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This episode of Food Safety Five discusses a recent report showing that FDA has not met its mandated food inspection targets since 2018. Also covered are FDA’s new action levels for lead in foods for babies and children, and the success of Canadian regulations to control Salmonella in raw, frozen and breaded chicken products.

USDA-FSIS has published its Annual Sampling Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, outlining the agency’s strategy for directing sampling resources in the coming year.

FDA has released a new commodity-specific prevention strategy for norovirus and hepatitis A virus contamination of fresh and frozen berries.

An EPA draft risk assessment suggests a risk to human health from the consumption of food grown on land fertilized by PFAS-contaminated biosolids. This risk only applies to certain “hot spots,” as the majority of food crops grown in the U.S. do not use biosolids as fertilizer. 

Following the deaths of pet cats who ate raw food contaminated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, raw pet food manufacturers must now consider the virus as a hazard in their food safety plans, under FDA’s FSMA Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule.

In response to USDA-FSIS’s proposed regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry products, Consumer Reports has called the agency’s suggested enforceable standards “too lax,” and suggests specific changes, such as including S. Infantis as a serotype of public health concern. 

To support companies seeking to achieve regulatory compliance in the U.S., Eurofins Healthcare Assurance network of companies now offers a new Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification program for dietary and food supplements.

FDA has issued two requests for information (RFIs) related to opiate alkaloids in poppy seeds and the standard of identity for high-protein yogurt.

USDA-FSIS has completed swine and poultry line speed studies, finding that workers experienced pain in their upper extremities. FSIS is extending the current swine and poultry line speed waivers for companies that participated in these studies through May 15, 2025.

In response to external pressures, FDA has revoked its authorization for the use of red dye 3 in food. Despite its decision, the agency maintains that the available scientific information does not support claims of the colorant being harmful to human health through dietary exposure.