A fully automated assay to detect Cyclospora cayetanensis, developed under a Research Collaboration Agreement between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Rheonix, is now available to food and environmental testing laboratories, and has been proven to achieve consistent detection rates in samples of high-risk fresh produce with low levels of oocysts.

Two complimentary studies funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) are using genomic sequencing technology to examine how storage conditions affect microbial growth on pears, with a focus on Listeria monocytogenes.

ColloidTek’s Collo Analyzer is a new method for real-time liquid process quality monitoring. Based on EMF sensors and machine learning, the technology detects various contaminants and identifies potential risks in liquid processing with a single real-time measurement and instant, inline analysis.

Ongoing debates about the use of rapid test methods in food safety have led to the rise of the question: Has the vast increase in outsourcing testing to contract labs made rapid methods less useful, or is the ease of use and speed of the methods still important (if not essential) for better management and decision-making in food safety? Food Safety Insights asks food safety professionals their opinions on this question.

Through a newly forged partnership, Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing devices and kits, combined with WeNou’s expertise, will be leveraged to develop a validated food authenticity rapid test that meets industry standards.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the chapter on Cronobacter of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual.

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with two food safety experts from MilliporeSigma—Justyce Jedlicka, Food and Beverage Regulatory Liaison in North America, and Andrew Lienau, Food Regulatory and Validation Expert—to discuss the threat that Cronobacter poses to food safety and public health, and how testing for this complex pathogen is crucial to controlling its impact.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has introduced TKPlate, a new platform that can model and predict the toxicity and toxicokinetics of chemicals used in foods, which will help reduce the amount of animal testing used in food safety assessments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a three-part guide describing how whole genome sequencing (WGS) can be used as a tool to strengthen foodborne illness surveillance and response.

The advent of artificial technologies like electronic noses, electronic eyes, and electronic tongues has fundamentally reshaped our approach to evaluating food samples, as underscored by their ability to capture intricate sensory attributes. The symbiotic relationship between artificial instruments and machine learning underscores their potential to reshape the food industry, ensuring that the food we relish is not only delectable but also safe and of the highest quality.