Contamination Control

FDA Quietly Included Provision in GRAS Proposed Rule to Expand One ‘Loophole’ While Tightening Another

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:20:23 -0400

The proposal would expand the Threshold of Regulation (TOR) exemption to include food additives and ingredients, which would allow chemicals to enter the U.S. food supply without oversight if they meet TOR criteria. TOR submissions only require minimal data rather than comprehensive safety evidence.

Pennsylvania Advances Bill That Would Set Limits on Heavy Metals in Baby Foods

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:48:32 -0400

The Baby Food Protection Act aims to set enforceable limits for total arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as a state testing program and labeling requirements for manufacturers.

Study Suggests Bleaching of Tree Nuts Produces Potentially Toxic Chemical Byproducts

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), a chlorine-based chemical used to bleach tree nut shells for aesthetic purposes, can react with fatty acids in the edible kernels to form potentially harmful fatty acid chlorohydrins. Researchers called for further toxicological evaluation of these process contaminants.

American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses Raw Milk Ban as Children Continue to Fall Seriously Ill

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:22:26 -0400

The policy statement comes as raw milk consumption rises in popularity due to high-profile individuals and influencers touting its purported health benefits, and in the wake of a highly publicized case of a California toddler who fell severely ill after being infected with E. coli from raw goat’s milk.

Review Examines Strategies for Reducing Nitrites, Nitrates in Processed Meats While Ensuring Microbial Safety

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The researchers concluded that no single alternative currently fulfills all of the antimicrobial and technological functions provided by conventional nitrites and nitrates. Instead, they identified hurdle technology as the most promising approach.

With Cyclospora Lettuce Outbreak Over, Taylor Farms Speaks Up as FDA is Questioned

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:43:57 -0400

Taylor Farms outlined actions it is taking to enhance food safety following the historic cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to its lettuce. The same day, Consumer Reports sent a letter to FDA requesting answers about why its outbreak response was “hindered by notable delays and a lack of transparency.”

FAO Responds to Cyclospora Outbreak With Agrifood Water Safety Resource

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Following the historically large cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce that swept the U.S. this summer, FAO highlighted the importance of pre-harvest water safety, sanitation, and hygiene to prevent microbial contamination of food in a new fact sheet resource.

Study Compares Pathogen Risks in Farmed, Wild-Caught Food Animals Sold in Traditional Markets

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Contamination varied by pathogen, host species, and production conditions. The findings suggested that environmental and management conditions, rather than whether wildlife is farmed or wild-caught alone, likely influence zoonotic hazards.

Researchers Raise Concerns About Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Circulating Across Sectors and Countries in Europe

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

An analysis of multinational WGS surveillance data suggests that a multidrug-resistant lineage of Campylobacter coli has circulated across human, animal, food, and environmental sources in Europe for years, highlighting the need for coordinated One Health genomic surveillance.

Antimicrobial Violet-Blue Light Shows Promise for Reducing Drug-Resistant Campylobacter on Poultry

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 02:30:42 -0400

At the highest tested dose, every isolate, even those exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), underwent at least a 2-log reduction in viable cells. Modeling suggested that such a reduction could decrease public health risk of infection by up to 90 percent.

After 2025 ‘Radioactive Shrimp’ Incident, FDA Reports Indonesian Import Certification Program Now Up to Par

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:05:03 -0400

FDA found Indonesia’s Cs-137 import certification program for shrimp and spices, launched because cesium-contaminated shipments of shrimp and spices were detected in the U.S., “substantially meets requirements” after the certifying entities corrected deficiencies identified through an in-country assessment.

FDA Closes Taylor Farms Lettuce Investigation, Announces Action Plan to Prevent Future Cyclospora Outbreaks

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:56:13 -0400

Positive environmental samples were found on a farm and at a Taylor Farms of Mexico processing facility, which supplied the implicated lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. The root cause of contamination was not found, however. FDA also announced ten actions to prevent future cyclosporiasis outbreaks.

TrustDiner Launches UK Anaphylaxis Tracker to Increase Visibility of Allergic Reactions While Dining Out

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:41:19 -0400

The community tracker allows people with food allergies to report anaphylaxis and other serious allergic reactions experienced at foodservice establishments, with the intent of filling data gaps about food anaphylaxis, informing allergic consumers, and motivating industry allergen safety practices.

New MicroCap Sampler Automates Pathogen Sampling on Cut Produce Processing Lines

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:11:22 -0400

MicroTally’s MicroCap sampler grabs microorganisms from product surfaces as finished product passes through the weigh station. The device can operate unattended for up to two hours.

