Iceland has reported a record high number of E. coli cases, driven by a large outbreak in 2024.
A total of 79 people were diagnosed with confirmed or probable Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection. Patients ranged in age from less than 1 to 84 years old and included 36 males and 43 females. In 2023, only 14 cases were noted.
The safety of food products is being put at risk by a rise in people using trucks to enter the United Kingdom, according to a report.
Oakland International said the report, developed with market analysis company Analytiqa, shows the urgent need for coordinated action, particularly in the food supply chain.
Two people have died in a Listeria outbreak in France linked to cheese.
French health authorities reported 21 cases of listeriosis caused by bacterial strains with similar characteristics, including 18 cases since the beginning of June. Patients range in age from 34 to 95.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that can inhibit tooth decay. In the EU, fluoridating public drinking water is done only in very few Member States but approximately 90% of toothpastes sold contain fluoride. The correct use (i.e. surface only) of fluoridated oral care products does not contribute to exposure, hence only their ingestion was assessed.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) advised today that a food recall of various branded spinach and mixed leaves products produced by McCormack Family Farms is underway due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. To date, there are no cases of listeriosis associated with the spinach and mixed leaves products that are the subject of this recall.
The Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034 is a collaborative effort of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It brings together the commodity, policy, and country expertise of both organisations, as well as input from collaborating member countries, to provide an annual assessment of the prospects for the coming decade of national, regional, and global agricultural commodity markets.
The company behind a deadly Listeria outbreak in the Republic of Ireland has resumed production.
Ballymaguire Foods said it had received approval from the Health Service Executive (HSE) to restart operations. Products will return to retail shelves beginning Aug. 12.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported nine confirmed cases of listeriosis and one death related to food from the company. No demographic details about patients have been released.
Nature Of Danger:
Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) annual report has revealed a rise in food incidents, recalls, and enforcement but a decline in sampling.
In 2024, the food incidents team dealt with 796 incidents, which is up from 733 in 2023. Almost 500 were in the most serious category. Incidents of significant public health concern included Salmonella Hessarek in duck eggs, norovirus in oysters, three outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and peanut contamination of mustard powder imported from India via the UK.
A large Yersinia outbreak in France caused by raw milk cheese has prompted scientists to highlight the risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products.
In March 2024, French surveillance of yersiniosis picked up a cluster of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates, corresponding to bioserotype 2/O:9.
An unauthorized meat operator from Brazil and illegally extending the shelf life of beef were among potential food fraud cases discussed recently in Europe.
Reports in Europe reached 129 in May 2025, which is down from the 235 alerts in April and 281 in May 2024. May 2025 saw a new methodology used around pesticide residues so figures should not be compared to previous months.
Issues listed are potential frauds. Non-compliances may lead to investigations by authorities in EU member states. Details come from a monthly report published by the European Commission.
Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in England are continuing to rise.
There has been an increasing trend in the number of confirmed laboratory reports for both Campylobacter and Salmonella from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025.
The new guidance, which has been developed through extensive engagement and consultation with industry, aims to support food businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to be compliant with MSM regulations, in line with the outcome of Supreme Court and High Court rulings.
CBD businesses with applications on the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Public List are being encouraged to reformulate food products to improve consumer safety. These are products that are currently on sale in England and Wales linked to a credible application submitted for authorisation to the FSA, and are not new to the market.
The seasonal migration of wild birds and the importation of certain US products, such as those containing raw milk, could be potential routes for the introduction of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) genotype currently affecting US dairy cows into Europe, a new report released by EFSA says. This virus type has not been reported so far in any country other than the USA.
The European Food Safety Authority’s Management Board has nominated Dr. Nikolaus Kriz as EFSA’s next Executive Director for a five-year term from September 2025.
Microscopic parasites hiding in everyday foods like leafy greens, shellfish, and unpasteurized dairy pose a serious health risk, often overlooked.
An expert meeting, convened at FAO’s headquarters, in Rome from 26–30 May 2025, brought together leading scientists to review the latest global data on foodborne protozoan parasites, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Toxoplasma gondii. These organisms are responsible for significant gastrointestinal illness worldwide, particularly in young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has published a 3-page factsheet entitled, “Precision fermentation – beyond the buzzword, food safety Q&A”. This short and colorful document breaks down the buzzword into a few simple questions, offering a straightforward introduction and reading key to the previously released full publication “Precision Fermentation – With a focus on Food Safety”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) annual data has revealed a significant rise in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in England.
Salmonella infections reached a decade high, with a 17.1 percent increase from 2023, from 8,872 cases to 10,388 in 2024.
Campylobacter cases also increased by 17.1 percent from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024. This represents the most infections in the past 10 years.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) research has revealed high refrigerator temperatures are putting people at increased risk of foodborne illness.
Despite the recommended operating temperature being between 0 to 5 degrees C (32 to 41 degrees F), the majority of refrigerators monitored in the Fridge Recording Over Set Time (FROST) trial had an average temperature of greater than 41 degrees F.
