresholds according to the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) 2021 report on pesticides in foods.
Further underlining the pertinence of mitigating the growing global public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), recent research revealed 40 percent of Spanish supermarket meat samples to be contaminated with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli.
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