Regulatory

FDA Encourages Industry to Develop Best Practices, Use Root Cause Analyses

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:30:48 -0400

The agency has released two new web resources to help stakeholders work with FDA as they develop best practices and implement root cause analyses.

Better Use of Restaurant Inspection Data Could Help Prevent Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In a new peer-reviewed article, researchers make a case for linking data from both routine foodservice establishment inspections and foodborne illness surveillance, while acknowledging existing challenges, like inconsistent adoption of FDA’s Food Code and electronic data collection systems.

FDA Commissioner Steps Down, To Be Replaced by Agency’s Human Foods Leader

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:15:50 -0400

Marty Makary, M.D., has been ousted as FDA Commissioner. He will reportedly be replaced by the agency’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Kyle Diamantas, J.D.

FDA Finalizes Systematic Post-Market Food Chemical Review Process

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:55:16 -0400

The agency also announced the launch of reassessments for butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and azodicarbonamide (ADA).

New USDA Dietary Guidelines with a Focus on Food Packaging

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses what the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030 say about "highly processed foods" and the food packaging concerns associated with such foods.

Updated EU Food Chemical Safety Information Database Now Available

Thu, 07 May 2026 11:57:08 -0400

Drawing from EFSA risk assessments, OpenFoodTox provides structured summaries of hazard information for thousands of individual substances, including food additives and flavorings, pesticides, contaminants, and food contact materials.

FDA Launches One-Day Inspectional Assessments

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:44:25 -0400

Piloting of these assessments began in April and will continue through fiscal year 2026 at facilities across FDA inspectorates, including human and animal foods. The assessments are short, focused screening assignments that complement standard FDA inspections.

USDA-FSIS Publishes Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:46:17 -0400

The guideline is designed to help small and very small plants producing egg products meet the regulatory requirements under the Egg Products Inspection Regulations Final Rule, including sanitation and HACCP requirements.

Monitoring Data Show EU Food Mostly Compliant with Pesticide Limits

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:31:37 -0400

Based on the results of testing more than 125,000 food samples collected across Europe, compliance with EU pesticide maximum residue levels remains high, reported the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Australia to Develop Foodborne Campylobacter Action Plan

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:34:07 -0400

The action plan would outline strategies to mitigate Campylobacter and reduce cases of foodborne illness. Those who are interested in contributing to the development of the action plan are invited to register to receive communications about stakeholder engagement.

Aldi's Decision to Ban 44 Food Additives Gets Ahead of Regulatory Uncertainty

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 01 May 2026 12:39:08 -0400

Responding to growing consumer and regulatory demand for “natural” foods, the decision builds on Aldi’s removal of 13 synthetic colorants from its portfolio more than ten years ago. The grocer announced this ban while Congress, states, and industry debate ingredient oversight.

NASEM Seeks Experts for Membership in Food Forum

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM’s) Food Forum convenes scientists, administrators, and policymakers to explore issues and solutions related to food safety, regulation, and systems, as well as nutrition and health.

Precision Inspection Starts with the Right X-ray Detector

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Contaminants don't belong in your food. Choosing the wrong X-ray detector costs you time, money, and reputation. Here's six key factors to consider before selecting one for your production line.

Raw Farm E. coli Outbreak Ends; Congress Questions Why FDA Never Used Mandatory Recall Authority

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:45:29 -0400

The E. coli outbreak involving Raw Farm unpasteurized dairy products has ended with one raw cheese sample matching isolates from a different 2025 outbreak. In an April 29 hearing, Congresspeople questioned whether U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy influenced FDA’s failure to mandate a recall.

Results of Pilot for EU Food Additives Exposure Monitoring Program Published

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

None of the exposures to the five additives and flavorings assessed presented a health concern for the EU population. The pilot helped identify shortcomings in the monitoring framework that will be rectified for future reports.

Federal Preemption of State Food Safety Laws Debated During Congressional Hearing

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:42:08 -0400

In an April 29 Congressional hearing considering 28 active food safety bills, U.S. Representatives and witnesses from industry and consumer protection groups debated federal preemption of state food safety laws, GRAS and chemical ingredient oversight, and FDA–state information-sharing during outbreaks.

