In the news

On March 20, 2025, the FDA announced its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food traceability rule (the “final rule”) by 30 months. The FDA intends to extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The compliance date extension does not amend the requirements of the final rule, which will improve food safety and protect public health. Instead, the compliance date extension affords covered entities the additional time necessary to ensure complete coordination across the supply chain in order to implement the final rule’s requirements fully. The final rule requires a higher degree of coordination between members of the food industry than has been required in the past. Therefore, to achieve the full public health benefits of the final rule, all covered entities must comply. Even those few entities who are well positioned to meet the final rule’s requirements by January 2026 have expressed concern about the timeline, in part because they relied on receiving accurate data from their supply chain partners, who are not similarly situated. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-intends-extend-compliance-date-food-traceability-rule?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Three deaths are being investigated as part of a Listeria outbreak linked to desserts supplied to NHS hospitals and care homes. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed it is investigating the deaths as well as two non-fatal cases between May and December of last year. One death was recorded as listeriosis. Two other people were known to be infected with Listeria bacteria at the time of their death. The bacteria was detected in a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse, both supplied by Cool Delight.

The threshold of Listeria found in the desserts was known to be below the legal threshold of what healthy people can tolerate, the PA news agency reported. The five patients were aged between 68 and 89. All had underlying health conditions and were in hospital at the time of infection. The outbreak was discovered as part of a routine surveillance in February 2025 at an NHS hospital in the South West.  @ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly4pydpr4ro

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the FDA took steps to enhance its efforts to ensure the ongoing quality, safety, nutritional adequacy, and resilience of the domestic infant formula supply. “The FDA will make sure that infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “Helping each family and child get off to the right start from birth is critical to our pursuit to Make America Healthy Again.” The FDA is announcing a set of actions and initiatives focused on infant formula, such as beginning the nutrient review process and increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. The agency is also encouraging companies to develop new infant formulas and clarify opportunities to help inform consumers about formula ingredients. The activities include Starting the nutrient review required by law by issuing a Request for Information in the coming months to start the first comprehensive update and review of infant formula nutrients by the FDA since 1998, increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants, and extending the personal importation policy, encouraging companies to work with the FDA on any questions regarding increased transparency and clearer labeling. Communicating regularly with consumers and industry stakeholders as significant developments occur to ensure transparency, including information regarding nutrients and health outcomes. Collaborating with the National Institutes of Health and other scientific bodies to address priority scientific research gaps regarding short- and long-term health outcomes associated with formula feeding in infancy and childhood across the lifespan. The FDA remains committed to infant formula safety and nutritional quality and is taking all actions to ensure the U.S. infant formula supply ranks best in the world. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-announce-operation-stork-speed-expand-options-safe-reliable-and-nutritious-infant-formula?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The Public Health Agency in Canada reported that it has closed its investigation into the outbreak of Salmonella linked to Sweet Cream mini pastry and D. Effe T. brand Lemon Delight and Tartlet with Forest Fruits as the likely sources of the Salmonella outbreak imported from Italy. In total, 79 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness were linked to this outbreak (British Columbia (4), Alberta (5), Ontario (26), Quebec (43), and New Brunswick (1).  Of the cases reported, 24 people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths. The outbreak appears to be over, and the investigation has been closed.