August/September 2024

In the August/September 2024 issue of Food Safety Magazine, our cover story explores vulnerabilities in the U.S. food recall system, underscored by the recent lead chromate contamination incident in cinnamon applesauce pouches. Additional features discuss a collaborative approach to sushi food safety standards, cold plasma technology for decontamination of food and food contact surfaces, and foreign material contamination prevention in the foodservice sector. Read your FREE issue now!

Recall Rethink: Food Recall Vulnerabilities Exposed by the Cinnamon Applesauce Incident

The scope and seriousness of the lead contamination of applesauce pouches for children reaffirm the need to modernize the recall process in the U.S.

Steven Mandernach J.D. Carrie Rigdon Ph.D.

August 5, 2024

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.

Reimagining Sushi Safety: A Collaborative Approach to Food Standards

The National Fisheries Institute's newly established Sushi Council aims to enhance food safety standards in the sushi industry through collaboration and implementation of rigorous guidelines

Michael McNicholas

August 5, 2024

This article discusses the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Sushi Council, and Culinary Collaborations' approach to food safety as high-risk, ready-to-eat (RTE) ingredient suppliers for sushi operations.

Harnessing Cold Plasma Technology for Decontamination of Food and Food Contact Surfaces

Cold plasma is a novel, promising technology that has shown abundant possibilities for disinfection in food processing environments

Deepti Salvi Ph.D.

August 6, 2024

This article explores novel cold plasma technology and its applications in food processing. The article covers the basics of plasma, its mode of action for the inactivation of microorganisms, the current state of the technology, and future challenges to commercialization.

Revisiting the Foreign Material Prevention Equation: The Responsibilities of Foodservice

Foodservice executive teams must understand the risk that foreign material (FM) poses to the brand and ensure that the resources for a knowledgeable FM team are a top food safety priority

Mark Seyfert

August 6, 2024

Foreign material (FM) is a known food safety hazard that is starting to be seen as an expected and accepted risk. FM detection devices are abundant in production facilities, but a detection device should never be viewed as a control point; rather, it is an insurance policy against food adulteration.

Enhancing the Resilience and Sustainability of the Frozen Food Supply Chain

A look at the intersection of carbon footprint, food safety, and quality

Sanjay Gummalla, Ph.D. Dennis Heldman Ph.D. Rohan V. Tikekar Ph.D. Alexandra Carroll

August 7, 2024

Action to curb the overall carbon footprint of the food and agriculture sector must be done with care in the frozen category, as the quality of frozen foods reaching the consumer depends on a collaborative effort among all links in the supply chain.

The Window on PFAS is Closing 'PFAST'

State action on PFAS is ongoing, and many states are currently seeking to adopt new rules for PFAS in food packaging or expand the scope of existing laws

Michael A. Walsh J.D. Emma C. Jenevein J.D. Christopher B. Clare J.D.

August 7, 2024

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.

Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs)

Challenges for Evaluation of Your Environmental Monitoring Program

EMPs are not just documents to be written and forgotten, but living systems that require active management

Kathy Knutson Ph.D., PCQI

August 8, 2024

Environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) are not just static documents, but living systems that require active, weekly management. It is crucial to ensure that your EMP is not just in place, but also effective. This article discusses three key challenges for evaluating an EMP.

How is the Revolution in Technology Changing Food Safety?—Part 2

How has adoption of different technologies affected processors' daily food safety operations and improved their food safety outcomes?

Bob Ferguson

August 8, 2024

In the June/July Food Safety Insights column, a significant number of global food processors reported adopting new analytical testing technologies. This column dives further into processors' adoption of analytical testing technologies, whether for laboratory or in-plant use.

Next-Gen Hygiene: How Do Collaborative Robots Affect Food Safety Programs?

Whenever a new piece of equipment, such as a robot, is incorporated or a process is changed, the food safety plan and the hazard analysis must be reanalyzed

Janna Hamlett, Ph.D.

August 8, 2024

Any time a new piece of equipment, such as an increasingly relevant “collaborative robot” (cobot), is incorporated, the food safety plan—including the hazard analysis—must be reanalyzed to determine the new equipment’s impact on the food safety system, and what mitigation strategies must be deployed.

Harnessing AI to Safeguard Food Safety in the Face of Climate Change

In the wake of escalating concerns over climate change and its profound impact on global food safety and security, innovative solutions are imperative

Charita Chapman M.S.

August 8, 2024

As concerns mount regarding climate change and its profound impacts on global food safety and security, innovative solutions are imperative. Artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful ally against climate challenges, offering cutting-edge tools to mitigate risks and fortify food safety measures.

Avian Influenza, Food Safety Messaging, and Biosurveillance

Companies will need to think more strategically about how food safety assurance messaging must be made complimentary to traditional food safety practices

Robert A. Norton Ph.D. Cris A. Young D.V.M., M.P.H., Diplomate A.C.V.P.M. Daniel M. Gerstein Ph.D. Marcus (Marc) Sachs P.E.

August 8, 2024

U.S. federal, state, and local public health agencies authorities are currently investigating an ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or "avian flu," among dairy herds nationwide. This article advocates the need for new technologies to address current and future food safety needs.