International Standards/Harmonization

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.

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.