The U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched its Food Code Reference System Monday in an effort to strengthen understanding and application of the FDA Food Code. State and local agencies use the agency’s model food code to make their food safety rules more consistent with national food regulatory policy. The new Food Code Reference System, developed and issued by the Retail Food Protection Team in FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, is a searchable database to answer user questions and contains entries from responses to Food Code-related questions posed to FDA. The initial batch of entries addresses issues such as storing foods that require temperature control for safety, the design of food establishments, bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, and proper hand hygiene and employee attire. After an initial registration, system users can search the database using drop-down menus, keyword search, date fields, or a combination of these options. FDA plans to add more entries relevant to applying the Food Code across jurisdictions.
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An analysis of official controls in Norway and Iceland has revealed effective oversight overall with some recurring weaknesses.
Norway and Iceland are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Bongkrekic acid and the illegal use of a substance to give the appearance of fish freshness were examples of emerging risks discussed in a recent report about problems in Europe
The majority of countries are finding implementing food safety culture controls difficult, according to a European Commission survey.
The report looked at the state of food safety culture controls in
Ireland’s largest Listeria outbreak and plans to introduce a food hygiene rating system are among the highlights of the Irish food agency’s annual report.
According to the Food
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or
Everything Sprouts LLC of Minneapolis, MN, is recalling three varieties of alfalfa sprouts products because they have been linked to a 15-state outbreak of Shiga toxin producing E. coli
CDC lists the investigation status as open and FDA lists it as ongoing. Case counts and recall lists in this report reflect the federal record as of Aug. 20, 2026.
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. is recalling select flavors of Outshine Fruit Bars because of consumer complaints about contamination with glass.
Products affected include Outshine Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine
