Regulatory

U.S. Bill Introduced to Ban Synthetic Color Additives in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 05:15:00 -0500

Proposed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), the prohibition would apply to color additives subject to FDA certification and certified color additive lakes. Color additives exempt from FDA certification, including many naturally derived colors, would not be affected.

EU Tightens Recycled Food Packaging Requirements, Authorizes Four New Food-Contact Substances

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The EU has updated requirements for recycled food packaging, including expanded traceability and import controls, and authorized four new substances for use in plastic food-contact materials.

CAP Makes Policy Recommendations for Stronger Federal Food Safety Oversight, Calls Out MAHA ‘Failures’

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:30:00 -0500

A Center for American Progress (CAP) report called for more aggressively closing the GRAS "loophole," increasing food inspection and enforcement resources, codifying limits for PFAS in drinking water, and other actions, while admonishing Trump Administration actions that “undermine public health.”

Cold Pressure Council Unveils New HPP Certification Mark

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:23:00 -0500

The “Protected by Pressure” certification mark replaces the Cold Pressure Council's (CPC's) previous High-Pressure-Certified mark while retaining the requirements of its existing certification program.

EU Recommends Monitoring Chlorinated Paraffins in Food Through 2029

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 05:15:00 -0500

The monitoring initiative set forth in Recommendation (EU) 2026/2335 is intended to improve data availability on the occurrence and distribution of the industrial chemicals in food, supporting more robust assessments of human dietary exposure.

UNC, Harvard Launch Initiative to Inform Ultra-Processed Food Policymaking

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 10:53:57 -0500

Developed in collaboration with Fed UP!, the Food Policy Accelerator will offer scientific research, food supply data, and legal expertise to support the development of ultra-processed food (UPF) regulations at a time when the U.S. is considering a federal UPF definition.

EFSA Reviews Codex Pesticide Residue Limits, Identifies Consumer Health Concerns

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:57:42 -0400

The scientific report will inform the EU’s position at the 57th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues.

EPA Launches PFAS TECH Strategy to Develop Remediation Technologies, Following Deregulatory Actions

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:05:37 -0400

Although EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the new strategy exemplifies how “the Trump EPA is laser-focused on Making America Healthy Again [MAHA],” the announcement comes as the agency continues to receive criticisms for the Administration’s history of decisions to back off PFAS regulation.

Proactive Prevention of Food Contaminants: A Review of FDA Guidance and Expectations

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

As FDA expands its oversight of food contaminants, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors must understand evolving regulatory expectations and take proactive steps to identify, monitor, and mitigate contamination risks.

Attorney General’s Office: FDA Can Amend Regulations to Disclose Company Information During Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:29:07 -0400

“Under current regulations, FDA is generally not authorized to disclose supply chain information,” stated an opinion from the U.S. Attorney General’s Office of Legal Counsel. However, “FDA has statutory authority to amend its regulations to allow broader disclosure of supply chain information.”

U.S. is Making Little Progress Toward 2030 Foodborne Illness Reduction Goals, Data Shows

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

FDA, CDC, and USDA-FSIS researchers analyzed foodborne illness surveillance data against targets set under the Healthy People initiative, finding worsening incidence of campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, and STEC infections, with no detectable change in salmonellosis incidence, while acknowledging the potential role of advanced surveillance methods.

UK Gov Chemist Reports Advances in Food Fraud Detection, Chemical Safety Findings

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 10:12:33 -0400

The UK Government Chemist has published its Government Chemist Review 2025, outlining its activities, including food chemical safety regulatory compliance testing and research and development related to analytical methods for authenticity and adulteration.

EU Changes Six Maximum Limits for Pesticides in Food Commodities

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:43:20 -0400

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2289 has revised maximum residue limits (MRLs) for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden, and prothioconazole.

FAO Identifies Five Priorities for Strengthening Mycotoxin Control in Near East, North Africa

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:22:09 -0400

In a new report, FAO assessed mycotoxin contamination in food and feed across the region and highlighted disparities in national regulatory frameworks, laboratory capacities, and surveillance systems, as well as the increasing impact of climate change on contamination risks.

Researchers Describe Significant Food Safety Risks, Regulatory Gaps in Afghanistan

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the review, microbiological and chemical food safety hazards in the country are exacerbated by inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, limited regulatory oversight, and food insecurity.

