The ready-to-eat (RTE) category includes foods that are assembled from ingredients into fully prepared meals that do not require cooking, chilling, or other preparation prior to consumption. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/349 en-us Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification. Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11619 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:49:27 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11619-usda-fsis-to-expand-testing-for-metals-in-rte-foods-under-national-residue-program An industry that feeds babies must be an industry of absolute transparency. We have nothing to hide, and everything to protect. An industry that feeds babies must be an industry of absolute transparency. We have nothing to hide, and everything to protect.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11610 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11610-opinion-why-the-infant-formula-industry-must-embrace-innovation-not-fear-it The label claim “STABILIZED” would indicate that a ready-to-eat (RTE) product had been formulated or processed to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth. The researchers advocate for formulation and process changes as listeriosis rates climb in Europe and stricter EU Listeria regulations come into effect. The label claim “STABILIZED” would indicate that a ready-to-eat (RTE) product had been formulated or processed to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth. The researchers advocate for formulation and process changes as listeriosis rates climb in Europe and stricter EU Listeria regulations come into effect.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11591 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11591-danish-researchers-propose-voluntary-labeling-scheme-for-listeria-stabilized-rte-foods 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11577 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:08:03 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11577-stricter-eu-regulations-on-listeria-in-rte-foods-now-in-effect-ireland-offers-compliance-guidance 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11575 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:36:46 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11575-salmonella-contaminated-instant-noodles-sicken-dozens-of-children-across-europe hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11523 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11523-product-testing-suggests-usda-fsis-regulations-for-c-perfringens-in-meat-may-be-overly-conservative Ready-to-eat (RTE) meals and meal kits continue to move from a convenience option to an everyday staple. Ready-to-eat (RTE) meals and meal kits continue to move from a convenience option to an everyday staple. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11450 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11450-the-risks-of-ready-to-eat-five-ways-to-protect-todays-prepared-meals 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11259 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:28:43 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11259-144-illnesses-potentially-linked-to-global-cereulide-contaminated-infant-formula-incident-who-reports The agency has published a summary of foodborne illness outbreak investigations involving USDA-regulated products in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, alongside an after-action review of a fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to Yu Shang-brand ready-to-eat (RTE) meats that was solved in 2024. The agency has published a summary of foodborne illness outbreak investigations involving USDA-regulated products in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, alongside an after-action review of a fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to Yu Shang-brand ready-to-eat (RTE) meats that was solved in 2024.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11239 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:59:12 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11239-usda-fsis-investigated-seven-multistate-foodborne-illness-outbreaks-in-fy-2025 Ready-to-eat (RTE) pâté en croute contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and produced by Drôme Ardèche Tradition has sickened 12 people across France, resulting in two deaths. All patients were hospitalized. Ready-to-eat (RTE) pâté en croute contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and produced by Drôme Ardèche Tradition has sickened 12 people across France, resulting in two deaths. All patients were hospitalized.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11237 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:49:09 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11237-fatal-listeriosis-outbreak-in-france-linked-to-rte-meats The Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act includes provisions about expanded pathogen testing requirements and compulsory environmental monitoring for infant formula manufacturers, among other mandates. The Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act includes provisions about expanded pathogen testing requirements and compulsory environmental monitoring for infant formula manufacturers, among other mandates.