Microbiological Control

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This article explores the application of pre-wash and other food hygiene processes to raw agricultural products to implement food safety measures sooner in the production and processing of raw agricultural commodities. 

Prompted by a global food safety incident and infant formula recalls spanning 99 countries, the European Commission has drafted a regulation that would set a limit of 1 µg/kg cereulide toxin in dried formula products. The draft regulation is open for public feedback.

Considering the unprecedented ByHeart and Nara Organics infant botulism outbreak and with a focus on dairy ingredients, participants emphasized the need for prevalence research, more sensitive and standardized testing, data-sharing, validated preventive controls, and coordinated industry action.

Synexis’ DHP technology will be offered through Zee Company as an additional intervention that food and beverage processors can incorporate alongside existing sanitation and pathogen control programs.

The UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and UD Cooperative Extension offer Produce Safety Alliance Training at least three times a year, with the next course slated for winter 2026–2027.

The qualitative, risk-based framework is designed to help manufacturers, foodservice operators, suppliers, and buyers evaluate microbiological hazards associated with dried fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, and appropriate pathogen mitigation measures.

In an effort to address the “silent pandemic” of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a recently concluded UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)–FAO project has helped partners across Africa and Asia to improve their AMR detection, analysis, and mitigation capabilities.

Three Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak clusters potentially associated with imported eggs, one of which is part of a broader EU-wide outbreak, are under investigation. There is no evidence implicating UK-produced eggs. UKHSA emphasized that the overall risk to the public is low.

FDA’s post-incident Executive Incident Summary of a 2026 Salmonella outbreak linked to MOGO-brand moringa supplements details traceback findings, positive product samples, and food safety deficiencies identified during inspections of firms in the moringa powder supply chain.

The Nara Organics infant botulism outbreak has ended, with four sick in three states. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) findings and a shared powdered milk supplier/processor indicate a common source of contamination with the 2025 outbreak linked to ByHeart infant formula.