Testing & Analysis

When Dead Bacteria Trigger False Alarms: Rethinking a Common "Live–Dead" Test

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses the problem of false positive results when using propidium monoazide (PMA) in PCR testing for food safety.

Study Links Pesticide Exposure to 150 Percent Higher Cancer Risk, Identifies Biological Mechanisms

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The findings, based on a novel approach and published in Nature Health, suggest that traditional chemical safety assessments may overlook combined exposures and real-life environmental conditions. Transcriptomic analysis implicated a non-genotoxic mode of action by which pesticides interfere with normal cell function and identity processes.

Tips for Building Confidence in Your Third-Party Laboratory's Salmonella Results

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article reviews why testing for Salmonella is important, the challenges encountered when testing for Salmonella (specifically when using FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 5 guidelines), and how to evaluate if your testing laboratory is providing reliable testing results.

USDA-FSIS Publishes List of Validated Foodborne Pathogen Test Kits

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The list includes kits validated for Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Escherichia coli.

Food Safety Five Ep. 30: Can Food Safety be ‘Too Safe?’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new academic publications exploring the limitations of a “zero-risk” approach to food safety and evaluating the limited benefits and trade-offs associated with intensified microbiological sampling.

EFSA Announces Third WGS Food Safety Conference

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The third Science Meets Policy conference will take place September 2–3 in Rome, Italy, focused on helping EU competent authorities and industry members effectively implement new WGS data-sharing requirements for foodborne pathogens.

Study Shows Poor Recovery of Listeria Using Cotton Swabs for Environmental Monitoring

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Sponges far outperformed cotton swabs in laboratory experiments and real-world sampling in an RTE food production facility. The findings align with existing recommendations supporting the use of sponge-based sampling with neutralizers for environmental monitoring.

USDA-FSIS Updates WGS Laboratory Method

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:52:17 -0400

The updated Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook chapter on whole genome sequencing (WGS) of bacterial isolates now includes protocols for using both the Illumina MiSeq and MiSeq i100 sequencing platforms.

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.

Food Microbiology Testing Methods: Listeria species

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, Listeria can both survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures. This ability, along with the risk of cross-contamination to other foods and surfaces, contributes to its persistence in food processing environments and makes it a significant concern for food safety.

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.

FAO/WHO Experts Evaluate Omics Technologies for Microbiological Risk Assessment

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:15:00 -0400

A JEMRA meeting was convened to help inform discussions about potential updates to Codex Alimentarius guidance, reflecting how scientific advances could strengthen microbiological risk assessments for food safety.

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.

Researchers Analyze Garlic Microbiome to Detect Food Fraud with 90 Percent Accuracy

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Garlic carries a distinct bacterial signature reflective of the soil in which it was grown, enabling geographic identification based on microbial composition. A novel method using microbiome data and AI analysis potentially offers a low-cost authentication technique.

Bioaerosol Monitoring for Food Processors

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article takes a deeper look at air quality standards and monitoring for food processing facilities.

Novel Test Detects Bacteria in Milk with 98 Percent Accuracy Using AI, Sensor Technology

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:29:55 -0400

The low-cost approach enables simultaneous detection of multiple foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in a shorter timeframe than traditional detection methods, without requiring advanced technical training.

Researchers Develop Colorimetric Sensor that Allows Naked-Eye E. coli Detection in Food

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The platform uses a DNAzyme-crosslinked hydrogel that produces a visible color change when E. coli is present, enabling equipment-free, point-of-use detection. It successfully detected E. coli in a range of foods, even when other pathogens were present.

Congressional Bill Would Direct FDA to Enforce Stronger Infant Formula Safety Oversight

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:05:38 -0400

The Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act includes provisions about expanded pathogen testing requirements and compulsory environmental monitoring for infant formula manufacturers, among other mandates.

U.S. CDC Supports Moldova’s First Use of WGS in Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Marking the country’s first use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in an active foodborne illness outbreak investigation, advanced genomics enabled Moldovan authorities to rapidly solve and respond to a salmonellosis outbreak that sickened more than 140 people in 2025.

Study Uses AI to Screen Milk Samples for Mycotoxin Contamination

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The researchers positioned the machine learning model as a low-cost complement to traditional testing workflows, helping dairy processors enhance food safety while targeting laboratory resources.

Food Safety Five Ep. 27: The Problem With Florida’s Food Contaminant Testing Reports

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:30:17 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses expert perspectives on the Healthy Florida First food contaminant testing program, including information gaps about the testing and risk assessment methodology and why this missing information matters.

The 4.0 ppt Era: Future-Proofing Your Food Supply Chain Against 'Forever Chemicals'

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Mounting evidence about the health effects, persistence, and bioaccumulation of PFAS has led to public and regulatory scrutiny that brings important implications for food and beverage producers. Begin integrating "forever chemicals" into your risk governance frameworks now to protect your business in the long-term.

FDA Funds Penn State Researchers to Continue Wastewater Monitoring for Foodborne Pathogens

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The scientists will isolate and identify pathogens like Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes from Pennsylvania wastewater using whole genome sequencing (WGS), then work with the State Department of Health to connect isolates to foodborne illness outbreaks.

Study Demonstrates Effective Listeria Environmental Monitoring in Hydroponic Produce Facility

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.

Drizzle Health Seeking Produce Industry Pilot Participants for Microbial Monitoring System

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:27:07 -0500

MagnaFlow is a new automated inline washwater analyzer that provides continuous, real-time visibility into the microbial loads present in post-harvest wash systems.

bioMérieux Introduces Solution for Addressing Microbial Spoilage

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:11:25 -0500

The SMARTBIOME platform combines high‑resolution DNA sequencing with bioinformatics and data science, an exclusive spoilage knowledge base, and expert consulting services to translate microbiological data into actionable insights.

Study Shows How Swab Storage Time, Temperature Affect Allergen Detection

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:16:45 -0500

The findings reinforce the importance of current best practice, which recommends same-day delivery on ice.

FDA Partners with Industry to Research AI for Food Chemical Safety Assessment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:15:00 -0500

The extended agreement between FDA’s Human Foods Program and Simulations Plus allows scientists to continue research involving computational models to support chemical safety assessments for food and food-contact substances.

Researchers Develop AI Tool for Accurate, Rapid Identification of Pathogens in Food Samples

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The detection system was able to detect the presence of foodborne pathogens in complex food matrices as little as three hours with 0 percent false positives, 94 percent recall, and 100 percent precision.