International Standards/Harmonization

FAO/WHO Experts Recommend Updating Codex Powdered Infant Formula Guidance to Consider Clostridia, B. cereus

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

JEMRA convened in June to review the latest scientific evidence on microbiological hazards that have recently been associated with public health events due to the contamination of powdered infant formula or its ingredients.

UK FSA Finds Persisting Compliance Issues in Targeted Survey of Retail Foods

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:03:21 -0400

Overall, 72 percent of targeted surveillance samples were deemed satisfactory. FSA flagged imported, niche products, like Dubai-style chocolates, South Asian snacks, and ashwagandha supplements, as especially problematic.

UK FSA Publishes Guidances for Cell-Cultivated Food Producers

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:20:03 -0400

The resources were produced through the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Program and cover hygiene requirements; identity, production, and microbiology; product applications; and novel food taste trials.

Codex Publishes Strategic Plan for 2026–2031

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:07:11 -0400

The plan establishes the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s priorities for the next six years to strengthen the development of international food safety and quality standards while considering evolving and emerging global challenges.

Codex Adopts Internationally Harmonized Precautionary Allergen Labeling at CAC49

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:06:24 -0400

Other standards adopted during the 49^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), taking place July 6–10 in Geneva, Switzerland, relate to controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken and Listeria monocytogenes in RTE foods, revisions to food additive use levels, and more.

EU Survey Identifies Gaps in Member State Histamine Controls for Fish Products

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

A new European Commission report identified inconsistencies in how EU Member States conduct official controls for histamine (scombrotoxin) in fishery products, highlighting gaps in inspection procedures, staff training, and harmonization of testing methods.

Canadian Officials Caught More Than 150,000 Kilos of Fraudulent Food in 2024–2025

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

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA’s) 2024–2025 Food Fraud Annual Report, CFIA tested 886 food samples for authenticity and conducted 362 label verifications. Olive oil had the lowest authenticity compliance rate.

Foodborne Campylobacter, Listeria Infections Rose in Denmark in 2025

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The Danish Annual Report on Zoonoses summarizes trends in foodborne disease, zoonotic pathogens, and surveillance activities across humans, animals, food, and the environment.

New Zealand Releases Guidance to Standardize Checks at Multi-Site Food Businesses

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New Zealand Food Safety has issued new guidance for verifying multi-site food businesses, establishing consistent onsite sampling recommendations for verifiers, intended to reduce costs and increase certainty for industry while ensuring food safety.

Stricter EU Regulations on Listeria in RTE Foods Now in Effect; Ireland Offers Compliance Guidance

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:08:03 -0400

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.

Food Standards Scotland Study Identifies Factors Driving Foodborne Illness Risk Among Older Adults

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:28:13 -0400

Based on the findings, researchers recommended targeted food safety messaging for older adults that raises awareness of age-related susceptibility to foodborne illness and the potential severity of infection, and acknowledges the effects of health, financial, and environmental realities on food safety practices.

Honey Sold in EU Must Now Carry Countries of Origin on Label

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

New EU labeling regulations for honey went into effect on June 14, introducing strengthened requirements for country-of-origin declarations.

EU Changes Certifications for U.S. Mollusk Imports, Increases Checks for Other High-Risk Foods

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The EU has implemented increased checks on certain food imports at the border, and has also introduced new certificate requirements for shipments of oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and other aquaculture products from the U.S. due to veterinary drug use restrictions.

EU Member States Report Challenges in Implementing Food Safety Culture Official Controls

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:25:40 -0400

Following the adoption of EU regulations in 2021 that set food safety culture requirements for food business operators, a European Commission survey conducted in 2025 showed that countries’ progress and approach toward culture official controls are varied, with significant difficulties reported.

WHO Calls for Experts to Join Pesticide Advisory Group

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The WHO Advisory Group on Pesticide Specifications supports the evaluation of scientific dossiers to inform the development of WHO specifications for public health pesticides.

EU Drafting Legislation to Require Checks for Cereulide Toxin in Infant Formula

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Following a high-profile, global recall of infant formulas due to cereulide contamination in early 2026, the European Commission is drafting an act that would introduce additional checks for the toxin in formulas.

Europeans’ Exposure to Dioxins, DL-PCBs in Food Still Too High, EFSA Risk Assessment Finds

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:40:17 -0400

Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are environmental contaminants generated as byproducts of industrial processes and waste incineration. EFSA’s risk assessment resulted in a lower tolerable weekly intake, which Europeans generally exceed.

Canadian Monitoring of Baby Foods Finds 100 Percent Compliance with Chemical Contaminant Limits

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published the most recent findings from its Children’s Food Project and National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program, which test foods for toxic heavy metals, veterinary drugs, pesticides, and other substances.

How Codex Helps Address the World’s Top Five Foodborne Hazards

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:56:35 -0400

Following the release of WHO’s new foodborne disease burden estimates and relating to the 2026 World Food Safety Day theme, “From Burden to Solutions—Safe Food Everywhere,” FAO and WHO are highlighting how Codex Alimentarius standards and related work help prevent foodborne disease.

UK High Court Finds FSA Charged Meat Industry Unlawful Inspection Rates

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the ruling, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) included certain costs in its meat controls hourly rate and enforcement rate that were outside the scope of permissible charges under the applicable official controls legislation.

FAO, WHO Launch New Resources Ahead of World Food Safety Day

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:58:40 -0400

Ahead of World Food Safety Day, FAO and WHO have introduced a Food Safety Roadmap Development Tool and an online learning course on Codex-aligned risk assessments, supporting competent authorities and other stakeholders seeking to utilize science and data to improve national food safety systems.

Sweden Recommends Caffeine Limits for Adolescents

Tue, 26 May 2026 11:11:35 -0400

Due to the increased consumption of energy drinks and other caffeinated products among young people, the Swedish National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) is introducing dietary guidelines for children and adolescents' caffeine consumption.

Australia, New Zealand Consider Modernized Standards for Toddler Milk

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:48:51 -0400

Young child formula, commonly referred to as “toddler milk,” is widely marketed for use in young children’s diets. FSANZ assessments indicate there is a need for greater regulatory clarity to ensure product composition, labeling, and representation consistency.

Africa, Near East Countries Collaborate to Advance Food Safety Competencies

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:16:31 -0400

FAO, WHO, and the Codex Coordinating Committees for Africa and the Near East led a training with more than 350 participants from the Africa, Near East, and Eastern Mediterranean regions, focused on participation in Codex standard-setting work.

Canada Reclassifies Sports Drinks as Foods

Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Health Canada has announced the transition of sports electrolyte products from the Natural Health Product (NHP) regulatory framework to the food regulatory framework.

Codex Moves to Adopt Standardized Precautionary Allergen Labeling, Kicks UPFs Can Down the Road

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:22:46 -0400

During the 49^th Meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL49), guidelines on risk-based precautionary allergen labeling, labeling for multipack foods, and emergency flexible labeling were recommended for adoption. CCFL also declined a proposal to initiate work related to ultra-processed foods.

EU Confirms Safety of Novel Acrylamide-Reducing Enzyme for Coffee Products

Tue, 19 May 2026 10:06:52 -0400

Acrylerase, developed by Kerry Group, is an amidase food enzyme that hydrolyzes acrylamide, and is the first commercially available food enzyme designed to directly decompose the process contaminant after it has formed.

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.