Ingredients

Australia Approves New Restrictions on Caffeine Ingredients

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board has approved new requirements for the sale of caffeine and guarana extract, as well as restrictions on adding caffeine to foods, addressing public health concerns related to excessive caffeine intake.

Drug-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends, Root Cause Remains Unknown

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:09:57 -0400

Although FDA was unable to find a cause of contamination, a single supplier of the contaminated moringa powder was identified. Affected products, which were sold under the Rosabella brand and distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC, have been recalled.

Study Links Diets High in Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Heart Attack, Stroke Risk

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:35:05 -0400

Medical researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that adults who ate the most ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had a “statistically significant and clinically important” 47 percent higher risk of heart attack or stroke than those who ate the least.

FDA Delays Approvals for ‘Natural’ Food Dyes Due to Stakeholder Objections

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The delays give the agency time to respond to comments made on the final orders approving beetroot red and spirulina extract for use as color additives in human foods. However, FDA stands by its determinations that the colorants are safe for their intended uses.

Macrowave RF Pasteurization Validated for Microbial Reduction in Infant Formula Ingredient

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:54:57 -0400

Radio Frequency Company’s Macrowave Radio Frequency (RF) pasteurization systems have been fully validated for the treatment of rice flour utilized in infant formula, achieving a greater than 5-log reduction of important pathogens.

144 Illnesses Potentially Linked to Global Cereulide-Contaminated Infant Formula Incident, WHO Reports

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:28:43 -0400

WHO assessed the overall public health risk as “moderate,” citing the vulnerability of infants, uncertainty around the extent of contamination, and gaps in surveillance and traceability.

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends with 97 Sickened in 32 States

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The products have been recalled, but have a long shelf life. FDA previously reported working with the manufacturers to determine the root cause of contamination, but has not shared an update at the time of the investigation’s close.

Moringa Supply Chains Under Scrutiny: What Recent Contamination Cases Reveal About Botanical Ingredient Risks

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Recent contamination incidents involving moringa products draw attention to supply chain vulnerabilities that affect many botanical ingredients used in the global natural health industry. These events offer an opportunity to examine where problems can emerge and how companies can better protect consumer safety.

RFK Jr. Says Federal Ultra-Processed Foods Definition is Coming in April

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:59:13 -0500

In his remarks on a recent Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode, Secretary Kennedy also suggested FDA is considering a new approach to front-of-pack nutrition labeling.

FDA to Hold Public Meeting on Scope of Dietary Supplement Ingredients

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:45:23 -0500

The March 27 hybrid event will discuss new methodologies to produce existing dietary ingredients and specific ingredient types, including proteins, enzymes, and microbials, within the scope of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Investigation Identifies More than 100 GRAS Ingredients Used in Foods Without FDA Notification

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:39:36 -0500

Of the 111 “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) additives identified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 49 are known to be widely used by food manufacturers.

Closing the Transparency Gap: FSQA Strategies for Navigating Natural Flavor and Color Regulations

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

In light of changing regulations and consumer demand for cleaner labels, this article explores the evolving science, gaps in regulation, and food safety and quality strategies needed to safeguard brands, achieve compliance, and develop the next generation of transparent food systems.

ByHeart Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak Ends with Extensive WGS Evidence, but Root Cause Remains Unidentified

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:53:43 -0500

FDA has declared the outbreak over with 48 confirmed and probable cases of illness. A root-cause investigation is still ongoing. FDA has also announced new “Operation Stork Speed” infant formula resources for families.

EU Increases Import Controls for the Ingredient Behind Global Infant Formula Recall

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:45:43 -0500

Arachidonic acid oil (AHA oil) from a Chinese supplier was identified as the source of cereulide toxin contamination in infant formula produced by Nestlé and other well-known brands. Imports of Chinese AHA oil are now subject to stricter EU border checks.

California Bill Would Require State Food Additive Safety Reviews, Closing Federal ‘Loophole’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:44:17 -0500

AB 2034 aims to tighten oversight of ingredients used in foods sold in the state that have entered the food supply without a formal FDA safety review through the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process.

Natural Colors and the Evolving Food Safety Landscape: Practical Guidance for a Successful Transition

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

This article explores the journey to safe, high-quality natural colors at Oterra, from the field to harvested raw materials to finished product, and how the company maintains compliance with global food safety and regulatory frameworks.

