Food Safety

The Handmade Food Halo Can Hide Safety Risks

A new study suggests shoppers may assume hand-prepared foods are fresher and safer, even when extra handling can add contamination risks.

Clean Water Access Is Closely Tied to Food Security

A survey of more than 124,000 people across 121 countries found that people who lacked clean drinking water were also more likely to lack food and report food safety concerns.

Some Food Preservatives Tied to Higher Blood Pressure Risk

A large French study found higher intake of certain preservative additives from processed foods was associated with higher risks of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

What Vitamin C May Do When Nitrates and Nitrites Reach the Gut

A mathematical modeling study suggests vitamin C may reduce certain cancer-linked chemical reactions during digestion, but it does not prove that supplements prevent cancer.

Study Suggests Peanut Therapy May Help Allergic Toddlers

A randomized trial found many peanut-allergic toddlers could tolerate more peanut exposure after carefully monitored oral immunotherapy, but experts stress this is not a treatment parents should try on their own.

Can Cranberry Juice Help Fight UTIs?

A new lab study suggests cranberry juice compounds may help certain antibiotics work better against some UTI-causing bacteria, but researchers say human benefits remain unproven.

Study Finds Low-Level Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Meat, Milk Alternatives

A UK market survey found naturally occurring fungal toxins in plant-based products, but levels were below current European safety guidelines.

Could Updated Alcohol Warning Labels Make People Think Twice?

A national survey experiment suggests that redesigned alcohol warnings, especially those highlighting cancer risk, were perceived as more effective than current U.S. labels at encouraging people to consider drinking less.

Experimental Drug Shows Promise for Celiac Disease

A new clinical study suggests an experimental treatment may help reduce some harmful effects of accidental gluten exposure, though it is not a cure.

Can Processing Make Peanuts Less Allergenic? Early Research Explores a New Approach

A lab study suggests a non-heat treatment can change peanut proteins, but it’s far from making peanuts safe for people with allergies.

A New Produce Wash Can Remove More Pesticides, But Do You Need It?

A lab-tested rinse shows promising results, while everyday washing still does more than many people think.

Can Gluten Be Transferred Through Kissing?

A small human study finds that while gluten can pass through saliva, the amount is typically low and easy to reduce.

Why “Zero Bacteria” Doesn’t Always Mean Safer Food

New research suggests ultra-sensitive food safety tests may be leading to unnecessary waste without improving public health

How Chocolate Processing Changes What’s Inside Your Bar

A new study suggests fermentation and bean selection can shift both flavor and nutrient content, but more antioxidants don’t necessarily mean a healthier chocolate

Gut Bacteria May Influence Peanut Allergy Severity

A new mechanistic study links specific microbes to higher peanut tolerance thresholds, but it does not change current medical guidance.

Raw Milk Claims vs. Food Safety Risks: What Microbiologists Say

As celebrities and wellness influencers renew interest in unpasteurized milk, experts explain what we know about nutrition, allergies and bacterial risk.

Cultured Beef Shows Different Allergen Profile Than Conventional Meat

An early laboratory study finds lab-grown beef cells contain fewer traditional beef allergens but may trigger stronger reactions in people with alpha-gal sensitivity.

Some Drinking Water Kiosks Show Elevated Lead Levels

Research suggests reverse osmosis systems may reduce certain contaminants but increase corrosion-related lead under some conditions.

High Levels of Nanoplastics Disrupt Kidney Cells in Lab Study

New research finds kidney cells show signs of stress when exposed to high concentrations of nanoplastics, but real-world exposure levels remain unclear.

Where Nitrate Comes from May Matter for Brain Health

A long-term Danish study finds lower dementia risk linked to nitrate from vegetables, while nitrate from drinking water and some animal foods was tied to higher risk, highlighting the importance of dietary context.

Many Takeout Meals Contain More Salt Than Menu Labels Suggest

Lab tests of popular takeout foods found large gaps between declared and actual salt levels, highlighting limits of menu labeling when eating out.

Researchers Detect Wide Range of Environmental Chemicals in Human Milk

A new analysis finds traces of pesticides, plastic additives and antimicrobials in breast milk, while emphasizing that breastfeeding remains the gold standard for infant nutrition.

Water Dispensers May Harbor More Bacteria Than Tap Water, Global Review Finds

A large review of international studies suggests poorly maintained water dispensers can allow microbial regrowth even when source water is safe

Beer Waste May Help Solve a Key Challenge in Cultivated Meat

A new proof-of-concept study explores whether leftover yeast from brewing beer can be turned into edible scaffolds for lab-grown meat, though major hurdles remain.

Smaller Peanut Doses May Offer Protection for More Children with Peanut Allergy

New research suggests very low-dose oral immunotherapy could reduce reaction risk with fewer side effects than standard treatment.