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Beltway Beat

Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Ada Valley Meat Company, an Ada, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,065 pounds of a fully cooked frozen ground beef product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on July 29.

The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint reporting that pieces of metal were found in the product.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in institutional freezers. Institutions who have purchased these products are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

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Beltway Beat

FDA Announces FY2026 User Fees for VQIP and TPP

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the fiscal year (FY) 2026 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP).

The user fee rates are authorized by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and allow the agency to assess and collect fees to cover the FDA’s cost of administering these programs.

Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)

VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that offers importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the United States.

The FY2026 VQIP user fee supports program benefits from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Approved VQIP applicants must pay the user fee before October 1, 2025, to begin receiving benefits for FY 2026.

The FY 2026 VQIP User Fees are detailed in the Federal Register Notice announcing the FY 2026 VQIP User Fee Rates.

Direct questions regarding VQIP to the VQIP Importers Help Desk at 1-301-796-8745 or FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov.

Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP)

TPP is a voluntary program in which FDA recognizes “accreditation bodies” that may accredit third-party “certification bodies.” The certification bodies can conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities. The FY 2026 TPP user fee rate will be effective on October 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2026.

Questions regarding TPP can be sent to FDAthirdpartyprogram@fda.hhs.gov.

The FY 2026 Third-Party Certification Fees are detailed in the Federal Register Notice announcing the FY2026 Third-Party Certification Program User Fee Rates.

You can also subscribe to receive updates about the U.S. Import programs policies and regulations by visiting the FDA Email Updates page and entering your email address.

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Beltway Beat

AOAC INTERNATIONAL and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Establish MOU for Food Test Methods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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In a press release, AOAC INTERNATIONAL (AOAC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June. This MOU establishes a strategic framework for developing, validating, and recognizing methods FSIS laboratories, as well as regulated establishments, use to verify the effectiveness of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) based food safety systems.

FSIS is part of a science-based national public health system to ensure food safety and food defense in the United States. FSIS ensures food safety through the authorities of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, as well as humane animal handling through the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

“This new MOU with FSIS marks a pivotal step forward in our shared commitment to promote public health,” said David B. Schmidt, AOAC Executive Director. “By strengthening our collaboration, we are facilitating an even more resilient food safety system—one that ensures regulatory testing is backed by science, vigilance, and trusted methods.”

The MOU outlines how AOAC and FSIS will work together cooperatively where mutual interests have been identified, including collaboration on scientific method training and other educational initiatives; development of Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) documents, validation guidance and/or method validation protocols; development of proficiency testing programs; and adoption or certification of methods for specific regulations or monitoring programs, such as Salmonella quantification. Once methods are validated through AOAC Official Methods of AnalysisSM (OMA) or Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) programs, there will be greater confidence that methods are fit for purpose and can be used by FSIS laboratories and constituents for applicable testing needs.

“The involvement of FSIS experts in the development of AOAC standards and evaluation of methods submitted for method conformity assessment through AOAC OMA and PTM programs is very important for ensuring their fitness for purpose from both scientific and regulatory perspectives,” said Katerina Mastovska, Ph.D., AOAC Deputy Executive Director and Chief Science Officer.

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Beltway Beat

Update on Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Ready-to-Eat Foods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, announced in a press release that they investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to recalled Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods, or products that do not need additional cooking, produced by Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC of San Fernando, CA.

The recalled products were identified by the “Use By” dates from 4/22/2025 to 5/19/2025 and include the following brand names:

  • Fresh & Ready Foods
  • City Point Market Fresh Food to Go
  • Fresh Take Crave Away

These products are no longer available for sale in stores.

CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 10 illnesses in two states. There has been a total of 10 hospitalizations and one death attributed to listeriosis.

FDA is working with Fresh & Ready Foods on corrective and preventive actions.

FDA’s outbreak investigation is complete.

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EAS Consulting Group Announces New Webinar: A Guide to FSMA 204

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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EAS Consulting Group, a trusted leader in regulatory affairs and food safety consulting, has announced its upcoming webinar: “A Guide to FSMA 204: Sorting Through the Confusion of the FDA’s New Traceability Rule for Added Food Safety.”

This exclusive online event will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and will offer invaluable insights into the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204, focusing on the FDA’s new traceability requirements that are shaping the future of food safety.

FSMA 204, or the Food Traceability Rule, will require enhanced recordkeeping for facilities handling foods that have a high risk of foodborne illness. To comply with the law, manufacturers who are subject to the rule must maintain enhanced traceability records, develop traceability plans, and provide records to the FDA in 24 hours.

Why Attend? Compliance with the requirements was originally set for January 2026. However, the FDA has now delayed implementation by 30 months to allow more time for small grocers to comply without undue financial and logistical strain. Compliance is likely to become mandatory in mid-2028.

While the compliance date has shifted, it’s never too early to determine whether your facility is subject to the rule, and if so, to better understand the requirements.

Webinar Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM ET
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Cost: Free (registration required)

The webinar will be led by two of EAS Consulting Group’s seasoned regulatory experts – Senior Director for Food Services Tim Lombardo and Independent Consultant Thomas Bell.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions prior to and following the webinar in order to gain personalized advice based on their unique challenges.

How to Register:To register for the webinar, visit https://easconsultinggroup.com/a-guide-to-fsma-204/ and secure your spot today. Contact trainings@easconsultinggroup.com with any questions or concerns.

Beltway Beat

Dr. Denise Eblen, Administrator, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to present at the Food Safety Consortium

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Donna Garren, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Science & Policy at AFFI who co-chairs the Food Safety Consortium program committee confirmed that Dr. Denise Eblen, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will present at the Food Safety Consortium Conference, October 19-21 in Washington DC.

