Contamination Control

FDA Finds E. coli in Raw Farm Cheese Matching a Second Outbreak

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:12:09 -0400

During its investigation of an ongoing Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak involving Raw Farm-brand unpasteurized cheddar cheese, FDA detected E. coli in a product sample not matching the current outbreak strain, but instead matching a strain from a different 2025 outbreak.

Persistent, Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Strain is Growing Cause of Poultry Contamination, Human Infections

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

Per CDC and USDA-FSIS data, in 2023, Salmonella Infantis strain REPJFX01 accounted for 97 percent of S. Infantis isolates and 21 percent of all Salmonella recovered from chicken carcasses. This rising trend is closely aligned with an increase in human salmonellosis infections linked to REPJFX01.

Virginia Passes Law Requiring Allergen Markers on Delivery, Takeout Foods

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:32:39 -0400

Per the new law, restaurants must place an identifying marker on any food item prepared for delivery or takeout that has been altered or substituted due to a consumer-identified food allergy or sensitivity.

California Bill Aims to Ban PFAS Pesticides

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:46:56 -0400

AB 1603 would prohibit the registration of pesticides containing intentionally added PFAS in the state.

Sustainable Fertilizer Practice Causes Increased Cadmium in Rice, Study Shows

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:52:20 -0400

Large-scale recycled manure use—a circular agriculture approach used to combat soil acidification that reduces crop yield—can lead to the accumulation of cadmium in soil, which is then taken up by rice crops, affecting food safety.

FDA Finds Adulteration in 4 Percent of Honey Samples

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:39:46 -0400

In 2025, FDA sampled domestic and imported honey to detect food fraud. Consistent with previous years, the rate of fraud was low, but still high enough to emphasize the ongoing vulnerability of honey to economically motivated adulteration.

CDC Reports Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigella

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:27:42 -0400

The proportion of extensively drug-resistant isolates rose from 0 percent during 2011–2015 to 8.5 percent in 2023.

Novel Phage Effectively Inhibits Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella, Biofilms on Food, Surfaces

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

Phage W5, isolated from poultry and livestock slaughterhouse effluent, significantly inhibited the growth of Salmonella in milk, pork, and eggs, and effectively prevented and eradicated biofilms on food-contact surfaces. The absence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes supported its suitability as a food-grade biocontrol agent.

Study Evaluates Pathogen Reductions on Microgreens Treated with UV-C

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

Although UV-C was effective against Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes under most conditions, pathogen regrowth during refrigerated storage was significant. The findings suggest UV-C may be a useful post-harvest intervention when used in combination with other measures.

Abundant Drug Resistance Genes in Retail Foods Pose ‘Significant Public Health Concern,’ Researchers Find

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Using metagenomic sequencing and qPCR, the study analyzed bacteria from produce, chicken meat, and RTE deli meats sold at retail stores in Tennessee. A high abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes were identified, potentially contributing to the persistence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food supply.

FDA FY 2027 Budget Request Includes $57 Million for ‘MAHA’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:39:32 -0400

FDA’s Human Foods Program specifically would receive a significant increase in funding compared to the previous fiscal year (FY), including $25 million to help address chemical contaminants and additives like PFAS, toxic heavy metals, and GRAS ingredients.

CRISPR-Edited Wheat Leads to Reduced Acrylamide Without Yield Loss

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:36:26 -0400

Rothamsted Research scientists have developed gene-edited wheat with substantially reduced levels of free asparagine, a precursor to acrylamide. Biscuits produced from gene-edited wheat showed a 93 percent reduction in acrylamide compared to controls.

Food Safety Five Ep. 29: The ‘Dirty Dozen’ Debate—Pesticides in Produce Explained

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses the Environmental Working Group’s 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of the most “pesticide-contaminated produce,” including ongoing debate over the list’s methodology and its relevance to food safety and public health.

Testing Confirms Microbiological, Chemical Safety of Canadian Infant Formula, Children’s Foods

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently published the findings from several food sampling and testing assignments for microbiological and chemical contaminants across a range of food categories. In general, the results were satisfactory.

Raw Farm Recalls Unpasteurized Cheese While Denying Link to E. coli Outbreak

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:28:14 -0400

The company says the recall is being issued “under protest” and “as a path forward,” while continuing to contest the epidemiological evidence provided by FDA.

