Regulatory

FDA Finalizes FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance for Fresh-Cut Produce

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:01:40 -0400

The resource provides recommendations and examples for implementing FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule requirements to control known or reasonably foreseeable biological hazards in fresh-cut produce.

The Future of Self-Affirmed GRAS: Balancing Innovation, Transparency, and Food Safety

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:17:32 -0400

The self-affirmed GRAS pathway has supported innovation in the food industry for decades by allowing companies to bring new ingredients to market based on robust scientific evidence. As FDA considers changing this pathway, manufacturers should understand both the criticisms driving the debate and the steps they can take to prepare for potential regulatory change.

Beyond the Audit Score: Using Contributing Factors to Predict Foodborne Illness Risk in Restaurants

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Most restaurant brands already collect enough third-party audit data to understand risk better, but the data are usually trapped in a compliance framework. The problem is not a lack of data; it is that the data are organized around checklist completion rather than outbreak causation.

FDA, USDA Submit ‘Ultra-Processed Foods’ Definition for Final Review

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:34:49 -0400

Federally defining UPFs could allow U.S. regulatory agencies to pursue specific policies for the category. The importance of processing versus nutrient content and formulation in causing diet-related chronic diseases, as well as the value of defining UPFs, has been heavily debated.

FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notifications for Ingredients Introduced to U.S. Food Supply

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:18:39 -0400

Importantly, the proposal would not establish a premarket review and approval process for GRAS substances. Companies could still independently conclude that a substance is GRAS and market it while FDA evaluates the notice.

Live From IAFP with USDA Leaders—New Strategies for Salmonella, AI, and Inspection Tech

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Mindy Brashears, Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Dr. Justin Ransom, Administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), about the future of food safety oversight at USDA. With Dr. Brashears, we discuss FSIS' emerging Salmonella SAFE Strategy and Salmonella Gold Standard, the agency's evolving approach to Listeria control, and the creation of a new scientific advisory panel. Dr. Ransom dives into how FSIS is using connected data, AI, and other emerging technologies to strengthen inspection and identify food safety risks earlier.

Senate Confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:32:00 -0400

The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz, M.D., J.D., M.P.H. as the new Director of CDC on August 5, making her the agency's first permanent leader in nearly a year. Dr. Schwartz previously served as Deputy Surgeon General during the first Trump administration and as Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard.

State Counts for U.S. Cyclospora Cases Pass 21,000; Michigan Reports Two Deaths

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:38:00 -0400

Michigan and Ohio recently updated their case counts in a massive Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak, bringing state-reported totals for all 50 states to at least 21,775 cases. Michigan also reported two deaths tied to the outbreak.

Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson Named Director of GFSI

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:52:00 -0400

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has appointed Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson as Director, marking the next phase of the organization's leadership following her tenure as Interim Director.

FDA Announces FY 2027 VQIP, TPP User Fee Rates

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:02:05 -0400

FDA has announced the fiscal year (FY) 2027 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP).

Senate Committee Advances Bernie Sanders’ Bill Targeting UPFs with Warning Labels, Research and Education

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2025 would require health warning labels for certain foods and beverages, prohibit marketing of specified products to children, and expand federal nutrition research and education related to ultra-processed foods.

International Collaboration Drives Food Safety Systems Development in Latin America

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Ten Latin American countries are developing national initiatives to strengthen food safety systems by integrating risk analysis into public policy and regulatory decision-making, through a regional project led by UN organizations and assisted by the University of Minnesota.

FDA to Centralize Administrative Functions, Generalize Inspectors

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:20:40 -0400

The notice formalizes proposed reorganization plans that surfaced in April 2025 amid the federal government-wide RIFs and the mass overhaul of HHS that occurred shortly after President Trump took office, spearheaded by DOGE.

Codex Receives Work Proposal to Establish Risk Analysis Framework for Diet-Related Diseases

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Going beyond the “ultra-processed foods” debate, the proposal, submitted by observer organization IFT, asks Codex to develop a framework to discern which foods are promoting chronic disease risk from those that are not, building upon existing Codex food categories and risk analysis methods.

