Sanitation

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To support companies seeking to achieve regulatory compliance in the U.S., Eurofins Healthcare Assurance network of companies now offers a new Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification program for dietary and food supplements.

Uncovered through a FOIA request, an FDA Form 483 sent to Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility documented questionable food safety and hygiene observations. The release of the FOIA-requested form comes from increased scrutiny following the facility's implication as the supplier of McDonald’s onions that caused an E. coli outbreak in late 2024.

FDA has released four new guidance documents to help industry comply with food labeling regulations concerning allergens and plant-based alternatives to animal foods, as well as food safety regulations for ready-to-eat (RTE), low-moisture foods.

A new study led by USDA-ARS and Oklahoma State University showed that oregano and cinnamon essential oils can be reused multiple times to effectively wash organic leafy greens contaminated with E. coli without losing antimicrobial activity. 

Hydroxyl radicals offer an effective, safe, and scalable approach to food plant hygiene and food safety. This outcome can be achieved by devices that use ultraviolet (UV) energy to generate hydroxyls from water vapor, turning the ambient air into a mechanism for cleaning. 

Filling a critical knowledge gap in light of recent outbreaks and recalls associated with low-moisture foods, a study led by National University of Singapore researchers has characterized dry surface Salmonella biofilms and developed a fit-for-purpose, antibiofilm, waterless sanitization protocol for the low-moisture food industry. 

A research project funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is exploring the microbial risks of unconventional surfaces in small and midsized produce packinghouses with the goal of determining sanitation best practices.

The objective of a water quality and maintenance program is to ensure that the water is safe and is of the proper quality for each application.

This article discusses factors to consider before making decisions on material selection and design of equipment and infrastructure, including product, cleaning chemicals and practices, activities in the area, and other considerations. It also explores the importance of cross-functional team knowledge and decision-making for design choices.

Recently concluded research funded by the Center for Produce Safety provides practical, immediately actionable insights that industry can integrate into their operations, ranging from sanitation best practices, to Salmonella and E. coli mitigation, to wild bird management, and more.