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.
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.
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.
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.
Per the USDA-FSIS Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2025, the agency will focus on its proposed framework for Salmonella in poultry, including its regulation of Salmonella as an adulterant in certain products. FSIS will also work on truthful labeling, modernizing laboratory methods, and other efforts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a Long-Term National Strategy to Increase the Resiliency of the U.S. Infant Formula Market, building upon actions taken by the agency and implementing learnings from research conducted since the 2022 infant formula supply crisis.
In Canada, the presence of Salmonella in raw, frozen and breaded chicken products, as well as human salmonellosis cases, decreased significantly after a specific requirement for these products was implemented in 2019, according to a recent study.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order that mandates state agencies explore the safety of ultra-processed foods, food dyes, and "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) ingredients, and recommend actions to mitigate the adverse health effects.
