Food Safety Magazine

Foodborne Illness Deaths in Belgium Doubled in 2025

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Only six deaths were reported in 2024. The majority (nine) of the 12 fatalities in 2025 were included in one E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef served at long-term care facilities nationwide.

Infant Formula Brands Behind Botulism Outbreaks Used Same Organic Whole Milk Supplier

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:06:53 -0400

For a time, ByHeart Nutrition and Nara Organics both used Organic West milk dried by Dairy Farmers of America in their infant formula products (confirmed by Food Fix). Both brands have been implicated in botulism outbreaks that occurred within months of each other.

Brevel, Coffeesai Explore Illuminated Fermentation for Coffee Cell Culture Production

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:09:23 -0400

The companies are assessing the effects of controlled light exposure during fermentation on the growth and characteristics of coffee cell cultures. Coffee cell culture may offer an alternative production pathway that is less dependent on agricultural growing conditions.

Fresh Produce Collective of Regional Companies Launches Under TruSource Name

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:57:34 -0400

Each operating company retains its name, people, customer relationships, and local presence while gaining access to shared resources, broader sourcing strength, operational support, and additional capabilities.

Ten-Year Analysis of German Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Shows Rise in Those Linked to Plant-Based Foods

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:45:18 -0400

Between 2015 and 2024, the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute investigated 3,021 foodborne illness outbreaks

Ep. 220. Ramirez and Hodgson: What it Takes to Build and Maintain an Effective Food Safety Culture

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Fresca Foods’ Vice President of Operations, Miguel Ramirez, and former Fresca Foods FSQ Manager Madisen Hodgson, M.S. about cultivating a strong and effective food safety culture, including practical tips for measuring outcomes, driving continuous improvement, engaging frontline employees and leadership, and more.

Food Standards Scotland Study Identifies Factors Driving Foodborne Illness Risk Among Older Adults

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:28:13 -0400

Based on the findings, researchers recommended targeted food safety messaging for older adults that raises awareness of age-related susceptibility to foodborne illness and the potential severity of infection, and acknowledges the effects of health, financial, and environmental realities on food safety practices.

FAO Offers Guidance to Food Safety Stakeholders on Mitigating Foodborne AMR

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Overuse or misuse of antimicrobials and improper disposal of antimicrobials in the agri-food system may result in food and environmental contamination and contribute to the global rise of AMR.

THAIFEX–ANUGA ASIA 2026 Records Continued Growth with Over 158,000 Visitors and THB 136 Billion in Trade Value

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Thailand achieved remarkable success of THAIFEX–ANUGA ASIA 2026, held from May 26–30 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

Beyond Detection: Putting Dietary Pesticide Residues into Risk Context

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses toxicology and human exposure to pesticide residues in foods, including policy context and risk communication recommendations.

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Ban U.S. Paraquat Use, Citing Parkinson’s Concerns

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:08:05 -0400

The Paraquat Prevention Act would cancel all EPA-registered uses of the herbicide and permanently prohibit its reregistration. More than 70 countries, including the EU and China, have banned the domestic use of paraquat, although China still manufactures and exports the chemical to the U.S.

Organic Infant Formulas Caused Back-to-Back Botulism Outbreaks—What Gives?

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:11:46 -0400

New ByHeart-commissioned research suggests that sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC) enumeration, the “gold-standard” test for C. botulinum in powdered infant formula, which was used by Nara Organics prior to the ongoing outbreak, is insufficient. Experts who spoke to Food Safety Magazine agree C. botulinum should be considered as a foreseeable hazard requiring specific preventive controls.

Researchers Predict Climate Change-Driven Increases in Mycotoxin Contamination of Wheat Across Europe

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Wageningen University researchers developed a hybrid machine learning modeling framework that considers crop growth stages, various future scenarios, and a large geographic region. The model predicted deoxynivalenol will present the greatest risk, with coastal countries, the UK, and northern France most affected.

Restaurant Industry Urges Congress to Delay Hemp-Derived THC Beverage Ban

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:27:12 -0400

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale of hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC, allowing a “legal” edibles and beverage market to emerge. The 2025 government shutdown reconciliation bill closed this “loophole,” effective in November.

