California AB 2316, which is named the California School Food Safety Act and aims to ban six synthetic food dyes from school foods, will soon face an important vote. Proponents and detractors of the bill have made their voices heard ahead of the vote. 

New regulations concerning per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) have impacted the food and beverage industry, but it will take time to replace PFAS with safe substances, as well as to establish comprehensive regulations and enforcement. However, time is running out.

In the spirit of collaboration, FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs has partnered with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and North Carolina State University to create "Introduction to Public Health Food Inspections," the first-of-its-kind course to offer students a comprehensive understanding of federal regulatory food inspections and enforcement.

A recent study has demonstrated that targeting high-virulence Salmonella serotypes in risk management strategies and food safety regulation for poultry products—such as USDA’s new regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry parts—could improve public health outcomes.

The recent lead chromate contamination incident in cinnamon applesauce pouches has underscored critical gaps in our national food recall system, and illustrates the urgent need to modernize food recall processes and enhance data-sharing among food safety and public health agencies.

Following the largest Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak affecting children in the Province of Alberta, Canada’s history, a review panel has put forth several recommendations that focus on fostering food safety culture and developing food safety inspection systems for childcare establishments/kitchens.

Following a survey of 3.2 million pigs raised under the U.S. Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) program, USDA has announced a total absence of Trichinella infections in the national pork supply—a parasite that was once a major food safety risk, but is now controlled.

On September 25, FDA will hold a public meeting on its work to develop an enhanced systematic process for the postmarket assessment of chemicals in foods, with in-person and virtual attendance options available.

FDA recently asserted that available scientific evidence “does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.” However, the agency acknowledges the current science is limited by a lack of standard definitions or methods. 

Considering new data, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has found that there is insufficient evidence to conclude the safety of food contact materials containing bamboo and similar unauthorized plant-based materials.