News

EU Survey of Pathogens in RTE Plant-Based Foods Suggests Microbial Growth Potential, Need for Regulatory Attention

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:27:45 -0400

The microbiological quality of most ready-to-eat (RTE) plant-based meat, dairy, and fish substitutes was satisfactory, but elevated levels of pathogens and indicators in some commodities raised process and hygiene concerns. An analysis of the products’ physico-chemical properties suggested they could support microbial growth.

Modeling Study Identifies Heat, pH Conditions to Inhibit C. botulinum Growth in Chilled Foods

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The researchers determined that probabilistic modeling could help food businesses capitalize on existing scientific data to map processing and formulation conditions for controlling non-proteolytic C. botulinum in refrigerated, processed foods of extended durability.

Study Links Industrial Poultry Farming to Increased Spread, Adaptation of Campylobacter

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Oxford University researchers found that the expansion of dense, industrial chicken farming created conditions that enabled Campylobacter strains to spread, mix, and acquire traits that could improve their survival in poultry production environments.

FDA Finalizes FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance for Fresh-Cut Produce

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:01:40 -0400

The resource provides recommendations and examples for implementing FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule requirements to control known or reasonably foreseeable biological hazards in fresh-cut produce.

FAO Reviews Food Safety Risks, Control Challenges of Toxigenic Clostridia

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:26:43 -0400

The report examines spore-forming, botulinum toxin-producing clostridia that pose persistent challenges for food production, including C. botulinum, C. perfringens, and C. difficile. It reviews disease burden, outbreak risks, prevention strategies, detection methods, and significant epidemiological data gaps.

FDA, USDA Submit ‘Ultra-Processed Foods’ Definition for Final Review

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:34:49 -0400

Federally defining UPFs could allow U.S. regulatory agencies to pursue specific policies for the category. The importance of processing versus nutrient content and formulation in causing diet-related chronic diseases, as well as the value of defining UPFs, has been heavily debated.

FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notifications for Ingredients Introduced to U.S. Food Supply

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:18:39 -0400

Importantly, the proposal would not establish a premarket review and approval process for GRAS substances. Companies could still independently conclude that a substance is GRAS and market it while FDA evaluates the notice.

Study Finds Multidrug-Resistant, Biofilm-Forming Enterococcus Across Retail Meat, Workers, Consumers

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

A new study found high levels of multidrug resistance and biofilm formation among Enterococcus spp. isolated from retail meat, market workers, and consumers. Genetic similarities among E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates from different sources suggested potential cross-transmission at the food–human interface, although the researchers emphasized that direct transmission was not established.

Bill Introduced to Amend FD&C Act to Require Gluten Labeling for Barley, Rye, Oats

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The bipartisan Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026 would amend FDA's major food allergen labeling requirements to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat, in an effort to mitigate "hidden" exposure to gluten for consumers with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

Study Shows Promise of Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment for Poultry Decontamination

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Hydrogen peroxide treatment, followed by catalase enzyme application to remove residual peroxide, significantly reduced Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on raw chicken wings while preserving the meat's overall color quality, although more research is needed on the effect on other organoleptic properties.

Senate Confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:32:00 -0400

The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz, M.D., J.D., M.P.H. as the new Director of CDC on August 5, making her the agency's first permanent leader in nearly a year. Dr. Schwartz previously served as Deputy Surgeon General during the first Trump administration and as Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Scientific Review Evaluates Blue Light-Mediated Photosensitization Across Food Applications

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:58:00 -0400

A new scientific review examines blue light-mediated photosensitization for antimicrobial intervention across various food sectors. The review notes the technology's promise as a nonthermal antimicrobial intervention for food safety and emphasizes the need for further studies to support scale-up across industry.

Regulatory Updates: GRAS Proposed Rule Clears OMB Review; FDA Sends UPF Whitepaper to OIRA

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:18:00 -0400

Two topics of increasing regulatory scrutiny—the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) rule and a federal definition of ultra-processed food (UPFs)—have seen some movement at the U.S. Government's Office of Management and Budget, signaling progress on the Trump administration's food policy agenda.

Chipotle Identifies Potential Connection Between Salmonella Outbreak and Jalapeños

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:30:00 -0400

The fast-casual Mexican-style restaurant chain has pulled the jalapeños from its restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers, out of "an abundance of caution."

