News

Testing Confirms Microbiological, Chemical Safety of Canadian Infant Formula, Children’s Foods

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently published the findings from several food sampling and testing assignments for microbiological and chemical contaminants across a range of food categories. In general, the results were satisfactory.

U.S. Codex Office to Hold Public Meeting Ahead of CCFL49

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

The objective of the virtual public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the upcoming 49^th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL49).

Raw Farm Recalls Unpasteurized Cheese While Denying Link to E. coli Outbreak

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:28:14 -0400

The company says the recall is being issued “under protest” and “as a path forward,” while continuing to contest the epidemiological evidence provided by FDA.

Mississippi Bans Cell-Cultured Milk Products, Sets Label Restrictions for Alternative ‘Meat’ Products

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Effective July 1, HB 1153 bans the sale of milk products produced through cell-culturing and sets forth labeling requirements for products containing cell-based, insect-based, or plant-based protein.

Center for Food Safety Opposes Monsanto–Bayer Legal Efforts to Preempt State Pesticide Warnings

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400

Arguing that states’ authority to require pesticide health warnings is critical to filling gaps in EPA oversight and risk communication, a coalition has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Monsanto v. Durnell, in which Monsanto (now Bayer), the maker of glyphosate-based Roundup, seeks to strike down that authority.

Codex Committee Advances Work on Standards for Veterinary Drug Residues in Food

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The 28^th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods made advances related to maximum residue limits (MRLs), extrapolation approaches, and risk management guidance, with several measures forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption.

FDA’s Human Foods Program Publishes Priority Scientific Needs to Advance Food Safety

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:57:11 -0400

The list of data, method, and research needs spans microbiological and chemical safety, nutrition, risk assessment, and other areas. It is intended to guide researchers who are interested in pursuing impactful food safety research.

EPA Addresses Microplastics, PFAS in Drinking Water; HHS to Study Microplastics in Humans

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

EPA has announced its sixth Contaminant Candidate List, which includes PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, disinfection byproducts, and other chemicals and microbes. Concurrently, HHS unveiled its Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics (STOMP) initiative to address and understand microplastics in the human body.

Latest FDA Post-Investigation Summary for Mango Salmonella Outbreak Redacts Key Details

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:30:50 -0400

Redacted details include the importer of the implicated mangoes, the country in which the mangoes were grown, and the number and names of states in which outbreak cases were reported.

Australia Approves New Restrictions on Caffeine Ingredients

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board has approved new requirements for the sale of caffeine and guarana extract, as well as restrictions on adding caffeine to foods, addressing public health concerns related to excessive caffeine intake.

Drug-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Moringa Supplements Ends, Root Cause Remains Unknown

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:09:57 -0400

Although FDA was unable to find a cause of contamination, a single supplier of the contaminated moringa powder was identified. Affected products, which were sold under the Rosabella brand and distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC, have been recalled.

FSANZ Releases 2030 Roadmap Outlining Priority Food Standards Proposals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:35:30 -0400

The roadmap outlines Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ’s) plans for food standards proposals over the next five years, with priority work focusing on requirements for formula and infant food, clearer novel foods approval pathways, and other areas.

Ireland Food Safety Authority Issues Guidance on Controlling Listeria in Ready-to-Heat Meals

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Responding to recent listeriosis outbreaks and recognizing that consumers do not always handle or cook ready-to-heat meals in accordance with package instructions, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) encourages businesses to implement recommended practices to better control L. monocytogenes.

EU Publishes Guidance for Industry on New Packaging Law

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) limits PFAS in food packaging, bans single-use plastics for fruit and vegetables under a certain weight, and sets forth other changes, with compliance deadlines beginning as early as August 2026.

FDA Issues RFI on Changing Market Name for Certain Rockfish to ‘Snapper’

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:18:40 -0400

Industry members have requested the market name for specific Sebastes (rockfish) species be changed to “snapper” in the Seafood List. FDA has identified critical areas that must be considered before this change is made, including classification, food safety and hazard identification, and labeling and allergen concerns.

