Beltway Beat

Achieving Goals: Integrating the Fragmented United States Federal Food Safety System into a Food Protection System

By Allen R. Sayler, Benjamin J. Reading, Ph.D., Jason Bashura, MPH, R.S., Mehrdad Tajkarimi, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D.
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The white paper, argues that the United States’ fragmented federal food safety system—split across more than 15 agencies (primarily FDA and USDA FSIS), 30+ laws, and numerous interagency agreements—creates inefficiencies, duplication, regulatory gaps, and preventable public health harms. Advocating for a unified federal food protection entity integrating safety, defense, authenticity, and infrastructure protection, the authors propose five core reform directives and four prime outcomes: better public health protection, reduced burdens, enhanced resilience against threats, and a modern, science/risk-based 21st-century system.

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FDA Logo
FDA Logo
Beltway Beat

FDA Releases Risk Assessment of Foodborne Illness Associated with Pathogens from Produce Grown in Fields Amended with Untreated Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA is releasing a risk assessment that was conducted to evaluate and quantify the risk of human illness associated with consumption of produce grown in fields or other growing areas with untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including raw manure. Results of the risk assessment will be used to inform policy decisions regarding appropriate standards for the use of raw manure and other untreated BSAAO when growing produce.

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FDA Logo
Beltway Beat

FDA and Partners in the Central Coast Agricultural Region of California Share Findings from Multi-year Environmental Study

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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This study sought to identify environmental factors that significantly contribute to the introduction, persistence, and spread of foodborne pathogens that could contaminate produce prior to harvest. Increasing FDA’s understanding of the ecology of this growing region as it pertains to foodborne pathogens is to the benefit of consumers, producers, academia, and food safety officials as it allows for continued improvement in best growing practices to enhance food safety.

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FDA Logo
Beltway Beat

FDA’s 3rd Food Safety Culture Webinar – February 18, 2026

By Randy Knotts
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FDA announced in a press release the third webinar in FDA and Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness co-hosted Food Safety Culture Webinar Series. This is the third in the ongoing series of interactive, hour-long webinars throughout the year designed to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your commitment to food safety. Each session will feature industry experts who will share valuable insights, real-world tools and actionable strategies to enhance food safety culture across your organization.

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Hot dog recall
Hot dog recall
Ask The Expert

The Importance Of Recall Preparedness for Supply Chain Resilience

By Roger Hancock
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With federal policies and priorities continuing to shift under the current administration, companies need to stay focused on protecting consumers and their businesses. While regulatory agencies have committed to improving the recall process, the industry must still shoulder the responsibility of protecting consumers when something goes wrong. The way recalls are managed impacts consumer trust, public health, business continuity, and brands’ reputations, for better or worse. The negative impact of recalls often grows exponentially when companies and their trading partners are reactive vs. prepared. That’s where resilient supply chains come in.

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CDC, FDA, USDA logos
CDC, FDA, USDA logos
Beltway Beat

DeLauro, Durbin Reintroduce the Federal Food Administration Act

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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This legislation would put one agency clearly in charge with the singular mission of protecting the food supply with the resources, staff, and focus to achieve that goal. A single food safety agency, with a Senate-confirmed Commissioner, will strengthen oversight of the food supply, improve the health and well-being of Americans, and ensure companies that cut corners on food safety are properly held accountable.

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