Food Type

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.

Natural vs. Artificial Ingredients in Baking: What Food Manufacturers and Consumers Need to Know

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Sprinkles may seem like a minor decorative detail on a birthday cake or holiday cookie, but they sit at the intersection of several fast-moving regulatory concerns: the phaseout of certain FD&C dyes, the clean label movement, allergen management, and GMO transparency.

EU Survey Identifies Gaps in Member State Histamine Controls for Fish Products

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

A new European Commission report identified inconsistencies in how EU Member States conduct official controls for histamine (scombrotoxin) in fishery products, highlighting gaps in inspection procedures, staff training, and harmonization of testing methods.

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.

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.

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.

Small-Scale Produce Growers Share Perspectives on FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Exemptions

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Purdue University conducted focus groups with Indiana produce growers who qualified for exemptions from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, examining the beliefs and practical constraints that shape on-farm food safety practices.

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.

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.

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.

Fresh Produce Collective of Regional Companies Launches Under TruSource Name

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:57:34 -0400

Each operating company retains its name, people, customer relationships, and local presence while gaining access to shared resources, broader sourcing strength, operational support, and additional capabilities.

Ten-Year Analysis of German Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Shows Rise in Those Linked to Plant-Based Foods

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:45:18 -0400

Between 2015 and 2024, the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute investigated 3,021 foodborne illness outbreaks.

Researchers Predict Climate Change-Driven Increases in Mycotoxin Contamination of Wheat Across Europe

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Wageningen University researchers developed a hybrid machine learning modeling framework that considers crop growth stages, various future scenarios, and a large geographic region. The model predicted deoxynivalenol will present the greatest risk, with coastal countries, the UK, and northern France most affected.

Restaurant Industry Urges Congress to Delay Hemp-Derived THC Beverage Ban

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:27:12 -0400

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale of hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC, allowing a “legal” edibles and beverage market to emerge. The 2025 government shutdown reconciliation bill closed this “loophole,” effective in November.

Nestlé USA Completes Artificial Food Dye Phase-Out

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The action aligns with the wishes of FDA and U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. for industry to voluntarily phase out synthetic, petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply.

Product Testing Suggests USDA-FSIS Regulations for C. perfringens in Meat May Be ‘Overly Conservative’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Real-world data from meat processors show Clostridium perfringens is rarely detected in fully cooked meat and poultry products and remains uncommon even when deviations from USDA-FSIS Appendix B parameters are reported, challenging assumptions underlying regulatory limits for growth during stabilization.

CDC Reports More Than 1,200 Seafood Toxin Illnesses Between 2011 and 2023

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Scombroid toxin and ciguatoxin caused the greatest number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and death. Characterizing marine toxin outbreaks can help guide prevention efforts.

Food Safety Five Ep. 33: Studies Raise Safety Questions About Sweeteners, Food Dyes, and UPFs

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research linking sorbitol to fatty liver disease, studies suggesting potential health risks associated with both “natural” and artificial color additives, and a major collection of papers examining the health impacts, policy, and marketing practices behind ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

EU Changes Certifications for U.S. Mollusk Imports, Increases Checks for Other High-Risk Foods

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The EU has implemented increased checks on certain food imports at the border, and has also introduced new certificate requirements for shipments of oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and other aquaculture products from the U.S. due to veterinary drug use restrictions.

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.

Ten Critical Food Safety Risks and Opportunities in Aseptic Manufacturing

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In aseptic systems, product sterilization is only one part of a much larger control strategy. FDA's Acidified and Low-Acid Canned Foods framework outlines the regulatory requirements for producing aseptic products, but a functioning system also depends on effective sanitation, strong control of ingredients and packaging materials, and robust maintenance.

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.

UK High Court Finds FSA Charged Meat Industry Unlawful Inspection Rates

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the ruling, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) included certain costs in its meat controls hourly rate and enforcement rate that were outside the scope of permissible charges under the applicable official controls legislation.

Study Suggests Food Processing, Not Just Nutrient Content, May Affect Health Impacts of UPFs

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Tufts University researchers found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had worse health outcomes, even after accounting for the overall nutritional quality of the foods.

Eight Sick, One Dead in Three-Year Listeria Outbreak Linked to Soft Cheese

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:41:39 -0400

The now-recalled requeson cheese was produced by Maryland-based Clover Hill Dairy. Patients have been identified in New York, Maryland, and Virginia, with the earliest illness occurring in early 2023 and the most recent in May 2026.

After Infant Botulism Outbreak, FDA Shares Root Cause Analysis Findings from ByHeart Formula Plants

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:44:19 -0400

FDA did not identify deficiencies in ByHeart’s production facilities that could explain the outbreak, but a powdered milk ingredient did test positive for C. botulinum. ByHeart is developing an action plan based on data generated from the investigations.

How On-Farm Animal Well-Being Shapes Food Safety Outcomes

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400

This article explores how animal well-being on farms directly impacts food safety outcomes and what veterinarians wish food processors knew (and vice versa) about the risks and safeguards.

QualiTru Launches Training Program for Dairy Processing Workforce Development

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:08:27 -0400

The new Technical Services Educational Training (TSET) Program from QualiTru provides training on food safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, sanitation, and workforce development for dairy processing employees at multiple organizational levels.

Study Suggests Sweetener May Contribute to Liver Disease

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers found that the sugar alcohol sorbitol can be turned into fructose, leading to fat accumulation in the liver. Gut bacteria may help protect against sorbitol-induced liver damage, but can be overwhelmed by excessive intake.