December 2025/January 2026

The cover story for the December ‘25/January ‘26 issue of Food Safety Magazine discusses how investment in food safety is not only good business practice, but can also be a boon to a company's bottom line. Additional features examine the food safety aspects of precision fermentation-derived dairy; the management of food safety risks associated with the movement of people and equipment in a food processing facility; and the adoption, benefits, and necessary advancements of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for food safety.

The ROI of Food Safety: From Compliance Cost to Strategic Investment in 2026

In a global food and beverage industry under pressure from recalls, regulation, litigation, and consumer expectations, food safety is not just about staying compliant; it is about staying in business

Robert (Bob) Manning M.B.A., M.S., M.E.M.

December 9, 2025

This article discusses how investment in food safety is not only good business practice—it can also be a boon to a company's bottom line.

Modern Dairy Safety Concerns and Emerging Precision Fermentation for Dairy Foods and Ingredients

Developments in genetic technology have created a boom in the use and potential applications of precision fermentation

Drew Carter Ph.D.

December 8, 2025

This article examines the food safety aspects of precision fermentation-derived dairy ingredients and formulations.

Footsteps and Forklifts: The Dance of the Production Floor

Food safety alert: things that move can take other things on unwanted journeys

Bob Lijana M.Sc. John Boyce

December 8, 2025

This article looks at how the movement of people and equipment in a food processing plant affects food safety risks and how these risks can be successfully managed.

a series of vertical, colored bars against a dark background

A Food Industry Perspective on The Benefits and Barriers of WGS for Pathogen Source Tracking: The Sequel

Whole genome sequencing is gaining traction within the food industry, but advancements in technology, regulatory clarity, standardization in sequencing, and results interpretation are needed

Adrianne Klijn Aurelien Maillet Ph.D. Bala Jagadeesan Caroline Barretto Francois Bourdichon Ph.D. Jerome Combrisson Ph.D. Leen Baert Martin Wiedmann Ph.D., D.V.M. Anett Winkler

December 5, 2025

This article discusses the results of a 2024 follow-up survey to a 2019 workshop on the food industry's use of whole genome sequencing (WGS), the benefits and challenges of this technology, and necessary advancements for its continued acceptance and effective use in ensuring food safety.

Using Risk Assessment to Interpret the Detection of Metals and Other Impurities in Foods

As consumers encounter more reports of detectable impurities in everyday foods, concern is likely to grow unless these findings are clearly communicated in the context of potential health risk

Neva Jacobs M.S.P.H., CIH Ania Urban Ph.D., M.P.H. Andrey Massarsky Ph.D.

December 10, 2025

Monitoring impurities in foods is an important tool for protecting vulnerable populations. However, as consumers encounter more reports of detectable impurities in everyday foods, concern is likely to grow unless these findings are clearly communicated in the context of potential health risk.

various laboratory test tubes for detecting the presence of Listeria bacteria.

The Signal to Start: How the FDA CORE Signals and Surveillance Team Evaluates and Identifies Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Several tools and data sources are used in signal detection to evaluate genetic and epidemiologic information linked to foodborne outbreak investigations

Ashley Grant M.P.H. Tyann Blessington Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H. Daniela Schoelen Ph.D., M.P.H. Stelios Viazis Ph.D. Cary Chen Parker M.P.H. Anders Evenson Stuart L. Cantor PhD Jennifer Beal M.P.H

December 12, 2025

This article provides background information about FDA’s CORE+EP Signals team's day-to-day work in detecting foodborne illness outbreaks and triaging incidents, and highlights some real-world examples and partnerships that have occurred to improve food safety and protect consumers.

Shrimp Processing: Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing of Raw and Frozen Products

Shrimp facilities must utilize their processing systems to reduce risks from external hazards and manufacture safety and quality into their products

John M. Wigglesworth Ph.D. REHS/RS, CPFS, PCQI

December 19, 2025

This article focuses on the fundamentals of shrimp processing and the various steps in which facilities can manage food safety and quality challenges to generate wholesome and safe products for global markets.

a female food factory worker holding a tray of fresh cookies

What Food Safety KPIs Say About Food Safety Culture—Part 1

Part 1 of this column series discusses the results of a survey of more than 170 food processors regarding their views on food safety culture

Bob Ferguson

December 15, 2025

This article discusses the results of a survey of food processors worldwide regarding food safety culture and the preventive controls-aligned key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure daily operations and continuous improvement.

