News

FDA Announces August Public Meeting on Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Prevention

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:32 -0400

L. monocytogenes is the fourth-leading foodborne illness-related cause of death in the U.S. Despite continued efforts, listeriosis incidence rates have not declined, prompting FDA to launch a series of public engagements to discuss best practices for managing the pathogen.

Danish Researchers Propose Voluntary Labeling Scheme for Listeria-Stabilized RTE Foods

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The label claim “STABILIZED” would indicate that a ready-to-eat (RTE) product had been formulated or processed to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth. The researchers advocate for formulation and process changes as listeriosis rates climb in Europe and stricter EU Listeria regulations come into effect.

Foodborne Parasite Cyclospora Sickens Hundreds Across U.S., Nearly 600 in Michigan

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:01:15 -0400

Cyclosporiasis is surging across the U.S., with CDC and Michigan state public health officials together reporting more than 700 cases since May 2026. Michigan alone has reported 572 Cyclospora infections since late June.

Nara Organics Formula Tests Positive for C. botulinum as Four Infants Hospitalized with Botulism

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:43:52 -0400

Four infants in three states have been hospitalized with botulism after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula. California public health officials have detected Clostridium botulinum in an open can of Nara Organics formula collected from the home of an outbreak patient.

Codex Adopts Internationally Harmonized Precautionary Allergen Labeling at CAC49

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:06:24 -0400

Other standards adopted during the 49^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), taking place July 6–10 in Geneva, Switzerland, relate to controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken and Listeria monocytogenes in RTE foods, revisions to food additive use levels, and more.

Food Safety NEXT Executive Roundtable Examines AI Solutions for Supply Chain Risk Management

BlumeA@bnpmedia.com (Adrienne Blume, M.A.) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

At a Food Safety NEXT Industry Roundtable on June 25, senior business leaders came together to share, collaborate, and innovate meaningful improvements for supply chain risk management using enterprise AI. Food Safety Magazine is the exclusive media partner for Food Safety NEXT.

Food Safety Five Ep. 34: Scientific Advances Addressing C. botulinum in Food

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five covers a novel detection method for Clostridium botulinum and a potential new processing approach to mitigate contamination, as well as growing discussion around how C. botulinum should be handled in infant formula manufacturing, spurred by recent botulism outbreaks.

EU Survey Identifies Gaps in Member State Histamine Controls for Fish Products

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

A new European Commission report identified inconsistencies in how EU Member States conduct official controls for histamine (scombrotoxin) in fishery products, highlighting gaps in inspection procedures, staff training, and harmonization of testing methods.

Study Identifies 'Forever Chemical' Characteristics Affecting Drinking Water Treatment Effectiveness

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the researchers, treating PFAS as a single class of contaminants may overlook important differences in how individual compounds move through water systems and respond to remediation. Treatment strategies should be designed based on molecular structure, especially chain length.

Allergens Remained Leading Cause of New Zealand Food Recalls in 2025

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) supported 57 consumer-level food recalls in 2025, a 35.2 percent decrease from the 88 recalls initiated in 2024.

Canadian Officials Caught More Than 150,000 Kilos of Fraudulent Food in 2024–2025

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA’s) 2024–2025 Food Fraud Annual Report, CFIA tested 886 food samples for authenticity and conducted 362 label verifications. Olive oil had the lowest authenticity compliance rate.

Foodborne Campylobacter, Listeria Infections Rose in Denmark in 2025

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The Danish Annual Report on Zoonoses summarizes trends in foodborne disease, zoonotic pathogens, and surveillance activities across humans, animals, food, and the environment.

New Zealand Releases Guidance to Standardize Checks at Multi-Site Food Businesses

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New Zealand Food Safety has issued new guidance for verifying multi-site food businesses, establishing consistent onsite sampling recommendations for verifiers, intended to reduce costs and increase certainty for industry while ensuring food safety.

Experts Offer Global Food Systems Preparedness Framework for Nuclear, Radiological Accidents

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) recommendations were informed by lessons learned from the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi incidents, which demonstrated that radioactive contamination of food can have long-lasting public health and economic consequences.

Campylobacter is Ireland’s Highest-Burden Foodborne Pathogen

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:45:00 -0400

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published its first national risk ranking of microbiological foodborne hazards, which is intended to support risk-based food safety management by helping prioritize prevention, surveillance, and control efforts.

