News

USDA-FSIS to Roll Out Listeria Environmental Sampling Program Nationwide at RTE Facilities

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:39:39 -0400

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.

Researchers Identify Molecule in Gut that Inhibits Campylobacter Growth

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:42:04 -0400

Michigan State University researchers found that a gut microbiota-derived metabolite inhibited Campylobacter jejuni growth and colonization, which could guide possible non-antibiotic interventions for campylobacteriosis.

FAO Makes the Case for Strong Science, Clear Risk Communication for Food Safety Decision-Making

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In a new publication, FAO authors argued that robust scientific evidence and clear risk communication are essential to effective food safety decision-making, and highlighted challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI, social media misinformation, and the framing of scientific information.

FDA Releases 2026 Food Code With Updates on Food Defense, Employee Illness, Food Safety Management

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:25:00 -0400

FDA has released the 2026 Food Code, introducing updated model provisions for retail and foodservice establishments on food defense, food safety management systems, employee illness, sanitation, food handling, and other areas.

Review Explores Antimicrobial Surface Technologies to Improve Safety of Reusable Food Packaging

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers examined four different antimicrobial surface technologies and evaluated their potential suitability for reusable food packaging, addressing the challenges of microbial adhesion, biofilm formation, and cross-contamination between reuse cycles.

EPA Withdraws Guidance for States, Utilities on Preventing PFAS from Entering Drinking Water Sources

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:58:27 -0400

A memo from EPA leadership to its Regional Water Division directors withdraws guidance that encouraged states and wastewater utilities to use existing Clean Water Act authorities to prevent “forever chemicals” from entering waterways and drinking water systems.

USDA Announces $50M in Funding for State Meat Inspection Programs

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:24:17 -0400

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.

FDA Finds Link Between Strong FSMS and Fewer Foodborne Illness Risk Factors in Retail Delis

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:05:14 -0400

Based on a nationwide study of retail food store delis, FDA identified employee handwashing and proper cold and hot holding temperatures as areas requiring greater control, and identified Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) as the strongest predictor of food safety compliance.

Study Explores qPCR Campylobacter Monitoring in Fecal, Air Samples on Poultry Farms

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The researchers concluded that integrating multiple sampling matrices and detection methods could improve understanding of Campylobacter occurrence in commercial broiler production and support preharvest surveillance.

EU Proposes More Flexible Storage Conditions for Certain Fresh Meat Before Freezing

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:07:19 -0400

The amendments to European food hygiene regulations would provide food business operators with greater flexibility in the storage of fresh meat from domestic ungulates (i.e., cattle, sheep, pigs) before freezing, based on a recent EFSA scientific opinion.

Abbott Nutrition to Pay $385M Settlement for 2022 Infant Formula Shortage, Contamination Incident

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:14:12 -0400

The company will pay the U.S. and states for “knowingly manufacturing infant formula purchased with taxpayer dollars [under state Medicaid and WIC programs] in an environment that put the products at unacceptable risk of microbial contamination.”

Study Shows Potential of Thymol for Controlling Salmonella Biofilms on Food-Contact Surfaces

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

USDA and University of Arkansas researchers concluded that the plant-derived antimicrobial compound could possibly offer a natural disinfection solution for controlling S. Infantis biofilms on plastic and stainless steel surfaces in poultry and food processing facilities.

Food Safety Five Ep. 37: Sanitizer Spray Efficacy, ROI of WGS, Emulsifier Health Effects, and More

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 02:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five covers new research on the impact of spray application on sanitizer efficacy, ROI of WGS for foodborne pathogen surveillance, effect of common food additives on gut health and implications for safety assessment, and contribution of industrial poultry farming to global Campylobacter spread.

German Officials Publish Guidance on Risk Assessment of Non-Intentionally Added Substances in Food Contact Materials

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:59:53 -0400

The resource outlines the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment’s (BfR’s) approach to risk assessment of NIAS in FCMs. It is primarily intended to support dossiers for new substances in Germany.

Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Taylor Farms Lettuce Ends with Nearly 13,000 Illnesses, Two Deaths

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:34:14 -0400

CDC has declared the unprecedented Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce over. FDA continues its root cause investigation of the current outbreak as well as investigations into other U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak clusters.

