Newsletter – July 20, 2026

Advocacy

Chemicals Management Plan Engagement and Outreach Contribution Program:
A new call for proposals under the Engagement and Outreach Contribution Program was published. The call for proposals will close on August 28, 2026.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/chemicals-management-plan/initiatives/engagement-outreach-contribution-program-public-participation-stream.html

Federal

CFIA launches interprovincial support service – Food In CanadaFood In Canada

On June 10, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched a concierge service aimed at assisting small and medium-sized food businesses in navigating interprovincial trade and federal licensing requirements, including the Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence.

Ketones Group – Canada.ca

Ketones Group:
2,4-PD has been added to the Watch List.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/chemicals-management-plan-3-substances/ketones-group.html

Competition Bureau to examine competition in Canada’s food supply chain – Food In CanadaFood In Canada

The Competition Bureau is investigating competition levels in Canada’s food supply chain amid rising food prices affecting households. The examination will focus on production and processing, transportation and distribution, and retail pricing practices, including loyalty programs and pricing algorithms.

PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions

The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.

Deltamethrin, Ultratec 5SC MUP and Raid Bug Defense (PRD2026-12) Open Consultation Posted: July 17, 2026

Provincial

Innovation Insights: Ontario’s next generation of ingredient innovation – Food In CanadaFood In Canada

Four companies are developing a suite of novel ingredients, each working to tackle some of the most pressing problems facing product teams across the country.

Under One Roof: B.C. Launches Unified Natural-Resource Compliance and Enforcement Agency – McMillan LLP

British Columbia is creating a new agency to bring together compliance and enforcement functions from across the province’s natural-resource ministries. The BC Compliance and Enforcement Agency (BC-CEA) will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will sit within the Ministry of Environment and Parks.

USA

Investigation of 5-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce (July 2026) | FDA

Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

An Enduring Mission in a New Era: The FDA Public Health Pillars | FDA

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—a fitting time to reaffirm the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s enduring mission and our responsibility in shaping the future of public health.

Chemical Residues and Contaminants | Food Safety and Inspection Service

FSIS’ National Residue Program Quarterly Report (October – December 2025) and associated datasets are now available on the FSIS website. The report and datasets include residue sampling data for domestic surveillance, inspector-generated and import sampling programs for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The quarterly report summarizes the chemical residue results for the U.S. National Residue Program for meat, poultry, and egg products, helping to ensure a safe food supply.

FDA Calls on Infant Formula Industry to Better Safeguard Against Contaminants Introduced through their Supply Chain | FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to the infant formula industry and their supply chain partners highlighting multiple recent public health events where risks were introduced through the supply chain and to call for increased vigilance by industry to ensure the safety of ingredients and finished infant formula products.

NIST Receives New Patent for Microbe-Killing Water Heater | NIST

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have just been granted a patent for a water heater system that kills a class of harmful bacteria, reducing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other life-threatening infections, while reducing the associated risk of scalding.

International

Method workflow – Portable NIR as a screening tool for spice authenticity – News – FoodAuthenticity

This study (open access) set out to assess the use of portable Near Infra-Red (NIR) spectroscopy as a screening tool for spice authentication, with subsequent confirmation by FT-IR  The authors recommend pre-defined decision points, meaning that samples for laboratory confirmatory testing could be selected based on the results of widespread screening tests rather than based (as present) on fraud risk-ranking or audit findings.

FAO/WHO Experts Recommend Updating Codex Powdered Infant Formula Guidance to Consider Clostridia, B. cereus | Food Safety Magazine

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) has recommended updates to the Codex Alimentarius guidance, Code of Hygienic Practice for Powdered Formula for Infants and Young Children (CXC 66-2008), following a review of emerging microbiological hazards associated with powdered formulas. The meeting, held in Rome, Italy, on June 15–19, 2026, was convened at the request of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) in response to continued outbreaks and recalls linked to powdered formula.

FAO Report Calls for Robust Risk Assessment for Recycled Plastic Food Packaging – Quality Assurance & Food Safety

The growing use of recycled plastic in food packaging and other food contact materials offers clear environmental benefits but also raises crucial chemical safety concerns that underscore the need for discussion on globally harmonized standards, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Safety Share

Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health: Overview – Canada.ca

As wildfires burn through forests and grasslands, they produce smoke. Smoke from wildfires can be a major source of air pollution for people in Canada.

Wildfire smoke may be carried thousands of kilometres from the fire zone. This means smoke can impact air quality in areas close to and far from the wildfire.

Backyard trampoline and inflatable play structure safety – Canada.ca

Backyard trampolines and inflatable play structures (bouncy castles, bounce houses) are popular in Canada. However, using these products can lead to serious injuries. Learn about the risks associated with these products and steps for safer use.

Events

Safety Connection: Critical Injury Investigations in Manufacturing: Be | WSPS   Jul 22 | 10:30 – 12:00 pm ET  (virtual)

Join us for the session, Critical Injury Investigations in Manufacturing: Best Practices & Lessons Learned, to learn practical investigation and root cause analysis techniques that can help prevent future workplace incidents.

Using AI Responsibly in Food Safety Management Systems Registration  7/21/2026  2:00 pm EDT

This webinar will provide participants with guidance on how to effectively use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to develop key components of a food safety management system (FSMS), including standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, training materials, and system verification activities.

Food Safety Trends and Preparing for Change  Thursday, August 27, 2026 10:00 am EDT

The food industry is facing an increasingly complex risk landscape—ranging from foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls to supply chain disruptions and evolving regulations.

Join NSF’s upcoming webinar and learn how to stay ahead with data-driven insights and real-world expertise.

Beyond Sanitation: Understanding the Hidden System Conditions That Allow Pathogens to Persist Registration   August 6, 2026 2pm EDT

Despite significant investments in cleaning and sanitation, many food manufacturers continue to experience recurring contamination events and persistent environmental pathogens.

The challenge is often not a single sanitation failure, but a combination of hidden system conditions that allow microorganisms to survive, spread, or reappear over time.

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