According to multiple sources, FDA is looking to reinstate staffers who were fired by the presidential administration last week, including at least ten people who are responsible for reviewing the safety of food ingredients. USDA is also working to rehire terminated employees responsible for avian influenza response.
The global food system is at a crossroads. The second World Congress of the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI) will unite scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders in a critical dialogue on the future of food systems.
Citing concerns that the Trump Administration could roll back or weaken Biden-era EPA drinking water standards for PFAS, a bill has been introduced in California that would set state-level limits for harmful “forever chemicals” that are at least as protective as current federal standards.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has proposed changes to the Food Law Code of Practice and accompanying guidance. A public consultation is open until May 19, 2025.
The European Commission has published its new Vision for Agriculture and Food. Among other objectives, the Vision communicates the Commission’s goal of more strictly enforcing EU production standards for imported agri-food products, especially related to pesticide use and animal welfare.
Researchers from the Danish Technical University National Food Institute achieved an 80 percent reduction in Campylobacter in free-range chickens under real-world conditions by adding biochar to their feed.
According to Bloomberg,attorney Kyle Diamantas, J.D. is expected to replace former Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones at FDA following his resignation, which was precipitated by mass layoffs within FDA’s Human Foods Program.
The results of an FDA retail survey have been published, showing that pasteurization effectively inactivates avian influenza in dairy products other than milk, such as butter, ice cream, and cheese. USDA analyzed the samples collected by FDA.
The Alliance for Food and Farming has created an online tool that enables users to view the amount of produce a person would have to consume to experience health effects from pesticide residues.
Major public health, food industry, and consumer protection groups have stated concerns about the recent mass firing of FDA Human Foods Program staff and the resignation of Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones, expressing that layoffs could jeopardize food safety and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.