The hottest Food Safety Substack posts right now

Food fraud is a significant issue that affects consumer trust and safety.
It's important to understand the various topics related to food fraud, such as supply chains and food safety.
There are resources available for anyone wanting to learn more about food fraud and stay informed about related news.

We rely on many experts to prepare our food safely, from farmers to shippers, but we often overlook the importance of software engineers who also play a crucial role in this process.
It's important to question and verify the work of those who create our tech products, just like we do with food safety. Ignoring potential issues could lead to serious problems later on.
The speaker plans to host a podcast focusing on asking tough questions to industry experts, aiming to encourage others to do the same in their own workplaces.

There was a huge recall of eggs in Norway due to too much vitamin D in chicken feed. This mistake could lead to health problems if the contaminated eggs are consumed.
A mystery Listeria outbreak in the U.S. has been traced back to nutritional shakes, leading to numerous illnesses and deaths. This highlights the importance of investigating foodborne illnesses.
A global withdrawal of guar gum is happening because it was found to contain harmful substances. It's a reminder to keep an eye on food safety standards around the world.

Colour coding in food businesses helps to keep tools and areas safe and clean. It prevents mistakes that could lead to health issues.
Using different colours for different tasks makes it easier to find the right tools and keep things organized. This can make work faster and reduce errors.
Implementing colour coding can greatly reduce the chances of food recalls, which are expensive for companies and can happen due to cross-contamination or allergens.

There was a recent outbreak of Listeria linked to chicken pasta meals, causing concerns about food safety. Experts agree that these meals should not contain Listeria, and contamination is likely due to issues at the manufacturing facility.
Packaging manufacturers are urged to implement effective allergen control procedures to ensure food safety. A handy template for these procedures is available for download.
There are troubling allegations about food fraud regarding post-consumer recycled plastics used in packaging. Some companies may be misleading customers about the materials, raising concerns about the safety of these products.

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A school in India had its water supply poisoned, making several children sick after they drank contaminated water. This incident happened due to a malicious act aimed at harming the school’s headmaster.
In the UK, an infant got botulism from peanut butter that contained harmful bacteria. Tests showed the bacteria in the peanut butter matched those found in the sick baby, highlighting food safety risks.
A child in the US developed a serious illness after being exposed to a dog that ate contaminated pet food. The pet food had dangerous bacteria, and the company refused to recall it despite evidence of contamination.

Food businesses need a clear glass policy to handle risks related to glass and brittle plastic in food areas. This helps ensure safety during production.
Key parts of a good glass prevention system include written procedures, risk assessments, and training for staff on how to handle glass safely.
It's important for businesses to regularly check their glass policies and update them as needed to keep everyone safe.

Some plant-based tableware made from wheat can transfer gluten to food, which is a big concern for people with gluten allergies. You can't always tell if the dishes you're using are safe, as there are no rules requiring allergen labels.
The ongoing infant botulism outbreak has affected 31 babies, and it's important to stay updated on food recalls and safety news. Always check food safety updates to keep you and your family safe.
Pumpkin spice products are everywhere in fall, but be careful with them! Some spices can contain harmful substances like heavy metals and toxins, so it's good to know where your spices come from.

Routine use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals and crops is the biggest driver of resistance and needs to be banned, because it spreads drug-resistant genes through the food chain and environment.
Antibiotic resistance is already widespread and underreported; mobile plasmids and environmental contamination mean common infections are becoming harder or impossible to treat, raising the risk of large numbers of deaths and a return to pre-antibiotic harms.
Stopping this requires urgent, coordinated global action—strong regulation, better surveillance, more research, and changes in farming and medical practice—because current political will and industry behavior are not enough.

US inspections of imported foods have dropped to their lowest levels in years, which could weaken oversight of overseas food safety.
Peanut allergy rates in children are declining, likely because new guidance encourages introducing peanuts earlier in life.
A revamped IFS Foreign Body Management guideline is now more operational and risk‑based, with practical checklists and greater focus on optical systems and plastics as detection priorities.

Expect several new food-safety risks in 2026 including changing demand from GLP-1 drugs, novel and psychotropic ingredients, shifting allergen concerns, AI-driven product development, and climate-driven microbial and toxin threats like algal blooms and heat-linked Salmonella.
New or increased tariffs raise food-fraud risk by creating price pressure, lengthening complex supply chains, and encouraging transhipment and origin-washing, so affected ingredients should be flagged as higher risk in vulnerability assessments.
Fraud tactics are evolving — AI-made fake certificates, stolen-to-order schemes, packaging-artwork theft and e-commerce sales make counterfeits easier — so re-verify suppliers and documents, monitor trade routes and tariffs, and use targeted analytical testing to verify authenticity.