FDA Testing Shows U.S. Infant Formula is Safe, with Undetectable or Very Low Chemical Contamination

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:39 -0400

Samples were tested for arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, PFAS, pesticides, and phthalates/plasticizers. When toxic heavy metals were detected in some samples, it was at levels far below EPA drinking water limits.

WHO Estimates a $46 Return for Every $1 Investment in National Foodborne Disease Surveillance

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

Improvements in national food safety infrastructure by the 17 countries included in the analysis would cost an estimated $492 million USD over ten years, but would avert 19 million cases of foodborne illness and 13,000 associated deaths, generating a value of $23 billion.

EU Introduces Regulations for Crops Bred Through New Genomic Techniques

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:50:41 -0400

According to the European Commission, NGTs have the potential to contribute to sustainable agri-food systems and help respond to food security challenges. The new rules would separate plants developed through NGTs from legislation applying to GMOs.

Bill Reintroduced to Allow FDA to Share Information with State Agencies During Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:29:48 -0400

The Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act of 2026 would give FDA the authority to share information with state and local regulatory agencies with shared responsibility for protecting public health.

Saudi FDA Advances Global Food Safety Cooperation at IHFAF

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:28:08 -0400

The Seventh Annual Meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF), a summit convening the heads of international food safety agencies and senior representatives from the Codex Alimentarius Commission, concluded in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 24.

FRESH Act Aims to Preempt State Food Safety Laws, Proposes Controversial GRAS Reforms

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:54:15 -0400

The draft bill proposes sweeping reforms to FDA’s food safety oversight, including GRAS process changes, infant and baby food safety provisions, and federal preemption of state laws. Consumer groups say the FRESH Act’s GRAS reforms and federal preemption language would weaken U.S. food safety.

Bill Reintroduced to Overhaul Front-of-Pack Food Labels, Ingredients Lists

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:06:52 -0400

Among other provisions, the Food Labeling Modernization Act would set conditions for the use of the terms “natural” and “healthy,” expedite the creation of a front-of-pack nutrition labeling system, and improve ingredient list readability.

Congress to Hold Legislative Hearing on 28 Active Bills Related to Food Safety, FDA

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:21:16 -0400

The bills to be discussed address issues like “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) determinations, food chemical safety reassessments, food labeling, infant formula and baby food safety, information-sharing between federal and state agencies, additional FDA authorities for human foods oversight, and other topics.

Tips for Building Confidence in Your Third-Party Laboratory's Salmonella Results

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article reviews why testing for Salmonella is important, the challenges encountered when testing for Salmonella (specifically when using FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 5 guidelines), and how to evaluate if your testing laboratory is providing reliable testing results.

USDA Announces Reorganization of Food Safety and Inspection Service

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:58:37 -0400

The plan includes the creation of a new, central National Food Safety Center in Iowa and Science Center in Georgia. Approximately 200 (two-thirds) of USDA-FSIS’ Washington D.C.-area workforce will be relocated. Other USDA offices, including ARS and NIFA, also face restructuring and relocations.

New York Poised to Ban Certain Food Additives, Require GRAS Ingredient Transparency

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:21:29 -0400

The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act would mandate public disclosures of “Generally Recognized as Safe” substances used in foods manufactured or sold in New York. It has passed the Assembly and Senate, and now awaits the Governor’s signature into law.

USDA-FSIS Publishes List of Validated Foodborne Pathogen Test Kits

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The list includes kits validated for Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Escherichia coli.

Trump Names Former Deputy Surgeon General as Nominee for CDC Director

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:48:17 -0400

Erica Schwartz, M.D., M.P.H., J.D. is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, who has held medical leadership positions in both the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy.

Singapore Food Agency Publishes List of Approved Novel Foods

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:59:13 -0400

Novel foods approved for import and sale in Singapore include cultivated chicken and quail, mycoprotein, algal and fungal biomasses, precision-fermented sodium salts, and other foods.