Testing & Analysis

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The Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS), built on the National Curriculum Standards, represents the next generation of training for regulatory food protection professionals. It is guided by a national steering committee that includes FDA, CDC, USDA, NEHA, NACCHO, APHL, AFDO, and other organizations.

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. 

Monitoring impurities in foods is an important tool for protecting vulnerable populations. However, as consumers encounter more reports of detectable impurities in everyday foods, concern is likely to grow unless these findings are clearly communicated in the context of potential health risk. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published the latest National Microbiological Monitoring Program Annual Report for 2023–2024, which assesses domestic and imported food samples and industry environmental samples.

This article discusses the results of a 2024 follow-up survey to a 2019 workshop on the food industry's use of whole genome sequencing (WGS), the benefits and challenges of this technology, and necessary advancements for its continued acceptance and effective use in ensuring food safety.

The sampling and testing project will support the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) by identifying trends and emerging risks from drug-resistant foodborne bacteria. Findings will be used to create a model that can help predict and address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mitigation strategies.

A UK-based study, led by Quadram Institute researchers, underscores the limitations of traditional enumeration methods for foodborne pathogen surveillance and highlights the need for whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better assess the food safety risk posed by commensal or opportunistic Escherichia coli lineages.

Salmonella remains one of the most consequential foodborne pathogens, responsible for significant global illness, costly recalls, and reputational damage across the food industry. 

A letter sent to FDA urges the agency to immediately withdraw its approval of Carbadox, a carcinogenic swine feed additive. FDA’s proposal to withdraw Carbadox approvals has been pending for two years, during which time there has not been an approved method for detecting Carbadox residue in pork. 

To support the preparation of applications for regulated products, EFSA released a new guidance document detailing the scientific requirements for the characterization and risk assessment of both genetically modified (GM) and non-GM microorganisms used in the food chain.