News

Michigan, Ohio Together Report More than 8,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:16:59 -0400

By the same time last year, CDC had only reported 249 confirmed, domestically acquired Cyclospora infections across the entire U.S. States’ reports may include both probable and confirmed cases.

Wales Begins Developing National Food Strategy

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:45:28 -0400

An expert working group has been convened to develop the farm-to-fork food policy approach, which is expected to be delivered to ministers in 2027.

Another Study Suggests Plastic Particles Strengthen E. coli Biofilms; Researchers Underline Drinking Water Safety Implications

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:57:37 -0400

Adding to a growing body of evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may enhance the virulence and persistence of pathogens in food and the environment, a new study found that nanoplastics may strengthen E. coli biofilms in drinking water systems and increase resistance to chlorine treatment.

Food Safety Five Ep. 35: Produce Safety Science and Small Growers’ Perspectives

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five highlights new research on cold storage practices for fresh-cut produce, food safety perspectives among small-scale produce growers exempt from FDA's FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and water management strategies that reduce arsenic in rice.

FDA Lowers Brix Content for Orange Juice to Enable Manufacturers to Continue Using Florida Oranges

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:50:15 -0400

The Brix level for Florida oranges has been steadily declining over the past few decades due to severe weather and citrus greening, making it challenging to meet the original Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice, which was established in 1963.

Taylor Farms Lettuce Named as Source of U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:19:56 -0400

Between 1,600 and 5,000 people are sick in a five-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to CDC and Michigan officials. Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms of Mexico to companies like Taco Bell and Walmart has been identified as the vehicle of infection. FDA has rescinded a previous positive product sample finding.

UC Davis Researchers Find Widespread Authenticity Issues with Avocado Oil in Processed Foods

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Of the products (including chips, mayonnaise, and salad dressings) labeled to contain avocado oil as the sole declared edible oil, 89 percent contained fatty acid and sterol profiles indicating the presence of other oils.

Vietnam Orders Stronger Food Safety Enforcement After Rise in Foodborne Illness

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:29 -0400

The country has seen a 66 percent increase in food poisoning incidents during the first half of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, including 12 events in school cafeterias. Top officials have ordered relevant state departments to take specific actions to improve oversight.

FDA Says a Taco Bell Iceberg Lettuce Supplier is Source of Five-State Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:08:21 -0400

The outbreak cluster includes more than 1,600 people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Outside of the outbreak cluster, Michigan and other parts of the U.S. continue to experience elevated rates of Cyclospora infections compared to previous years.

FAO/WHO Experts Recommend Updating Codex Powdered Infant Formula Guidance to Consider Clostridia, B. cereus

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

JEMRA convened in June to review the latest scientific evidence on microbiological hazards that have recently been associated with public health events due to the contamination of powdered infant formula or its ingredients.

FDA Outlines Four Public Health Pillars, Reaffirms Food Priorities

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:34:07 -0400

Food-related priorities under the four pillars include post-market ingredient safety reviews, GRAS reform, food labeling modernization, and reducing dietary exposure to contaminants like toxic heavy metals.

How the U.S. Cyclospora Outbreak Reflects a Strained National Foodborne Illness Surveillance System

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:51:21 -0400

Public health experts say the ongoing cyclosporiasis situation exposes growing weaknesses in national foodborne illness surveillance, highlighting how funding and program cuts and CDC staff attrition could undermine outbreak detection and delay response, affecting public health communication and consumer confidence in food safety.

Senator Klobuchar Urges CDC, FDA to Restore Food Safety Programs Amid Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:27:35 -0400

In a letter, Senator Amy Klobuchar urged CDC and FDA to fully restore food safety programs that have been affected under the Trump Administration and continue supporting state public health agencies with the resources needed to detect, investigate, and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks.

U.S. Physicians Urge Regulatory Reform of FDA Dietary Supplement Oversight

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Because dietary supplements are regulated by FDA as a subcategory of food, manufacturers are generally not required to demonstrate their safety or efficacy for pre-market approval. The American College of Physicians argues this allows adulterated and mislabeled products to enter the market.

