Microbiological Control

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Danish Researchers Propose Voluntary Labeling Scheme for Listeria-Stabilized RTE Foods

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

The label claim “STABILIZED” would indicate that a ready-to-eat (RTE) product had been formulated or processed to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth. The researchers advocate for formulation and process changes as listeriosis rates climb in Europe and stricter EU Listeria regulations come into effect.

Foodborne Parasite Cyclospora Sickens Thousands Across U.S.

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:01:15 -0400

Cyclosporiasis is surging across the U.S., with CDC and state public health officials reporting a growing number of cases. Michigan alone has reported more than 1,200 Cyclospora infections since June, resulting in at least 44 hospitalizations.

Nara Organics Formula Tests Positive for C. botulinum as Four Infants Hospitalized with Botulism

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:43:52 -0400

Four infants in three states have been hospitalized with botulism after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula. California public health officials have detected Clostridium botulinum in an open can of Nara Organics formula collected from the home of an outbreak patient.

Food Safety Five Ep. 34: Scientific Advances Addressing C. botulinum in Food

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five covers a novel detection method for Clostridium botulinum and a potential new processing approach to mitigate contamination, as well as growing discussion around how C. botulinum should be handled in infant formula manufacturing, spurred by recent botulism outbreaks.

Foodborne Campylobacter, Listeria Infections Rose in Denmark in 2025

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The Danish Annual Report on Zoonoses summarizes trends in foodborne disease, zoonotic pathogens, and surveillance activities across humans, animals, food, and the environment.

Campylobacter is Ireland’s Highest-Burden Foodborne Pathogen

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:45:00 -0400

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published its first national risk ranking of microbiological foodborne hazards, which is intended to support risk-based food safety management by helping prioritize prevention, surveillance, and control efforts.

WHO Estimates Foodborne Parasites Caused 171 Million Illnesses Over 20 Years Globally

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Although the overall global burden has decreased, persistent and increasing burdens from specific foodborne parasites and in certain regions warrant continued public health attention.

Stricter EU Regulations on Listeria in RTE Foods Now in Effect; Ireland Offers Compliance Guidance

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:08:03 -0400

Effective July 1, the amended Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods expands the requirements for food business operators regarding Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods.

Salmonella-Contaminated Instant Noodles Sicken Dozens of Children Across Europe

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:36:46 -0400

At least 106 people have been infected by the outbreak strain in 13 European countries. Young people are disproportionately affected. Some sickened children reported eating the noodles and seasoning dry, without adding boiling water as instructed on the package.

USDA Researcher Identifies Key Cold Storage Temperature for Maintaining Microbial Safety of Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS)-funded study also found that some produce items may naturally inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth and that peracetic acid may sometimes promote Listeria growth during storage.

EU Report on Food Safety Alerts Highlights Top Hazards, Major Incidents in 2025

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:38:50 -0400

The Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN), which enables EU Member States to exchange information and coordinate responses to food safety incidents, processed a record 10,490 notifications. Notable incidents included a Listeria outbreak linked to French cheese, Salmonella in Italian tomatoes, and cereulide in infant formula.

USDA-FSIS Announces Pilot Program to Evaluate Salmonella Control Strategies in Raw Poultry Establishments

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:30:30 -0400

As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards.

Researchers Discover Mechanism of Biofilm Formation with Potential for Intervention in Food Production

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

When a certain protein pathway was disrupted in the assembly of extracellular matrices, normal Bacillus cereus biofilm formation was impaired, but compensatory responses enabled a level of matrix plasticity that could help explain why biofilms are difficult to eradicate.

Salmonella-Tainted Alfalfa Sprouts Sicken 109 People in 11 European Countries, One Death Reported

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:12:55 -0400

Traceability investigations identified a common seed supplier, with implicated alfalfa seeds imported from India and distributed throughout Europe. Available evidence suggested the seeds were likely contaminated before entering the EU.

CDC, FDA, USDA Collaboration Defines Framework for Classifying REP Strains, Identifies Strains of Concern

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Reoccurring, emerging, and persisting (REP) strains cause foodborne illnesses over extended periods of time, rather than through isolated outbreaks. The REP framework was jointly developed by CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS through the Interagency Foodborne Outbreak Response Collaboration.

The Real Microbial Reduction Step is Cleaning

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses how, in most cases, more microbial reduction comes from cleaning than from sanitizing.

Novel C. Botulinum Test for Infant Formula Developed After ByHeart Study Reveals Industry Standard Falls Short

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:24:45 -0400

ByHeart-commissioned research shows the currently accepted “gold standard” for Clostridium botulinum detection in powdered formula, SRC enumeration, may fail to catch contamination. It is used by many formula brands, including Nara Organics, another company linked to an infant botulism outbreak. Following this finding, third-party IEH Labs developed a novel detection method.

Foodborne Illness Deaths in Belgium Doubled in 2025

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Only six deaths were reported in 2024. The majority (nine) of the 12 fatalities in 2025 were included in one E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef served at long-term care facilities nationwide.

Infant Formula Brands Behind Botulism Outbreaks Used Same Organic Whole Milk Supplier

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:06:53 -0400

For a time, ByHeart Nutrition and Nara Organics both used Organic West milk dried by Dairy Farmers of America in their infant formula products (confirmed by Food Fix). Both brands have been implicated in botulism outbreaks that occurred within months of each other.

Organic Infant Formulas Caused Back-to-Back Botulism Outbreaks—What Gives?

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:11:46 -0400

New ByHeart-commissioned research suggests that sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC) enumeration, the “gold-standard” test for C. botulinum in powdered infant formula, which was used by Nara Organics prior to the ongoing outbreak, is insufficient. Experts who spoke to Food Safety Magazine agree C. botulinum should be considered as a foreseeable hazard requiring specific preventive controls.