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11230 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:05:38 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11230-congressional-bill-would-direct-fda-to-enforce-stronger-infant-formula-safety-oversight Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods come with heightened food safety risks due to their lack of a final kill-step, leaving them susceptible to foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes. To help food firms control RTE food safety risks at all steps of the supply chain, this eBook provides solutions related to plant sanitation and hygiene, temperature abuse, culture, and more. Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods come with heightened food safety risks due to their lack of a final kill-step, leaving them susceptible to foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes. To help food firms control RTE food safety risks at all steps of the supply chain, this eBook provides solutions related to plant sanitation and hygiene, temperature abuse, culture, and more.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11216 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11216-ebook-ensuring-ready-to-eat-food-safety-from-processing-to-retail However, concerning levels of arsenic and lead were detected in some products, and Consumer Reports is therefore urging FDA to set limits for these metals in infant formula. PFAS were also found in more than a quarter of products. However, concerning levels of arsenic and lead were detected in some products, and Consumer Reports is therefore urging FDA to set limits for these metals in infant formula. PFAS were also found in more than a quarter of products.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11198 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:59:14 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11198-testing-for-contaminants-in-infant-formula-shows-there-are-many-safe-options 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11185 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:53:43 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11185-byheart-infant-formula-botulism-outbreak-ends-with-extensive-wgs-evidence-but-root-cause-remains-unidentified The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation. The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11170 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:15:06 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11170-learnings-from-uk-drug-resistant-e-coli-outbreak-that-gave-19-kids-hus editorhal@sbcglobal.net (Hallie Forcinio) Amid the ongoing global infant formula recall due to possible cereulide contamination, some countries have reported cases of mostly mild gastrointestinal illness in infants who had consumed infant formula, but confirming cereulide exposure is a challenge. Amid the ongoing global infant formula recall due to possible cereulide contamination, some countries have reported cases of mostly mild gastrointestinal illness in infants who had consumed infant formula, but confirming cereulide exposure is a challenge.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11157 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:21:21 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11157-efsa-reviews-cereulide-infant-formula-incident-says-likelihood-of-exposure-is-low hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) This episode of Food Safety Five discusses updated USDA-FSIS guidance on Listeria testing in RTE facilities, the latest on the Boar’s Head facility behind the fatal outbreak of 2024, and a real-world Listeria “Seek and Destroy” success story. This episode of Food Safety Five discusses updated USDA-FSIS guidance on Listeria testing in RTE facilities, the latest on the Boar’s Head facility behind the fatal outbreak of 2024, and a real-world Listeria “Seek and Destroy” success story.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11125 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11125-food-safety-five-ep-26-updates-and-success-stories-on-listeria-control-in-rte-facilities Affected products were sold under various brand names at numerous retailers. The products shared a single supplier of contaminated pasta, Nate’s Fine Foods Inc. Affected products were sold under various brand names at numerous retailers. The products shared a single supplier of contaminated pasta, Nate’s Fine Foods Inc.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11139 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:59:49 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11139-prepared-pasta-meal-listeriosis-outbreak-ends-with-seven-deaths Citing reports of contamination and a lack of federal oversight, California Senator Steve Padilla introduced SB 1033, which would require manufacturers of protein products to test their products for heavy metals and publicly disclose their findings. Citing reports of contamination and a lack of federal oversight, California Senator Steve Padilla introduced SB 1033, which would require manufacturers of protein products to test their products for heavy metals and publicly disclose their findings.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11129 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:10:26 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11129-senate-bill-would-require-heavy-metals-testing-disclosures-for-protein-powders hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Following the ByHeart botulism outbreak, FDA intends to begin testing infant formula products and ingredients for Clostridium botulinum to help determine whether contamination by the pathogen is a “foreseeable hazard that companies could test for.” Following the ByHeart botulism outbreak, FDA intends to begin testing infant formula products and ingredients for Clostridium botulinum to help determine whether contamination by the pathogen is a “foreseeable hazard that companies could test for.”

