Ep. 160. 2023: A Year of Evolving Food Safety Concerns and Regulations

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we review the top food safety stories of 2023 and their implications. Specifically, we discuss:

• Developments in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) restructuring of its Human Foods Program and Office of Regulatory Affairs
• Ongoing concerns around infant formula safety and supply, including new regulations and guidelines, and how the crisis served as the catalyst for the reorganization of FDA's Human Foods Program
• New allergen guidances delivered by authorities worldwide and growing global concern over industry compliance with food allergen requirements, as well as U.S. industry's unexpected response to the FASTER Act, which added sesame as the ninth major allergen
• Industry's ongoing efforts to comply with FDA's Final Food Traceability Rule, which goes into effect in January 2026
• The battle over food additives legislation in the U.S. at the state level and FDA's efforts to get ahead of a possible regulatory patchwork
• The growing concern with per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in drinking water, food, the environment, and human bodies, leading to restrictions being placed on the use of these "forever chemicals" in food packaging and other applications
• The state of retail foodservice safety in the U.S.—especially in light of FDA releasing a new version of the Food Code—and in other countries
• The release of the Netflix documentary Poisoned, which put food safety in a unique spotlight, sparking conversations and debate among industry and consumers alike.

News and Resources

Reorganization of FDA's Human Foods Program [6:05]

• New Stakeholder Coalition Formed to Advocate for Effective FDA Human Foods Program
• FDA Announces Appointment of Jim Jones as First Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
• Latest Update on FDA Human Foods Reorganization Reveals Major Changes to ORA
• Frank Yiannas to Resign as FDA's Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy and Response
• Food Safety Priorities—Your Thoughts on FDA's Proposed Reorganization (Food Safety Insights column from Food Safety Magazine)

Ongoing Concerns Around Infant Formula [14:21]

• FDA Updates Infant Formula Compliance Program, Puts Emphasis on Cronobacter, Salmonella
• <a href= "https://www.food-safety.com/articles/8893-fda-updates-on-prevent