Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in the Food Safety Industry. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/85-food-safety-top-stories en-us 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 This article details how to conduct a lifecycle assessment for food packaging. This article details how to conduct a lifecycle assessment for food packaging. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11628 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11628-lifecycle-assessment-in-food-packaging-what-food-industry-professionals-need-to-know In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to exposure scientist and toxicologist Dr. Alex LeBeau about the generation, interpretation, and responsible communication of food contaminant testing data—a conversation raised by recent reports on arsenic in candy from Florida officials. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to exposure scientist and toxicologist Dr. Alex LeBeau about the generation, interpretation, and responsible communication of food contaminant testing data—a conversation raised by recent reports on arsenic in candy from Florida officials.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11614 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11614-ep-221-dr-alex-lebeau-the-science-behind-food-contaminant-testing This article discusses high audit scores, catastrophic failures, and the new rule that would disqualify the person cleaning up the mess. This article discusses high audit scores, catastrophic failures, and the new rule that would disqualify the person cleaning up the mess.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11615 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11615-when-the-score-lies-a-call-for-real-competence-and-accountability Cruise ships are self-contained, complex ecosystems where pathogens like norovirus present a heightened risk to passengers. Highly contagious, environmentally persistent, and operationally disruptive, norovirus has long been the single greatest food safety challenge facing the cruise industry. Cruise ships are self-contained, complex ecosystems where pathogens like norovirus present a heightened risk to passengers. Highly contagious, environmentally persistent, and operationally disruptive, norovirus has long been the single greatest food safety challenge facing the cruise industry.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11605 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11605-food-safety-at-sea-why-norovirus-prevention-starts-with-culture-not-checklists Retailers and foodservice operators can protect major accounts by treating complaints not as normal operating conditions, but as intelligence—pinpointing true root causes, building supplier capability, and driving complaint volume as close to zero as possible. Retailers and foodservice operators can protect major accounts by treating complaints not as normal operating conditions, but as intelligence—pinpointing true root causes, building supplier capability, and driving complaint volume as close to zero as possible.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11600 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:17:11 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11600-listen-to-your-customers-how-complaint-intelligence-transforms-supplier-performance This article examines the importance of data culture—including data leadership, data literacy, data governance, data strategy, data access, and data communication—for supporting risk-based food safety systems. This article examines the importance of data culture—including data leadership, data literacy, data governance, data strategy, data access, and data communication—for supporting risk-based food safety systems.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11586 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11586-data-culture-as-a-preventive-control Sprinkles may seem like a minor decorative detail on a birthday cake or holiday cookie, but they sit at the intersection of several fast-moving regulatory concerns: the phaseout of certain FD&C dyes, the clean label movement, allergen management, and GMO transparency. Sprinkles may seem like a minor decorative detail on a birthday cake or holiday cookie, but they sit at the intersection of several fast-moving regulatory concerns: the phaseout of certain FD&C dyes, the clean label movement, allergen management, and GMO transparency.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11583 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11583-natural-vs-artificial-ingredients-in-baking-what-food-manufacturers-and-consumers-need-to-know AI has moved into food safety programs faster than policies, procedures, and comfort levels can adapt. The gap between what organizations say and what people do regarding AI use is one of the most interesting—and potentially risky—signals from this Food Safety Insights survey. AI has moved into food safety programs faster than policies, procedures, and comfort levels can adapt. The gap between what organizations say and what people do regarding AI use is one of the most interesting—and potentially risky—signals from this Food Safety Insights survey.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11582 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11582-insights-on-artificial-intelligence-use-in-food-safety This article discusses how, in most cases, more microbial reduction comes from cleaning than from sanitizing. This article discusses how, in most cases, more microbial reduction comes from cleaning than from sanitizing. