A recent publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) describes the organization’s work during 2020–2022 to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food and agriculture.

Aflatoxin-contaminated nuts and seeds dominated mycotoxin notifications made through the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) between 2011 and 2021, according to a recent study.

A 2021 multinational foodborne illness outbreak investigation involving imported melons contaminated by Salmonella Braenderup exemplifies effective collaboration across countries, rapid information sharing, and harmonized data collection, and the lessons learned could form the basis of standard practices in multinational outbreak investigations.

A recent analysis of food safety hazard notifications concerning seafood recorded through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) between 1996 and 2020 has revealed hazard trends.

Recent research commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) provides an overview of the ways in which labor shortages in critical food system roles are affecting food safety and availability, as well as FSA’s ability to carry out its responsibilities. 

Based on a recent risk assessment conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European consumers’ dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic is a health concern, with associated effects including different types of cancer, birth issues, and other issues.

A recent publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has provided an in-depth review of early warning systems for food safety risks, an explanation of available open access tools, and the potential applications of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the field.

A recent report from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) provides an assessment of the efficacy of different control strategies for non-typhoidal Salmonella in broilers and chicken meat at primary production, processing, and post-processing.  

Research commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has provided insight to ongoing staffing issues experienced by UK food control authorities, and how recruitment and retention can be improved. FSA aims to take action on these findings. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we review the top food safety stories of 2023 and their implications, covering regulatory changes in the U.S. and abroad; growing concerns about chemical additives and contaminants, allergens, traceability requirements, infant formula, and retail foodservice safety; and the Poisoned documentary that premiered on Netflix in summer 2023.