Testing & Analysis

NomadX: Preventing Food Safety Crises—A New Approach to Detection, Decontamination, and Intervention

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to NomadX CEO Lyle Probst about developments in pathogen detection, artificial intelligence, and industry mindsets are shaping the future of food safety management and incident response.

Ep. 221. Dr. Alex LeBeau: The Science Behind Food Contaminant Testing

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to exposure scientist and toxicologist Dr. Alex LeBeau about the generation, interpretation, and responsible communication of food contaminant testing data—a conversation raised by recent reports on arsenic in candy from Florida officials.

Lower Regulatory Limits Prompt Innovation in PFAS Testing

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, SGS prides itself on establishing the global benchmark for sustainability, quality, and integrity.

USDA-FSIS to Expand Testing for Metals in RTE Foods Under National Residue Program

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:49:27 -0400

Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification.

bioMérieux Launches Rapid PCR Test for Probiotic Species Verification in Dietary Supplements

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:52:03 -0400

In-house quality control teams and third-party laboratories can use the GENE-UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID assay to identify 18 commonly used probiotic species in 90 minutes or less.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches GENESYS G5 UV-Visible Spectrophotometer Series

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:19:07 -0400

Supporting routine laboratory testing, the GENESYS G5 series features an expanded software ecosystem with optional application-specific packages, including guided workflows and preconfigured methods intended to reduce setup time and improve consistency.

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.

NOW, LeafWorks Advance Identity Verification Testing for Botanical Ingredients

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:02:46 -0400

The platform was developed to address limitations of earlier DNA barcoding methods by using species-targeted genomic approaches, authenticated reference materials, and analytical systems designed specifically for commercial botanical products.

bioMérieux Launches RT-PCR Salmonella Assay to Support Food Industry Root Cause Analysis

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:08:59 -0400

According to the company, the GENE-UP TYPER SLM assay specifically targets S. enterica, the subspecies most commonly associated with human salmonellosis and foodborne illness.

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.

Consumer Reports to USDA: Release Validation Data on Salmonella Tests for Breaded, Stuffed Chicken Products

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:07:16 -0400

As the agency continues to delay enforcement of Salmonella verification testing for not-ready-to-eat, breaded and stuffed chicken products, Consumer Reports is asking for evidence to support USDA-FSIS’ assertion that currently available test methods are not suitable, which contradicts the agency’s previous stance.

Study Shows Standard Gluten Tests May Miss Some Residues in ‘Gluten-Free’ Beer

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Although the levels of gluten in analyzed samples fell below EU limits, the results from conventional ELISA tests differed from those of a new, more sensitive method. Combining established rapid testing methods with advanced mass spectrometry techniques could potentially improve future detection capabilities.

BioRad Listeria Test Kits Receive MicroVal Certification

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:41:12 -0400

The certification confirms that the performance of the Bio-Rad method used in its EZ-Check Listeria and EZ-Check Listeria monocytogenes Kits is equivalent to that of the reference method according to ISO 16140-2 standards.

Researchers Demonstrate Usefulness of Emerging Detection Method for Carcinogenic Food Contaminant

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potentially carcinogenic compounds formed during high-heat cooking. An emerging testing method known as QuEChERS—which stands for “Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe”—is designed to overcome the limitations of conventional PAH tests.

Ep. 218. Dr. Brady Carter: Water Activity, Shelf-Life Validation, and Food Safety Controls

Tue, 26 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to water activity specialist and researcher Dr. Brady Carter about the importance of understanding water activity for shelf-life prediction, enhancing food safety and quality, and improving food system sustainability.

Hygiena Trademarks ‘One Health Diagnostics’ in U.S.

Fri, 22 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The company says this trademark reflects its advancement of diagnostic technologies that enhance food protection, public health, animal health, and environmental monitoring.

FDA Issues Guidance on Protein Quality Testing for Infant Formula

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:59:27 -0400

The guidance was developed to help manufacturers and laboratories in the design, conduct, evaluation, and reporting of Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) studies.

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.