Dr. Eblen will outline FSIS’ vision for advancing food safety through science-based policymaking, enhanced surveillance, and streamlined regulatory frameworks. She will offer updates on USDA’s strategies to reduce the burden of foodborne pathogens in meat and poultry products. Equally important, this session will emphasize the critical role of stakeholder engagement. Attendees will hear how industry leaders, state regulators, consumer advocates, and academic partners can actively participate in shaping policy—ensuring that new regulations are practical, effective, and rooted in collaboration.

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.

The full program is available at FoodSafetyConsortium.org

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Beltway Beat

FDA Approves Gardenia (Genipin) Blue Color Additive

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on July 14, 2025 that it had granted Gardenia Blue Interest Group’s (GBIG) color additive petition to use the color gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice. It is the fourth color derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods in the last two months.

Gardenia (genipin) blue is derived from the fruit of the gardenia, a flowering evergreen. The FDA has approved the color additive for use in sports drinks, flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ades, ready-to-drink teas, hard candy, and soft candy.

The three colors derived from natural sources approved in May were: galdieria extract blue, a blue colorant derived from the unicellular red algae Galdieria sulphuraria; calcium phosphate, a white powder; and butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to achieve a range of shades including bright blues, intense purple, and natural greens.

Under section 721 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, color additives must be FDA-approved before they may be used in foods. The FDA determines whether a color additive is safe to use by considering the projected human dietary exposure to the color additive, the additive’s toxicological data, and other relevant information, such as published literature. Once the FDA approves a color additive, any manufacturer can use the coloring in accordance with the conditions of use.

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Beltway Beat

FDA Encourages Food Manufacturers to Accelerate Phasing Out the Use of FD&C Red No. 3 in Foods Before 2027 Deadline

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in foods, including dietary supplements (permitted under 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 74.303), and in ingested drugs (permitted under 21 CFR 74.1303). The final order stated that manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 in foods and ingested drugs would have until January 15, 2027, or January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products.

The FDA’s action to revoke the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 was based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The Delaney Clause, enacted in 1960 as part of the Color Additives Amendment to the FD&C Act, prohibits FDA authorization of a color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals. The FDA determined that data presented in a 2022 color additive petition showed that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male laboratory rats when exposed to high levels.

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes, also known as color additives subject to certification, from the nation’s food supply. As part of this phase out, HHS and FDA requested food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027 deadline required by the final order. To support this goal, the FDA encourages food manufacturers to, as soon as is practicably possible, reformulate to stop using FD&C Red No. 3 in foods, including dietary supplements, with the goal of completing phase out before the January 15, 2027, deadline. The FDA believes that accelerating the phase out of the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in foods will help further the goal of Making America Healthy Again.

The FDA recognizes that substituting FD&C Red No. 3 used in foods, including dietary supplements, with other color additives may require the expanded use of authorized color additives and/or the development of new color additives. The FDA also recognizes the widespread interest in substituting FD&C Red No. 3 with color additives derived from other sources, including plants. Regardless of the source material, each color additive must meet the legal safety standard of a reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use. The FDA evaluates data in a petition to ensure that the use of a color additive meets the legally required safety standard and issues a regulation prescribing safe conditions of use.  Information about color additive petitions is available on FDA’s website: Color Additive Petitions | FDA.

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USDA Announces National Farm Security Action Plan

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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In a press release today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again initiative: USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. This plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of the nation’s national security, addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of the nation’s food and agricultural systems.

The National Farm Security Action Plan takes aggressive action across seven critical areas.

  1. Secure and Protect American Farmland – Address U.S. foreign farmland ownership from adversaries head on. Total transparency. Tougher penalties.
  2. Enhance Agricultural Supply Chain Resilience – Refocus domestic investment into key manufacturing sectors and identify non-adversarial partners to work with when domestic production is not available. Plan for contingencies.
  3. Protect U.S. Nutrition Safety Net from Fraud and Foreign Exploitation – Billions have been stolen by foreign crime rings.
  4. Defend Agricultural Research and Innovation – No more sweetheart deals or secret pacts with hostile nations. American ideas stay in America.
  5. Put America First in Every USDA Program – From farm loans to food safety, every program will reflect the America First agenda.
  6. Safeguard Plant and Animal Health – Crack down on bio-threats before they ever reach our soil.
  7. Protect Critical Infrastructure – Farms, food, and supply chains are national security assets—and will be treated as such.

This National Farm Security Action Plan will serve as the launch point for USDA to work in further unison with governors, state legislators, and federal partners to further integrate agriculture into the broader national security efforts over the coming months and years reaffirming the critical nature of agriculture and the need for a cross governmental approach. Defending access to American abundance and preserving the American experiment is the essence of agriculture security – and it is why farm security is national security.

HEMCO’s new Laboratory Fume Hood

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The SL series of high-performance laboratory fume hoods. They are constructed Totally, interior and exterior, of chemical resistant, flame retardant, lightweight composite resin for a fume hood that will outlive the competition. This non-metallic fume hood has an interior fume chamber that is molded one piece seamless with all corners coved and a slotted VaraFlow baffle system for superior airflow uniformity. All hardware is of chemical-resistant PVC.

The SL fume hood features a 54” height with an extended front post to accommodate additional service fixtures and electrical services. This fume hood is available in 48”, 60”, 72”, and 96” models with a 30” depth.

The SL fume hood is equipped with a vapor-proof LED light fixture, light switch, and counterbalanced vertical sliding safety tempered glass sash.  A wide selection of accessories including base cabinets and countertops are available.
Visit HEMCO.