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11106 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:10:09 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11106-fda-to-begin-testing-infant-formula-products-ingredients-for-c-botulinum hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Responding to the global infant formula recall affecting products from Nestlé, Danone, and other producers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined concentrations of cereulide in formula that pose a safety concern to guide risk management decisions that protect public health. Responding to the global infant formula recall affecting products from Nestlé, Danone, and other producers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined concentrations of cereulide in formula that pose a safety concern to guide risk management decisions that protect public health.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11094 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:45:59 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11094-efsa-sets-safety-thresholds-for-cereulide-toxin-in-infant-formula Nestlé says that cereulide, the contaminant behind the recall, does not cause meningitis, the illness for which the infant was hospitalized. UK authorities say no cases of illness associated with Nestlé formula have been clinically confirmed. Nestlé says that cereulide, the contaminant behind the recall, does not cause meningitis, the illness for which the infant was hospitalized. UK authorities say no cases of illness associated with Nestlé formula have been clinically confirmed.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11065 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:47:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11065-uk-mothers-allegation-that-recalled-nestle-formula-sickened-her-baby-is-unconfirmed When experts from human food, animal food, academia, and government sit at the same table, the common ground is often larger than expected. When experts from human food, animal food, academia, and government sit at the same table, the common ground is often larger than expected.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11042 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11042-from-crackers-to-kibble-why-pet-food-belongs-in-the-low-moisture-food-safety-conversation USDA-FSIS has reissued its guidance on testing for Listeria species other than Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) food production facilities to reflect expansions made to the agency’s testing method and enforcement actions. USDA-FSIS has reissued its guidance on testing for Listeria species other than Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) food production facilities to reflect expansions made to the agency’s testing method and enforcement actions.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11060 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:42:38 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11060-usda-updates-guidance-to-reflect-expanded-listeria-oversight-in-rte-facilities hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) An expert panel that was convened to support FDA’s “Operation Stork Speed” emphasizes the need for streamlined FDA approval processes for infant formulas, more transparent ingredient approval processes (i.e., GRAS, food additive petitions), and enforceable limits for environmental contaminants. An expert panel that was convened to support FDA’s “Operation Stork Speed” emphasizes the need for streamlined FDA approval processes for infant formulas, more transparent ingredient approval processes (i.e., GRAS, food additive petitions), and enforceable limits for environmental contaminants.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11053 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:42:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11053-operation-stork-speed-expert-panel-highlights-infant-formula-safety-vulnerabilities The UK-based Chilled Food Association (CFA) has produced an industry-led good practice guidance for manufacturers and retailers of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods that may support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes to support compliance with UK and EU regulations on the microbiological criteria for foods. The UK-based Chilled Food Association (CFA) has produced an industry-led good practice guidance for manufacturers and retailers of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods that may support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes to support compliance with UK and EU regulations on the microbiological criteria for foods.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11045 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:23:57 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11045-cfa-offers-industry-led-guidance-on-eu-and-uk-listeria-criteria-for-rte-foods hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Florida unveiled the Healthy Florida First initiative, a MAHA-aligned product contaminant testing effort, alongside the initiative's first report focused on the presence of toxic heavy metals in infant formulas. Several products had elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Florida unveiled the Healthy Florida First initiative, a MAHA-aligned product contaminant testing effort, alongside the initiative's first report focused on the presence of toxic heavy metals in infant formulas. Several products had elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11040 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11040-florida-launches-food-contaminant-testing-program-with-report-on-metals-in-infant-formula The European Commission has published a revised guidance document on monitoring and shelf-life studies for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in compliance with recent amendments to Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods. The European Commission has published a revised guidance document on monitoring and shelf-life studies for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in compliance with recent amendments to Regulation (EU) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria for foods.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11024 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:39:16 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11024-eu-provides-guidance-on-shelf-life-studies-to-reflect-new-listeria-criteria-for-rte-foods At the 55th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), prompted by the ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula in the U.S., CCFH decided to initiate work related to the control of Clostridium botulinum in powdered infant formula. At the 55^th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), prompted by the ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula in the U.S., CCFH decided to initiate work related to the control of Clostridium botulinum in powdered infant formula.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11011 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11011-codex-initiates-work-on-clostridium-botulinum-in-infant-formula hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) As of December 10, a total of 51 infants are included in the ByHeart formula botulism outbreak. With an expanded case definition, CDC has identified cases that occurred as early as December 2023. As of December 10, a total of 51 infants are included in the ByHeart formula botulism outbreak. With an expanded case definition, CDC has identified cases that occurred as early as December 2023.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10959 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:29:41 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10959-51-cases-of-infant-botulism-dating-back-to-2023-now-included-in-byheart-outbreak