The image displays a variety of whole and ground spices, commonly used in Indian cuisine

Beyond Borders: Food Fraud in Global Supply Chains

Conducting a food fraud vulnerability assessment helps identify potential weaknesses in the supply chain and assist in establishing effective controls to mitigate those risks

Baidini Ghosh M.S.

December 10, 2025

This article presents data on food fraud in global supply chains and discusses how to identify supply chain vulnerabilities by conducting a food fraud vulnerability assessment.

chefs in a professional kitchen setting, appearing to be discussing or reviewing something on a digital tablet.

How QA and Frontline Leaders Assess Food Safety Skills

High-performing organizations go beyond compliance to ensure continuous skill development and a leadership-driven food safety culture

Andrew Thomson Matthew Wilson Ph.D.

December 15, 2025

By examining global standards such as HACCP, GFSI, and SQF, this article explores the gaps in current competency assessments and the risks posed by these gaps. It also provides actionable strategies to empower frontline leaders and quality assurance teams to improve where necessary.

a stock photo that represents a business agreement or partnership in a food processing or production facility

Ensuring Supplier FSMA Compliance through Supplier Preventive Controls

Supplier preventive controls are a key element of food safety assurance in the end-to-end supply chain of food manufacturing to retail foodservice and sales

Steve Lutes M.B.A.

December 10, 2025

This article explores how supplier preventive controls are a key element of food safety assurance in the end-to-end supply chain of food manufacturing to retail foodservice and sales.

two scientists using a real-time laboratory data monitoring system

Stronger Together: A National System for Regulatory and Laboratory Food Safety Training Foundations and Context

The Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS) is designed to make training simpler, faster, and more consistent

December 11, 2025

The Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS), built on the National Curriculum Standards, represents the next generation of training for regulatory food protection professionals. It is guided by a national steering committee that includes FDA, CDC, USDA, NEHA, NACCHO, APHL, AFDO, and other organizations.

a worker cleaning the floor around large stainless steel processing vats in an industrial food production facility, potentially a winery or cheesery

Mitigation Solutions for Surface Biofilms for Food Processors

If not effectively detected and eliminated, uncontrolled biofilms can become chronic sources of contamination

Abiola Latifat Omosowon M.S., PCQI

December 22, 2025

Without proper sanitation, surfaces and other areas in food processing facilities provide an ideal environment for the growth of biofilm on food contact and non-food contact surfaces. This article discusses biofilm mitigation solutions for food processing operations.

workers in protective gear performing industrial cleaning and disinfection

Safe Chemical Handling and Storage

Every food processing facility must properly develop, document, implement, and maintain a chemical program

Richard F. Stier, M.S.

December 12, 2025

This article discusses how an operation should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program to properly manage the many chemicals that are used in food processing.

a conceptual representation of drug development and approval

FDA's Proposed Post-Market Assessment of Food Additives and Chemicals in Food

If FDA plans to elevate its post-market chemical review to a new level, it should introduce a robust regulatory scheme that is adopted through a regular rulemaking procedure

George G. Misko J.D.

December 22, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making progress on its planned endeavor to take a closer look at substances added to or otherwise found in food and food contact materials.

Biosecurity in Peacetime and Wartime

Most prominent among wartime threats for food, agriculture, and water systems is the probability of continuous and coordinated cyberattacks and other forms of sabotage

Cris A. Young D.V.M., M.P.H., Diplomate A.C.V.P.M. David E. Bragg M.S.A.E.

Robert A. Norton Ph.D.

December 19, 2025

Most prominent among wartime threats for U.S. food, agriculture, and water systems is the probability of continuous and coordinated cyberattacks and other forms of sabotage.

Live: January 27, 2026 at 2:00 pm EST: From this webinar, attendees will learn common areas where companies encounter challenges in their food defense strategies and how to address them.

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

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