Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced several key presidential appointments who will hold senior staff positions at the agency.

Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson has introduced SF 188, a bill that would require manufacturers of packaged foods to test their products for phthalates and disclose the results online.

Stop Foodborne Illness has announced that Sandra Eskin, who most recently served as USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary, where she oversaw the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), will assume the role of STOP’s CEO in February.

FDA has released a new commodity-specific prevention strategy for norovirus and hepatitis A virus contamination of fresh and frozen berries.

Trustwell recently added an Allergen Identification feature to its Genesis Foods platform, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize and alert users of potential allergens for submitted ingredients, helping inform accurate labeling and potential corrective actions.

In response to USDA-FSIS’s proposed regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry products, Consumer Reports has called the agency’s suggested enforceable standards “too lax,” and suggests specific changes, such as including S. Infantis as a serotype of public health concern. 

A recent study has demonstrated that millions of nano- and microplastics are released by polymer-based commercial tea bags when infused with hot water, and that these plastic particles are readily taken up by human intestinal cells.

To support companies seeking to achieve regulatory compliance in the U.S., Eurofins Healthcare Assurance network of companies now offers a new Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification program for dietary and food supplements.

FDA has issued two requests for information (RFIs) related to opiate alkaloids in poppy seeds and the standard of identity for high-protein yogurt.

USDA-FSIS has completed swine and poultry line speed studies, finding that workers experienced pain in their upper extremities. FSIS is extending the current swine and poultry line speed waivers for companies that participated in these studies through May 15, 2025.