WHO Estimates Foodborne Parasites Caused 171 Million Illnesses Over 20 Years Globally

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Although the overall global burden has decreased, persistent and increasing burdens from specific foodborne parasites and in certain regions warrant continued public health attention.

Stricter EU Regulations on Listeria in RTE Foods Now in Effect; Ireland Offers Compliance Guidance

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:08:03 -0400

Effective July 1, the amended Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods expands the requirements for food business operators regarding Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods.

Salmonella-Contaminated Instant Noodles Sicken Dozens of Children Across Europe

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:36:46 -0400

At least 106 people have been infected by the outbreak strain in 13 European countries. Young people are disproportionately affected. Some sickened children reported eating the noodles and seasoning dry, without adding boiling water as instructed on the package.

USDA Researcher Identifies Key Cold Storage Temperature for Maintaining Microbial Safety of Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS)-funded study also found that some produce items may naturally inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth and that peracetic acid may sometimes promote Listeria growth during storage.

California Law Standardizing ‘Best By’ Dates Now in Effect: What Packaged Food Manufacturers Need to Know

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Starting July 1, companies selling packaged foods in California must include food safety and quality dates using specific terminology. “Sell By” and other expiration date terms not specified in AB 660 are prohibited.

FDA to Hire 2,200 Staffers as it Narrows Search for Commissioner, Names Produce Safety Director

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:33:25 -0400

After losing more than 4,000 employees since the Trump Administration took office, FDA is in the process of hiring and re-hiring thousands. The agency is also close to choosing its next Commissioner and has selected a new Director of Produce Safety in the Human Foods Program’s Office of Microbiological Food Safety.

EU Report on Food Safety Alerts Highlights Top Hazards, Major Incidents in 2025

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:38:50 -0400

The Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN), which enables EU Member States to exchange information and coordinate responses to food safety incidents, processed a record 10,490 notifications. Notable incidents included a Listeria outbreak linked to French cheese, Salmonella in Italian tomatoes, and cereulide in infant formula.

Trump Admin Stopped Criminal Charges Against Abbott Nutrition for Infant Formula Illnesses

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:21:46 -0400

The Trump Administration’s Department of Justice “does not believe in regulation by prosecution,” a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal, aligning with a May 2025 Executive Order that “strongly discourages” criminal prosecution of any regulatory offense not explicitly identified by the Administration.

Small-Scale Produce Growers Share Perspectives on FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Exemptions

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

Researchers from Purdue University conducted focus groups with Indiana produce growers who qualified for exemptions from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, examining the beliefs and practical constraints that shape on-farm food safety practices.

FDA Human Foods Program Updates 2026 Guidance Agenda to Include ‘Healthy’ Claim, Caffeine Labeling

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:11:23 -0400

The guidance agenda lists topics that the program is considering for possible guidance documents or revisions to existing guidance documents, spanning Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation; Microbiological Food Safety; and Nutrition.

USDA-FSIS Announces Pilot Program to Evaluate Salmonella Control Strategies in Raw Poultry Establishments

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:30:30 -0400

As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards.

Researchers Discover Mechanism of Biofilm Formation with Potential for Intervention in Food Production

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When a certain protein pathway was disrupted in the assembly of extracellular matrices, normal Bacillus cereus biofilm formation was impaired, but compensatory responses enabled a level of matrix plasticity that could help explain why biofilms are difficult to eradicate.

Salmonella-Tainted Alfalfa Sprouts Sicken 109 People in 11 European Countries, One Death Reported

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:12:55 -0400

Traceability investigations identified a common seed supplier, with implicated alfalfa seeds imported from India and distributed throughout Europe. Available evidence suggested the seeds were likely contaminated before entering the EU.

CDC, FDA, USDA Collaboration Defines Framework for Classifying REP Strains, Identifies Strains of Concern

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Reoccurring, emerging, and persisting (REP) strains cause foodborne illnesses over extended periods of time, rather than through isolated outbreaks. The REP framework was jointly developed by CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS through the Interagency Foodborne Outbreak Response Collaboration.

Supreme Court Decides EPA Regulations Preempt State Laws on Pesticide Health Warnings

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:51:52 -0400

The ruling in the case Monsanto v. Durnell shields pesticide manufacturers like Bayer–Monsanto, the maker of glyphosate-based Roundup, in failure-to-warn lawsuits. A legal expert explained to Food Safety Magazine how this decision potentially weakens state right-to-know chemical health warning laws like California's Proposition 65.