Sanitation

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The top ten food safety research projects that excited Food Safety Magazine’s audience the most in 2025 covered Listeria monocytogenes (especially related to biofilms), microplastics, Escherichia coli, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), avian influenza in dairy, microbial threats in irrigation water, and food allergens.

In this year-end episode of Food Safety Matters, we round up the top stories of 2025, covering U.S. federal food safety policy changes under the Trump Administration, MAHA- and state-led moves against food additives of concern and ultra-processed foods, infant formula safety, science on Listeria and biofilms, ongoing monitoring of avian flu, and AI food safety applications.

Without proper sanitation, surfaces and other areas in food processing facilities provide an ideal environment for the growth of biofilm on food contact and non-food contact surfaces. This article discusses biofilm mitigation solutions for food processing operations. 

In 2026, Penn State University will host a series of three-day, in-person short courses designed for food safety and quality assurance professionals, food inspectors, plant managers, sanitarians, and food engineers, overing food microbiology, food science fundamentals, sanitation, and FSMA compliance.

A new USDA study suggests that the “green,” biodegradable enzyme ficin can improve the efficacy of conventional sanitizers when used as a pre-treatment in egg processing environments, reducing the contact time and sanitizer concentration required to achieve Salmonella biofilm inactivation.

This article discusses how an operation should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program to properly manage the many chemicals that are used in food processing.

In processing operations for dairy and low-moisture foods, specialized sanitation and environmental monitoring programs are paramount to securing food safety and hygienic operation of facilities. 

Fortress Technology’s hygienically designed roll-out reject device addresses some of the most common issues encountered in gravity metal detection.

Glove manufacturer Eagle Protect PBC has submitted a petition to FDA urging the agency to prohibit the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) disposable gloves for food handling in the U.S., citing compliance gaps, poor durability, and chemical risks.

In bakery environments, maintaining hygiene and safety is a constant challenge, especially when production scales up for the festive season. Preventing these hazards is essential not only to protect consumers but also to maintain product quality and brand trust.