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 Fresh produce travels through several layers of the supply chain, and it is important to understand how produce is kept safe in transit. Wholesale distributors play a critical role in safeguarding produce, whether it is storing product in their warehouse or transporting it to customers. This article breaks down what happens to produce as it makes its way from the farm to consumers' plates. Fresh produce travels through several layers of the supply chain, and it is important to understand how produce is kept safe in transit. Wholesale distributors play a critical role in safeguarding produce, whether it is storing product in their warehouse or transporting it to customers. This article breaks down what happens to produce as it makes its way from the farm to consumers' plates.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11709 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:30:41 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11709-protecting-produce-in-transit-best-practice-reminders-from-the-distribution-side Automated, risk-tiered supplier monitoring does not prevent an outbreak (like this summer's cyclosporiasis event) or replace the traceback work done by FDA and CDC, but it can change how fast and how precisely a distributor can act while that investigation unfolds. Automated, risk-tiered supplier monitoring does not prevent an outbreak (like this summer's cyclosporiasis event) or replace the traceback work done by FDA and CDC, but it can change how fast and how precisely a distributor can act while that investigation unfolds. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11674 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11674-the-missing-link-in-outbreak-response-why-distributors-need-real-time-supplier-intelligence-not-just-recall-notices The recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce is a reminder of just how difficult modern foodborne outbreak investigations have become. In reality, food safety investigations rarely depend on a single "smoking gun." The future of ensuring food safety lies not in simply improving any one test or technology, but in integrating them into a comprehensive decision-support system. The recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce is a reminder of just how difficult modern foodborne outbreak investigations have become. In reality, food safety investigations rarely depend on a single "smoking gun." The future of ensuring food safety lies not in simply improving any one test or technology, but in integrating them into a comprehensive decision-support system.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11675 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11675-beyond-the-smoking-gun-why-food-safety-needs-systems-thinking Taking a page out of the pharmaceutical industry's pharmacovigilance playbook, this article discusses why Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) teams need to monitor product performance after reformulation or process changes—and how to start. Taking a page out of the pharmaceutical industry's pharmacovigilance playbook, this article discusses why Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) teams need to monitor product performance after reformulation or process changes—and how to start.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11673 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11673-what-if-we-treated-food-like-medicine-bringing-pharmacovigilance-thinking-to-food-safety-in-the-age-of-ai nortora@auburn.edu (Robert A. Norton Ph.D.) Food safety begins in the field, the barn, and the watershed, not at the processing plant. The concept of preharvest biosurveillance—the systematic, continuous monitoring and management of biological threats before harvest—is now central to building safer and more resilient food systems. Food safety begins in the field, the barn, and the watershed, not at the processing plant. The concept of preharvest biosurveillance—the systematic, continuous monitoring and management of biological threats before harvest—is now central to building safer and more resilient food systems. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11688 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11688-from-farm-signal-to-supply-chain-shield-preharvest-biosurveillance-in-a-national-biosurveillance-ecosystem Science and decision-making rarely operate on the same timeline. While scientists continue evaluating new evidence, people across the food system are making decisions based on the best information available at that moment. This creates a natural tension, as the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak investigation has demonstrated Science and decision-making rarely operate on the same timeline. While scientists continue evaluating new evidence, people across the food system are making decisions based on the best information available at that moment. This creates a natural tension, as the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak investigation has demonstrated

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11672 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11672-waiting-for-certainty-what-outbreak-investigations-reveal-about-strategic-communications This article discusses the regulatory aspects of food additives, along with how and why they are needed and developed. This article discusses the regulatory aspects of food additives, along with how and why they are needed and developed. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11679 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11679-regulatory-aspects-of-food-additives Companies making products containing allergens should pay close attention: FDA's approach to allergen regulation is actively evolving. Companies making products containing allergens should pay close attention: FDA's approach to allergen regulation is actively evolving.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11669 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11669-fdas-allergen-agenda-is-expanding-thresholds-gluten-cross-contact-and-what-food-companies-should-watch-for-next Following the global infant formula recall linked to cereulide contamination, Elena Medo discusses vulnerabilities in infant formula supply chains, infant-specific food safety risks, surveillance gaps, donor milk safety, and the lessons regulators and manufacturers can take away from this unprecedented event. Following the global infant formula recall linked to cereulide contamination, Elena Medo discusses vulnerabilities in infant formula supply chains, infant-specific food safety risks, surveillance gaps, donor milk safety, and the lessons regulators and manufacturers can take away from this unprecedented event.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11661 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11661-ep-222-elena-medo-food-safety-lessons-from-the-global-infant-formula-cereulide-recall This article focuses on frozen and fresh tuna used in sushi and sashimi applications and, as such, describes processing as it pertains to Big Eye, Yellowfin, and Bluefin tuna. This article focuses on frozen and fresh tuna used in sushi and sashimi applications and, as such, describes processing as it pertains to Big Eye, Yellowfin, and Bluefin tuna. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11662 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11662-ahi-tuna-sourcing-processing-safety-and-quality Modern investments in applied food safety research infrastructure are essential to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world implementation. Modern investments in applied food safety research infrastructure are essential to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world implementation.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11643 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11643-investing-in-food-safety-is-investing-in-the-future-of-food 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