International Standards/Harmonization

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

From Concept to Commercialization: Regulatory Developments Shaping the Cultivated Protein Market

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Cultivated protein is moving from concept to commercialization, but a fragmented mix of federal progress, state-level restrictions, and uneven global regulation makes regulatory strategies a key determinant of success.

EFSA Announces Third WGS Food Safety Conference

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The third Science Meets Policy conference will take place September 2–3 in Rome, Italy, focused on helping EU competent authorities and industry members effectively implement new WGS data-sharing requirements for foodborne pathogens.

Netherlands Set to Ban Ashwagandha

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:42:43 -0400

In a meeting with industry, the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (WVS) confirmed its intent to ban the botanical ashwagandha, a widely used dietary supplement and functional food/beverage ingredient.

EFSA Makes it Easier to Find and Use Food Safety Guidance Documents

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:57:00 -0400

EFSA has created new online portals where guidances are described and sorted for accessibility and ease of use by scientists, industry applicants, and other stakeholders. Additionally, future guidance documents will be developed following a new, standardized process.

Testing Confirms Microbiological, Chemical Safety of Canadian Infant Formula, Children’s Foods

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently published the findings from several food sampling and testing assignments for microbiological and chemical contaminants across a range of food categories. In general, the results were satisfactory.

U.S. Codex Office to Hold Public Meeting Ahead of CCFL49

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

The objective of the virtual public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the upcoming 49^th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL49).

Codex Committee Advances Work on Standards for Veterinary Drug Residues in Food

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The 28^th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods made advances related to maximum residue limits (MRLs), extrapolation approaches, and risk management guidance, with several measures forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption.

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.

FSANZ Releases 2030 Roadmap Outlining Priority Food Standards Proposals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:35:30 -0400

The roadmap outlines Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ’s) plans for food standards proposals over the next five years, with priority work focusing on requirements for formula and infant food, clearer novel foods approval pathways, and other areas.

Ireland Food Safety Authority Issues Guidance on Controlling Listeria in Ready-to-Heat Meals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Responding to recent listeriosis outbreaks and recognizing that consumers do not always handle or cook ready-to-heat meals in accordance with package instructions, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) encourages businesses to implement recommended practices to better control L. monocytogenes.

EU Publishes Guidance for Industry on New Packaging Law

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) limits PFAS in food packaging, bans single-use plastics for fruit and vegetables under a certain weight, and sets forth other changes, with compliance deadlines beginning as early as August 2026.

EU Seeks Feedback on Data Requirements for Safety Assessment of Bisphenols in FCMs

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Following the EU ban on BPA in food contact materials (FCMs), which specified FCM manufacturing applications where other “hazardous” bisphenols may be used, EFSA issued a draft statement on related safety data requirements.

UK FSA Reveals Plans to Modernize Food Regulatory System

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:02:47 -0400

The “Future of Food Regulation” initiative will explore several reforms, such as a new, data-informed approach to regulating large food businesses and proposals to make the Food Hygiene Rating display mandatory in England.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Names New President

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Dr. Harpreet Kochhar previously served in the position in 2023–2024.

Türkiye Set to Ban Single-Use Food Contact Materials in Line with EU Regulations

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:52:14 -0400

Expected to take effect by the end of 2027 after stakeholder consultations, the regulation, modeled after the EU’s Single-Use Plastics directive, would prohibit items like plastic cutlery, plates, and straws. Future phases would enforce further requirements for other articles.

Ep. 214. Chris McGarvey: UK/EU Food Regulatory Changes on the Horizon

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to UK food law expert Chris McGarvey about the implications of dynamic UK/EU regulatory trends and how businesses can navigate changing legislation related to trade, food substances, novel foods and technologies, and allergen labeling.

National Officials Publish Analysis of Netherlands' Largest-Ever Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A key cause of the outbreak was determined to be contaminated eggshells used in poultry feed. Cross-sector collaboration and data-sharing were instrumental in solving the investigation.

FDA Highlights Successful Mexico-U.S. Effort to Eliminate Salmonella Outbreaks from Papayas

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

No U.S. Salmonella outbreaks linked to Mexican papayas have been identified since 2020 thanks to collaborative efforts between regulators and industry in both countries. The case study could serve as a framework for improving food safety in other commodities and global supply chains.

India Approves Food Safety Regulatory Reforms, Introduces Risk-Based Inspection

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

The changes affect registration and licensing rules for food business operators, including specific reforms for street vendor registration, that aim to simplify compliance and reduce regulatory burden. A new technology-enabled, risk-based inspection system has also been introduced.

UK FSA Identifies Emerging Food Technologies Shaping Future Food Safety Needs

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:11:10 -0400

The report groups new food production technologies like precision fermentation, controlled environment agriculture, and cell-culturing by their expected impact and feasibility to help regulators and industry target evidence generation, guidance development, and regulatory preparedness efforts.

FAO, WHO Request Data on Microbial Food Safety Impacts of Frozen Storage Temperatures

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:21:53 -0400

The information gathered will be used to support FAO/WHO scientific advice intended to inform future Codex Alimentarius discussions on frozen food handling guidance.

Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak in France Linked to RTE Meats

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:49:09 -0400

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.