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11556 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11556-the-real-microbial-reduction-step-is-cleaning When workforce capability receives limited attention, it raises broader questions about leadership commitment to protecting both employees and consumers. Building a strong food safety culture requires more than policies and audits; it requires sustained investment in the people responsible for providing safe food every day. When workforce capability receives limited attention, it raises broader questions about leadership commitment to protecting both employees and consumers. Building a strong food safety culture requires more than policies and audits; it requires sustained investment in the people responsible for providing safe food every day.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11546 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11546-building-food-safety-culture-through-real-skills-on-the-floor In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Fresca Foods’ Vice President of Operations, Miguel Ramirez, and former Fresca Foods FSQ Manager Madisen Hodgson, M.S. about cultivating a strong and effective food safety culture, including practical tips for measuring outcomes, driving continuous improvement, engaging frontline employees and leadership, and more. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Fresca Foods’ Vice President of Operations, Miguel Ramirez, and former Fresca Foods FSQ Manager Madisen Hodgson, M.S. about cultivating a strong and effective food safety culture, including practical tips for measuring outcomes, driving continuous improvement, engaging frontline employees and leadership, and more.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11536 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11536-ep-220-ramirez-and-hodgson-what-it-takes-to-build-and-maintain-an-effective-food-safety-culture This article discusses toxicology and human exposure to pesticide residues in foods, including policy context and risk communication recommendations. This article discusses toxicology and human exposure to pesticide residues in foods, including policy context and risk communication recommendations.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11538 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11538-beyond-detection-putting-dietary-pesticide-residues-into-risk-context This article shares best practices for using existing organizational momentum to drive food safety culture improvement and keep SQF scores high. It also suggests ways to cast a wide net to gather ideas for continual improvement that will reduce risk and better protect public health. This article shares best practices for using existing organizational momentum to drive food safety culture improvement and keep SQF scores high. It also suggests ways to cast a wide net to gather ideas for continual improvement that will reduce risk and better protect public health. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11531 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11531-sqf-audit-not-for-another-yearnow-what-do-you-do Once seen primarily as compliance enforcers, QA teams are now expected to be strategic business partners, shaping food safety culture, driving skills development, and leveraging risk and data analytics to enable continuous improvement. Once seen primarily as compliance enforcers, QA teams are now expected to be strategic business partners, shaping food safety culture, driving skills development, and leveraging risk and data analytics to enable continuous improvement.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11519 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11519-the-evolving-role-of-the-quality-assurance-professional-in-food-safety In aseptic systems, product sterilization is only one part of a much larger control strategy. FDA's Acidified and Low-Acid Canned Foods framework outlines the regulatory requirements for producing aseptic products, but a functioning system also depends on effective sanitation, strong control of ingredients and packaging materials, and robust maintenance. In aseptic systems, product sterilization is only one part of a much larger control strategy. FDA's Acidified and Low-Acid Canned Foods framework outlines the regulatory requirements for producing aseptic products, but a functioning system also depends on effective sanitation, strong control of ingredients and packaging materials, and robust maintenance. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11510 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11510-ten-critical-food-safety-risks-and-opportunities-in-aseptic-manufacturing nortora@auburn.edu (Robert A. Norton Ph.D.) AI-enhanced biosurveillance, integrated sensor networks, and intelligent analytics have been framed as critical enablers of safer, more efficient food systems. At the same time, the field has begun to acknowledge that the same tools that drive efficiency and predictive power can also be turned against the food system itself. AI-enhanced biosurveillance, integrated sensor networks, and intelligent analytics have been framed as critical enablers of safer, more efficient food systems. At the same time, the field has begun to acknowledge that the same tools that drive efficiency and predictive power can also be turned against the food system itself. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11501 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:15:27 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11501-malevolent-misaligned-and-misused-how-emerging-ai-threats-endanger-the-biological-and-business-foundations-of-food-safety In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to WHO’s Dr. Elaine Borghi about the new global foodborne disease burden estimates, updates to the methodology, key insights from the data, and the importance of using data to target food safety interventions, aligning with the WFSD theme “From Burden to Solutions—Safe Food Everywhere.” In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to WHO’s Dr. Elaine Borghi about the new global foodborne disease burden estimates, updates to the methodology, key insights from the data, and the importance of using data to target food safety interventions, aligning with the WFSD theme “From Burden to Solutions—Safe Food Everywhere.”

