Father’s Day is just around the corner, and for many families, that means one thing: grilling season is officially in full swing. Whether it’s steak, burgers, chicken, or veggies sizzling over the flames, nothing brings people together like a backyard barbecue. But while grilling is fun and flavorful, it also requires careful attention to food …
Food Safety
Stay Safe This Picnic Season: Essential Food Safety Tips
As the weather warms up and outdoor gatherings become more frequent, it’s crucial to prioritize food safety during picnics and barbecues. Improper handling and storage of food can lead to foodborne illnesses, which are especially prevalent during the summer months. Here are some key tips to ensure your outdoor meals are both enjoyable and safe. …
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Food Safety
The Importance of Temperature Control in Food Safety
Maintaining proper temperature control during the storage, handling, and preparation of food is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlines specific guidelines for temperature control to ensure food safety. These guidelines emphasize the importance of keeping food out of the “Danger Zone” — the temperature range between 40°F and …
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Food Safety
FDA Postpones New ‘Healthy’ Food Label Rules: What You Need to Know
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a delay in the implementation of new food labeling regulations that redefine the term “healthy.” Initially set to take effect on February 25, 2025, the effective date has been pushed to April 28, 2025. This postponement follows a presidential directive to review all recently published regulations. The …
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Food Safety
Shifting Hues: How FDA’s Ban on Red No. 3 Inspires a Natural Dye Revolution in the Food Industry
The FDA’s recent decision to revoke the authorization for the use of Red No. 3 (Erythrosine) in food and ingested drugs marks a critical shift towards safer, more natural alternatives in the food industry. Effective January 2025, this decision is based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibits …
Food Safety
AFFI Con 2025: Focusing on Food Safety Initiatives
The upcoming AFFI Con 2025 is set to kick off with an essential meeting for members of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). The AFFI Food Safety Working Group Meeting, exclusive to members, will address the institute’s key priorities in food safety. This year’s conference, particularly significant under the ongoing shifts in public policy, is …
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Food Safety
Best Practices for Ensuring Food Safety in Frozen Produce
With growing demand for frozen fruits and vegetables, food safety in frozen produce is paramount. At Noon International, we prioritize rigorous food safety standards, aligning our processes with the latest Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines to go beyond industry expectations. By following updated best practices and USDA protocols, we ensure that our frozen produce …
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Food Safety
Can Small Food Exporters and Importers Handle the Burden of FDA’s Food Safety Initiatives?
The FDA’s food safety initiatives, particularly under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), have introduced significant changes that directly impact food exporters and importers involved in the U.S. market. These regulations aim to shift the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. Here’s how they affect these businesses: Increased Accountability for Importers U.S. importers …
Food Safety
FDA Launches New Human Foods Program October 1, 2024: FSMA Section 204 – Food Traceability Final Rule
The FDA has recently made several significant updates aimed at enhancing food safety in the U.S. These efforts are part of the agency’s ongoing initiative to modernize food safety regulations and adapt to emerging challenges in food production and distribution. New Humans Food Program: One of the most notable changes is the launch of the …
Food Safety
Latest FDA Updates and Training on Food Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the nation’s food supply, including frozen foods. Recent updates from the FDA and available training resources reflect the agency’s commitment to advancing food safety through science and regulation. Recent FDA Updates on Food Safety in Frozen Foods Revised Guidelines …
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Food Safety
International Association for Food Protection Meeting: Update on Food Safety and Listeria Testing
Recently an important food safety meeting, The International Association for Food Protection, was held in Long Beach, California. Members from AFFI’s (American Frozen Food Institute) Government Affairs Team were present to lead discussion of food safety. With other food safety policy leaders. “AFFI’s collaboration with expert scientists focused on Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), enteric viruses, and …
Food Safety
HUGE FDA REORGANIZATION UNDERWAY
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undergoing a significant reorganization, the largest in its history, set to be implemented on October 1, 2024. This reorganization aims to create a more efficient and responsive agency to better manage the complexities of the industries it regulates, including the human food supply, medical products, and cosmetics. …
Food Safety
Food Safety Start-Up Spore.Bio Raises $8 Million, Aims for Quick Microbiological Results
“Most of them don’t necessarily have microbiology labs in house,” he said. “So, what they do is they take samples and send them to external labs, (and) then wait days and days before getting their results. This puts them in really complex situations because they have to put their products in (the) market before having …
Food Safety
AFFI Questions Consumer Reports Study on Pesticides
On Thursday, April 18, 2024, a report was published by Consumer Reports about pesticide residues in fresh, frozen and canned produce and AFFI (American Frozen Food Institute) has questioned the accuracy of this report. You can find the Consumer Report at Produce Without Pesticides; 6 Fruits and Vegetables Loaded with Pesticides; How to Protect Yourself from Pesticides …
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Food Safety
RETAIL FOOD PROTECTION SOURCES
There are more than 3,000 state, local and tribal agencies that have primary responsibility to regulate the retail food and food service industries in the United States. They are responsible for the inspection and oversight of over one million food establishments that include restaurants and grocery stores, as well as vending machines, cafeteria and other …
Food Safety
STOP EMA Economically Motivated Food Fraud
EMA or economically motivated adulteration is when someone takes out or leaves out or substitutes a valuable ingredient or part of a food intentionally. It can also occur when someone adds a substance to make it appear better, bigger or of greater value. As an example, if a manufacturer adds cheaper vegetable oil to more …
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Food Safety
Tech-Enabled Traceability Video Series for Companies of All Sizes
The FDA has launched its first video that focuses on how food safety and consumer protection from foodborne illness can be enhanced using tech-enabled traceability. This first video is primarily focused on Supply Chain Technology and how companies of all sizes can utilize low or no-cost tech enabled traceability technologies. In this video, 5 companies …
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Food Safety
Embracing a Sustainable Future in Agriculture: The Role of AI in Eco-Friendly Pest and Weed Management
In the realm of agriculture, the traditional use of glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Monsanto’s “Roundup”, has been a common practice for controlling various weeds and pests. However, concerns have risen about its potential health risks, including negative impacts on gut health, hormonal disruptions, and cancer risks. This has necessitated a shift towards safer, more sustainable …
Food Safety
Beware: Banned Food Additives in Europe Still Commonly Used in U.S. Foods
People with dietary restriction who travel abroad often worry about the food they will be served and if it will affect their health. Oddly enough, their trip turns out beautifully and without incident on the eating side. Some believe it may have to do with certain food additives that are banned in Europe but allowed …
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Food Safety
Robotic Technology Brings Food Safety Benefits
We’re entering a new era in fast foods. Now, your speedy meals may be assembled not just by human hands, but with the help of the advanced precision of robotics. An example: Chipotle, a trailblazer in culinary innovation, has joined forces with Hyphen (kitchen technology experts) and together they are cooking up something extraordinary – …
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