In an effort to fulfill its strategic commitment to providing food safety expertise and business solutions for industry, the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA’s) Produce Safety Immersion Program recently welcomed its fourth cohort from a variety of IFPA member companies.

The Center for Produce Safety has provided insight into an ongoing study funded by the center that is examining the efficacy of superheated steam, also known as “dry steam,” as a sanitization method for dry food production environments. The researchers are looking for industry respondents to fill out a survey on the financial realities of this technology.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its second premarket consultation for a food made from cultured animal cells intended for human consumption. FDA evaluated the information submitted by GOOD Meat Inc. and has no further questions at this time about the company’s safety conclusion. 

On March 17, 2023, two bipartisan pieces of legislation were introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives with the goal of requiring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate cannabidiol (CBD) products in foods and dietary supplements. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report, titled, Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood. The document shares the steps that FDA is taking to ensure that seafood imported to the U.S. meets food safety requirements and the standards of domestically produced seafood.   

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will release a new prevention strategy aimed at reducing foodborne listeriosis cases and outbreaks associated with the consumption of fresh, soft Queso Fresco-type (QFT) cheeses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) has announced that it is making temporary allowances for the use of sodium nitrite derived from natural sources, in an effort to address shortages of synthetic sodium nitrite used to cure meat and poultry products.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have published a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) report on the safety and quality of water used in the production and processing of fish and fishery products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has announced that it is accepting applications from eligible organizations seeking funding through the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC) for fiscal year 2024.