Nestlé USA Completes Artificial Food Dye Phase-Out

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The action aligns with the wishes of FDA and U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. for industry to voluntarily phase out synthetic, petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply.

Product Testing Suggests USDA-FSIS Regulations for C. perfringens in Meat May Be ‘Overly Conservative’

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Real-world data from meat processors show Clostridium perfringens is rarely detected in fully cooked meat and poultry products and remains uncommon even when deviations from USDA-FSIS Appendix B parameters are reported, challenging assumptions underlying regulatory limits for growth during stabilization.

eBook | Building a Skilled and Capable Workforce in the Food Industry

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Staying in compliance with food laws and avoiding food safety incidents requires more than ticking compliance boxes—it demands a strategic investment in people.

SQF Audit Not for Another Year—Now What Do You Do?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article shares best practices for using existing organizational momentum to drive food safety culture improvement and keep SQF scores high. It also suggests ways to cast a wide net to gather ideas for continual improvement that will reduce risk and better protect public health.

Food Safety Provisions in the 2026 Farm Bill

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

As it stands, the bill would mandate that USDA provide guidance on HACCP plans to small and very small meat processors, require USDA and FDA to define “honey” and establish honey authenticity testing standards, and initiate other directives.

CDC Reports More Than 1,200 Seafood Toxin Illnesses Between 2011 and 2023

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Scombroid toxin and ciguatoxin caused the greatest number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and death. Characterizing marine toxin outbreaks can help guide prevention efforts.

Integrated Pest Management: Protecting Poultry Operations as Seasons Change

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With warmer weather comes increased pest pressures, threatening flock health and food safety in pre-harvest poultry operations. Insects and rodents act as vectors for pathogens, making robust integrated pest management, complemented by effective chemical control, essential to reducing contamination risks.

65 Organizations Petition FDA to End Routine Preventive Antibiotic Use in Food Animals

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:27:47 -0400

Citing concerns about antibiotic overuse in food-producing animals contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the petition calls for FDA to withdraw approvals for the routine use of medically important drugs for disease prevention.

EU Webinar to Explore Food System Security, Resilience, Threat Anticipation

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:07:00 -0400

Four European research and innovation projects—SecureFood, EFF-CoP, ACT4FOOD, and DEFENSEFOOD—will host a joint webinar on July 3, titled, "Advancing Food System Security: From Early Signals to Systemic Resilience.”

Safe Food Handling Tips for America’s 250 Potluck from Partnership for Food Safety Education

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:01:51 -0400

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is offering resources to help families, educators, and community leaders prevent foodborne illness during America 250 celebrations through simple, science‑based steps.

The Evolving Role of the Quality Assurance Professional in Food Safety

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Once seen primarily as compliance enforcers, QA teams are now expected to be strategic business partners, shaping food safety culture, driving skills development, and leveraging risk and data analytics to enable continuous improvement.

FoodChain ID Now Accredited to Conduct Inspection Services in France

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:16:17 -0400

The accreditation from COFRAC, France’s sole national accreditation body, covers inspections to assess food safety and quality practices at food retail establishments.

Food Safety Five Ep. 33: Studies Raise Safety Questions About Sweeteners, Food Dyes, and UPFs

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research linking sorbitol to fatty liver disease, studies suggesting potential health risks associated with both “natural” and artificial color additives, and a major collection of papers examining the health impacts, policy, and marketing practices behind ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Honey Sold in EU Must Now Carry Countries of Origin on Label

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

New EU labeling regulations for honey went into effect on June 14, introducing strengthened requirements for country-of-origin declarations.

Another Infant Botulism Outbreak Sickens Three, Nara Organics Formula Suspected Cause

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:13:11 -0400

Three babies in three states have been sickened in the second infant botulism outbreak identified since late-2025. All patients were fed Nara Organics Whole Milk Infant Formula. A recall has been issued, and product testing is underway.

EU Changes Certifications for U.S. Mollusk Imports, Increases Checks for Other High-Risk Foods

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The EU has implemented increased checks on certain food imports at the border, and has also introduced new certificate requirements for shipments of oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and other aquaculture products from the U.S. due to veterinary drug use restrictions.