Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

Filling a critical knowledge gap in light of recent outbreaks and recalls associated with low-moisture foods, a study led by National University of Singapore researchers has characterized dry surface Salmonella biofilms and developed a fit-for-purpose, antibiofilm, waterless sanitization protocol for the low-moisture food industry. 

The EU has implemented a new regulation that requires U.S. importers of apiculture products like honey to register with the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). Prior to TRACES registration, businesses must complete an assessment with USDA and an application with FDA.

A research project funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is exploring the microbial risks of unconventional surfaces in small and midsized produce packinghouses with the goal of determining sanitation best practices.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has opened a public consultation on a draft scientific opinion about the public health risks associated with perchlorate in food. EFSA increased the tolerable daily intake for the chemical and concluded no health risk to the general population at current exposure levels. 

The new VarioFlow belt conveyor variant from Bosch Rexroth is suitable for the mass transport of unstable or bulk, film-packed products, and can also be used to convey large or wide products, as well as deep-drawn plastic trays.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have discovered the ability of an amino acid to inhibit Clostridium perfringens spore formation in the human gut, a process that causes foodborne illness.

In a novel food safety assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that a type of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) is safe under the proposed food uses and use levels.

Development of a new microbiological risk assessment model, led by researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, could help the produce industry determine the best risk management strategies for a diverse range of production scenarios. 

In support of its proposed regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry, USDA-FSIS has notified veterinary biologics manufacturers of its interest in vaccines for serotypes of public health significance. 

The Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) is introducing a new, more systematic model for evaluating food control and follow-up activities, which is based on an index that weighs several indicator criteria.