Food Safety

Thousands of Food Packaging Chemicals Have Major Safety Data Gaps

Researchers found that many chemicals used in or detected in food packaging and other food-contact materials have not been thoroughly evaluated, but that does not mean they have been shown to be harmful.

A Food-Safety Treatment Left Most Ground Poultry Quality Intact

Researchers tested whether a treatment designed to reduce harmful bacteria would noticeably change ground chicken and turkey. At a moderate dose, most differences were small.

Study Finds Low Health Risk from Chemical Contaminants in Chinese Tea

PCBs were detected in all 192 samples, but researchers estimated that exposure from typical tea consumption remained very low.

Food Fraud May Cost the U.K. Billions Each Year

The hidden costs can affect businesses, food prices and consumer trust, even when the fraud goes undetected.

What the Research Says About Synthetic Food Dyes

As regulators and food companies move away from some synthetic dyes, the evidence points to possible behavioral effects in some children but much less certainty about other health concerns.

Fecal Transplants Raised Peanut Tolerance in Small Trial

Six of 15 adults tolerated more peanut months after treatment, but the experimental therapy did not eliminate their allergies or prove a lasting cure.

High Formula Costs Are Pushing Some Families Toward Unsafe Choices

A UK study of financially struggling parents found widespread debt, distress and attempts to stretch formula, though the findings do not represent all formula-feeding families.

Edible Coating Helps Strawberries Stay Fresh Longer

A seaweed-derived coating reduced moisture loss and mold in laboratory tests, but researchers have not yet shown how it performs in stores, homes or commercial supply chains.

U.S. Honey Met Organic Pesticide Limits Without Certified Foraging Land

Honey from organically managed colonies on six Northeastern farms had pesticide residue levels comparable to imported organic honey, but the findings do not mean the honey was pesticide-free or eligible for organic certification.

Purple Corn Pigments Show Promise as Natural Food Coloring

Laboratory tests found that purple corn colorants held up under heat and refrigerated storage, but they are not yet a universal replacement for synthetic dyes.

Most Toddler Foods in One Store Audit Were Ultraprocessed

A preliminary analysis of products sold in Austin, Texas, found that many also exceeded recommended limits for sugar, sodium, fat or calories, but processing level alone did not reliably identify the least nutritious choices.

Food Allergy Treatments Helped Some Children Eat Foods They Once Had to Avoid

A yearlong trial found that medication and oral immunotherapy helped some children tolerate three allergenic foods, though most did not reach that goal and ongoing treatment was still required.

Scientists Are Breeding More Nutrients into Staple Crops

A new review examines how conventional breeding, genetic engineering and CRISPR could help improve the vitamin and mineral content of major crops as climate change places new pressure on food systems.

Small Study Finds Mold-Related Food Chemicals During Pregnancy

Levels were higher after participants ate corn and other grains, but researchers did not determine whether the exposures caused harm.

Wastewater DNA May Reveal Broad Patterns in What Communities Eat

Researchers detected food DNA in sewage from 19 North Carolina communities, offering a possible new way to study nutrition and food access without relying entirely on surveys.

Breastfeeding Linked to Mixed Childhood Allergy Outcomes

A large Japanese study found lower rates of some respiratory allergies but higher reported rates of food allergy among children exclusively breastfed for six months.

Most Avocado Oil-Labeled Foods Tested Contained Other Oils

A small market study found that 48 of 54 processed foods listing avocado oil as their only oil ingredient had chemical profiles indicating that other oils were present.

Rat Study Raises Questions About Long-Term Xanthan Gum Intake

The findings do not show that the amounts commonly found in food harm the human gut.

Healthy Pregnancy Diets May Shape Chemical Exposure

An NIH-supported observational study found that following dietary guidelines was linked to lower exposure to some chemicals, but higher exposure to others found on produce.

Ready-To-Eat Foods May Need Clearer Listeria Labels

Researchers say labels could help consumers identify smoked fish, deli meats and other refrigerated foods made to prevent Listeria growth.

Plant-Based Does Not Always Mean Less Processed

A small UK supermarket study found more additives and ingredients in one line of plant-based alternatives, but the findings do not show those foods are unsafe.

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.