The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees meat, poultry, and egg products, accounting for 20 percent or less of the food supply. The majority of the food supply (80 percent or more) is regulated by FDA. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the U.S. meat, poultry, and processed egg supply is safe and properly labeled. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/360 en-us 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 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11942 Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:52:23 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11942-pathogendx-usda-ars-partner-to-develop-test-for-high-pathogenicity-salmonella hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11930 Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11930-food-safety-five-ep-38-regulatory-and-research-updates-on-cyclospora-listeria-microplastics-and-more hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11935 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:01:30 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11935-court-temporarily-halts-usdas-planned-reorganization Marking National Food Safety Education Month, we speak to Dr. Mindy Brashears of USDA and Carmen Rottenberg of the Partnership for Food Safety Education Advisory Board about the essential role of consumer education in preventing foodborne illness; USDA's responsibility in supporting safe food handling; and how organizations can help consumers put food safety guidance into practice. Marking National Food Safety Education Month, we speak to Dr. Mindy Brashears of USDA and Carmen Rottenberg of the Partnership for Food Safety Education Advisory Board about the essential role of consumer education in preventing foodborne illness; USDA's responsibility in supporting safe food handling; and how organizations can help consumers put food safety guidance into practice.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11842 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11842-brashears-and-rottenberg-consumer-education-as-a-food-safety-essential State agriculture officials gathered on September 13–16 in Portland, Maine for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s (NASDA’s) 2026 Annual Meeting, which brought together state commissioners, directors, and secretaries of agriculture. State agriculture officials gathered on September 13–16 in Portland, Maine for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s (NASDA’s) 2026 Annual Meeting, which brought together state commissioners, directors, and secretaries of agriculture.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11849 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:24:21 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11849-secretary-rollins-discusses-usda-work-to-expand-state-meat-inspection-at-nasda-2026-annual-meeting The program, which was explored after the Boar’s Head outbreak of 2024 spurred the agency to reevaluate its inspection and Listeria monitoring protocols, was piloted in FY 2026 and will be expanded to FSIS districts nationwide. The program, which was explored after the Boar’s Head outbreak of 2024 spurred the agency to reevaluate its inspection and Listeria monitoring protocols, was piloted in FY 2026 and will be expanded to FSIS districts nationwide.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11846 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:39:39 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11846-usda-fsis-to-roll-out-listeria-environmental-sampling-program-nationwide-at-rte-facilities hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) The newly announced Stand-Up funding program is the latest in a series of Trump Administration actions, including a Presidential Executive Order and the Ranchers First initiative, to expand regional processing capacity and cut “red tape” at the federal inspection level. The newly announced Stand-Up funding program is the latest in a series of Trump Administration actions, including a Presidential Executive Order and the Ranchers First initiative, to expand regional processing capacity and cut “red tape” at the federal inspection level.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11840 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:24:17 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11840-usda-announces-50m-in-funding-for-state-meat-inspection-programs hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) The order, aimed at expanding market access for U.S. meat producers, focuses on growing existing state inspection programs and state–federal agreements. It also calls for “sharpening inspection to focus on core food safety” and removing “overly prescriptive” USDA-FSIS requirements. The order, aimed at expanding market access for U.S. meat producers, focuses on growing existing state inspection programs and state–federal agreements. It also calls for “sharpening inspection to focus on core food safety” and removing “overly prescriptive” USDA-FSIS requirements.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11810 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:28:58 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11810-trump-executive-order-seeks-meat-inspection-modernization-by-cutting-unnecessary-requirements-expanding-state-programs Congress cut two of three federal Cyclospora research projects as part of FY2026 appropriations, and the third will be disrupted by the Trump Administration’s planned USDA reorganization, according to sources who spoke to POLITICO. Congress cut two of three federal Cyclospora research projects as part of FY2026 appropriations, and the third will be disrupted by the Trump Administration’s planned USDA reorganization, according to sources who spoke to POLITICO.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11780 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:59:46 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11780-news-that-usda-cyclospora-research-was-defunded-in-2026-emerges-as-nations-largest-ever-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-continues hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) In August 28 social media posts, President Trump and USDA Secretary Rollins alluded to plans to give ranchers and farmers the ability to process their own meats and other efforts to cut “red tape.” Industry groups said these actions would jeopardize food safety and consumer confidence. In August 28 social media posts, President Trump and USDA Secretary Rollins alluded to plans to give ranchers and farmers the ability to process their own meats and other efforts to cut “red tape.” Industry groups said these actions would jeopardize food safety and consumer confidence. