Methods

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Scientists Say Missing Data in Florida Reports on Metals in Candy, Infant Formula Create Confusion

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:32:30 -0500

The first reports from the MAHA-aligned Healthy Florida First initiatives raised concern about toxic heavy metals in infant formula and candy, but toxicologists say a lack of transparency around the methodology and risk assessment makes the findings difficult for experts to interpret and raises questions about the relevance to consumer health.

Food Safety Five Ep. 25: Addressing the Global Rise of Salmonella

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research about the rising Salmonella disease burden worldwide and the utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for Salmonella surveillance.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Minor Use Foundation Partner to Improve Pesticide Analysis

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:46:00 -0500

AOAC INTERNATIONAL and the Minor Use Foundation will jointly develop and validate harmonized analytical methods for multi-residue pesticide analysis, particularly for spices and other priority commodities.

Researchers Developing Tests for Hepatitis A Virus that Overcome False Positives

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:34:59 -0500

Two research projects are investigating several novel techniques for detecting hepatitis A virus that eliminate false positives produced by inactivated, non-infectious RNA fragments—an issue that limits the usefulness of existing methods for indicating actual food safety risk.

A Food Industry Perspective on The Benefits and Barriers of WGS for Pathogen Source Tracking: The Sequel

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This article discusses the results of a 2024 follow-up survey to a 2019 workshop on the food industry's use of whole genome sequencing (WGS), the benefits and challenges of this technology, and necessary advancements for its continued acceptance and effective use in ensuring food safety.

WGS Finds High Genetic Diversity, AMR Among E. coli on UK Foods at Retail

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:55:26 -0500

A UK-based study, led by Quadram Institute researchers, underscores the limitations of traditional enumeration methods for foodborne pathogen surveillance and highlights the need for whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better assess the food safety risk posed by commensal or opportunistic Escherichia coli lineages.

Food Microbiology Testing Methods: Salmonella species

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Salmonella remains one of the most consequential foodborne pathogens, responsible for significant global illness, costly recalls, and reputational damage across the food industry.

Stakeholders Urge FDA to Immediately Withdraw Approvals for Carcinogenic Swine Feed Additive Carbadox

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:44:38 -0500

A letter sent to FDA urges the agency to immediately withdraw its approval of Carbadox, a carcinogenic swine feed additive. FDA’s proposal to withdraw Carbadox approvals has been pending for two years, during which time there has not been an approved method for detecting Carbadox residue in pork.

Bio-Rad iQ-Check Enterobacteriaceae Kit Receives MicroVal Certification

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:14:10 -0400

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. has announced that its iQ-Check Enterobacteriaceae Kit has received MicroVal certification for the real-time PCR detection of Enterobacteriaceae in infant formula, infant cereal with and without probiotics, and related ingredients.

LGC Standards Offers New PFAS Reference Materials for EPA Method 1633

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:19:23 -0400

LGC Standards has expanded its portfolio of Dr. Ehrenstorfer PFAS testing solutions with new 13C-labeled reference materials developed for EPA Method 1633.

Researchers Use Improved Method to Detect Carcinogenic Cooking Compounds in Foods

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:42:47 -0400

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic compounds formed during cooking. A new Seoul Tech study has demonstrated the effectiveness of a streamlined analytical method to detect PAHs, which holds distinct advantages over conventional techniques.

Using AI, Researchers Offer Promising Real-Time Mycotoxin Detection Method for Foods

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:45:06 -0400

A new study led by the University of South Australia offers a promising real-time mycotoxin detection method for the food industry that is based in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and overcomes some of the limitations of traditional detection methods.

Quantifying the Invisible: New Tools to Evaluate Bioaerosol Risks in Fresh Produce

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses the development of low-cost, user-friendly biosensors to improve food safety in produce.

Researchers Develop Cronobacter Assay for Infant Formula That is More Accurate, Faster Than PCR

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Researchers in China have developed a new onsite rapid test, based in fluorescence RNA-targeted isothermal amplification assay (SAT) technology, that can quickly detect and identify Cronobacter species in powdered infant formula. It offers significantly greater sensitivity and much more rapid results than polymerase chain reaction (PCR), without producing false positives.

USDA-FSIS, AOAC Sign MOU for Collaboration on Validation of HACCP Food Safety Systems

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:47:27 -0400

USDA-FSIS and AOAC International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the development, validation, and recognition of methods used by FSIS labs and regulated establishments for the verification of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) -based food safety systems.

USDA-FSIS Publishes Science Behind New Campylobacter Enrichment Method

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:01:05 -0400

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) laboratories now use an improved enrichment method for Campylobacter in poultry meat samples, which reduced enrichment incubation time by half, and shaved a day off of reporting times for results.

Novel Hydrogel-Based Concentration Method Could Improve Hepatitis A PCR Detection for Fruit Wash Water

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:25:38 -0400

A Center for Produce Safety-funded proof-of-concept study is exploring a novel, high-throughput capture and concentration method for hepatitis A virus in fruit wash water, which uses magnets and hydrogel nanoparticles. It could be added to existing FDA and ISO digital PCR assay workflows, potentially reducing false positives.

Italian Standards Body Offers New Standard for Method of Detecting Honey Adulteration

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:57:32 -0400

Protecting Italian honey authenticity and combatting food fraud, the Italian Standards Body’s (UNI’s) new UNI 11972 standard introduces a new analytical method for detecting honey adulteration based in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technology.

Researchers Explore AI Analysis of WGS Data for Foodborne Illness Source Attribution

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:10:13 -0400

Researchers from CDC, FDA, and USDA trained an artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning model to conduct food source attribution for human cases of salmonellosis by analyzing whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for Salmonella isolates. The model showed promise, estimating that the majority of salmonellosis cases are caused by chicken and vegetables