Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

 Penn State Extension is offering a new online course to teach participants about the key elements and impact of food packaging. A continuing education unit is available upon completion of the course. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on the health risks associated with the most common complex organoarsenic species in food.

Harmonized food allergen regulation at the EU level, and systematic monitoring led by a European reference lab, are necessary to protect consumers, argue researchers. 

To promote consistency in industry use of allergen quantitative risk assessment, ILSI Europe has developed a new practical guidance to help harmonize the data-gathering processes for food allergen risk assessment and aid implementation.

The EU One Health Zoonoses Report for 2023 shows that foodborne illnesses are rising in the EU, with listeriosis cases reaching their highest levels since 2007. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) caused the greatest number of illnesses in 2023.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy at the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the coordinator of the Safe Food Coalition, about CFA’s advocacy for stronger federal food safety regulation. We also discuss CFA’s perspectives on current food safety regulatory hot topics. 

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has published a response to feedback received on the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) v2024 stakeholder consultation.

After a second Listeria monocytogenes strain related to clinical isolates was discovered through environmental and product testing, the patient count in the foodborne illness outbreak linked to Yu Shang ready-to-eat meat and poultry products has risen to 19, including an additional infant death.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched its five-part National Milk Testing Strategy to monitor and address Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) in milk and dairy herds. A new Federal Order and accompanying guidance has been issued. 

TopBake Fresh and Taste, a new enzyme solution developed by DeutscheBack, enables targeted enzymatic flavor improvement of baked goods while helping to extend shelf life and reduce the use of emulsifiers and sugars in recipes.