Contamination Control

Taylor Farms Lettuce Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Expands to Nine States; CDC Reports Nearly 2,000 Cases, State Counts Exceed 10,000

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:47:50 -0400

At least 1,947 people infected with Cyclospora who had exposure to Taco Bell have been reported in nine states. Michigan and Ohio are together reporting more than 10,000 cyclosporiasis cases. FDA is investigating three other outbreak clusters.

Center for Produce Safety Releases Cyclospora Resources for Industry

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:42:12 -0400

The growing collection includes scientific publications and guidances on detection and viability methods, agricultural water monitoring and treatment, mitigation strategies, and the biology and epidemiology of the parasite.

Research Collaboration Produces Guidance for Controlling Spore-Forming Bacteria in Plant-Based Beverage Ingredients

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:23:31 -0400

The findings from a pre-competitive, industry–academia research collaboration provide a scientific foundation for discussions on quality standards and risk management in the plant-based dairy-alternative beverage sector.

GAO Examines Microplastics Sources, Health Concerns, and Policy Challenges

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:05:05 -0400

A new publication from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the growing presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, highlighting ongoing scientific uncertainty about their health effects while outlining recent federal efforts to better understand and reduce exposure.

Experts Set Record Straight on FoodNet, CDC Cuts as Senators Press RFK Jr. for Answers Amid Cyclospora Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:40:08 -0400

Several senators have written letters to U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy urging Cyclospora surveillance to be restored to the FoodNet program. Experts say that FoodNet cuts, although problematic, did not cause the current outbreak.

EU Lowers Safe Level of Exposure to TFA, a PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ in Water, Food

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:07:04 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) lowered the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to a quarter of the previously established level, and also set an acute reference dose for the chemical for the first time.

Michigan, Ohio Together Report More than 9,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases; CDC Outbreak Count Exceeds 4,000

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:16:59 -0400

By the same time last year, CDC had only reported 249 confirmed, domestically acquired Cyclospora infections across the entire U.S. States’ reports may include both probable and confirmed cases.

Another Study Suggests Plastic Particles Strengthen E. coli Biofilms; Researchers Underline Drinking Water Safety Implications

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:57:37 -0400

Adding to a growing body of evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may enhance the virulence and persistence of pathogens in food and the environment, a new study found that nanoplastics may strengthen E. coli biofilms in drinking water systems and increase resistance to chlorine treatment.

Food Safety Five Ep. 35: Produce Safety Science and Small Growers’ Perspectives

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five highlights new research on cold storage practices for fresh-cut produce, food safety perspectives among small-scale produce growers exempt from FDA's FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and water management strategies that reduce arsenic in rice.

NomadX: Preventing Food Safety Crises—A New Approach to Detection, Decontamination, and Intervention

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to NomadX CEO Lyle Probst about developments in pathogen detection, artificial intelligence, and industry mindsets are shaping the future of food safety management and incident response.

Taylor Farms Lettuce Named as Source of U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:19:56 -0400

Between 1,600 and 5,000 people are sick in a five-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to CDC and Michigan officials. Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms of Mexico to companies like Taco Bell and Walmart has been identified as the vehicle of infection. FDA has rescinded a previous positive product sample finding.

Mettler Toledo Launches AI-Enabled X-Ray Inspection System for Packaged Foods

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:52:25 -0400

The X56 DXD+ is a dual-energy photon-counting X-ray inspection system designed for improved detection of low-density physical contaminants in complex packaged food applications.

FDA Says a Taco Bell Iceberg Lettuce Supplier is Source of Five-State Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:08:21 -0400

The outbreak cluster includes more than 1,600 people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Outside of the outbreak cluster, Michigan and other parts of the U.S. continue to experience elevated rates of Cyclospora infections compared to previous years.

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.

How the U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak Reflects a Strained National Foodborne Illness Surveillance System

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:51:21 -0400

Public health experts say the ongoing cyclosporiasis situation exposes growing weaknesses in national foodborne illness surveillance, highlighting how funding and program cuts and CDC staff attrition could undermine outbreak detection and delay response, affecting public health communication and consumer confidence in food safety.

