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 Allergens are an unavoidable part of food processing, and effective control is key. Testing and control options are changing, with more technologies, test formats, and cleaning options available. How are food processors evaluating and choosing the options they use? This global survey of food processors seeks to find out. Allergens are an unavoidable part of food processing, and effective control is key. Testing and control options are changing, with more technologies, test formats, and cleaning options available. How are food processors evaluating and choosing the options they use? This global survey of food processors seeks to find out.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11766 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11766-allergens-and-gmo-what-is-happening-in-control-programs This article discusses the limits of "dry" sanitizers in low-moisture environments in terms of performance, cost, employee safety, and the hidden risks of moisture in hard-to-clean niches. This article discusses the limits of "dry" sanitizers in low-moisture environments in terms of performance, cost, employee safety, and the hidden risks of moisture in hard-to-clean niches.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11760 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11760-the-limits-of-dry-sanitizers-in-low-moisture-environments In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), about developments in California packaging policy and their potential implications for food processors and packaging manufacturers. Rhodes also discusses the role of compostable packaging in food waste reduction and the tradeoffs manufacturers must consider when balancing sustainability goals with food safety, product protection, and shelf-life requirements. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), about developments in California packaging policy and their potential implications for food processors and packaging manufacturers. Rhodes also discusses the role of compostable packaging in food waste reduction and the tradeoffs manufacturers must consider when balancing sustainability goals with food safety, product protection, and shelf-life requirements.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11721 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11721-ep-224-rhodes-yepsen-balancing-food-safety-sustainability-and-packaging-policy Rather than revisiting why audits and traditional compliance training fall short, this article focuses on what actually improves food safety outcomes: how quality assurance professionals and frontline leaders can build better decision-making capabilities across the food supply chain. Rather than revisiting why audits and traditional compliance training fall short, this article focuses on what actually improves food safety outcomes: how quality assurance professionals and frontline leaders can build better decision-making capabilities across the food supply chain.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11753 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11753-from-audit-ready-to-food-safe-making-better-decisions-across-the-food-supply-chain FDA recently proposed the most significant changes to its GRAS framework since 1958. For companies managing ingredient compliance, the proposed mandatory filing obligations raise questions about statutory authority, agency capacity, and whether its design matches its stated objectives. FDA recently proposed the most significant changes to its GRAS framework since 1958. For companies managing ingredient compliance, the proposed mandatory filing obligations raise questions about statutory authority, agency capacity, and whether its design matches its stated objectives.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11745 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11745-fdas-proposed-mandatory-gras-rule-what-food-safety-professionals-need-to-know Many organizations continue to approach food safety primarily as a compliance exercise rather than as an embedded part of everyday operations. This article considers an approach where HACCP is treated as an active and evolving management system rather than an annual event. Many organizations continue to approach food safety primarily as a compliance exercise rather than as an embedded part of everyday operations. This article considers an approach where HACCP is treated as an active and evolving management system rather than an annual event.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11740 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11740-from-compliance-to-capability-when-haccp-becomes-a-living-system When accountability consistently outweighs authority, strain accumulates quietly until it surfaces in turnover, fatigue, or failure. When they align, decision integrity stabilizes. And stability, rather than strain, is what ultimately sustains safe food systems over time. When accountability consistently outweighs authority, strain accumulates quietly until it surfaces in turnover, fatigue, or failure. When they align, decision integrity stabilizes. And stability, rather than strain, is what ultimately sustains safe food systems over time.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11726 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11726-when-accountability-outweighs-authority-a-structural-psychosocial-risk-in-food-manufacturing Is whole head lettuce really safer than bagged salad? The answer depends on far more than how the lettuce is packaged and sold. Is whole head lettuce really safer than bagged salad? The answer depends on far more than how the lettuce is packaged and sold.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11725 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11725-is-whole-head-lettuce-safer-than-bagged-salad Food safety, once considered the responsibility of technical and production functions, should be recognized as a company-wide, end-to-end business imperative. At the same time, food safety risk management is becoming increasingly complex and represents a growing threat to food companies, and should be regularly addressed by the Board of Directors. Food safety, once considered the responsibility of technical and production functions, should be recognized as a company-wide, end-to-end business imperative. At the same time, food safety risk management is becoming increasingly complex and represents a growing threat to food companies, and should be regularly addressed by the Board of Directors. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11722 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11722-food-safety-representation-at-the-board-level The self-affirmed GRAS pathway has supported innovation in the food industry for decades by allowing companies to bring new ingredients to market based on robust scientific evidence. As FDA considers changing this pathway, manufacturers should understand both the criticisms driving the debate and the steps they can take to prepare for potential regulatory change. The self-affirmed GRAS pathway has supported innovation in the food industry for decades by allowing companies to bring new ingredients to market based on robust scientific evidence. As FDA considers changing this pathway, manufacturers should understand both the criticisms driving the debate and the steps they can take to prepare for potential regulatory change.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11717 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:17:32 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11717-the-future-of-self-affirmed-gras-balancing-innovation-transparency-and-food-safety Most restaurant brands already collect enough third-party audit data to understand risk better, but the data are usually trapped in a compliance framework. The problem is not a lack of data; it is that the data are organized around checklist completion rather than outbreak causation. Most restaurant brands already collect enough third-party audit data to understand risk better, but the data are usually trapped in a compliance framework. The problem is not a lack of data; it is that the data are organized around checklist completion rather than outbreak causation. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11715 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11715-beyond-the-audit-score-using-contributing-factors-to-predict-foodborne-illness-risk-in-restaurants In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Brittney Miller, President of Manchester Farms, about how America's first quail farm applies HACCP, SQF certification, and a strong food safety culture to specialty poultry production, while exploring the unique challenges, opportunities, and future of food safety in the sector. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Brittney Miller, President of Manchester Farms, about how America's first quail farm applies HACCP, SQF certification, and a strong food safety culture to specialty poultry production, while exploring the unique challenges, opportunities, and future of food safety in the sector.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11708 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11708-ep-223-brittney-miller-haccp-sqf-and-food-safety-on-americas-first-quail-farm 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