Chemical Control

EFSA Identifies Five Alternaria Mycotoxins in Food as Genotoxic, Finds Children Have Highest Exposure

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 08:12:43 -0500

In an updated risk assessment, EFSA identified five of eight Alternaria mycotoxins found in food and feed as genotoxic, dietary exposure to some of which exceeded the threshold of toxicological concern for DNA-damaging/carcinogenic properties among the general population. Young children had the highest estimated dietary exposure to Alternaria toxins.

Researchers Identify Novel Mechanism for Destroying, Not Just Removing, PFAS in Water

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 05:15:00 -0500

By facilitating a process called hydrodefluorination, hydrogen-based catalytic membrane technology achieved removal efficiencies ranging from 93–99 percent for six “forever chemicals” of regulatory concern (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals), with an overall defluorination efficiency of 83 percent.

IFT Webinar to Address Emerging Risks, From PFAS to Pathogens

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 16:48:11 -0500

The webinar will address PFAS and other environmental contaminants, as well as pathogens affected by changing products, processing practices, and supply chain conditions.

FDA Revokes Authorizations for Certain Chemicals Used in Food Color Additives

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 11:01:24 -0500

The agency cited the Delaney Clause and industry abandonment in its decisions to revoke the authorizations for specific uses of methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and trichloroethylene as color additives or in the production of color additives.

UK Launches Biomonitoring Study to Assess Public’s Exposure to PFAS, Other Chemicals

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 09:29:17 -0500

Alongside monitoring for PFAS, the samples will also be analyzed for levels of lead, arsenic, bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants.

FAO/WHO Call for Data on Aflatoxins in Cereals Inform Codex Maximum Levels

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 08:42:09 -0500

The request will support the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods in determining whether existing maximum levels (MLs) for total aflatoxins in certain commodities require revision, as well as assessing the need for and feasibility of establishing MLs for additional cereals and grains.

EU Clarifies Veterinary Drug Residue Enforcement for Meat Products

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:00:45 -0500

A new EU regulation defines the actions competent authorities must take when noncompliance is identified, including requirements for product disposal, investigations, and risk-based enforcement measures.

U.S. Bill Introduced to Ban Synthetic Color Additives in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 05:15:00 -0500

Proposed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), the prohibition would apply to color additives subject to FDA certification and certified color additive lakes. Color additives exempt from FDA certification, including many naturally derived colors, would not be affected.

EU Recommends Monitoring Chlorinated Paraffins in Food Through 2029

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:15:00 -0500

The monitoring initiative set forth in Recommendation (EU) 2026/2335 is intended to improve data availability on the occurrence and distribution of the industrial chemicals in food, supporting more robust assessments of human dietary exposure.

EFSA Reviews Codex Pesticide Residue Limits, Identifies Consumer Health Concerns

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:57:42 -0400

The scientific report will inform the EU’s position at the 57th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues.

EPA Launches PFAS TECH Strategy to Develop Remediation Technologies, Following Deregulatory Actions

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:05:37 -0400

Although EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the new strategy exemplifies how “the Trump EPA is laser-focused on Making America Healthy Again [MAHA],” the announcement comes as the agency continues to receive criticisms for the Administration’s history of decisions to back off PFAS regulation.

EPA May Significantly Underestimate PFAS in U.S. Drinking Water, Study Suggests

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers found that EPA’s interpretation of drinking water contaminant monitoring data, in which PFAS measurements that fall below laboratory reporting limits are treated as “zero,” could underestimate “forever chemical” occurrence by as much as 56 percent.

USDA Researchers Use Crickets to Convert Mycotoxin-Contaminated Corn Into High-Protein Animal Feed

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:26:49 -0400

Crickets were raised on contaminated corn, which would otherwise be diverted from the feed supply chain, and processed into insect meal. The resulting meal contained more protein than corn and had 96 percent lower mycotoxin levels.

UK Gov Chemist Reports Advances in Food Fraud Detection, Chemical Safety Findings

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 10:12:33 -0400

The UK Government Chemist has published its Government Chemist Review 2025, outlining its activities, including food chemical safety regulatory compliance testing and research and development related to analytical methods for authenticity and adulteration.

EU Changes Six Maximum Limits for Pesticides in Food Commodities

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:43:20 -0400

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2289 has revised maximum residue limits (MRLs) for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden, and prothioconazole.

FAO Identifies Five Priorities for Strengthening Mycotoxin Control in Near East, North Africa

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:22:09 -0400

In a new report, FAO assessed mycotoxin contamination in food and feed across the region and highlighted disparities in national regulatory frameworks, laboratory capacities, and surveillance systems, as well as the increasing impact of climate change on contamination risks.

Researchers Describe Significant Food Safety Risks, Regulatory Gaps in Afghanistan

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the review, microbiological and chemical food safety hazards in the country are exacerbated by inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, limited regulatory oversight, and food insecurity.

FDA Proposes Cadmium Action Levels for Baby Foods, Issues Preventive Controls Guidance for Chemical Hazards

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:55:52 -0400

The actions are part of FDA's Closer to Zero initiative, which aims to continually reduce dietary exposure to toxic heavy metals among babies and young children.

Food Safety Five Ep. 38: Regulatory and Research Updates on Cyclospora, Listeria, Microplastics, and More

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

This episode covers the final findings from the U.S. Cyclospora outbreak, new USDA efforts to address Listeria, the new FDA Food Code, research on high-pressure processing for raw chicken, and emerging food safety concerns associated with plastic pollution.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Analysis of EU RASFF Data Finds Aflatoxins, Imported Foods Lead Mycotoxin-Related Notifications

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A new study characterized mycotoxin-related RASFF food safety notifications by mycotoxin type, product category, country of origin, risk level, and notification type. The researchers also contextualized notification trends dating back to 2012.