Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we review the top food safety stories of 2023 and their implications, covering regulatory changes in the U.S. and abroad; growing concerns about chemical additives and contaminants, allergens, traceability requirements, infant formula, and retail foodservice safety; and the Poisoned documentary that premiered on Netflix in summer 2023.

Effective December 31, 2023, Michelle Catlin, Ph.D. will serve as Chief Scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS).

The Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) is offering free webinars in January 2024 to examine new technologies, science, and efforts to address the roles that sodium plays in foods, including how sodium plays into food safety and quality.

A proposed strategy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aims to improve the agency’s screening process for the harmful effects that pesticides and agricultural chemicals may have on the human endocrine system, starting with immediately requiring additional data to be submitted by the manufacturers of certain high-priority chemicals. 

Chile has become the first country in Latin America to implement a food control system assessment facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the goal of which is to improve strategic planning and strengthen governance around food safety.

Hydrite is offering in-person and virtual training and educational programs throughout 2024 to help increase companies’ knowledge and understanding of food safety.

After reassessing the food safety of the popular zero-calorie sweetener erythritol, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has lowered the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for the additive and reported that, for all groups the EU included in the assessment, acute and chronic exposure to erythritol is above the newly set ADI.

Panduit Corp. recently announced the launch of its Antimicrobial Metal Detectable Nylon Cable Ties and Mounts, integrating antimicrobial technology, metal detectability, and a distinctive blue color to ensure a clean and safe food production environment and enable quick identification and removal from products.

With regard to the recently recalled, lead-contaminated applesauce packages that have caused lead poisoning among dozens of children, Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recently shared that the agency’s leading theory is economically motivated adulteration of cinnamon used in the products.

Two complimentary studies funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) are using genomic sequencing technology to examine how storage conditions affect microbial growth on pears, with a focus on Listeria monocytogenes.