Study Links Diets High in Ultra-Processed Foods to Increased Heart Attack, Stroke Risk

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:35:05 -0400

Medical researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that adults who ate the most ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had a “statistically significant and clinically important” 47 percent higher risk of heart attack or stroke than those who ate the least.

EU Seeks Feedback on Data Requirements for Safety Assessment of Bisphenols in FCMs

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Following the EU ban on BPA in food contact materials (FCMs), which specified FCM manufacturing applications where other “hazardous” bisphenols may be used, EFSA issued a draft statement on related safety data requirements.

IFSAC Publishes Latest U.S. Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:11:07 -0400

The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) is a joint effort between CDC, FDA, and USDA-FSIS. The latest report covers the year 2023 and focuses on the food vehicles of illnesses from Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Listeria monocytogenes.

GFSI Unveils Updated Food Safety Culture Framework

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:33:05 -0400

The second edition seeks to bridge the gap between food safety culture in theory and in practice by equipping the global food industry with a multidimensional model that can be used to transform cultural intention into consistent, measurable food safety performance.

UK FSA Reveals Plans to Modernize Food Regulatory System

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:02:47 -0400

The “Future of Food Regulation” initiative will explore several reforms, such as a new, data-informed approach to regulating large food businesses and proposals to make the Food Hygiene Rating display mandatory in England.

Patient Count in Raw Farm E. coli Outbreak Grows, Majority are Young Children

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:42:55 -0400

Nearly all of the ill people interviewed reported consuming Raw Farm-brand raw dairy products. Testing and an onsite inspection of Raw Farm’s operation in California is ongoing. Raw Farm LLC has yet to issue a recall.

Study Explores Whether an Area’s Density of ‘Healthy’ Food Retail Outlets Affects Foodborne Illness Risk

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Canadian-based study represents some of the first evidence linking an area’s retail food environment, including the density of “healthy” and fast food outlets, with recorded food safety infractions as a proxy for foodborne illness risk.

Researchers Investigate Microbial Risks to Produce Growers’ Groundwater Quality, Irrigation Systems

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:29:01 -0400

The Center for Produce Safety-funded project aims to generate practical guidance for produce growers, including improved sampling approaches to determine whether groundwater is influenced by surface water, and immediately actionable recommendations for mitigating microbial contamination and biofilms in irrigation systems.

Huub Lelieveld Awarded 2026 World Food Prize for Global Food Safety Leadership

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:48:51 -0400

With a six-decade career that includes founding the Global Harmonization Initiative, Mr. Lelieveld was formerly a longtime member of Food Safety Magazine's (FSM’s) Editorial Advisory Board and a past recipient of the FSM Distinguished Service Award.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Names New President

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:15:00 -0400

Dr. Harpreet Kochhar previously served in the position in 2023–2024.

Researchers Identify Needs for Adoption of Digital Food Safety Tools in U.S. Dairy Industry

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A survey of food safety and quality professionals in the dairy industry found that digital transformation is inconsistent and weighted toward larger companies. Current uses of digital tools and barriers to adoption were identified.

California Bill Would Create Certification, Seal for Non-Ultra-Processed Foods

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:15:46 -0400

Introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, AB 2244 would establish the “California Certified” seal for non-ultra-processed foods (non-UPFs) that can be displayed on the label of qualified food products, similar to the "USDA Organic" seal.

FDA Delays Approvals for ‘Natural’ Food Dyes Due to Stakeholder Objections

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The delays give the agency time to respond to comments made on the final orders approving beetroot red and spirulina extract for use as color additives in human foods. However, FDA stands by its determinations that the colorants are safe for their intended uses.

FAO/WHO Experts Evaluate Omics Technologies for Microbiological Risk Assessment

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:15:00 -0400

A JEMRA meeting was convened to help inform discussions about potential updates to Codex Alimentarius guidance, reflecting how scientific advances could strengthen microbiological risk assessments for food safety.

Poultry Industry Launches Pre-Competitive Food Safety Forum

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The Poultry Industry Food Safety Council (PIFSCo) will take an all-of-industry approach to identifying research priorities, sharing practical solutions, and promoting continuous food safety improvement.