Strategic Advantages of Natural, Non-GMO Decorative Ingredients

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Manufacturers that proactively align decorative ingredients with clean-label, non-GMO, and allergen management strategies are better positioned to meet retailer requirements, reduce operational risk, and respond to changing consumer values.

EU Maintains Current Stance on Safety of Sucralose After Reevaluation

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:15:00 -0500

EFSA conducted a safety reevaluation for the sweetener sucralose, resulting in no change to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). EFSA also considered a proposed extension for the use of sucralose in fine bakery wares, but was unable to determine its safety.

RFK Jr. Highlights FDA’s Focus on GRAS Rule, But Makes No Promises

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:49:00 -0500

In a recent 60 Minutes interview, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said FDA will address the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) “loophole,” which allows ingredients into the food supply without FDA review, while saying he does not plan to regulate ultra-processed foods.

Court Files Injunction Against Texas Food Additive Warning Label Law

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:40:47 -0500

A request for a preliminary injunction filed by a coalition of food industry associations was granted by a Texas court against a provision thatwould require warning labels for food products containing certain additives.

FDA Begins Post-Market Safety Reassessment for BHA

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:04:56 -0500

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a chemical preservative used in food that is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). FDA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the use and safety of BHA.

Ep. 211. Kathy Sanzo: The Implications of FDA’s Synthetic Food Dye Phase-Out

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food regulatory legal expert Kathleen Sanzo, J.D. about the implications of FDA’s voluntary approach to phasing out synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply and how food companies can prepare.

EU Sets Provisional Safe Level for CBD as Novel Food

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:43:32 -0500

EFSA established a provisional safe intake level for adults for CBD as a novel food while highlighting that data gaps continue to exist regarding possible effects of CBD on the liver and the endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems.

FDA Allows Foods with ‘Natural’ Food Dyes to Claim ‘No Artificial Colors’

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:52:12 -0500

As part of its efforts to encourage industry to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic food dyes, FDA is expanding the allowed uses of the label claim “no artificial colors” on food products and has approved a new naturally derived colorant for food.

FDA Issues RFI on Gluten Cross-Contact and Labeling for Packaged Foods

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:52:00 -0500

FDA has issued a Request for Information regarding labeling and preventing cross-contact of gluten in packaged foods, in an effort to improve transparency in the disclosures of ingredients that impact certain health conditions (such as gluten for those with celiac disease) and other food allergens.

FDA Testing Pinpoints Contaminated Ingredient in Infant Botulism Outbreak

BlumeA@bnpmedia.com (Adrienne Blume, M.A.) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:36:00 -0500

FDA has shared information about a contaminated ingredient—organic whole milk powder—in the multistate outbreak of infant botulism associated with ByHeart powdered infant formula.

EFSA Updates Guidance on Data Requirements for Food Additive Risk Assessments

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:38:45 -0500

The guidance defines the scientific data required to evaluate if a food additive is safe under the proposed conditions of use as part of new food additive applications in the EU.

Court Ruling Closes Loophole Exempting UPFs from GMO Ingredient Labeling Rule

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that USDA must amend the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to close the loophole that exempts certain “ultra-processed” foods (UPFs) from displaying label disclosures for genetically modified (GM) ingredients. Additionally, the court ruled that QR code-only disclosures are unlawful without explicit on-label statements.

Ep. 208: Reviewing 2025—A Year of Change for Food Safety Policy

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:30:00 -0500

In this year-end episode of Food Safety Matters, we round up the top stories of 2025, covering U.S. federal food safety policy changes under the Trump Administration, MAHA- and state-led moves against food additives of concern and ultra-processed foods, infant formula safety, science on Listeria and biofilms, ongoing monitoring of avian flu, and AI food safety applications.

The Perfect Storm is Brewing for Food Safety in 2026—Is Your Company Ready?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

From food additive bans and obligatory food packaging changes to consumer right-to-know laws and labeling requirements, keeping abreast of the flurry of legislative and policy activity that is impacting the food industry may seem like an impossible task. This article discusses what you need to know and how best to prepare for upcoming food safety changes.