FDA's Message to RTE Facilities About Listeria Control

A key takeaway from FDA’s August public meeting about controlling Listeria monocytogenes in RTE facilities is that it requires much more than finished-product testing.

Prevention is key, and that means taking a holistic approach that includes sanitary design, cleaning, employee practices, traffic patterns, and much more.

Learning how facility design affects your Listeria-control program is a good place to start this September, which happens to be National Food Safety Education Month. To celebrate, we're offering 20% off all courses, including our online Sanitary Design course, scheduled for Nov. 5.

Register today to strengthen your Listeria controls!

Can We Test This With That? It Depends.

Alex Brandt, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Microbiology

At the AOAC International Annual Meeting earlier this month, I discussed a question laboratories hear all the time: Can we use this method for that sample?

For example, can a method validated for beef trim be used for lamb trim, or can a method for Listeria monocytogenes be used to test for Listeria species?

The honest answer is often, “it depends.” The method, target organism, matrix, sample size, and any changes to enrichment conditions all matter. Depending on the situation, a verification, mini-validation, or full validation may be needed before testing begins.

Our new article explains how laboratories evaluate method fit so you can set realistic timelines, anticipate costs, and generate data you can rely on.

Is Your Antioxidant System Working?

Jay Alappat, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Chemistry

Antioxidants can help preserve flavor, color, nutritional quality, and shelf life, but adding one does not necessarily confirm that a product is adequately protected.

You still need to know whether the correct antioxidant is present, whether it is at the intended concentration, whether the system remains effective throughout shelf life, and whether its use meets applicable regulatory requirements.

Join Kevin Schmitt, Justin Allen, Alex Brandt, and me for a complimentary webinar on Sept. 24. We’ll discuss how targeted antioxidant testing, oxidation measurements, and shelf-life studies can help answer those questions.

Send us your questions when you register, and we’ll address as many as possible during the live Q&A.

Can We Test This With That?

A method that works for one organism, food matrix, sample size, or set of enrichment conditions may not be suitable for another without additional evaluation.

Our new guide explains when method verification, a mini-validation, or a full validation may be appropriate for food microbiology testing.

It can help you ask targeted questions before submitting samples, plan timelines, and understand why our labs may need more information before running a method.

Remote Audits, AI, and Risk Take Center Stage in ISO 19011:2026

Sites that conduct internal audits should be aware of ISO 19011:2026, which updates guidance for planning and performing management-system audits.

The new edition provides expanded direction on remote and hybrid audits, AI, risk-based planning, digital evidence, and information security.

Review your internal audit procedures and auditor training to determine whether these changes should be incorporated into your program.

Is Your Antioxidant System Working? What Advanced Testing Can Reveal About Product Quality, Shelf Life, & Compliance

📅 Thursday, Sept. 24 | 1:00 PM ET

We'll help you understand:

• How antioxidants protect foods and ingredients from oxidation.
• The differences among targeted antioxidant analysis, antioxidant-capacity assays, and oxidative-stability testing.
• How our new HPLC-UV method measures nine antioxidants in a single analysis.
• How peroxide value, p-anisidine, TOTOX, and TBARS can help evaluate rancidity and product performance.
• How antioxidant testing can be incorporated into shelf-life studies.
• How evolving U.S. and EU regulatory activity may affect antioxidant use and analytical verification.

Food and Dietary Supplement Labeling Compliance Virtual Seminar

📅 Oct. 12, 14, 16 | 11 AM - 5 PM ET

• Learn FDA food labeling requirements from labeling experts who helped to develop and implement the current regulations and have reviewed hundreds of labels for the industry.
• Learn about hot issues that have triggered recent FDA warning letters.
• Apply learning in practical work sessions.
• Have your specific issues addressed and discussed in a casual, interactive learning environment.