In the news

The Journal of Food Protection published a manuscript (in press) entitled “Real-time detection of Foodborne Pathogens and Biofilm in the food processing environment with Bactiscan, a macro-scale fluorescence device.” Bactiscan is investigated as an alternative detection approach, a macro-scale and reagentless device that detects microbial contamination by activating the green fluorescence of glycoproteins in the bacterial cell wall. The detection capability of Bactiscan was tested on foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus. Detection by Bactiscan was possible to 1.20*106 colony forming units (CFU), compared to 1.36*104 CFU by ATP swab testing, where Bactiscan detection limits were defined by the concentration at which 50% of the samples were observed under the illumination of the device. Heat-killed and chlorine stressed E. coli and S. enterica caused a 2-log reduction in detection by ATP swab tests (p≤0.05), while detection by Bactiscan was unaffected (p≥0.05). In situ contamination studies determined that Bactiscan can detect microbial contamination on chicken, salmon, and yogurt samples with stronger fluorescence than a competitor’s UV torch. These data demonstrate that Bactiscan can effectively detect bacteria present in the food processing environment and can complement existing technologies to improve food industry cleaning practices and infection prevention. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X25000638?dgcid=raven_sd_aip_email

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply. Demonstrating a significant milestone in the administration’s broader initiative to Make America Healthy Again. The FDA is taking the following actions (1) Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives. (2) Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months. (3) Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 from the food supply by the end of next year. (4) Authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks while also accelerating the review and approval of others. (5) Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development. (6) Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required. The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes. The agency is also taking steps to issue guidance and provide regulatory flexibilities to industries. “Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. In partnership with the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program, the FDA will enhance nutrition and food-related research to better inform regulatory decisions. This collaboration will strengthen the FDA’s ability to develop evidence-based food policies, support a healthier America, and advance the priorities of the Make America Healthy Again Commission. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Agri Mark Inc (Waitsfield, Vermont) recalled 1701 pounds of butter sold in seven states, which are being recalled, according to the FDA. The recalled butter contains “elevated levels of coliform,” indicating fecal contamination. The product affected is 8-ounce packages of Cabot Creamery Premium Butter, Sea Salted. The butter was packaged as two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells. The recalled butter also has a best-by date of September 9, 2025, and was sold at grocery stores in the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. To date, no complaints of illness related to this product have been reported. @ https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/news/possible-fecal-contamination-prompts-butter-recall/

The Journal of Food Protection published a manuscript comparing the 12 years of 2012–2023, 1,001 food recall incidents that occurred, representing 205.2 million lbs of recalled product. The FSIS classified the recall incidents at 76% as Class I, 20% as Class II, and 4% as Class III. Product Contaminants caused 68% of the FSIS recalls, Processing Issues added 13%, and Other Reasons contributed 19%. Evaluation of these recalls by product type resulted in Poultry at 29%, Beef at 23%, Mixed Animal meat at 23%, and Pork at 22% of the recall incidents. Evaluation of these recalls by product weight showed Mixed Animal meat at 52%, Poultry at 27%, Beef at 16%, and Pork at 4%. Four bacterial species caused almost 59% of the FSIS recalls by weight. Listeria monocytogenes caused 32%, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) caused 12%, Salmonella caused 9%, and Bacillus cereus caused 0.5% of the recalls by weight. The FSIS food recalls were compared to the FDA Food & Beverage recalls from a recent publication. Listeria was the common cause of the highest percentage of FDA recalled by incidents, and FSIS recalls by weight. In both USDA/FSIS and FDA, the most common bacterial species causing the recalls were L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli. Live bacteria is a certain sign of improper cleaning and sanitation methods, uncontrolled procedures and processes like GMP failures, or lack of proper thermal process control, which results in recalls. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X25000444?dgcid=raven_sd_via_email