FSIS Updates Veterinary Drug Residue Surveillance in Response to New World Screwworm

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:06:00 -0400

While New World screwworm (NWS) itself does not pose a food safety risk in edible meat or poultry products, residues from veterinary drugs used to treat and prevent infestations of NWS are potential chemical hazards.

State Counts for U.S. Cyclospora Cases Pass 21,000; Michigan Reports Two Deaths

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:38:00 -0400

Michigan and Ohio recently updated their case counts in a massive Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak, bringing state-reported totals for all 50 states to at least 21,775 cases. Michigan also reported two deaths tied to the outbreak.

USDA-FSIS Updates Fiscal Guidance for State Cooperative Inspection Programs

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:42:00 -0400

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has issued a revised directive outlining financial management procedures for state cooperative inspection programs. The directive replaced fiscal guidance that had been in effect since March 2004.

Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson Named Director of GFSI

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:52:00 -0400

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has appointed Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson as Director, marking the next phase of the organization's leadership following her tenure as Interim Director.

Study Identifies Optimal Poultry Transport Cage Washing Conditions to Reduce Salmonella

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Transport cages are recognized as a potential source of cross-contamination in poultry slaughterhouses. The optimal washing water temperature and detergent concentration completely eliminated detectable Salmonella while greatly reducing indicator organisms. The identified parameters may improve food safety and operational efficiency.

FDA Announces FY 2027 VQIP, TPP User Fee Rates

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:02:05 -0400

FDA has announced the fiscal year (FY) 2027 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP).

Senate Committee Advances Bernie Sanders’ Bill Targeting UPFs with Warning Labels, Research and Education

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2025 would require health warning labels for certain foods and beverages, prohibit marketing of specified products to children, and expand federal nutrition research and education related to ultra-processed foods.

International Collaboration Drives Food Safety Systems Development in Latin America

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Ten Latin American countries are developing national initiatives to strengthen food safety systems by integrating risk analysis into public policy and regulatory decision-making, through a regional project led by UN organizations and assisted by the University of Minnesota.

FDA to Centralize Administrative Functions, Generalize Inspectors

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:20:40 -0400

The notice formalizes proposed reorganization plans that surfaced in April 2025 amid the federal government-wide RIFs and the mass overhaul of HHS that occurred shortly after President Trump took office, spearheaded by DOGE.

Codex Receives Work Proposal to Establish Risk Analysis Framework for Diet-Related Diseases

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Going beyond the “ultra-processed foods” debate, the proposal, submitted by observer organization IFT, asks Codex to develop a framework to discern which foods are promoting chronic disease risk from those that are not, building upon existing Codex food categories and risk analysis methods.

UK Food Safety Incidents Increased 14 Percent in 2025–26

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) attributed the increase to growing food systems complexity driven by global supply chains, cross-border distribution, and online marketplaces.

Congress Oversight Committee Probes Taylor Farms’ Alleged Attempts to Influence FDA’s Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Democratic Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia cited media reports about alleged private meetings between Taylor Farms and White House and FDA officials, the company’s donations to Trump PACs ahead of the Food Traceability Rule delay, and its “contradictory and confusing” public statements about the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

England Saw 2,500 STEC Cases in 2025, Holding Steady with Previous Year

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:58:20 -0400

UKHSA said the relatively stable number of STEC notifications in 2025 marked a departure from the steady annual increases observed since 2021, when larger outbreaks contributed substantially to case counts.

Researchers Propose Listeria Biofilm Colonization Hypothesis to Explain Persistence in Food Processing Plants

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:24:53 -0400

A new hypothesis suggests Listeria monocytogenes persists by colonizing nutrient-rich voids left behind when Gram-negative bacterial biofilms disperse. If the theory is validated, the authors suggest shifting food safety strategies toward managing biofilm ecology and ecological succession, rather than focusing solely on pathogen detection.

EFSA Cites Significant Data Gaps in Risk Assessment for Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants in Food

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:47:36 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority published an updated scientific opinion on emerging and novel brominated flame retardants in food. Insufficient data prevented full risk assessments for most of the 27 chemicals evaluated.

WHO Identifies 18 Priority PFAS for Future Health Assessment Based on Dietary Exposure

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:49:01 -0400

The review also identifies six health effect categories for further evaluation as part of efforts to support the development of health-based values for the “forever chemicals.”