News

With Cyclospora Lettuce Outbreak Over, Taylor Farms Speaks Up as FDA is Questioned

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:43:57 -0400

Taylor Farms outlined actions it is taking to enhance food safety following the historic cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to its lettuce. The same day, Consumer Reports sent a letter to FDA requesting answers about why its outbreak response was “hindered by notable delays and a lack of transparency.”

To Support Sodium Reduction Goals, FDA Amends SOIs for 139 Foods to Allow Salt Substitutes

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:16:02 -0400

A final rule now permits the use of salt substitutes in foods with standards of identity (SOI) that specify salt (sodium chloride) as a required or optional ingredient.

FAO Responds to Cyclospora Outbreak With Agrifood Water Safety Resource

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Following the historically large cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce that swept the U.S. this summer, FAO highlighted the importance of pre-harvest water safety, sanitation, and hygiene to prevent microbial contamination of food in a new fact sheet resource.

Study Compares Pathogen Risks in Farmed, Wild-Caught Food Animals Sold in Traditional Markets

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Contamination varied by pathogen, host species, and production conditions. The findings suggested that environmental and management conditions, rather than whether wildlife is farmed or wild-caught alone, likely influence zoonotic hazards.

Gallup Poll Shows Americans’ Confidence in Food Safety, Federal Oversight Hits Record Lows

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:09:28 -0400

Only 65 percent of U.S. adults said they were very or somewhat confident that food sold at most grocery stores is safe to eat. Confidence in the federal government's ability to ensure food safety also reached a new low, at 47 percent.

FDA Announces Food Traceability Rule Exemption for Certain Small Businesses, Considers Additional Flexibilities

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:44:38 -0400

Under the draft policy, FDA would not enforce requirements for retailers and restaurants selling less than $1 million worth of food in a three-year period. FDA will also hold a public meeting to discuss potential flexibilities related to Traceability Lot Codes, Key Data Elements, and other issues.

Researchers Raise Concerns About Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Circulating Across Sectors and Countries in Europe

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

An analysis of multinational WGS surveillance data suggests that a multidrug-resistant lineage of Campylobacter coli has circulated across human, animal, food, and environmental sources in Europe for years, highlighting the need for coordinated One Health genomic surveillance.

Antimicrobial Violet-Blue Light Shows Promise for Reducing Drug-Resistant Campylobacter on Poultry

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 02:30:42 -0400

At the highest tested dose, every isolate, even those exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), underwent at least a 2-log reduction in viable cells. Modeling suggested that such a reduction could decrease public health risk of infection by up to 90 percent.

FDA Responded to 26 Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in 2025

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:26:14 -0400

The latest Annual Report from the Office of Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, and Emergency Preparedness (CORE+EP) summarizes its response to outbreaks and adverse events associated with FDA-regulated human foods, and details notable incidents.

Experts Discuss Food Waste Prevention in Sustainable Packaging Design, Introduce Assessment Methodology

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

On the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, WPO convened UNIDO, FSSC, and Wageningen University and Research to discuss the Sustainable Packaging Assessment Methodology (SusPAM) and explore how packaging decisions can protect food, help prevent avoidable loss, and support broader sustainability goals.

After 2025 ‘Radioactive Shrimp’ Incident, FDA Reports Indonesian Import Certification Program Now Up to Par

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:05:03 -0400

FDA found Indonesia’s Cs-137 import certification program for shrimp and spices, launched because cesium-contaminated shipments of shrimp and spices were detected in the U.S., “substantially meets requirements” after the certifying entities corrected deficiencies identified through an in-country assessment.

Study Reveals Industry Barriers to Food Safety Data-Sharing; Governance Raised as Potential Solution

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:36:50 -0400

Food industry leaders shared that they recognize the potential benefits of pooling confidential food safety data, such as strengthening predictive modeling and enabling earlier identification of emerging risks, but concerns about trust, liability, confidentiality, and competitive disadvantage continue to hinder data-sharing.

FDA Closes Taylor Farms Lettuce Investigation, Announces Action Plan to Prevent Future Cyclospora Outbreaks

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:56:13 -0400

Positive environmental samples were found on a farm and at a Taylor Farms of Mexico processing facility, which supplied the implicated lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods. The root cause of contamination was not found, however. FDA also announced ten actions to prevent future cyclosporiasis outbreaks.

EU-Funded Project to Develop Novel Technologies for Continuous Microbial Monitoring in Poultry Supply Chain

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:57:23 -0400

The Sensor4Food research project will develop five photonic sensing technologies intended to identify pathogenic contamination, animal disease, and meat quality issues at critical points in poultry production, possibly supporting a digital “poultry passport” to link information about poultry production, transport, welfare, and processing.