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11481 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11481-ep-219-world-food-safety-day-2026 This article explores how animal well-being on farms directly impacts food safety outcomes and what veterinarians wish food processors knew (and vice versa) about the risks and safeguards. This article explores how animal well-being on farms directly impacts food safety outcomes and what veterinarians wish food processors knew (and vice versa) about the risks and safeguards.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11486 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11486-how-on-farm-animal-well-being-shapes-food-safety-outcomes IAFNS-supported researchers have developed a low-moisture cleaning solution that is not only effective and less of a hazard for workers and plants, but also has the potential to save cleaning time. IAFNS-supported researchers have developed a low-moisture cleaning solution that is not only effective and less of a hazard for workers and plants, but also has the potential to save cleaning time.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11485 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:18:36 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11485-new-cleaning-agent-for-food-facilities-may-improve-the-bottom-line rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) A law to protect the public health is a good idea, but it should be based on a risk assessment—i.e., whether exposure to the chemical really elicits an adverse reaction. Perhaps it is time to update or rethink California's Prop 65. A law to protect the public health is a good idea, but it should be based on a risk assessment—i.e., whether exposure to the chemical really elicits an adverse reaction. Perhaps it is time to update or rethink California's Prop 65.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11477 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11477-prop-65-are-you-worried-about-chemical-hazards rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) Each food processor, ingredient manufacturer, beverage manufacturer, or food hander should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program that focuses on how to prepare for and deal with an audit. Each food processor, ingredient manufacturer, beverage manufacturer, or food hander should develop, document, implement, and maintain a program that focuses on how to prepare for and deal with an audit.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11462 Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11462-are-you-prepared-for-your-next-audit In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to water activity specialist and researcher Dr. Brady Carter about the importance of understanding water activity for shelf-life prediction, enhancing food safety and quality, and improving food system sustainability. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to water activity specialist and researcher Dr. Brady Carter about the importance of understanding water activity for shelf-life prediction, enhancing food safety and quality, and improving food system sustainability.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11446 Tue, 26 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11446-ep-218-dr-brady-carter-water-activity-shelf-life-validation-and-food-safety-controls To date, food safety training has emphasized compliance rather than prioritizing the end consumer. This approach has served its purpose, but it is time to (figuratively) bring the consumer into the training room and redesign food safety education and training with a sharper focus and impact. To date, food safety training has emphasized compliance rather than prioritizing the end consumer. This approach has served its purpose, but it is time to (figuratively) bring the consumer into the training room and redesign food safety education and training with a sharper focus and impact.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11445 Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11445-rethinking-food-safety-training-putting-the-consumer-at-the-table Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson, Interim Director of GFSI, says that as climate-related food risks grow, businesses cannot simply rely on a reactive approach to food safety. Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson, Interim Director of GFSI, says that as climate-related food risks grow, businesses cannot simply rely on a reactive approach to food safety.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11429 Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11429-proactive-food-safety-management-needs-to-be-a-strategic-business-priority Supply chains are going digital, omnichannel operations are becoming the norm, and automation is everywhere. This should be good news for food fraud prevention. More data should mean more visibility, but in reality, it also creates more opportunities for both prevention and exploitation. Supply chains are going digital, omnichannel operations are becoming the norm, and automation is everywhere. This should be good news for food fraud prevention. More data should mean more visibility, but in reality, it also creates more opportunities for both prevention and exploitation.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11424 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11424-food-fraud-prevention-meets-supply-chain-digitalization-why-old-systems-are-not-enough In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to internationally regarded microbiologist and process authority—and Food Safety Magazine’s 2026 Distinguished Award Recipient—Larry Keener, about the highlights of his career, important food safety developments, and advice for early-career professionals. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to internationally regarded microbiologist and process authority—and Food Safety Magazine’s 2026 Distinguished Award Recipient—Larry Keener, about the highlights of his career, important food safety developments, and advice for early-career professionals.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11417 Tue, 12 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11417-ep-217-larry-keener-learnings-from-an-award-winning-career-in-food-safety Food safety professionals need better PR, not only to give credit where credit is due but also to ensure that a consistent stream of young talent is entering and innovating in the field. Food safety professionals need better PR, not only to give credit where credit is due but also to ensure that a consistent stream of young talent is entering and innovating in the field.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11403 Mon, 11 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11403-flowers-for-the-heroes-in-hairnets-boosting-the-profession-of-food-safety 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 Strengthening food system resilience requires not only technological innovation, but also an improved societal understanding of food system dynamics and risks. Strengthening food system resilience requires not only technological innovation, but also an improved societal understanding of food system dynamics and risks.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11399 Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11399-securefood-school-transforming-food-system-risk-science-into-real-world-education