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Foreign food safety inspections conducted by FDA have hit a historic low due to Trump Administration budget and staff cuts, according to an investigative report by ProPublica.

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. 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its 2024–25 Annual Report, detailing a year of progress in food standards development, regulatory modernization, and stakeholder engagement.

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.

Despite increased regulatory efforts, Salmonella outbreaks linked to chicken remain a significant public health threat in the U.S., reaffirms a new study by CDC and USDA-FSIS researchers. The majority of outbreaks involved chicken parts and five serotypes of concern.

During an October 29 Senate confirmation hearing, Dr. Mindy Brashears, the presidential nominee for USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, has provided insight into what her priorities will be if she is confirmed for the position—with Salmonella topping her list, followed by Listeria.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has enacted regulatory amendments with the goal of reducing red tape regarding labeling, traceability, and imports for fresh fruit/vegetable producers and the poultry/egg industries—specifically, hatcheries.

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Kris Sollid, RD of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) about IFIC’s recent consumer surveys measuring Americans' confidence in, and understanding of, the safety of the U.S. food supply, as well as how “MAHA” may be influencing consumer perceptions. 

Food industry representatives and consumer advocacy groups have shared their comments, which are varied in opinion, submitted in response to FDA and USDA’s joint request for information to support a federal definition for ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Regulatory agencies based in Abu Dhabi, UAE have launched a strategic initiative to develop a regulatory framework for novel foods and processes, such as alternative proteins and precision fermentation.