This episode of Food Safety Five covers a new EU regulation that limits PFAS in food packaging and bans single-use plastics for fruit and vegetables under a certain weight, among other changes. Also discussed is a bill introduced to the New York State legislature to ban certain food additives and tighten requirements for GRAS ingredients.
EU agencies are recommending actions the agriculture sector should take toward the more responsible use of azole-based fungicides, due to the risk of Aspergillus becoming azole-resistant, making treatment for human infections less effective.
Based on a recent analysis, WaterMagage4You is a free, online tool developed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to help industry predict and mitigate microbial contamination risks in process water for fresh, fresh-cut, and frozen produce. EFSA also published recommendations for fit-for-purpose process water management.
A researcher from Southern Illinois University Carbondale has received a $150,000 grant from USDA-NIFA to develop an AI-based rapid detection method for Salmonella on onions.
Funded by the Center for Produce Safety, researchers with the University of Barcelona and the Spanish Research Council are developing novel testing protocols for norovirus and hepatitis A on berries and leafy greens, enabling faster analysis and reducing false positives.
A recent report from the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) summarizes the development of formal risk assessment models for Listeria monocytogenes in leafy greens, cantaloupe, frozen vegetables, and ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood.
An analysis of globally sourced table grapes conducted by the Chemical and Veterinary Analytical Institute of Stuttgart, Germany (CVUA Stuttgart) found notable levels of pesticides, which were significantly higher in grapes imported from outside the EU. Grapes from Türkiye were especially problematic.
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.
To meet the need for sustainable alternatives for food packaging, researchers from Chungnam National University have developed an edible, natural coating that extends the shelf life of fruits.
RSS
