Food Type

With Cyclospora Lettuce Outbreak Over, Taylor Farms Speaks Up as FDA is Questioned

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:43:57 -0400

Taylor Farms outlined actions it is taking to enhance food safety following the historic cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to its lettuce. The same day, Consumer Reports sent a letter to FDA requesting answers about why its outbreak response was “hindered by notable delays and a lack of transparency.”

To Support Sodium Reduction Goals, FDA Amends SOIs for 139 Foods to Allow Salt Substitutes

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:16:02 -0400

A final rule now permits the use of salt substitutes in foods with standards of identity (SOI) that specify salt (sodium chloride) as a required or optional ingredient.

Kerry Opens Coffee-Derived Ingredients Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:22:09 -0400

The Bethlehem site is dedicated to developing natural coffee taste and flavor profiles for food and beverage applications and has been equipped with roasting, extraction, concentration, and processing technologies intended to produce formulation-specific ingredients.

FDA Closes Taylor Farms Lettuce Investigation, Announces Action Plan to Prevent Future Cyclospora Outbreaks

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:56:13 -0400

Positive environmental samples were found on a farm and at a Taylor Farms of Mexico processing facility, which supplied the implicated lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. The root cause of contamination was not found, however. FDA also announced ten actions to prevent future cyclosporiasis outbreaks.

New MicroCap Sampler Automates Pathogen Sampling on Cut Produce Processing Lines

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:11:22 -0400

MicroTally’s MicroCap sampler grabs microorganisms from product surfaces as finished product passes through the weigh station. The device can operate unattended for up to two hours.

EU-Funded Project to Develop Novel Technologies for Continuous Microbial Monitoring in Poultry Supply Chain

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:57:23 -0400

The Sensor4Food research project will develop five photonic sensing technologies intended to identify pathogenic contamination, animal disease, and meat quality issues at critical points in poultry production, possibly supporting a digital “poultry passport” to link information about poultry production, transport, welfare, and processing.

UK Publishes Guidance for Cell-Based Food Producers on Regulatory Authorization, Growth Media Safety

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:04:56 -0400

Published by the UK Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, this is the third package of guidance for businesses developing cell-cultivated food products, produced by the ongoing Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Program.

Raw Milk Under the Microscope: Separating Safety Risks From Nutritional Claims

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

As consumer interest in raw milk grows, questions persist about its safety and purported nutritional and health benefits. Examining the evidence can help producers, consumers, and regulators distinguish established risks from emerging science and unsupported claims.

Pathogens Found on Brazilian Citrus Fruit Present Emerging Food Safety Concerns

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:01:07 -0400

During the screening of lactic acid bacteria on limes grown near poultry farms, scientists in Brazil discovered the presence of two emerging pathogens with traits that raise concerns for food safety, human clinical outcomes, and One Health.

After Upside Foods: Implications for State Cultivated Meat Bans, Federal Preemption, and Industry Compliance

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0400

The 11^th Circuit's Upside Foods decision has narrowed the path for federal preemption challenges to state cultivated meat bans, with significant implications for state regulation, interstate commerce, and food industry compliance.

Study Identifies High-Pressure Processing Parameters for Effective Pathogen Reduction in Raw Chicken

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A review led by researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln found that high-pressure processing (HPP) can reduce foodborne pathogens in raw chicken and described pressures and holding times that significantly influenced microbial inactivation.

EnviroZyme Feed Additive for Seafood Aquaculture Can Reduce Vibrio Risks

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:37:44 -0400

MultiBio Edge is a multi-strain prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic feed additive designed for shrimp and finfish aquaculture feeds.

AAF International Launches MERV 16 High-Flow Filter for Poultry, Swine Operations

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:29:09 -0400

The BioShield VXL High Flow is a 12-inch V-bank air filter designed to provide MERV 16 filtration efficiency while maintaining high airflow in poultry and swine facilities, developed to help reduce airborne pathogen transmission.

Researchers Examine Microbiological Risks in Sauces and Dressings

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Based on a review of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to sauces and other literature, University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety researchers underscored pathogenic bacteria as the primary public health concern, while also highlighting spoilage microorganisms and the comparatively understudied risk posed by foodborne parasites.

USDA Announces $50M in Funding for State Meat Inspection Programs

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:24:17 -0400

The newly announced Stand-Up funding program is the latest in a series of Trump Administration actions, including a Presidential Executive Order and the Ranchers First initiative, to expand regional processing capacity and cut “red tape” at the federal inspection level.

