In this article we welcome guest author and industry expert, Alec Kyriakides, to explore some of the food safety developments, recalls and incidents that have happened recently.

 

Food Safety Developments

 

FDA Food Code

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its latest version of the Food Code that includes the addition of food safety management systems to promote preventative strategies to improve food safety together with amendments in areas such as employee illness policies, jewellery and the use of gloves, training and operations and specific requirements in a variety of process areas including sushi rice acidification, dehydration, freeze-drying and alternative cooling processes.

 

Official environmental sampling for Listeria species

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced plans to phase in an environmental sampling programme for Listeria monocytogenes and non-Listeria monocytogenes in ready to eat establishments, beginning in 2027. Two food contact surfaces and 2 non-contact surfaces will be sampled in addition to the existing product samples taken for analysis.

 

EFSA science podcasts

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) produces a number of science-based podcasts on YouTube. They provide a very useful exploration of a wide range of technical topics. Recent episodes have included genomics, pesticides. microplastics and a number of other topical issues. It’s well worth a watch and you can find a list of all episodes here.

 

EFSA pathogens in foods database

EFSA has published a guide to the use of its Pathogens-in-Foods (PIF) database. The database is an open access repository of data on published studies regarding the occurrence of biological hazards found in foods produced, sold or consumed in Europe. The database is drawn from peer reviewed sources and updated annually by trained individuals and encompasses all stages of the food chain from primary production, processing, retail, hospitality and catering. More details and access to the database itself is available here.

 

Biotoxin risks

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has updated its statutory guidance on the risk associated with biotoxins and marine products. Although intended as an industry guide, it provides a very useful summary of the issues, the monitoring, test methodology and survey data particularly focused on shellfish growing areas around the UK.

 

Foodborne disease burden in Sweden.

A study published jointly by the public health and veterinary health authorities in Sweden estimated the burden of foodborne disease in Sweden between 2013 and 2022 at over 1.2 million cases. Of the six foodborne pathogens studied (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Hepatitis A virus and Cryptosporidium spp.) the largest number of cases were caused by Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. Campylobacteriosis was particularly associated with poultry and poultry meat whereas salmonellosis was mainly attributed to vegetable and red meat. Vegetables were also the main foods implicated in enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) cases and cryptosporidiosis. Similar to many other countries, listeriosis caused only a small number of cases but with a disproportionally high disease burden. Increased temperature and rainfall were associated with increased disease.

 

USDA report on foodborne disease associated with grocery delicatessens

The USDA published a report reviewing the food safety related risk factors from it’s site visits to retail grocery store delicatessens between 2019 and 2022. The most common “out-of-compliance” risk factors included improper holding time and temperature (84%), together with poor personal hygiene that included hand washing failures (62%). A key factor associated with fewer “out-of-compliance” risk factors included businesses with well-developed food safety management systems and it was concluded that “well-developed and documented FSMS are a useful tool in reducing the occurrence of foodborne illness risk factors.”

 

Recalls cost and readiness

A survey of 502 leaders in the UK food and drinks sector estimated the average cost of a product recall at over half a million pounds with nearly 80% estimated at £100K or more. Over 90% were confident their business could manage a recall effectively and had conducted a mock recall in the last year. The average time estimate to trace an affected product batch in an incident was four hours although one quarter indicated it could take 5 hours or more. On a related topic, an infant formula manufacturer in the USA is reported to have agreed to a settlement of $384M with the USA Department of Justice following the infant formula crisis in 2022.

 

Food surveillance

Food Standards Scotland published a report on their food surveillance programme between 2024 and 2025. Of the 355 samples tested for microbiological contamination across 6 food types (imported whole melon, cut fruit salad, imported tomatoes, hummus, sushi and infant formula), 350 were found to be satisfactory. Unsatisfactory results included two hummus samples contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and three samples of sushi due to the presence of Bacillus cereus. Forty-four minced beef and lamb products were tested for authenticity with three unsatisfactory results – two lamb mince products and one lamb burger due to the presence of beef and pork. Chemical analysis was conducted on 250 samples across 6 food types (nuts, cinnamon and turmeric, non-wheat cereal, non-GM maize, honey and domestic fish) with one cinnamon powder found to contain lead and one cereal product containing atropine, both above the maximum permitted level. Allergen testing on 100 products returned satisfactory results for all milk latte products (soy and almond tested) whereas ten of the 48 prepacked foods for direct sale that did not list the presence of milk and gluten were found to be unsatisfactory (incorrect labelling format, no allergen label and generic precautionary allergen labelling),

 

Allergen Toolkit

The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) launched an Allergen Toolkit developed through a cross-industry initiative that includes best-practice guidance, a variety of risk assessment tools and shared learning from industry data to support a consistent approach to allergen management. This includes practical tools for raw material allergen risk assessment and allergen risk assessment in manufacturing. The initiative aims to improve the implementation of preventative controls thereby reducing allergen-related incidents.

 

Incident Prevention Update

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published its September Incident Prevention Update, sharing insight about recent food and feed incidents, emerging international risks and practical steps regarding allergen controls, supplier assurance, labelling and import compliance. Priority items noted in the update included prevention lessons from 175 incidents, root cause analysis and compliance risk with grey-market goods. The update is available through a free online subscription.

