USDA

Product Testing Suggests USDA-FSIS Regulations for C. perfringens in Meat May Be ‘Overly Conservative’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

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.

Food Safety Provisions in the 2026 Farm Bill

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0400

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.

Consumer Reports to USDA: Release Validation Data on Salmonella Tests for Breaded, Stuffed Chicken Products

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:07:16 -0400

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.

Busting Myths: New World Screwworm is Not a Food Safety Risk

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:07:20 -0400

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.

Senators Question USDA’s Plan to Restructure Research Offices

Fri, 22 May 2026 06:10:00 -0400

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.

Top U.S. Food Safety Officials Discuss Regulatory Landscape at Food Safety Summit

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:06:25 -0400

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.

New USDA Dietary Guidelines with a Focus on Food Packaging

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

USDA-FSIS Publishes Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:46:17 -0400

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.

USDA Announces Reorganization of Food Safety and Inspection Service

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:58:37 -0400

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.

USDA-FSIS Publishes List of Validated Foodborne Pathogen Test Kits

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The list includes kits validated for Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Escherichia coli.

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.

USDA Creates Office of Seafood

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:04:34 -0400

One of the primary roles of the new office will be coordinating across USDA agencies to ensure fishermen are integrated into USDA programs.

USDA-FSIS Updates WGS Laboratory Method

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:52:17 -0400

The updated Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook chapter on whole genome sequencing (WGS) of bacterial isolates now includes protocols for using both the Illumina MiSeq and MiSeq i100 sequencing platforms.

USDA Launches Searchable Guidance Portal

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:25:12 -0400

The portal contains guidance issued by USDA and its agencies.

FDA FY 2027 Budget Request Includes $57 Million for ‘MAHA’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:39:32 -0400

FDA’s Human Foods Program specifically would receive a significant increase in funding compared to the previous fiscal year (FY), including $25 million to help address chemical contaminants and additives like PFAS, toxic heavy metals, and GRAS ingredients.

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).

IFSAC Publishes Latest U.S. Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:11:07 -0400

The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) is a joint effort between CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS. The latest report covers the year 2023 and focuses on the food vehicles of illnesses from Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Listeria monocytogenes.

USDA-FSIS Seeks Input on Potential Updates to Establishment Size Definitions

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:55:49 -0400

Considering advice previously offered by NACMPI, stakeholder feedback will help inform whether FSIS moves forward with proposed changes to the current establishment size categorization scheme under the HACCP Final Rule to better reflect current industry conditions and improve regulatory effectiveness.

USDA-FSIS Investigated Seven Multistate Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in FY 2025

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:59:12 -0400

The agency has published a summary of foodborne illness outbreak investigations involving USDA-regulated products in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, alongside an after-action review of a fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to Yu Shang-brand ready-to-eat (RTE) meats that was solved in 2024.

Foreign Material, Undeclared Allergens Caused Most USDA Food Recalls in 2025

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:36:30 -0500

A total of 42 recalls comprising 71,420,721 pounds (lbs.) of product were issued between January and December.

USDA-FSIS Proposes to Permanently Raise Line Speed Limits at Swine, Poultry Slaughter Establishments

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:42:24 -0500

Establishments operating under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS) would be allowed to determine their own line speeds, and New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) establishment line speeds would be raised.

Food Safety Five Ep. 26: Updates and Success Stories on Listeria Control in RTE Facilities

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses updated USDA-FSIS guidance on Listeria testing in RTE facilities, the latest on the Boar’s Head facility behind the fatal outbreak of 2024, and a real-world Listeria “Seek and Destroy” success story.

Registration Now Open for 2026 AFDO Annual Education Conference

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:50:56 -0500

Taking place June 5–9 in Columbus, Ohio, the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) 130^th Annual Education Conference offers sessions focused on manufactured food safety, retail food safety, and produce safety.

NASEM Publishes Report to Guide USDA’s Response to PFAS in Agricultural Systems

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:05:00 -0500

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has published a report on PFAS in agricultural systems to help guide USDA's response to the impacts of agricultural lands polluted by these “forever chemicals.”

FDA, USDA, CDC Continue to Lose Staffers in Fiscal Year 2026

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:10:16 -0500

New data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shows the most recent and complete picture of workforce attrition at federal agencies responsible for food safety and public health.

Advancing Science-Based Approaches to Salmonella Control in Meat

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

This article examines shifting USDA regulatory expectations, evolving risk assessment tools, and realistic strategies to manage Salmonella as a true public health risk rather than solely a process control issue.

Report Raises Concerns About U.S. Food Recall Timeliness, Transparency in 2025

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund’s newly published Food for Thought report outlines food recalls and foodborne illness outbreak investigations that occurred in 2025 and provides recommendations for improving the U.S. food recall system.

NASDA’s 2026 Policy Priorities Focus on Pesticides, Animal Diseases, and Farm Bill Food Safety

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:45:55 -0500

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has set its federal policy priorities for 2026. Food safety-related issues are central to NASDA's 2026 advocacy work for the Farm Bill, animal diseases and traceability, and pesticides

USDA-FSIS Issues Revision to Safe Ingredients Directive for Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:42:00 -0500

USDA-FSIS has issued updates to the list of substances that may be used in the production of meat, poultry, and egg products.

Regulatory Response to Boar’s Head, McDonald’s Outbreaks Reveal Areas for Improvement

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A new paper describes U.S. regulatory agencies’ roles in two recent, high-profile foodborne illness outbreak investigations—the Boar’s Head listeriosis outbreak and the McDonald’s Escherichia coli outbreak—and highlights the shortcomings and strengths in how the outbreaks were managed.