Foodservice/Retail

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Considering the infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, during which product was found on store shelves weeks after the recall was announced, FDA issued a letter to industry describing firms’ legal obligations in the case of a recall, as well as warning letters to four major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons).

The newly published 2024 FDA Food Code Adoption Report outlines Food Code adoption status in U.S. states, territories, and tribes.

In a survey of California fast food employees, 47 percent of respondents reported seeing serious food safety issues at work in the past year, more than half of which went knowingly unresolved by management, and 37 percent who reported food safety issues said they faced retaliation for doing so.

A recent study investigating Listeria monocytogenes in South Korea’s beef supply chain revealed the presence of the pathogen exclusively in retail product samples, underscoring the importance of strict food safety controls post-harvest. The strains isolated were hypervirulent and stress-adapted.

Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), titled, the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE), will apply to chain restaurants with 20 or more locations by January 1, 2026.

The retail foodservice industry’s challenge in preventing foodborne illness comes from gaps in prevention—i.e., the interpretation, implementation, and execution of existing knowledge about root causes and hazards controls.

This article explores the critical yet underappreciated vulnerabilities of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in retail and foodservice settings, including blind spots in handling practices, supplier-level failures, and the vital importance of reheating protocols and environmental controls.

Walmart is the latest company to say it will remove synthetic dyes from its private-label food brands, as well as 30 other additives, including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes.

A University of Missouri research project is exploring the use of blockchain for improved traceability of food served at restaurants, and increased transparency for diners. The findings suggest that clear traceability information would increase consumers’ confidence in food safety.

A study from the Arkansas Center for Food Safety demonstrates the importance of application time and product formulation in the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, which is critical for food handlers.