CDC Reports Up to 7,000 Cyclosporiasis Cases Across U.S., Identifies Large Midwestern Outbreak Cluster

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:57:35 -0400

More than 400 cases in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia appear to be epidemiologically linked, although a food source has not been confirmed. Michigan alone reports more than 3,300 Cyclospora infections.

Study: E. coli in Lettuce Growing Environment Have Stress Adaptation Traits Enabling Farm-to-Fork Persistence

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The co-occurrence of biofilm formation, acid tolerance, and antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli isolated from irrigation water, soil, and crops could complicate downstream microbial control efforts in produce production systems.

USDA, HHS, EPA Reaffirm Collaboration to Tackle Chemical Contaminants in Food

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:41 -0400

The Memorandum of Understanding expands interagency collaboration on food contaminant monitoring, including for toxic heavy metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), under the National Residue Program.

Following Infant Formula Incidents, FDA Urges Manufacturers to Implement Stronger, Substantive Supplier Oversight

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:02:02 -0400

The letter to industry was issued in response to the botulism outbreaks linked to Nara Organics and ByHeart formulas, which identified Clostridia in the whole milk powder ingredient supply chain, as well as the global formula recall due to cereulide-contaminated arachidonic acid oil.

USDA-FSIS to Expand Testing for Metals in RTE Foods Under National Residue Program

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:49:27 -0400

Effective July 20, to support risk surveillance, the agency will perform metals analysis on samples that are already collected for allergen verification.

Cyclospora Cases Climb, But Actual Number Unclear as CDC Reporting Lags Behind States

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:21:08 -0400

Per CDC, 843 domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed in 31 states, plus another 1,500 pending analysis. Michigan alone has reported more than 2,600 cases and is looking at lettuce as a potential vehicle of illness.

Consumer Reports Finds Inorganic Arsenic in All Rice Tested; Calls on FDA to Set Limits

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:15:43 -0400

The investigation analyzed 142 samples representing 52 rice products. Notably, 17 products contained average inorganic arsenic concentrations of at least 100 parts per billion. Rice type significantly influenced average concentrations.

Opinion: Why the Infant Formula Industry Must Embrace Innovation, Not Fear It

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

An industry that feeds babies must be an industry of absolute transparency. We have nothing to hide, and everything to protect.

UK FSA Finds Persisting Compliance Issues in Targeted Survey of Retail Foods

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:03:21 -0400

Overall, 72 percent of targeted surveillance samples were deemed satisfactory. FSA flagged imported, niche products, like Dubai-style chocolates, South Asian snacks, and ashwagandha supplements, as especially problematic.

UK FSA Publishes Guidances for Cell-Cultivated Food Producers

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:20:03 -0400

The resources were produced through the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Program and cover hygiene requirements; identity, production, and microbiology; product applications; and novel food taste trials.

JECFA Evaluates Safety of Certain Food Additives; Monk Fruit Presents Potential Concern

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:15:00 -0400

The 102^nd meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) took place in June 2026 in Nanjing, China. Key outcomes included the establishment of new, temporary acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for two substances.

Shigella Vaccine Shows Promise in Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The vaccine provided 89 percent protection against S. sonnei infection compared with the placebo. Vaccinated participants also experienced less severe symptoms and lower levels of bacterial shedding. The vaccine is being developed as drug resistance among Shigella continues to increase.

Codex Publishes Strategic Plan for 2026–2031

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:07:11 -0400

The plan establishes the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s priorities for the next six years to strengthen the development of international food safety and quality standards while considering evolving and emerging global challenges.

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban PFAS Food Packaging in U.S.

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:29:08 -0400

The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act (H.R. 9593) would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit food packaging containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, a.k.a. “forever chemicals.”

FDA Analyzes 15 Years of Mycotoxin Monitoring Data, Finds Low OTA Prevalence

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The study represents the first publication of a large FDA dataset on ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence in U.S. foods. OTA was detected above the limit of detection in 3.5 percent of all samples (which were targeted based on their susceptibility to contamination).

FDA Announces August Public Meeting on Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Prevention

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:32 -0400

L. monocytogenes is the fourth-leading foodborne illness-related cause of death in the U.S. Despite continued efforts, listeriosis incidence rates have not declined, prompting FDA to launch a series of public engagements to discuss best practices for managing the pathogen.