Chemical Control

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.

EPA Withdraws Guidance for States, Utilities on Preventing PFAS from Entering Drinking Water Sources

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:58:27 -0400

A memo from EPA leadership to its Regional Water Division directors withdraws guidance that encouraged states and wastewater utilities to use existing Clean Water Act authorities to prevent “forever chemicals” from entering waterways and drinking water systems.

German Officials Publish Guidance on Risk Assessment of Non-Intentionally Added Substances in Food Contact Materials

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:59:53 -0400

The resource outlines the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment’s (BfR’s) approach to risk assessment of NIAS in FCMs. It is primarily intended to support dossiers for new substances in Germany.

Canada Posts Results of Food Safety Surveillance Across Range of Commodities for Microbial, Chemical Contaminants

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:31:00 -0400

In eight sampling and testing assignments spanning several years and various targeted food commodities, the majority of samples tested were deemed to be satisfactory when analyzed for chemical contaminants, hygiene indicators, and pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Study Provides New Understanding of UV-Based PFAS Destruction That Could Inform Better Treatment Technologies

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

University of California, Riverside researchers have identified key chemical reactions that occur when UV light is used to break down PFAS “forever chemicals” in water, which could inform the development and optimization of PFAS treatment technologies, or even more degradable fluorinated compounds.

German Food Safety Officials Say Glycerol Exposure Limits for Beverages Should Also Apply to Solid Foods

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:15:32 -0400

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) said the EU health-based guidance value for acute glycerol exposure from beverages can also be applied to solid foods, adding to recent discussions around glycerol intoxication in young children and safe levels of exposure.

EU Reaffirms Stance That Glyphosate is Not Carcinogenic After Considering New Data

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:26:22 -0400

After reviewing a study suggesting that glyphosate causes cancer even at levels below those considered “safe” by EU regulatory agencies, the European Chemicals Agency stood by its 2022 hazard assessment decision that the herbicide does not warrant a classification for carcinogenicity.

EU Proposes Maximum Limits for Cereulide in Infant Formula

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:48:47 -0400

Prompted by a global food safety incident and infant formula recalls spanning 99 countries, the European Commission has drafted a regulation that would set a limit of 1 µg/kg cereulide toxin in dried formula products. The draft regulation is open for public feedback.

Polish Study Finds PFAS in All Tested Commercially Available Plant-Based Protein Supplements

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Mycotoxins, PAHs, and other contaminants were also detected. The researchers concluded that plant-based protein supplements may contain chemical contaminants from environmental exposure, agricultural practices, and processing. They called for systematic monitoring, improved controls, and optimization of processing conditions.

General Mills Completes Artificial Food Dye Phase-Out for All U.S. Cereals

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:47:00 -0400

The commitment aligns with FDA’s and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to facilitate an industry-led, voluntary phase-out of synthetic FD&C-certified food dyes from the U.S. food supply.

EU Expands Maximum Levels for Three Contaminants in Infant and Baby Foods

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:19:04 -0400

Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 expands MLs for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidyl fatty acid esters, and Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 establishes new MLs for furan, 2-methylfuran, and 3-methylfuran.

Ultra-Processed Foods Cause Most High-Risk Food Safety Notifications for Acrylamide in EU

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Acrylamide is a harmful contaminant that forms during thermal processing. An analysis of 17 years of EU RASFF data showed that UPFs accounted for 85 percent of related notifications. Cereals, baked goods, and potato chips were most frequently implicated.

Study Proposes Grouping Approach to Prioritize Hazardous Food Contact Chemicals, Prevent Regrettable Substitutions

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the researchers, 1,222 FCCs are already known to be hazardous to human health, and more than 13,000 lack sufficient data to determine safety. Until adequate data become available, they proposed grouping FCCs based on chemical structure to help identify substances that may pose similar hazards.

Consumer Reports Finds ‘Concerning’ Acrylamide Levels in Popular Snacks Eaten by Kids, But Low Heavy Metals

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Of the 21 popular packaged children’s snacks, 14 contained at least one contaminant at levels Consumer Reports considered concerning. Conversely, testing also showed generally low levels of heavy metals, and seven products had no contaminants above CR’s levels of concern.

China Investigates Illegal Use of Formaldehyde to Preserve Cabbage

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:53:48 -0400

After an online video surfaced showing the illegal use of formaldehyde to preserve cabbage by a wholesaler, Chinese authorities launched an investigation, confirmed the practice, and ordered nationwide inspections of fresh produce.

FDA Finalizes Guidance for Assessing Human Health Risks of Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:33:19 -0400

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as a crucial threat to global public health. Antimicrobial use in animal agriculture can contribute to the emergence and spread of increasingly drug-resistant foodborne pathogens, impacting human medicine.

FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notifications for Ingredients Introduced to U.S. Food Supply

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:18:39 -0400

Importantly, the proposal would not establish a premarket review and approval process for GRAS substances. Companies could still independently conclude that a substance is GRAS and market it while FDA evaluates the notice.

Ep. 222. Elena Medo: Food Safety Lessons From the Global Infant Formula Cereulide Recall

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

Following the global infant formula recall linked to cereulide contamination, Elena Medo discusses vulnerabilities in infant formula supply chains, infant-specific food safety risks, surveillance gaps, donor milk safety, and the lessons regulators and manufacturers can take away from this unprecedented event.

EFSA Cites Significant Data Gaps in Risk Assessment for Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants in Food

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:47:36 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority published an updated scientific opinion on emerging and novel brominated flame retardants in food. Insufficient data prevented full risk assessments for most of the 27 chemicals evaluated.

WHO Identifies 18 Priority PFAS for Future Health Assessment Based on Dietary Exposure

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:49:01 -0400

The review also identifies six health effect categories for further evaluation as part of efforts to support the development of health-based values for the “forever chemicals.”

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.

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.

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.