To enforce food safety regulations, FDA and USDA have a “zero tolerance” policy for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in certain foods. This is the second article in a series on Listeria in Food Plants.
Listeria was named in honor of a famous British surgeon, Sir Joseph Lister (from whom the trade name Listerine also comes from), who advocated for the use of antiseptics during surgery. This article is the first in a series of six brief articles on Listeria.
An introduction to a series of articles on the detection, mitigation and control of Listeria in Food Plants
The list includes the color additives that the FDA has targeted, but many other additives not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.
VQIP is a fee-based program that offers importers an opportunity to expedite the review and importation process of human and animal foods into the United States by demonstrating and maintaining control over the safety and security of their supply chains.
Key changes to the program include the incorporation of sesame as the ninth major food allergen in accordance with the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2021, and includes guidance on gluten-free labeling requirements.
These processes will help to ensure that FDA is taking a risk-informed approach in reviewing data and information about the safety of chemicals in the food supply to protect the health of consumers.
Her nomination for the Senate confirmation process is now before the Senate Committee on Agriculture. A hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
As of June 18, 2025, a total of 17 cases have been reported from 13 states. Of 17 people with information, 16 (94%) were hospitalized and there are 3 deaths attributed to listeriosis. There is one pregnancy associated illness in a mother that resulted in a fetal loss.
Dr. Emilio Esteban, Chief Scientific Officer for Mérieux NutriSciences’ North America division, and Head of its Global Analytical Hub and former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA is the opening keynote speaker. The closing keynote speaker is Ricky Dickson, Author and Former CEO of Blue Bell Creameries.
