News

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

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — 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’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — 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.

Food Safety Provisions in the 2026 Farm Bill

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — 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.

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.

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

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — 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

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — 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.

Consumer Reports to USDA: Release Validation Data on Salmonella Tests for Breaded, Stuffed Chicken Products

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:07:16 -0400

As the agency continues to delay enforcement of Salmonella verification testing for not-ready-to-eat, breaded and stuffed chicken products, Consumer Reports is asking for evidence to support USDA-FSIS’ assertion that currently available test methods are not suitable, which contradicts the agency’s previous stance.

Busting Myths: New World Screwworm is Not a Food Safety Risk

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:07:20 -0400

USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears, in collaboration with the Partnership for Food Safety Education, is calling on food safety educators nationwide to help dispel misinformation about the safety of the food supply amid the current New World Screwworm infestation.

EU Member States Report Challenges in Implementing Food Safety Culture Official Controls

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:25:40 -0400

Following the adoption of EU regulations in 2021 that set food safety culture requirements for food business operators, a European Commission survey conducted in 2025 showed that countries’ progress and approach toward culture official controls are varied, with significant difficulties reported.

WHO Calls for Experts to Join Pesticide Advisory Group

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The WHO Advisory Group on Pesticide Specifications supports the evaluation of scientific dossiers to inform the development of WHO specifications for public health pesticides.

Researchers Find Plant Extract Effectively Removes Microplastics from Drinking Water

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Moringa oleifera seed extract could potentially serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional alum coagulants for microplastic removal in drinking water treatments, while also allowing for process simplification and cost savings.

FDA Traceability Rule Readiness Exercises Reveal Supply Chain Coordination Matters More than Technology

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:36:36 -0400

A series of tabletop exercises led by FDA and involving food companies across the supply chain revealed industry’s progress and challenges in meeting the requirements of the Food Traceability Rule/FSMA 204.

EU Drafting Legislation to Require Checks for Cereulide Toxin in Infant Formula

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Following a high-profile, global recall of infant formulas due to cereulide contamination in early 2026, the European Commission is drafting an act that would introduce additional checks for the toxin in formulas.

Pressure-Assisted Thermal Processing Plus Antimicrobials Show Promise for Inactivating Clostridium botulinum in Food

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In carrot puree, a low-acid matrix, heat plus pressure achieved significant spore reductions, while cationic antimicrobials enhanced sporicidal effects and prevented regrowth. The hurdle approach offers a potential alternative to conventional thermal processing at severe temperatures, which can degrade food quality.

Europeans’ Exposure to Dioxins, DL-PCBs in Food Still Too High, EFSA Risk Assessment Finds

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:40:17 -0400

Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are environmental contaminants generated as byproducts of industrial processes and waste incineration. EFSA’s risk assessment resulted in a lower tolerable weekly intake, which Europeans generally exceed.

Canadian Monitoring of Baby Foods Finds 100 Percent Compliance with Chemical Contaminant Limits

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published the most recent findings from its Children’s Food Project and National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program, which test foods for toxic heavy metals, veterinary drugs, pesticides, and other substances.

Study Shows Standard Gluten Tests May Miss Some Residues in ‘Gluten-Free’ Beer

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Although the levels of gluten in analyzed samples fell below EU limits, the results from conventional ELISA tests differed from those of a new, more sensitive method. Combining established rapid testing methods with advanced mass spectrometry techniques could potentially improve future detection capabilities.

How Codex Helps Address the World’s Top Five Foodborne Hazards

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:56:35 -0400

Following the release of WHO’s new foodborne disease burden estimates and relating to the 2026 World Food Safety Day theme, “From Burden to Solutions—Safe Food Everywhere,” FAO and WHO are highlighting how Codex Alimentarius standards and related work help prevent foodborne disease.

UK High Court Finds FSA Charged Meat Industry Unlawful Inspection Rates

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the ruling, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) included certain costs in its meat controls hourly rate and enforcement rate that were outside the scope of permissible charges under the applicable official controls legislation.

FAO Researchers Explore How Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance Spreads in Gut Microbiome

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The review summarized current knowledge about the potential contribution of foodborne bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes to the human gut resistome, suggesting the integration of gut microbiome and AMR data into risk assessment frameworks.

Study Suggests Food Processing, Not Just Nutrient Content, May Affect Health Impacts of UPFs

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Tufts University researchers found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had worse health outcomes, even after accounting for the overall nutritional quality of the foods.

WFSD 2026: Exclusive WHO Interview on New Global Foodborne Disease Estimates

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:45:00 -0400

Recognizing World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 2026 and the new estimates on the global burden of foodborne disease, WHO’s Elaine Borghi, Ph.D. discusses the development of the estimates and how they can be used to drive effective interventions that meaningfully improve food safety and public health.

New York, California Advance Baby Food, Infant Formula Testing Bills

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The New York bill is awaiting the Governor’s signature, while the California bill advances from the Assembly to the Senate. The bills would require baby food and infant formula manufacturers to regularly test their products for toxic heavy metals and disclose results.

Eight Sick, One Dead in Three-Year Listeria Outbreak Linked to Soft Cheese

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:41:39 -0400

The now-recalled requeson cheese was produced by Maryland-based Clover Hill Dairy. Patients have been identified in New York, Maryland, and Virginia, with the earliest illness occurring in early 2023 and the most recent in May 2026.

After Infant Botulism Outbreak, FDA Shares Root Cause Analysis Findings from ByHeart Formula Plants

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:44:19 -0400

FDA did not identify deficiencies in ByHeart’s production facilities that could explain the outbreak, but a powdered milk ingredient did test positive for C. botulinum. ByHeart is developing an action plan based on data generated from the investigations.

Global Foodborne Disease Burden Comparable to Malaria, Per Updated WHO Estimates

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:29:14 -0400

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its anticipated updated global burden of foodborne disease estimates, which suggest that 42 microbiological and chemical hazards caused approximately 866 million illnesses and 1.52 million deaths in 2021.