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11778 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:54:52 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11778-cattlemens-associations-oppose-trumps-push-to-allow-on-farm-meat-processing-food-safety-is-not-red-tape A new web portal allows small and very small establishments regulated by USDA-FSIS to submit appeals outside of the Public Health Information System, supporting efforts to improve service and reduce regulatory burden for small meat and poultry processors. A new web portal allows small and very small establishments regulated by USDA-FSIS to submit appeals outside of the Public Health Information System, supporting efforts to improve service and reduce regulatory burden for small meat and poultry processors.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11749 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:38:27 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11749-usda-fsis-offers-easier-way-to-submit-noncompliance-record-appeals-as-part-of-small-processors-action-plan hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Federally defining UPFs could allow U.S. regulatory agencies to pursue specific policies for the category. The importance of processing versus nutrient content and formulation in causing diet-related chronic diseases, as well as the value of defining UPFs, has been heavily debated. Federally defining UPFs could allow U.S. regulatory agencies to pursue specific policies for the category. The importance of processing versus nutrient content and formulation in causing diet-related chronic diseases, as well as the value of defining UPFs, has been heavily debated.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11714 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:34:49 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11714-fda-usda-submit-ultra-processed-foods-definition-for-final-review In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Mindy Brashears, and Administrator USDA-FSIS, Dr. Justin Ransom, about the future of food safety oversight at the agency, its emerging Salmonella strategy, evolving approach to Listeria control, the creation of a new scientific advisory panel, and the use of data, AI, and other technologies for inspection and risk identification. In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety, Dr. Mindy Brashears, and Administrator USDA-FSIS, Dr. Justin Ransom, about the future of food safety oversight at the agency, its emerging Salmonella strategy, evolving approach to Listeria control, the creation of a new scientific advisory panel, and the use of data, AI, and other technologies for inspection and risk identification.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11692 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11692-live-from-iafp-with-usda-leadersnew-strategies-for-salmonella-ai-and-inspection-tech Two topics of increasing regulatory scrutiny—the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) rule and a federal definition of ultra-processed food (UPFs)—have seen some movement at the U.S. Government's Office of Management and Budget, signaling progress on the Trump administration's food policy agenda. Two topics of increasing regulatory scrutiny—the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) rule and a federal definition of ultra-processed food (UPFs)—have seen some movement at the U.S. Government's Office of Management and Budget, signaling progress on the Trump administration's food policy agenda.
 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11703 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:18:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11703-regulatory-updates-gras-proposed-rule-clears-omb-review-fda-sends-upf-whitepaper-to-oira While New World screwworm (NWS) itself does not pose a food safety risk in edible meat or poultry products, residues from veterinary drugs used to treat and prevent infestations of NWS are potential chemical hazards. While New World screwworm (NWS) itself does not pose a food safety risk in edible meat or poultry products, residues from veterinary drugs used to treat and prevent infestations of NWS are potential chemical hazards.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11699 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:06:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11699-fsis-updates-veterinary-drug-residue-surveillance-in-response-to-new-world-screwworm USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has issued a revised directive outlining financial management procedures for state cooperative inspection programs. The directive replaced fiscal guidance that had been in effect since March 2004. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has issued a revised directive outlining financial management procedures for state cooperative inspection programs. The directive replaced fiscal guidance that had been in effect since March 2004.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11697 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:42:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11697-usda-fsis-updates-fiscal-guidance-for-state-cooperative-inspection-programs Given the headlines coming out of 2025, it would be reasonable to expect a shift in recall patterns in the food industry. Yet, looking past the headlines and into the numbers, 2025 remained remarkably consistent with the past decade of recall trends, in terms of count and cause. Given the headlines coming out of 2025, it would be reasonable to expect a shift in recall patterns in the food industry. Yet, looking past the headlines and into the numbers, 2025 remained remarkably consistent with the past decade of recall trends, in terms of count and cause. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11640 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11640-recall-litigation-and-regulatory-trends-worrisome-changes-bring-similar-resultsfor-now The Memorandum of Understanding expands interagency collaboration on food contaminant monitoring, including for toxic heavy metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), under the National Residue Program. The Memorandum of Understanding expands interagency collaboration on food contaminant monitoring, including for toxic heavy metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), under the National Residue Program.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11621 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:41 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11621-usda-hhs-epa-reaffirm-collaboration-to-tackle-chemical-contaminants-in-food Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification. Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11619 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:49:27 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11619-usda-fsis-to-expand-testing-for-metals-in-rte-foods-under-national-residue-program As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards. As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11557 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:30:30 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11557-usda-fsis-announces-pilot-program-to-evaluate-salmonella-control-strategies-in-raw-poultry-establishments Reoccurring, emerging, and persisting (REP) strains cause foodborne illnesses over extended periods of time, rather than through isolated outbreaks. The REP framework was jointly developed by CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS through the Interagency Foodborne Outbreak Response Collaboration. Reoccurring, emerging, and persisting (REP) strains cause foodborne illnesses over extended periods of time, rather than through isolated outbreaks. The REP framework was jointly developed by CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS through the Interagency Foodborne Outbreak Response Collaboration.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11548 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11548-cdc-fda-usda-collaboration-defines-framework-for-classifying-rep-strains-identifies-strains-of-concern hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Real-world data from meat processors show Clostridium perfringens is rarely detected in fully cooked meat and poultry products and remains uncommon even when deviations from USDA-FSIS Appendix B parameters are reported, challenging assumptions underlying regulatory limits for growth during stabilization. Real-world data from meat processors show Clostridium perfringens is rarely detected in fully cooked meat and poultry products and remains uncommon even when deviations from USDA-FSIS Appendix B parameters are reported, challenging assumptions underlying regulatory limits for growth during stabilization.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11523 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11523-product-testing-suggests-usda-fsis-regulations-for-c-perfringens-in-meat-may-be-overly-conservative hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) As it stands, the bill would mandate that USDA provide guidance on HACCP plans to small and very small meat processors, require USDA and FDA to define “honey” and establish honey authenticity testing standards, and initiate other directives. As it stands, the bill would mandate that USDA provide guidance on HACCP plans to small and very small meat processors, require USDA and FDA to define “honey” and establish honey authenticity testing standards, and initiate other directives.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11527 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11527-food-safety-provisions-in-the-2026-farm-bill hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) As the agency continues to delay enforcement of Salmonella verification testing for not-ready-to-eat, breaded and stuffed chicken products, Consumer Reports is asking for evidence to support USDA-FSIS’ assertion that currently available test methods are not suitable, which contradicts the agency’s previous stance. As the agency continues to delay enforcement of Salmonella verification testing for not-ready-to-eat, breaded and stuffed chicken products, Consumer Reports is asking for evidence to support USDA-FSIS’ assertion that currently available test methods are not suitable, which contradicts the agency’s previous stance.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11516 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:07:16 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11516-consumer-reports-to-usda-release-validation-data-on-salmonella-tests-for-breaded-stuffed-chicken-products hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears, in collaboration with the Partnership for Food Safety Education, is calling on food safety educators nationwide to help dispel misinformation about the safety of the food supply amid the current New World Screwworm infestation. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears, in collaboration with the Partnership for Food Safety Education, is calling on food safety educators nationwide to help dispel misinformation about the safety of the food supply amid the current New World Screwworm infestation.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11513 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:07:20 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11513-busting-myths-new-world-screwworm-is-not-a-food-safety-risk A letter signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar and 24 others asks USDA to consider the impacts of its recently announced plans to restructure and relocate its Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, including ARS and NIFA. A letter signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar and 24 others asks USDA to consider the impacts of its recently announced plans to restructure and relocate its Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, including ARS and NIFA.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11452 Fri, 22 May 2026 06:10:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11452-senators-question-usdas-plan-to-restructure-research-offices hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) On Thursday morning, officials from FDA, USDA-FSIS, CDC, and AFDO took the stage at the 2026 Food Safety Summit Town Hall to talk about the current developments and priorities at their respective agencies. On Thursday morning, officials from FDA, USDA-FSIS, CDC, and AFDO took the stage at the 2026 Food Safety Summit Town Hall to talk about the current developments and priorities at their respective agencies.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11426 Thu, 14 May 2026 13:06:25 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11426-top-us-food-safety-officials-discuss-regulatory-landscape-at-food-safety-summit town hall panelists on stage fss 26_bailee henderson.png town hall panelists group shot fss 26_bailee henderson.png 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11418 Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11418-new-usda-dietary-guidelines-with-a-focus-on-food-packaging 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11402 Tue, 05 May 2026 12:46:17 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11402-usda-fsis-publishes-revised-food-safety-guideline-for-egg-products 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. 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.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11372 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:58:37 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11372-usda-announces-reorganization-of-food-safety-and-inspection-service