Contamination Control

FDA Releases Initial Findings from Foodborne Pathogen Study in California Growing Region

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:01:39 -0500

The California Longitudinal Study, a five-year environmental study of California’s Central Coast produce-growing region, identified wildlife, livestock, and surface water as potential contributors to the persistence and movement of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

Study Identifies Critical Temperature Threshold During Food Processing to Inactivate Norovirus

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Maximum reductions in norovirus infectivity occurred rapidly once temperatures reached 60 °C (140 °F). The findings could help inform improved thermal processing recommendations for foodborne norovirus.

Study Uses AI to Screen Milk Samples for Mycotoxin Contamination

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The researchers positioned the machine learning model as a low-cost complement to traditional testing workflows, helping dairy processors enhance food safety while targeting laboratory resources.

Investigation Identifies More than 100 GRAS Ingredients Used in Foods Without FDA Notification

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:39:36 -0500

Of the 111 “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) additives identified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 49 are known to be widely used by food manufacturers.

Testing for Contaminants in Infant Formula Shows There are Many Safe Options

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:59:14 -0500

However, concerning levels of arsenic and lead were detected in some products, and Consumer Reports is therefore urging FDA to set limits for these metals in infant formula. PFAS were also found in more than a quarter of products.

Food Safety Five Ep. 27: The Problem With Florida’s Food Contaminant Testing Reports

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:30:17 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses expert perspectives on the Healthy Florida First food contaminant testing program, including information gaps about the testing and risk assessment methodology and why this missing information matters.

USDA-ARS Prototype Prevents Mycotoxin Accumulation During Malting of Barley

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Incorporating a novel “bio-fumigation” method based on a natural compound produced by mustard plants, the micro-malting machine effectively addresses mycotoxins while preserving quality. USDA is working with industry to scale the prototype for widespread adoption.

Study Shows Nanoplastics Can Increase Salmonella Virulence, Biofilm Formation, Drug Resistance

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:59:10 -0500

Researchers found that the presence of nanoplastic particles can increase the expression of virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in Salmonella, and can also encourage biofilm formation.

Study Underlines Underappreciated Risks of Refrigerators: Microbial Communities, AMR, Inadequate Hygiene

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0500

In an analysis of domestic refrigerator swabs, researchers discovered complex microbial communities harboring foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The findings also suggested that regular cleaning is possibly more important than temperature control in managing these communities.

EU Considers Adoption of Harmonized Precautionary Allergen Labeling Rules

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Following Codex recommendations for risk-based allergen Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) and thresholds, the European Commission has posted a forthcoming draft act to its public feedback portal on harmonized requirements for the use of voluntary PAL statements.

FDA Funds Penn State Researchers to Continue Wastewater Monitoring for Foodborne Pathogens

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The scientists will isolate and identify pathogens like Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes from Pennsylvania wastewater using whole genome sequencing (WGS), then work with the State Department of Health to connect isolates to foodborne illness outbreaks.

Study Shows How Allergenic Food Powders Spread During Production, Create Cross-Contamination Risk

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

Dispersibility may be a useful tool for simulating the spread and hygienic control of allergenic food powders. Researchers recommend that producers add powders from as low a position as possible to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

ByHeart Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak Ends with Extensive WGS Evidence, but Root Cause Remains Unidentified

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:53:43 -0500

FDA has declared the outbreak over with 48 confirmed and probable cases of illness. A root-cause investigation is still ongoing. FDA has also announced new “Operation Stork Speed” infant formula resources for families.

EU Increases Import Controls for the Ingredient Behind Global Infant Formula Recall

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:45:43 -0500

Arachidonic acid oil (AHA oil) from a Chinese supplier was identified as the source of cereulide toxin contamination in infant formula produced by Nestlé and other well-known brands. Imports of Chinese AHA oil are now subject to stricter EU border checks.