UK Publishes Guidance for Cell-Based Food Producers on Regulatory Authorization, Growth Media Safety

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:04:56 -0400

Published by the UK Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, this is the third package of guidance for businesses developing cell-cultivated food products, produced by the ongoing Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Program.

Countries Across the Americas Adopt Five-Year Food Safety Strategy to Reduce Foodborne Disease

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Adopted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the strategy sets goals to increase the number of countries in the region conducting foodborne illness surveillance, making food safety decisions informed by risk assessments, and participating in regional cooperation and coordination.

California Enacts Law to Track Use of PFAS Pesticides

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:07:45 -0400

AB 1603 requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to indicate when pesticides contain PFAS ingredients in its online database and include use trends in annual reports.

Sweden Conducted More Food Inspections in 2025, but Inconsistencies Remain

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:30:00 -0400

The Swedish Food Agency published its annual report on food controls for 2025, which noted an increase in the number of food inspections from the previous year, but also noted areas for improvement.

FDA Reports High Levels of Compliance with Pesticide Limits in Food for FY 2024

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:09:28 -0400

FDA published its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2024, finding that pesticide chemical residues measured in the U.S. food supply were generally in compliance with EPA tolerances.

EFSA Announces 2027 Conference

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:03 -0400

The Safe Food, One Future Conference, taking place in Parma, Italy in the fall, will mark the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) 25^th anniversary and the launch of its new Strategy 2034.

EFSA Outlines Scientific Needs for Regulatory Preparedness, Risk Assessment

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:57:35 -0400

A new paper outlines the scientific capabilities and investments that will be necessary to keep pace with food system innovation, emerging risks, and changing EU policy while supporting risk assessment. The paper will inform EFSA's forthcoming Strategy 2034.

EU to Deliver Opinions on Scientific, Ethical Considerations for UPFs Policymaking by Early 2027

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:26:31 -0400

A new Scoping Paper lays the groundwork for expert European Commission advisory bodies to deliver opinions on the scientific and ethical considerations that should underpin potential EU policies on ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Pathogens Found on Brazilian Citrus Fruit Present Emerging Food Safety Concerns

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:01:07 -0400

During the screening of lactic acid bacteria on limes grown near poultry farms, scientists in Brazil discovered the presence of two emerging pathogens with traits that raise concerns for food safety, human clinical outcomes, and One Health.

High Proportions of UK Food Businesses Awaiting FSA Hygiene Inspection

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:58:05 -0400

At the same time, poor hygiene ratings among inspected businesses remain low. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has acknowledged a years-long inspection backlog and inspector workforce shortages, and is currently developing a modernized approach to food business regulation.

Testing Finds Widespread Microplastics, Lower Heavy Metals in Baby Foods

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In a survey of 48 packaged baby foods from 11 brands, 96 percent contained heavy metals below Consumer Reports’ level of concern. However, alates were detected in most products tested, and microplastics were found in all analyzed purees.

In Senate Hearing, FDA Commissioner Nominee Says Lack of Resources Will Challenge GRAS Reform

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:32:32 -0400

Dr. Overton also suggested it may be appropriate to consider federal preemption of state food additive bans, and was questioned about how she would ensure food safety after inheriting an understaffed Human Foods Program and inspector workforce due to the Administration's layoffs.

Scientists Propose Toxicological Screening Approach for Broader Identification of Hazardous Food Contact Chemicals

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research and the Food Packaging Forum have proposed a panel of 15 high-throughput in vitro bioassays to screen chemicals for biological activity associated with cancer, brain-related harms, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders.

Scotland Updates Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy; Challenged by Highest STEC O157 Rate in UK

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:02:52 -0400

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has outlined its plans to reduce foodborne illness over the next three years, prioritizing Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, as well as its related research objectives.

Study Identifies High-Pressure Processing Parameters for Effective Pathogen Reduction in Raw Chicken

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A review led by researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln found that high-pressure processing (HPP) can reduce foodborne pathogens in raw chicken and described pressures and holding times that significantly influenced microbial inactivation.

EPA Announces Glyphosate Safety Review Efforts, Decision Expected by Early 2027; Experts Question Scientific Rigor

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:34:54 -0400

EPA is reassessing glyphosate’s human health risks and carcinogenic potential after a federal court vacated its previous determination. An expert source raised concerns stemming from the fact that EPA has already disqualified 78 percent of independent studies identified in its review.