Canada Posts Results of Food Safety Surveillance Across Range of Commodities for Microbial, Chemical Contaminants

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:31:00 -0400

In eight sampling and testing assignments spanning several years and various targeted food commodities, the majority of samples tested were deemed to be satisfactory when analyzed for chemical contaminants, hygiene indicators, and pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Study Provides New Understanding of UV-Based PFAS Destruction That Could Inform Better Treatment Technologies

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

University of California, Riverside researchers have identified key chemical reactions that occur when UV light is used to break down PFAS “forever chemicals” in water, which could inform the development and optimization of PFAS treatment technologies, or even more degradable fluorinated compounds.

EFSA Reevaluates Safety of Sweetener Aspartame-Acesulfame, Raises No Concerns

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:48:06 -0400

EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Flavorings (FAF) found no safety concerns associated with the currently reported uses and use levels of acesulfame K (E 950), aspartame (E 951), and salt of aspartame-acesulfame (E 962).

German Food Safety Officials Say Glycerol Exposure Limits for Beverages Should Also Apply to Solid Foods

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:15:32 -0400

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) said the EU health-based guidance value for acute glycerol exposure from beverages can also be applied to solid foods, adding to recent discussions around glycerol intoxication in young children and safe levels of exposure.

Global Study Quantifies Pathogen Prevalence in Traditional Food Markets; Seafood Showed Greatest Contamination

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Based on an analysis of 2.8 million samples collected in 41 countries over 25 years, the global pooled prevalence of foodborne and zoonotic bacteria, viruses, and parasites was 15 percent.

Trump Executive Order Seeks Meat Inspection Modernization by Cutting ‘Unnecessary’ Requirements, Expanding State Programs

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:28:58 -0400

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.

Interim Report Details Michigan’s Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation, Early Epidemiologic Evidence

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

An interim report details how Michigan investigators gathered early epidemiologic evidence pointing to iceberg lettuce in the massive U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak, and how patient interview data helped inform public health actions and FDA’s traceback in real time.

Hong Kong Proposes Updated Sweetener Regulations in Alignment with Codex Standards

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The amendments would bring sugar alcohols under sweetener regulations, expand the number of permitted sweeteners, and establish more than 900 maximum permitted levels.

EU Reaffirms Stance That Glyphosate is Not Carcinogenic After Considering New Data

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:26:22 -0400

After reviewing a study suggesting that glyphosate causes cancer even at levels below those considered “safe” by EU regulatory agencies, the European Chemicals Agency stood by its 2022 hazard assessment decision that the herbicide does not warrant a classification for carcinogenicity.

EU Proposes Maximum Limits for Cereulide in Infant Formula

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:48:47 -0400

Prompted by a global food safety incident and infant formula recalls spanning 99 countries, the European Commission has drafted a regulation that would set a limit of 1 µg/kg cereulide toxin in dried formula products. The draft regulation is open for public feedback.

Recommendations from Industry-Led Reagan-Udall Roundtable on Controlling C. botulinum in Infant Formula

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Considering the unprecedented ByHeart and Nara Organics infant botulism outbreak and with a focus on dairy ingredients, participants emphasized the need for prevalence research, more sensitive and standardized testing, data-sharing, validated preventive controls, and coordinated industry action.

Why Less Packaging Does Not Always Mean Less Waste: Putting Food Protection at the Center of Sustainable Design

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:05:02 -0400

World Packaging Day on September 6 is an opportunity to move beyond a simple choice between “more” or “less” packaging. The more useful question is whether each packaging decision supports food safety and sustainability, thereby reducing total waste across the value chain.

Researchers Identify Factors Associated with Widespread Food Safety Noncompliance Among Street Vendors in India

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A total of 68.8 percent of vendors were noncompliant with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulatory requirements. Only 21.8 percent of participating vendors reported having received any food safety training.

Polish Study Finds PFAS in All Tested Commercially Available Plant-Based Protein Supplements

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Mycotoxins, PAHs, and other contaminants were also detected. The researchers concluded that plant-based protein supplements may contain chemical contaminants from environmental exposure, agricultural practices, and processing. They called for systematic monitoring, improved controls, and optimization of processing conditions.

General Mills Completes Artificial Food Dye Phase-Out for All U.S. Cereals

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:47:00 -0400

The commitment aligns with FDA’s and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to facilitate an industry-led, voluntary phase-out of synthetic FD&C-certified food dyes from the U.S. food supply.