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The FDA has issued its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring program report FY 2019. FDA tested for 812 pesticides and industrial chemicals across 4,692 total samples, and the majority of samples had pesticide residues below the limits set by the EPA. These results are consistent with the trend of low pesticide residue violations over the past 8 years. The FDA found that 98.7% of the 1,258 domestic and 89.1% of the 3,069 imported samples complied with federal pesticide residue standards. They found no pesticide chemical residues in 42.4% of domestic and 49.4% of imported human food samples. From 365 animal food samples, the FDA found that 98.4% of the 127 domestic and 95.4% of the 238 imported samples complied. They also found no pesticide chemical residues in 40.9% of the domestic and 43.7% of the imported animal food samples. The FDA also analyzed 153 samples of domestic milk, shell eggs, honey, and game meat for pesticides. None of the samples had a pesticide residue violation except for honey, where we found 2 violative samples out of the 62 samples collected. Overall, 88.9% of the samples from this focused assignment contained no residues. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fy-2019-pesticide-report-consistent-trends-over-past-8-years-pesticide-residue-levels-remain-low?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A study published in J Food Protection determined the frequency and numbers of Listeria species and L. monocytogenes on raw produce arriving at frozen food facilities. Five raw vegetables were selected: corn, carrots, green beans, peas, and spinach after arrival at the facilities. A total of 290 samples were collected. 33.1% were positive for Listeria spp, and 5.9% for L. monocytogenes. Enumeration of the positive samples showed that 85% had >100 MPN of Listeria spp. per g. The prevalence of Listeria spp. varied by commodity: spinach (66.7%), peas (50%), corn (32.2%), green beans (22.2%), and carrots (13%). L. monocytogenes prevalence was determined in corn (13.6%), peas (6.3%), and green beans (4.2%). @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/84/11/1898/466694/Prevalence-of-Listeria-Species-and-Listeria

The USDA and FSIS announced the initiation of a more robust and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency initiates several vital activities to gather the necessary data and information to support future action and move closer to a 25% reduction in Salmonella illnesses. Despite consistent reductions in the occurrence of Salmonella in poultry products, more than 1 million consumer illnesses due to Salmonella occur annually. Over 23% of those illnesses are due to the consumption of chicken and turkey. USDA seeks stakeholder feedback on specific Salmonella control and measurement strategies in poultry slaughter and processing establishments. The USDA/FSIS is encouraging preharvest controls to reduce Salmonella contamination coming into the slaughterhouse. The National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria of Foods will be asked to advise how FSIS can build on the latest science to improve its approach to Salmonella control. The FSIS will examine how quantification can be incorporated into this approach. @ https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/19/usda-launches-new-effort-reduce-salmonella-illnesses-linked-poultry