Center for Food Safety Opposes Monsanto–Bayer Legal Efforts to Preempt State Pesticide Warnings

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Arguing that states’ authority to require pesticide health warnings is critical to filling gaps in EPA oversight and risk communication, a coalition has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Monsanto v. Durnell, in which Monsanto (now Bayer), the maker of glyphosate-based Roundup, seeks to strike down that authority.

Codex Committee Advances Work on Standards for Veterinary Drug Residues in Food

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The 28^th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods made advances related to maximum residue limits (MRLs), extrapolation approaches, and risk management guidance, with several measures forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption.

EPA Addresses Microplastics, PFAS in Drinking Water; HHS to Study Microplastics in Humans

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

EPA has announced its sixth Contaminant Candidate List, which includes PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, disinfection byproducts, and other chemicals and microbes. Concurrently, HHS unveiled its Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics (STOMP) initiative to address and understand microplastics in the human body.

Drug-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends, Root Cause Remains Unknown

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:09:57 -0400

Although FDA was unable to find a cause of contamination, a single supplier of the contaminated moringa powder was identified. Affected products, which were sold under the Rosabella brand and distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC, have been recalled.

Ireland Food Safety Authority Issues Guidance on Controlling Listeria in Ready-to-Heat Meals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Responding to recent listeriosis outbreaks and recognizing that consumers do not always handle or cook ready-to-heat meals in accordance with package instructions, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) encourages businesses to implement recommended practices to better control L. monocytogenes.

Next-Gen Fortress Touchscreen Interface Supports Food Safety, Compliance

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:41:46 -0400

Patient Count in Raw Farm E. coli Outbreak Grows, Majority are Young Children

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:42:55 -0400

Nearly all of the ill people interviewed reported consuming Raw Farm-brand raw dairy products. Testing and an onsite inspection of Raw Farm’s operation in California is ongoing. Raw Farm LLC has yet to issue a recall.

Researchers Investigate Microbial Risks to Produce Growers’ Groundwater Quality, Irrigation Systems

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:29:01 -0400

The Center for Produce Safety-funded project aims to generate practical guidance for produce growers, including improved sampling approaches to determine whether groundwater is influenced by surface water, and immediately actionable recommendations for mitigating microbial contamination and biofilms in irrigation systems.

Improving the Safety of Hydroponic Crops: Evaluation of Strategies to Mitigate Human Pathogens in Hydroponic Production

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article looks at food safety in hydroponic agriculture, including interventions used in hydroponic crop production to control pathogenic contamination.

Macrowave RF Pasteurization Validated for Microbial Reduction in Infant Formula Ingredient

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:54:57 -0400

Radio Frequency Company’s Macrowave Radio Frequency (RF) pasteurization systems have been fully validated for the treatment of rice flour utilized in infant formula, achieving a greater than 5-log reduction of important pathogens.

EWG Publishes 2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ List of ‘Pesticide-Contaminated’ Produce—but is it Scientifically Sound?

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce highlights PFAS pesticides for the first time. Although EWG recently updated its methodology, scientists argue it still does not consider key exposure science and risk assessment principles, therefore misleading consumers about the health risks of conventionally grown produce.

Study: Intensified Sampling Yields Limited Food Safety Benefits, Significant Cost and Sustainability Impacts

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:09:48 -0400

Researchers developed a quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) framework that evaluates the public health, environmental, and economic trade-offs of microbiological sampling plans. They suggested microbiological sampling may be most useful when risk-based or as a verification tool.

Amid E. coli Outbreak, Congress Urges FDA to Mandate Raw Cheese Recall

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:27:00 -0400

“If mandatory authority needs to be strengthened, the Food Safety Caucus stands ready to tackle this issue at FDA’s request,” wrote Congress members in a statement about the ongoing E. coli outbreak involving Raw Farm raw cheese products. Raw Farm has so far refused to recall.

National Officials Publish Analysis of Netherlands' Largest-Ever Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A key cause of the outbreak was determined to be contaminated eggshells used in poultry feed. Cross-sector collaboration and data-sharing were instrumental in solving the investigation.

144 Illnesses Potentially Linked to Global Cereulide-Contaminated Infant Formula Incident, WHO Reports

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:28:43 -0400

WHO assessed the overall public health risk as “moderate,” citing the vulnerability of infants, uncertainty around the extent of contamination, and gaps in surveillance and traceability.