Regulatory changes, complex supply chains and risks of food fraud present challenges to food companies globally. Each player in the food supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers and restaurants, can benefit from cloud-based digital solutions that adhere to international security management standards. These programs encourage collaboration, prioritize safety and provide cost-effective, secure data organization across sectors, while allowing businesses to select the digital solution services that best align with their needs.
“The agency is continuously reviewing and reassessing the safety of a variety of chemicals in food to ensure the science and the law support their safe use in food, including all four ingredients that are part of the recent California law.”
At the Food Safety Consortium in October, Steven Gendel, principal of Gendel Food Safety and former FDA Food Allergen Coordinator, offered guidance on when and how allergen advisory—also known as precautionary—labels should be used by food companies.
The USDA has appointed 21 new members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), which provides impartial scientific advice and recommendations to federal food safety agencies. Members include experts in microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science and other relevant disciplines.
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.
To meet the goal of improving the food supply, the European Union (EU) has proposed new laws restricting the use of pesticides and other contaminants on crops across all member states. Analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry can provide the data to guide decision-making about changes to farming practices necessary to produce safe, healthful crops.
Food safety professionals, members of the FDA and USDA, and leaders in academia, food safety testing and cybersecurity met in Parsippany, New Jersey, for the 2023 Food Safety Consortium, where FDA reorganization, risk mitigation, recall trends and cybersecurity took center stage.
Ideally, a commitment to food safety begins with management and permeates through the organization at all levels. And today, we have a range of digital tools that can help companies develop and maintain a strong food safety culture, by disseminating information quickly, providing training for a variety of learning styles, and monitoring compliance with both regulatory requirements and organizational standards and practices.
On October 7, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly bill AB 418 into law. The bill bans the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben and Red Dye No. 3 as additives in food and drink products sold in the state.
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.