Study Explores qPCR Campylobacter Monitoring in Fecal, Air Samples on Poultry Farms

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The researchers concluded that integrating multiple sampling matrices and detection methods could improve understanding of Campylobacter occurrence in commercial broiler production and support preharvest surveillance.

EU Proposes More Flexible Storage Conditions for Certain Fresh Meat Before Freezing

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:07:19 -0400

The amendments to European food hygiene regulations would provide food business operators with greater flexibility in the storage of fresh meat from domestic ungulates (i.e., cattle, sheep, pigs) before freezing, based on a recent EFSA scientific opinion.

Study Shows Potential of Thymol for Controlling Salmonella Biofilms on Food-Contact Surfaces

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

USDA and University of Arkansas researchers concluded that the plant-derived antimicrobial compound could possibly offer a natural disinfection solution for controlling S. Infantis biofilms on plastic and stainless steel surfaces in poultry and food processing facilities.

Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Taylor Farms Lettuce Ends with Nearly 13,000 Illnesses, Two Deaths

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:34:14 -0400

CDC has declared the unprecedented Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce over. FDA continues its root cause investigation of the current outbreak as well as investigations into other U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak clusters.

EFSA Reevaluates Safety of Sweetener Aspartame-Acesulfame, Raises No Concerns

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:48:06 -0400

EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Flavorings (FAF) found no safety concerns associated with the currently reported uses and use levels of acesulfame K (E 950), aspartame (E 951), and salt of aspartame-acesulfame (E 962).

German Food Safety Officials Say Glycerol Exposure Limits for Beverages Should Also Apply to Solid Foods

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:15:32 -0400

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) said the EU health-based guidance value for acute glycerol exposure from beverages can also be applied to solid foods, adding to recent discussions around glycerol intoxication in young children and safe levels of exposure.

Trump Executive Order Seeks Meat Inspection Modernization by Cutting ‘Unnecessary’ Requirements, Expanding State Programs

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:28:58 -0400

The order, aimed at expanding market access for U.S. meat producers, focuses on growing existing state inspection programs and state–federal agreements. It also calls for “sharpening inspection to focus on core food safety” and removing “overly prescriptive” USDA-FSIS requirements.

Interim Report Details Michigan’s Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation, Early Epidemiologic Evidence

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

An interim report details how Michigan investigators gathered early epidemiologic evidence pointing to iceberg lettuce in the massive U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak, and how patient interview data helped inform public health actions and FDA’s traceback in real time.

Hong Kong Proposes Updated Sweetener Regulations in Alignment with Codex Standards

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The amendments would bring sugar alcohols under sweetener regulations, expand the number of permitted sweeteners, and establish more than 900 maximum permitted levels.

When Should You Start the Conversion of Agricultural Commodities to Food, Particularly for Fresh-Cut Items?

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article explores the application of pre-wash and other food hygiene processes to raw agricultural products to implement food safety measures sooner in the production and processing of raw agricultural commodities.

Recommendations from Industry-Led Reagan-Udall Roundtable on Controlling C. botulinum in Infant Formula

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Considering the unprecedented ByHeart and Nara Organics infant botulism outbreak and with a focus on dairy ingredients, participants emphasized the need for prevalence research, more sensitive and standardized testing, data-sharing, validated preventive controls, and coordinated industry action.

Polish Study Finds PFAS in All Tested Commercially Available Plant-Based Protein Supplements

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Mycotoxins, PAHs, and other contaminants were also detected. The researchers concluded that plant-based protein supplements may contain chemical contaminants from environmental exposure, agricultural practices, and processing. They called for systematic monitoring, improved controls, and optimization of processing conditions.

Study Shows Food Allergens Can Carry Over From Insect Feed to Edible Insects

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The findings highlighted the importance of considering rearing substrate composition when assessing the allergen safety and labeling of insect-based foods

Managing Risk From Seed to Shelf: A Comprehensive Approach to Fresh Produce Food Safety

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As regulatory requirements continue to evolve and consumer expectations increase, organizations across the fresh produce supply chain must adopt a proactive approach to risk management that emphasizes prevention, verification, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Cattlemen’s Associations Oppose Trump’s Push to Allow On-Farm Meat Processing: ‘Food Safety is NOT Red Tape’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:54:52 -0400

In August 28 social media posts, President Trump and USDA Secretary Rollins alluded to plans to give ranchers and farmers the ability to process their own meats and other efforts to cut “red tape.” Industry groups said these actions would jeopardize food safety and consumer confidence.