EU Report Outlines Food Chemical Risk Assessment Data Gaps

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

With the goal of supporting stronger risk assessments to address emerging food chemical risks, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed existing data sources; data gaps and challenges; and recommendations for improving data availability, quality, and interoperability.

Study Demonstrates Effective Listeria Environmental Monitoring in Hydroponic Produce Facility

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.

French Food Safety Agency Releases New Total Diet Study Results

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:54:11 -0500

The first set of results focuses on acrylamide and certain toxic heavy metals. Although the levels of some contaminants in food are decreasing overall, the population's exposure still remains concerningly high.

EPA Rolls Back Mercury Emissions Standards with Implications for Fish Contamination

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:25:38 -0500

EPA repealed Biden-era amendments that had tightened emissions regulations under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule. Critics warn that this decision could lead to greater bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury in fish, increasing human dietary exposure.

Study Shows Filtering Shared Frying Oil Substantially Reduces Allergen Cross-Contamination Risks

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

A new study quantified the allergen cross-contamination that occurs in shared frying oil and evaluated the efficacy of different filters in removing allergen protein residues from oil.

California Bill Would Require State Food Additive Safety Reviews, Closing Federal ‘Loophole’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:44:17 -0500

AB 2034 aims to tighten oversight of ingredients used in foods sold in the state that have entered the food supply without a formal FDA safety review through the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process.

Learnings from UK Drug-Resistant E. coli Outbreak that Gave 19 Kids HUS

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:15:06 -0500

The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation.

Ep. 212. Dr. Claire Sand: The Future of Food Packaging and Chemicals of Concern

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food science and packaging expert Dr. Claire Sand about the regulatory, sustainability, and technical considerations for food companies regarding chemicals of concern in packaging, and what the future of food packaging might look like.

Drizzle Health Seeking Produce Industry Pilot Participants for Microbial Monitoring System

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:27:07 -0500

MagnaFlow is a new automated inline washwater analyzer that provides continuous, real-time visibility into the microbial loads present in post-harvest wash systems.

Trump Pushes for Greater Production of Controversial Herbicide Glyphosate

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:16:09 -0500

A presidential Executive Order invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950, asserting that glyphosate-based herbicides are critical to “national security.” MAHA supporters are pushing back on the order.

bioMérieux Introduces Solution for Addressing Microbial Spoilage

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:11:25 -0500

The SMARTBIOME platform combines high‑resolution DNA sequencing with bioinformatics and data science, an exclusive spoilage knowledge base, and expert consulting services to translate microbiological data into actionable insights.

Study Shows Salt Inhibits Listeria Growth in Queso Fresco

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:09:19 -0500

The research from Oregon State University also found that queso cotija supports L. monocytogenes survival but not growth, and that organic acid surface treatments could inhibit L. monocytogenes growth on queso fresco.

Study Highlights Differences in Acrylamide, Furan Formation During Cereal Processing

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:02:00 -0500

The findings emphasize the need for cereal manufacturers to optimize processing steps for each process contaminant, while also considering the effects on product quality.

EFSA Reviews Cereulide Infant Formula Incident, Says Likelihood of Exposure is Low

editorhal@sbcglobal.net (Hallie Forcinio) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:21:21 -0500

Amid the ongoing global infant formula recall due to possible cereulide contamination, some countries have reported cases of mostly mild gastrointestinal illness in infants who had consumed infant formula, but confirming cereulide exposure is a challenge.

UK Study Detects Mycotoxins in 100 Percent of Analyzed Plant-Based Products

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:02:00 -0500

Although generally detected at low levels, mycotoxins were present in all plant-based meat alternative and beverage samples, suggesting that cumulative exposure may pose health concerns.

New Estimates Say Shigella, Rotavirus Cause Most Foodborne Diarrheal Diseases, Deaths

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:37:19 -0500

Based on the largest database of detection rates yet compiled, new global foodborne diarrheal disease burden estimates will serve as inputs for WHO’s forthcoming updated, broader estimates on the global burden of foodborne diseases.