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Food Safety Magazine

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October/November 2025

The cover story for the October/November ‘25 issue of Food Safety Magazine discusses the results of a new AFDO survey on food safety culture and food safety management systems among small retail/foodservice establishments in the U.S. Additional features explore the hidden risks of ready-to-eat foods in retail/foodservice settings, the food safety/quality and functional effects of nitrite reduction in processed meats, and the challenges and risks posed by Cyclospora cayetanensis in food supply chains.
 

Cover Story

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restaurant Workers

From Corporate to Corner Store: Retail Food Safety Practices in Small Businesses and How They Compare with Large Brands

Small businesses show positive signs of managerial engagement and understanding of food safety principles but face challenges in implementing formal Food Safety Management Systems
Carrie Rigdon Ph.D. Sally L. Flowers Ph.D. Deanna E. Copeland
Steven Mandernach
Steven Mandernach J.D.
October 7, 2025

This article discusses the results of a survey conducted by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) on the states of food safety culture and the use of food safety management systems among smaller-scale foodservice establishments in the U.S.


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Features

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a plate of cold cuts, also known as deli meat or lunch meat

Safe Until Served: The Hidden Risks of RTE Foods in Retail

Retail and foodservice operations must take active responsibility for the safety of RTE products by treating them as high-risk items requiring ongoing control
Michelle Wollenzien
October 7, 2025

This article explores the critical yet underappreciated vulnerabilities of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in retail and foodservice settings, including blind spots in handling practices, supplier-level failures, and the vital importance of reheating protocols and environmental controls.


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several types of dry-cured salami

Nitrite for Meat Preservation: Controversial, Multifunctional, and Effective

Nitrite has several functional purposes in meat, including the formation and conservation of a stable red color and the inhibition of growth of C. botulinum
Anette Granly Koch M.Sc., Ph.D. Gudrun Margret Jónsdóttir M.Sc. Marlene Schou Grønbeck M.Sc. Gry Carl Terrell M.Sc.
October 15, 2025

This article discusses the food safety/quality and functional effects of nitrite reduction in processed meats, as mandated by new EU regulations that go into effect in October 2025.


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a close-up of a broccoli plant

Cyclospora cayetanensis: An Emergent Public Health Threat and an Enigma for Traceback Investigation

Unresolved or inconclusive epidemiology for several outbreaks offer compelling case studies of the challenges and risks posed by Cyclospora in food supply chains
Larry Keener
Larry Keener CFS, PA
October 8, 2025

Cyclosporiasis is considered an "important neglected parasitic infection" by CDC. It is also a nationally notifiable disease. Cyclospora is an emergent foodborne pathogen that is frequently overlooked in risk assessments for food safety assurance—an oversight that might not be justifiable.


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Columns

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a person harvesting or inspecting green chili peppers, possibly a type of bird's eye chili or Thai chili.

Strategies for Reducing Contamination and Cross-Contamination on Farms

SSAFE has developed a practical guide that provides farmers around the world with 47 useful and effective measures to reduce or eliminate contamination on their farms
Quincy Lissaur
October 13, 2025

SSAFE is helping farmers reduce or eliminate contamination and cross-contamination on their farms by developing a practical guide that provides 47 useful and effective measures that are based on scientific global best practices.


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The image shows a combine harvester, which is a machine used to harvest a variety of cultivated seeds.

Evaluating Agricultural Sources of Physical Contaminants in Food

The prevention of physical contaminants in the food stream starts at the beginning of the supply chain
C.J. (Carolyn) Flint
October 15, 2025

Food processors do not always consider the physical hazards that may be brought in with agricultural raw materials, or have systems in place to address them. Focus may also be diverted by looking at other sources of foreign material because adequate agricultural information is not available.


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The image shows a microscopic view of a cell, likely a type of white blood cell, possibly a neutrophil, with a multi-lobed nucleus and granular cytoplasm.

A Look at the Growth of the Global Food Safety and Beverage Microbiology Testing Market

Food safety microbiology is fundamental to any food safety program, but it also plays a role in the dynamic global marketplace
Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson
October 16, 2025

This article discusses trends and data for microbiological testing in the food and beverage sector, informed by data collection, surveys, and interviews with end-users at food processors, laboratories, manufacturers of test kits/instruments, and other companies in the global market.


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The image shows a variety of frozen berries

Individual Quick Freezing and Isochoric Freezing in Berries: Simplicity Through Complexity

Progress in isochoric freezing technology can revolutionize the methods that are used to handle and store frozen fruits and vegetables
Javier Martinez M.Sc. Madison Flores
October 17, 2025

Due to the small, tender quality of berries, individual quick freezing (IQF) and isochoric freezing are ideal options that have been explored to improve preservation. Progress in isochoric freezing technology can revolutionize the methods that are used to handle and store berries.


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a person wearing purple gloves holding a handful of live shrimp

Lessons Learned from Outbreaks: Publications and Reports from FDA's CORE+EP in FY2024

Information collected during a foodborne illness outbreak investigation can be used to inform and improve future investigations and prevention activities
Julie Haendiges Ph.D. Michael C. Bazaco Ph.D. Brett Weed M.P.H., M.S. Spencer Carran Ph.D.
October 10, 2025

An aim of FDA's Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, and Emergency Preparedness Office's (CORE+EP) is to share the findings of foodborne illness outbreak investigations, highlighting relevant topics such as the importance of global partnerships in farm investigations, and the benefits of historical environmental surveillance for future outbreak investigations. 


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a product card for a DJI drone. DJI is a Chinese technology company that manufactures commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs

A Biosurveillance Ecosystem for Food Safety and National Resilience

By integrating One Health principles and cross-sector data sharing, the food safety community can move from reactive outbreak response to proactive biological domain awareness
Marcus (Marc) Sachs P.E. Whitney Bowman-Zatzkin M.P.A., M.S.R.
Robert Norton
Robert A. Norton Ph.D.
October 14, 2025

This article discusses an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) for biosurveillance, with the aim of ensuring food safety as part of a food defense program. ISACs collect, analyze, and disseminate actionable threat information to their industry members and provide members with tools to mitigate risks and enhance resiliency.


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