Essential Insights for 2023: Your Ultimate Guide to Food Safety Trends and Best Practices

Kansas City is stepping up efforts to reduce foodborne illnesses. Regulatory bodies like the USDA and FDA are tightening their grip on food manufacturers, especially those processing meat and poultry.

In 2024, the USDA made great progress in preventing Salmonella and Listeria outbreaks. The FDA also kicked off a revamped Human Foods Program to boost their risk management strategies. These changes are ongoing into 2025.

Last year saw serious outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes, particularly affecting ready-to-eat meat products. For instance, Yu Shang Food Inc. from Spartanburg, SC, had to recall its products after they were found to be contaminated. According to the CDC, 19 people across eight states fell ill, with tragic outcomes including the deaths of a mother and her twins in California due to Listeria.

Before this incident, deli meats from Boar’s Head Provisions were linked to 61 cases of listeriosis that spanned 19 states, leading to ten deaths and many hospitalizations.

In response, the FSIS is enhancing its oversight of meat, poultry, and egg processors. They rolled out new measures aimed at reducing foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes. This includes improving inspector training and refining the review process for facilities to catch issues early.

Some key actions include:

• Equipping inspectors with better tools and training to spot food safety problems.
• Conducting regular food safety assessments at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities.
• Implementing broader testing for Listeria at various stages of food processing.
• Regularly reviewing data to identify risk factors and potential hazards.

The FSIS is also focusing on raw breaded stuffed chicken products. They declared Salmonella an adulterant in these products if the pathogen is found above a certain level. This ruling aims to better protect consumers, as these items often contain multiple raw ingredients that can confuse cooking times.

Meanwhile, the FDA is undertaking a new strategy with its Human Foods Program, launched on October 1, 2024. This program aims to enhance public health by focusing on microbiological food safety, food chemical safety, and nutrition. Specifically, efforts will be made to prevent illness caused by pathogens while ensuring food safety and addressing dietary health needs.

With these ongoing efforts, the goal is clear: make food safer for everyone.