The number of food alerts related to plant toxins, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and tropane alkaloids (TAs), is increasing. Fortunately, new liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry testing methods enable more accurate and efficient detection.
The recent large scale recalls of infant formula and resulting nationwide shortages highlighted the risks of Cronobacter in vulnerable populations. Sally Powell Price, Regulatory Expert Food and Beverage Safety at MilliporeSigma, which is the Life Sciences business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany in the U.S. and Canada, and Andrew Lienau, Food Regulatory and Validation Senior Expert at MilliporeSigma, discuss the risks of Cronobacter infection, a new testing assay that offers more rapid results, and coming changes to the regulation of infant formula due to growing concerns surrounding the dangers of Cronobacter.
Food organizations are undertaking a wide variety of data-oriented technology initiatives and face a profusion of technology solutions vying for attention, nearly all promising new levels of insight and productivity. While the landscape is complex, there are five basic steps that teams can take to help ensure that their technology investments are set up for long-term success.
Different segments of the food industry have specific needs, whether it’s unique spoilage tests or specialized predictions based on distinct data. Unfortunately, current services haven’t delivered a trustworthy solution for these needs. Incorporating AI-powered systems and molecular testing can effectively address these needs.
With food safety as a top priority for your business, keeping all pests out should also be top of mind. Stored product pests are tiny insects that can quickly damage your products and lead to lost profits. Glen Ramsey, board-certified entomologist and Director of Technical Services for Orkin, explains how facilities can keep stored product…
Food companies have to manage a variety of pests seeking harborage, food, water and other resources in their facilities. Among these pests, flies can be some of the most difficult to manage. Frank Meek, technical services manager for Orkin and board-certified entomologist with 36 years’ experience in the food industry, shares strategies to you can take to mitigate the risk of flies in your food facility.
Walter Brandl, Regional Director of Chemistry, North America, at Mérieux Nutrisciences, shares the experiences that prepared him for a career in food contamination detection and determination, and looks at the evolving role of third-party testing in food safety.
Halal certification proves that a manufacturer has fully implemented halal practices at a facility. However, there is a hidden risk to certification: non-halal materials can be carried into production areas via culture media. Andreas Bubert, Ph.D., Senior Global Product Manager Culture Media at Merck KGaA, discusses the concerns behind commonly used culture media and how to ensure halal-compliance.
Air Monitoring Under FSMA
The proposed FSMA rule on Preventive Controls for Human Food is making HACCP an integral part of all food manufacturing and mentions air as a potential source of contamination, but does not specify frequency. How can you take a risk-based approach in incorporating air monitoring into your HACCP plan? This week’s Ask the Expert focuses on Air Monitoring and Media Prep.
Karen P. Cronholm, Director, Regional Marketing, for EMD Millipore’s BioMonitoring Group, says that “Compressed air contains water vapor, particulate matter, oil vapor and droplets, and microorganisms,” and this is a critical area that wasn’t paid much attention to until recently. The new FSMA standard has created a great opportunity for their products, Cronholm explains. Of…