FDA Proposes Cadmium Action Levels for Baby Foods, Issues Preventive Controls Guidance for Chemical Hazards

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:55:52 -0400

The actions are part of FDA's Closer to Zero initiative, which aims to continually reduce dietary exposure to toxic heavy metals among babies and young children.

EFSA Publishes Guidance on Safety Assessment of BPA Alternatives in Food-Contact Materials

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:42:33 -0400

The guidance was developed following the EU’s ban on BPA in food-contact materials and describes the data requirements for the safety assessment of other bisphenols used in specific food-contact applications.

PathogenDx, USDA-ARS Partner to Develop Test for High-Pathogenicity Salmonella

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:52:23 -0400

The project will evaluate the resulting assay's potential applications in relevant food matrices, including chicken, turkey, pork, and beef, with the broader objective of improving the identification of Salmonella strains associated with human illness and outbreaks.

The Role of Unannounced Audits in Strengthening Food Safety Culture

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

A strong food safety culture means maintaining the same standards whether or not an auditor is watching. Unannounced audits can help reinforce that expectation across an organization.

Food Safety Five Ep. 38: Regulatory and Research Updates on Cyclospora, Listeria, Microplastics, and More

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

This episode covers the final findings from the U.S. Cyclospora outbreak, new USDA efforts to address Listeria, the new FDA Food Code, research on high-pressure processing for raw chicken, and emerging food safety concerns associated with plastic pollution.

FSMA 204 Survival Kit

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The FDA Food Traceability Rule is still coming. While the FDA has proposed extending the compliance date to July 20, 2028, and says it won’t enforce the rule before then, now is the time to prepare. Use this extra time to identify gaps, strengthen your traceability processes, and avoid scrambling as the deadline approaches. Download the Food Traceability Survival Kit to learn more and get the resources you need to prepare.

FSMA 204 Readiness Assessment

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

How ready is your operation for the FDA Food Traceability Rule? This 10-question self-assessment evaluates key areas of FSMA 204 compliance, from tracking CTEs and KDEs to supplier readiness, data quality, and mock recalls. Use your results to identify gaps, prioritize next steps, and strengthen your traceability strategy. Download the Food Traceability Survival Kit to learn more and start preparing.

FDA Finds Evidence of Limited Food Fraud in Imported Lemon Juice

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:05:05 -0400

FDA tested 195 samples from 2022–2025. No violations were identified among domestic samples, but 4.5 percent of imported samples showed evidence of economically motivated adulteration.

Court Temporarily Halts USDA’s Planned Reorganization

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:01:30 -0400

A federal court has barred the agency from using federal funds to shut down offices or relocate employees until December 11, at which time USDA could ask Congress to lift appropriations restrictions.

Whole Genome Sequencing in Food Safety: Non-Technical Systems Barriers and Opportunities for Enhanced Global Use

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

Whole genome sequencing is a mature, reliable technology with significant potential for the food industry, but realizing its benefits requires organizations to strategically weigh risks, applications, and persistent legal and regulatory barriers to adoption.

FDA Quietly Included Provision in GRAS Proposed Rule to Expand One ‘Loophole’ While Tightening Another

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:20:23 -0400

The proposal would expand the Threshold of Regulation (TOR) exemption to include food additives and ingredients, which would allow chemicals to enter the U.S. food supply without oversight if they meet TOR criteria. TOR submissions only require minimal data rather than comprehensive safety evidence.

Pennsylvania Advances Bill That Would Set Limits on Heavy Metals in Baby Foods

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:48:32 -0400

The Baby Food Protection Act aims to set enforceable limits for total arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as a state testing program and labeling requirements for manufacturers.

Australia Approves Cell-Cultured Duck Ingredient

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:21:41 -0400

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board approved an application to permit the use of cell-cultured duck biomass in combination with other ingredients to make products such as foie gras and pâté.

Ep. 227. Michael Ciepiela: Gap Assessments, Audit Readiness, and Continuous Improvement

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we discuss how food companies can move beyond audit preparation to achieve continuous audit readiness, including gap assessments, identifying systemic issues, strengthening accountability and culture, Lean Six Sigma, meaningful KPIs, supporting sustainable operational excellence.

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.”