The cover story for the April/May ’25 issue of Food Safety Magazine looks at Taylor Farms' efforts, learnings, and progress on its traceability/FSMA 204 compliance journey. Additional features explore the public health risk associated with changes in enterohemorrhagic E. coli physiology during cold storage of leafy greens, ENFIT guidelines to ensure a safe supply chain, and the role of organizational culture in addressing the underlying causes of L. monocytogenes outbreaks.
Traceability means that one can identify not only the source of the ingredients, but also a whole set of inputs—the entire history of what went into making the product
This article discusses the quantification of risk associated with changes in enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) physiology during post-harvest pre-processing of leafy greens.
The transportation of bulk food within supply chains presents unique risks, particularly regarding the cleaning processes between loads in different countries and organizations
As a nonprofit association, ENFIT has developed several guidelines to ensure a safe supply chain, including the HQF Certification Scheme (for the certification of transport cleaning stations) and Transport Hygiene Risk Analysis (THR Analysis).
Although trends in Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks are important, it is more concerning that these outbreaks continue to occur despite industry efforts. This article explores the underlying causes of persistent L. monocytogenes outbreaks and emphasizes the need for leadership behaviors outside of food safety to transform organizational culture to eradicate or control L. monocytogenes.
State-level Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can push a circular economy, move the overall recycling effort forward, and lead to an increase in the use of recycled material
This article discusses Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and how the federal government is responding to state activity on EPR, as well as the food safety aspects of EPR packaging program requirements.
Less than two months after the filing of a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against ultra-processed food manufacturers, President Trump released an Executive Order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission.
FSQA continuous improvement programs play a pivotal role in elevating safety protocols, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring regulatory compliance
The need for packaging materials that preserve the quality of products while preventing microbial contamination has become a critical focus for the beverage and dairy industries
This article looks at the use of UV-C light in combination with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to disinfect packages in the extended shelf life of milk and plant-based products.
The hygienic design, sanitation, and maintenance of food processing equipment and the surrounding production facilities are of paramount importance for an effective food safety sanitation program. In this column, we share firsthand information from processors about their programs, as well as the challenges and obstacles they face in keeping their equipment and facilities in the best condition to ensure food safety.
Despite growing demand for rigorous oversight, the food safety sector faces a significant workforce shortage, particularly in roles related to auditing, inspections, and assessments
This article discusses the development of a USDA-NIFA funded project aimed at solving the problem of the dire workforce shortage of food safety inspectors, auditors, and managers through a paradigm shift in food safety education in higher education.