EU-Funded Project to Develop Novel Technologies for Continuous Microbial Monitoring in Poultry Supply Chain

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:57:23 -0400

The Sensor4Food research project will develop five photonic sensing technologies intended to identify pathogenic contamination, animal disease, and meat quality issues at critical points in poultry production, possibly supporting a digital “poultry passport” to link information about poultry production, transport, welfare, and processing.

California Enacts Law to Track Use of PFAS Pesticides

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:07:45 -0400

AB 1603 requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to indicate when pesticides contain PFAS ingredients in its online database and include use trends in annual reports.

Raw Milk Under the Microscope: Separating Safety Risks From Nutritional Claims

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

As consumer interest in raw milk grows, questions persist about its safety and purported nutritional and health benefits. Examining the evidence can help producers, consumers, and regulators distinguish established risks from emerging science and unsupported claims.

Mettler Toledo to Open X-Ray Reinspection Facility in Texas

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:45:30 -0400

The new X-ray Reclaim Foreign Material Reinspection Services facility in Dallas will provide in-house and mobile foreign material reinspection, contaminant extraction, application validation, and documented reporting services for regional food, beverage, ingredient, and pet food manufacturers evaluating products affected by suspected foreign material incidents.

FDA Reports High Levels of Compliance with Pesticide Limits in Food for FY 2024

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:09:28 -0400

FDA published its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2024, finding that pesticide chemical residues measured in the U.S. food supply were generally in compliance with EPA tolerances.

Pathogens Found on Brazilian Citrus Fruit Present Emerging Food Safety Concerns

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:01:07 -0400

During the screening of lactic acid bacteria on limes grown near poultry farms, scientists in Brazil discovered the presence of two emerging pathogens with traits that raise concerns for food safety, human clinical outcomes, and One Health.

Testing Finds Widespread Microplastics, Lower Heavy Metals in Baby Foods

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In a survey of 48 packaged baby foods from 11 brands, 96 percent contained heavy metals below Consumer Reports’ level of concern. However, alates were detected in most products tested, and microplastics were found in all analyzed purees.

Scientists Propose Toxicological Screening Approach for Broader Identification of Hazardous Food Contact Chemicals

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research and the Food Packaging Forum have proposed a panel of 15 high-throughput in vitro bioassays to screen chemicals for biological activity associated with cancer, brain-related harms, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders.

Foreign Material By the Numbers: What the 2026 Benchmark Report Reveals

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Foreign material contamination remains one of the most persistent operational risks in food manufacturing.

Scotland Updates Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy; Challenged by Highest STEC O157 Rate in UK

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:02:52 -0400

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has outlined its plans to reduce foodborne illness over the next three years, prioritizing Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, as well as its related research objectives.

Beyond Detection: How to Avoid Physical Contamination in Food Through a Smarter Inspection Strategy

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Physical contamination prevention goes beyond end-of-line detection. Learn how strategic inspection points, metal detection, and x-ray technology can strengthen food safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

EPA Announces Glyphosate Safety Review Efforts, Decision Expected by Early 2027; Experts Question Scientific Rigor

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:34:54 -0400

EPA is reassessing glyphosate’s human health risks and carcinogenic potential after a federal court vacated its previous determination. An expert source raised concerns stemming from the fact that EPA has already disqualified 78 percent of independent studies identified in its review.

FAO Outlines Risks of Plastic Pollution to Food Safety, Calls for One Health Policy Approach

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A new FAO technical brief explains how plastic pollution moves through agrifood systems and creates interconnected risks to food safety and human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

Loma Introduces Remote Test System for Metal Detectors

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:18:58 -0400

The system was developed to reduce the manual intervention and time required for routine performance testing while improving operator safety, consistency, and repeatability on food processing lines.

Researchers Examine Microbiological Risks in Sauces and Dressings

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Based on a review of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to sauces and other literature, University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety researchers underscored pathogenic bacteria as the primary public health concern, while also highlighting spoilage microorganisms and the comparatively understudied risk posed by foodborne parasites.

Ep. 226: Jules Shepard: From Celiac Disease Advocacy to Gluten-Free Food Manufacturing

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak about gluten-free food safety from the perspectives of a person with celiac disease, a consumer advocate, and a food manufacturer, including gluten-free labeling requirements, food safety controls, gaps in U.S. labeling regulations, and policy discussions around cross-contact, precautionary labeling, thresholds, and "free-from" claims.