11
Aug
In a reorganization termed “Simple Reform,” the FDA is shifting its operations from having inspectors who are specialists in particular fields to having generalists who will conduct inspections across multiple industries. The change, which also includes the centralization of administrative...
04
Aug
Both the FDA and the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) are issuing scam warnings to the food industry. Both are seeing an increasing trend of communications to food manufacturers and importers, in which they are posing as government or registrar...
28
Jul
In a newly issued report on emerging risks in food safety, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has identified four key issues, with several others seen as requiring further information or needing monitoring. The issues were identified from a study...
21
Jul
After declaring that the positive for cyclospora on iceberg lettuce was a false positive, the FDA is continuing to investigate the source of the multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis for which nearly 7,000 cases have been confirmed or suspected. There may,...
14
Jul
Although restaurants are implicated in 64% of foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. and are generally inspected at least annually (depending on state requirements and risk level), the data acquired from restaurant outbreak investigations and inspections are not commonly assessed...
06
Jul
New California and European Union regulations are making packaging more difficult for the food industry while forcing health and sustainability considerations. California’s SB54 (in effect since May 1) impacts single-use packaging and foodservice ware, while the EU’s Packaging and Packaging...
30
Jun
Although FDA’s recent updates to its Pesticide Monitoring Compliance Program have not received much media attention, the food industry could feel some distinct impacts, particularly domestic manufacturers focused on infant formulas, children’s foods, and school lunches. The goal of the...
23
Jun
Traceability is a very important tool for public health officials when trying to understand where food may have been contaminated. Yet we have learned how difficult it is. “Traceability readiness is improving, but significant work remains.” Having conducted a series...
16
Jun
Although new WHO findings show that the US has a relatively low disease burden compared to the rest of the world, the economic impact of global foodborne disease and the extent of chemical hazards are significant to both the US...
09
Jun
Safe food is always the ultimate goal, but is zero risk actually achievable? To better discuss this, let’s start with an example of a simple apple. An apple carries inherent hazards: its seeds can be poisonous, it could cause choking,...
