International

Food Hygiene, Antimicrobial Stewardship are Equally Critical to Controlling Foodborne Drug Resistance, FAO Experts Say

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:36 -0400

Controlling foodborne antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach centered on food hygiene. Although antimicrobial stewardship can slow the emergence and enrichment of resistant bacteria, existing environmental reservoirs mean that resistant bacteria can contaminate food regardless of antimicrobial use.

Italian Investigation Reveals Food Safety, Fraud Risks in Global Foods Illegally Imported into EU

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The organized illegal sale of foods imported from China was discovered, including animal-based foods represented as plant-based, foods with undeclared allergens, the presence of African swine fever virus, and prohibited species. Researchers examined how prohibited foods may circumvent EU border controls.

200 Sick, One Dead in UK Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:39:56 -0400

A vehicle of illness has not yet been definitively confirmed, but according to UKHSA, epidemiological evidence points to egg consumption as the strongest food signal identified to date.

FAO, Wageningen Researchers Review Broad Range of AI Food Safety Applications

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:22:47 -0400

Potential uses include pathogen and chemical hazard detection, food fraud identification, outbreak surveillance, risk forecasting, and regulatory decision-making. Barriers to wider adoption remain, such as data quantity, quality, and accessibility; confidentiality; and transparency.

UK Sees Significant Decline in Cryptosporidium Infections in 2025

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:54:31 -0400

Cases decreased by 27.2 percent from the previous year. Although Cryptosporidium can be transmitted through routes other than food, the parasite can enter the food supply through contaminated irrigation water and contact with excrement during cultivation, harvesting, and handling.

Repeated European Salmonella Outbreaks Traced to Polish Egg Firm

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:31:38 -0400

Four Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 outbreaks identified in France between May and July 2026 were linked to homemade egg-based foods and traced to a common egg distribution network in Poland. The same Polish food group was implicated in another multinational salmonellosis outbreak in 2016–2020.

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.

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.

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.

First Dedicated Forum for Advancing AI in Food Safety Slated for 2027

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:51:05 -0400

Organized by a team from Wageningen University and Research, the inaugural AI for Food Safety Conference (AIFS) is set to take place on April 8–9, 2027 in Ede, the Netherlands.

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.

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.”

FAO/WHO Experts Recommend Updating Codex Powdered Infant Formula Guidance to Consider Clostridia, B. cereus

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

JEMRA convened in June to review the latest scientific evidence on microbiological hazards that have recently been associated with public health events due to the contamination of powdered infant formula or its ingredients.

JECFA Evaluates Safety of Certain Food Additives; Monk Fruit Presents Potential Concern

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The 102^nd meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) took place in June 2026 in Nanjing, China. Key outcomes included the establishment of new, temporary acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for two substances.

Codex Publishes Strategic Plan for 2026–2031

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:07:11 -0400

The plan establishes the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s priorities for the next six years to strengthen the development of international food safety and quality standards while considering evolving and emerging global challenges.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.