CDC Reports Up to 7,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases Across U.S., Identifies Large Midwestern Outbreak Cluster

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:57:35 -0400

More than 400 cases in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia appear to be epidemiologically linked, although a food source has not been confirmed. Michigan alone reports more than 3,300 Cyclospora infections.

Study: E. coli in Lettuce Growing Environment Have Stress Adaptation Traits Enabling Farm-to-Fork Persistence

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

The co-occurrence of biofilm formation, acid tolerance, and antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolated from irrigation water, soil, and crops could complicate downstream microbial control efforts in produce production systems.

USDA, HHS, EPA Reaffirm Collaboration to Tackle Chemical Contaminants in Food

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:41 -0400

The Memorandum of Understanding expands interagency collaboration on food contaminant monitoring, including for toxic heavy metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), under the National Residue Program.

Ep. 221. Dr. Alex LeBeau: The Science Behind Food Contaminant Testing

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to exposure scientist and toxicologist Dr. Alex LeBeau about the generation, interpretation, and responsible communication of food contaminant testing data—a conversation raised by recent reports on arsenic in candy from Florida officials.

USDA-FSIS to Expand Testing for Metals in RTE Foods Under National Residue Program

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:49:27 -0400

Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification.

Cyclospora Cases Climb, But Actual Number Unclear as CDC Reporting Lags Behind States

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:21:08 -0400

Per CDC, 843 domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in 31 states, plus another 1,500 pending analysis. Michigan alone has reported more than 2,600 cases and is looking at lettuce as a potential vehicle of illness.

Consumer Reports Finds Inorganic Arsenic in All Rice Tested; Calls on FDA to Set Limits

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:15:43 -0400

The investigation analyzed 142 samples representing 52 rice products. Notably, 17 products contained average inorganic arsenic concentrations of at least 100 parts per billion. Rice type significantly influenced average concentrations.

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.

Shigella Vaccine Shows Promise in Phase 2 Clinical Trial

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

The vaccine provided 89 percent protection against S. sonnei infection compared with the placebo. Vaccinated participants also experienced less severe symptoms and lower levels of bacterial shedding. The vaccine is being developed as drug resistance among Shigella continues to increase.

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban PFAS Food Packaging in U.S.

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:29:08 -0400

The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act (H.R. 9593) would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit food packaging containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, a.k.a. “forever chemicals.”

FDA Analyzes 15 Years of Mycotoxin Monitoring Data, Finds Low OTA Prevalence

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The study represents the first publication of a large FDA dataset on ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence in U.S. foods. OTA was detected above the limit of detection in 3.5 percent of all samples (which were targeted based on their susceptibility to contamination).

Food Safety at Sea: Why Norovirus Prevention Starts with Culture, Not Checklists

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Cruise ships are self-contained, complex ecosystems where pathogens like norovirus present a heightened risk to passengers. Highly contagious, environmentally persistent, and operationally disruptive, norovirus has long been the single greatest food safety challenge facing the cruise industry.

Allergen Bureau to Update VITAL Online, Reflecting Latest International Guidance

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:37:02 -0400

The VITAL Program and VITAL Online identify allergens that require labeling consideration, whether due to intentional inclusion or cross-contact. The update includes changes to tree nut grouping and gluten-containing cereal labeling in line with Codex reference doses (RfDs).

Eagle Introduces Pack 1000 PRO for X-Ray Inspection of Large Cases, Multipacks

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:11:04 -0400

The system provides 1,000 millimeters of inspection coverage and supports belt speeds of up to 76 meters per minute. An optional integrated barcode reader enables inspection of mixed cases and supports multilane production environments.

FDA Announces August Public Meeting on Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Prevention

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:32 -0400

L. monocytogenes is the fourth-leading foodborne illness-related cause of death in the U.S. Despite continued efforts, listeriosis incidence rates have not declined, prompting FDA to launch a series of public engagements to discuss best practices for managing the pathogen.