UK Food Safety Incidents Increased 14 Percent in 2025–26

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) attributed the increase to growing food systems complexity driven by global supply chains, cross-border distribution, and online marketplaces.

Congress Oversight Committee Probes Taylor Farms’ Alleged Attempts to Influence FDA’s Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Democratic Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia cited media reports about alleged private meetings between Taylor Farms and White House and FDA officials, the company’s donations to Trump PACs ahead of the Food Traceability Rule delay, and its “contradictory and confusing” public statements about the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Regulatory Aspects of Food Additives

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses the regulatory aspects of food additives, along with how and why they are needed and developed.

FDA's Allergen Agenda Is Expanding: Thresholds, Gluten Cross-Contact, and What Food Companies Should Watch for Next

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Companies making products containing allergens should pay close attention: FDA's approach to allergen regulation is actively evolving.

EFSA Cites Significant Data Gaps in Risk Assessment for Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants in Food

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:47:36 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority published an updated scientific opinion on emerging and novel brominated flame retardants in food. Insufficient data prevented full risk assessments for most of the 27 chemicals evaluated.

Taylor Farms Lettuce Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Expands to Nine States; CDC Reports Nearly 2,000 Cases, State Counts Exceed 10,000

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:47:50 -0400

At least 1,947 people infected with Cyclospora who had exposure to Taco Bell have been reported in nine states. Michigan and Ohio are together reporting more than 10,000 cyclosporiasis cases. FDA is investigating three other outbreak clusters.

Trustwell Launches AI-Powered Documentation Tool for FoodLogiQ Compliance Platform

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:32:03 -0400

Playbook is intended to streamline the creation and management of documentation required for food safety programs and audits, including HACCP, SOPs, GMPs, and other records.

GAO Examines Microplastics Sources, Health Concerns, and Policy Challenges

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:05:05 -0400

A new publication from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the growing presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, highlighting ongoing scientific uncertainty about their health effects while outlining recent federal efforts to better understand and reduce exposure.

Food Safety Doctor Launches Self-Paced International HACCP Alliance Certificate Training for Juice Producers

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:32:10 -0400

The Self-Paced IHA HACCP Training for Juice is a 14-module online course developed specifically for producers of 100 percent juice products.

Experts Set Record Straight on FoodNet, CDC Cuts as Senators Press RFK Jr. for Answers Amid Cyclospora Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:40:08 -0400

Several senators have written letters to U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy urging Cyclospora surveillance to be restored to the FoodNet program. Experts say that FoodNet cuts, although problematic, did not cause the current outbreak.

FDA Withdraws Authorizations for Two Obsolete Food Dye Uses

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:27:10 -0400

The authorized uses of Orange B in sausage casings and Citrus Red No. 2 on orange skins have been abandoned by industry.

EU Lowers Safe Level of Exposure to TFA, a PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ in Water, Food

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:07:04 -0400

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) lowered the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to a quarter of the previously established level, and also set an acute reference dose for the chemical for the first time.

Wales Begins Developing National Food Strategy

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:45:28 -0400

An expert working group has been convened to develop the farm-to-fork food policy approach, which is expected to be delivered to ministers in 2027.

Food Safety Five Ep. 35: Produce Safety Science and Small Growers’ Perspectives

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five highlights new research on cold storage practices for fresh-cut produce, food safety perspectives among small-scale produce growers exempt from FDA's FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and water management strategies that reduce arsenic in rice.

FDA Lowers Brix Content for Orange Juice to Enable Manufacturers to Continue Using Florida Oranges

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:50:15 -0400

The Brix level for Florida oranges has been steadily declining over the past few decades due to severe weather and citrus greening, making it challenging to meet the original Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice, which was established in 1963.

Recall Litigation and Regulatory Trends: Worrisome Changes Bring Similar Results—For Now

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Given the headlines coming out of 2025, it would be reasonable to expect a shift in recall patterns in the food industry. Yet, looking past the headlines and into the numbers, 2025 remained remarkably consistent with the past decade of recall trends, in terms of count and cause.