Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

Following a proof-of-concept trial with five major grocery chains, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is entertaining the idea of a new approach to national food hygiene regulation for large supermarket retailers, which would favor audit data monitoring over in-person inspections.

A recent study has demonstrated that current sampling and testing methods for Campylobacter may overlook epidemiologically-important strains. The researchers suggest using optimized culture methods and analyzing multiple isolates per sample.

A recent sampling assignment conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Pennsylvania and Michigan found milk in 6.2 percent of dark chocolate and chocolate-containing products labeled as “dairy-free,” although all positive samples were also labeled with an allergen advisory statement.

A recent study explored how the use of uniform, threshold-based precautionary allergen labeling could increase food safety for allergic consumers, as well as enhance the number of foods available to them on the market. 

IFS Food Standard version 8 has successfully achieved recognition against Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Benchmarking Requirements v2020.

GEA recently introduced its patented CONTA dual block valve technology for spray dryers that is hygienically designed to reduce microbial risk in food and dairy processing. 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering changes to maximum residue limits (MRLs) for certain agricultural and veterinary chemicals in foods. A call for comment on the proposal is open.

In light of a recent investigation that found nearly half of honey imported to the EU is adulterated, UK researchers have demonstrated the promise of two innovative techniques—DNA barcoding and spatial offset Raman Spectroscopy—for detecting sugar adulterants in honey.

A recent University of Delaware study has shown that, although certain irrigation management approaches can reduce the levels of either cadmium or arsenic in rice crops, irrigation management may not be able to simultaneously mitigate both of the chemicals.

To advance food safety in the fresh produce sector, the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) has announced 14 new research projects, totaling $3.3 million in grants.