 

Horsemeat investigation

Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation) reported a major investigation into a criminal network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe that may have resulted in some entering the food chain without their true origin and history being known. This has involved the use of falsified documents and manipulated microchips to conceal their true identity and approximately 200 officers and representatives of different authorities across Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands participated in the operation.

 

Codex Listeria Guidance

Codex published its updated Guidelines on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods.  The revision introduces a stronger risk-based framework and includes updated definitions of ready-to-eat foods to include the need to consider "reasonably foreseeable consumption" rather than just label instructions to account for how consumers actually handle foods. Microbiological criteria in RTE foods (from the end of manufacture or port of entry (for imported products) to the point of sale) are recommended as Not detected in 25g for RTE foods (n=5 samples) in which growth of L. monocytogenes can occur and <or=100 CFU/g (n=5 samples) where growth will not occur. Advanced environmental monitoring programmes are also included to adopt a more dynamic, risk-based sampling frequency including varying sampling times and sampling locations. The guideline is an excellent reference source for those wishing to understand the risk presented by this organism and considerations for its effective control in ready-to-eat foods.

 

Fridge hygiene

A recent paper published by researchers in Austria and Spain studied the microbial populations and temperature management in 45 domestic refrigerators using metagenomic sequencing. They found that only 38% of refrigerators operated at temperatures below 5 °C, with 24% exceeding 7 °C. The microbial study found a wide range of bacteria including fermentative, spoilage and potentially pathogenic genera. The dominant bacteria were Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Staphylococcus spp. as dominant genera. Pathogenic species, including Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in 60% of refrigerators; Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia intermedia occurred sporadically. Cleaning frequency was the key factor associated with bacterial cell equivalents (BCE) and diversity, with high loads linked to infrequent cleaning.

 

Engagement Guide on anti-microbial resistance (AMR)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published an engagement guide on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that covers communication approaches for AMR to improve understanding of the risk and actions that can be taken to reduce the spread of infections. Although the guide has a primary focus on AMR in humans it also applies to animal and associated food production industries.

 

Foodborne disease outbreaks

 

A large outbreak of salmonellosis was reported at a school in the Czech Republic with 363 people affected by the disease including 50 hospitalised children. The implicated food was a spaghetti meal containing eggs that were reportedly used a week beyond their expiry date. An outbreak of illness linked to the consumption of sandwiches (banh mi) in Thailand and resulting in 46 cases was reportedly caused by Salmonella spp., although other potential pathogens were isolated from clinical specimens and food (Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli). Broccoli sprouts were the food vehicle in an outbreak of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Bovismorbificans, affecting 32 individuals across 6 states in the USA with three hospitalised. An outbreak of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis was reported in France with 81 affected individuals. Pumpkin seeds were the implicated food source. Another salmonellosis outbreak was reported affecting 135 resident and specialty physicians at a Mexican hospital. Salmonella spp. was isolated from affected cases although enterotoxigenic E. coli was isolated from two cases. A food source has not been identified although the outsourced cafeteria service had been suspended. The three concurrent outbreaks of salmonellosis in the UK implicating imported shell eggs have increased to an overall total exceeding 650 cases with two reported deaths.

 

An outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 in the USA affecting 13 individuals with 8 hospitalised and 3 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) implicated a variety of raw milk cheeses. An outbreak of E. coli O157 in the USA where the food is not yet identified has caused 25 cases. Similarly, the food source causing a listeriosis outbreak in the USA with 40 cases has yet to be established. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an update to the ongoing outbreak of Hepatitis A virus caused by contaminated frozen black shell clams imported from Ecuador confirming 37 cases and 30 hospitalisations. A suspected Norovirus outbreak prompted the recall of frozen whole raspberries in Canada although the number of people affected has not been reported. An outbreak of campylobacteriosis was reported amongst 80 attendees at a wedding in the USA. Untreated water from an on-site spring was implicated in the outbreak and it was noted that a broken springhouse roof permitted entry of debris and animal faeces together with an ultraviolet water treatment light that was non-functional. An outbreak of botulism in Poland affecting two individuals has implicated a commercial brand of pesto containing peanuts, walnuts and cheeses. A report on the fatal emetic Bacillus cereus outbreak that occurred in Germany in 2024 implicated the consumption of pre-cooked meat-filled tortellini. Eleven cases were reported together with one death, an unusual outcome of food poisoning from this organism.

 

A further methanol poisoning outbreak was reported in Nigeria with 182 cases and 49 deaths following the consumption of an adulterated popular local drink known as “Monkey Tail”.

 

Food Recall Highlights

 

The data used for this food recall highlights review is sourced from open access recall databases covering different countries and continents including the USA (Food & Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture), the UK (Food Standards Agency), Germany (Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety) and Australia (Food Standards Australia New Zealand).

 

Microbiological recalls reverted to the normal pattern last month with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. contamination accounting for the majority of recalls.  a notable increase in STEC incidents due to sprouted seeds together with a number of recalls.

 

Allergen recalls were lesser in number with a more even spread although less common allergens such crustacea and mustard made an appearance. The absence of recalls due to nut and peanut contamination was notable.

 

Physical contamination recalls were driven by a surge in plastic contamination events.

 

Chemical recalls were similar in nature to previous months with excess lead and glycerin featuring again together with a low prevalence of mycotoxin and pesticide exceedances.

 

   

Author

Alec Kyriakides

Independent Food Safety Consultant