Food Safety

California Assembly Passes AB 2706 on Acidified and Low-Acid Food Processing Requirements

In May 2026, the California Assembly passed AB 2706 to repeal legacy cannery licensing rules and create a new scheduled-process, registration and fee framework for acidified and low-acid food manufacturers, sending the bill to the Senate for further consideration. Food and beverage businesses using shelf-stable acidified or low-acid products in California may face new validation, labelling and cost obligations, so compliance teams should monitor Senate changes and prepare for potential process, registration and pricing updates if the bill is enacted.

16 May 2026, 09:02leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

EU Commission Opens Feedback on Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus X Directive

The European Commission is consulting on its Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus X Directive, which would amend pesticides, animal welfare and food-contact legislation as part of a wider burden-reduction package, with feedback windows running through late May and mid-June 2026. Agriculture, food, feed, chemicals and packaging businesses should assess how new rules on drone pesticide application, simplified farm record keeping and streamlined food-contact testing could affect compliance strategies, investment decisions and operational planning across EU markets.

16 May 2026, 08:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Italy Adopts Law 75/2026 on Sanctions to Protect Italian Food Products

Italy has adopted Law 75/2026, strengthening criminal and administrative sanctions for food fraud, mislabelling and misuse of geographical indications across the agri-food chain from 29 May 2026. The new offences, higher penalties, confiscation powers and corporate-liability extensions significantly raise enforcement and reputational risk for food manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, requiring tighter control of product integrity, origin claims and digital sales channels.

16 May 2026, 08:54gazzettaufficiale.itItaly

New Zealand Introduces ACVM Amendment Bill To Streamline Agricultural Chemicals And Veterinary Medicines

In May 2026 New Zealand introduced the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill to streamline approvals for agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines by relying more on trusted overseas regulators and risk-based pathways. If enacted, this will reshape how manufacturers and importers plan registrations for new and lower-risk products, potentially shortening time to market while shifting detailed timelines and requirements into future regulations.

16 May 2026, 08:53beehive.govt.nzNew Zealand

European Commission Consultation On Changes To Olive Oil Conformity Checks

The European Commission has launched a short public consultation on planned changes to how EU olive oil marketing standards are enforced through conformity checks, with feedback due in late May 2026. Olive oil producers, bottlers and traders selling into the EU should quickly review the consultation to understand how potential adjustments to conformity-check procedures could affect inspection risk, documentation expectations and non-compliance exposure along their supply chains.

15 May 2026, 17:49ec.europa.euEuropean Union

PARC Advances Integrative Risk Assessment and Provides Rapid Response Data to EFSA

In May 2026, the EU Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) announced new integrative mixture risk-assessment deliverables, expanded training for regulators, and Rapid Response data used by EFSA in its assessment of Alternaria toxins in food and feed. These scientific outputs do not create new legal obligations but signal a stronger evidence base and tools that could shape future EU chemical and food-safety policies, especially around mixture exposures, human biomonitoring and natural toxins.

15 May 2026, 17:45eu-parc.euEuropean Union

EU Council Presidency Compromise Texts and Explanatory Notes on Food and Feed Safety Omnibus Regulation Proposal

In May 2026 the EU Council Presidency tabled several non‑public compromise texts and explanatory notes for the Food and Feed Simplification Regulation, which would amend multiple core EU food and feed safety laws in a single omnibus act. This indicates that Council negotiations on the package are progressing, and food, feed, pesticide and biocides supply chains should anticipate future changes to hygiene, residue, animal welfare and official control requirements as the text is finalised.

15 May 2026, 15:47eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

New Jersey Legislature Proposes Fortifying Corn Masa Act For Folic Acid In Corn Masa Products

In May 2026 New Jersey lawmakers introduced the Fortifying Corn Masa Act to mandate folic acid fortification and specific labelling for corn masa flour, while allowing fortification of wet corn masa products. If adopted, this will create new formulation and labelling obligations for manufacturers and distributors of corn masa products serving New Jersey, with a one-year compliance window after enactment.

15 May 2026, 15:40njleg.state.nj.usUnited States

EFSA Updates Open EFSA Feed Additive Entries for 6-Phytase and Bacillus Applications

In mid-May 2026 EFSA updated two Open EFSA entries for feed additive applications, republishing its 6-phytase opinion after a confidentiality decision change and clarifying that a Bacillus-based zootechnical additive dossier remains under ongoing risk assessment with a clock stop until mid-May 2026 and an overall deadline in August 2026. These adjustments do not create new legal obligations but they are important signals for companies managing EU feed additive dossiers under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, indicating where assessments are finalised and where timelines for potential authorisations have shifted.

15 May 2026, 15:17open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Slovenia: Authorities Announce Recall of Mister SIBAMBA Rozine Sultanina Raisins for Ochratoxin A

Slovenia’s food safety authority has announced a recall of Mister SIBAMBA Rozine Sultanina raisins (250 g, lot 26009) sold by Eurospin after ochratoxin A mycotoxin levels exceeded permitted limits. Food and retail operators should ensure this lot is removed from sale, inform customers, and review supplier controls to manage mycotoxin risks in dried fruits.

15 May 2026, 15:17gov.siSlovenia

Hungary Nébih Voluntary Recall Of Dibette "Wafree" Gluten-Free Cocoa Wafer For Excess Gluten (Batch L270426)

On 14 May 2026, Hungary’s food safety authority Nébih announced a voluntary recall of Dibette “Wafree” gluten-free cocoa wafer (30 g, batch L270426, best-before 26 June 2027) after finding gluten levels above the permitted limit. The case underscores tight enforcement of allergen management and gluten-free labelling, signalling that food manufacturers and retailers must maintain strong controls to avoid recalls that affect gluten-intolerant consumers.

15 May 2026, 15:16portal.nebih.gov.huHungary

PARC Rapid Response Mechanism Delivers New Data to Support EFSA Risk Assessment

In May 2026, the EU Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals rapidly generated and delivered new in vitro toxicity and metabolism data on Alternaria toxins to support the European Food Safety Authority’s ongoing food and feed risk assessment. This strengthens the evidence base for any future adjustments to EU guidance or risk management measures on natural mycotoxin contamination in food supply chains, signalling continued regulatory scrutiny of chemical risks in food and feed.

15 May 2026, 15:09eu-parc.euEuropean Union

US FDA Releases Instructional Video For Expanded Decision Tree Food Chemical Toxicity Screening Tool

FDA has published a practical video guide and detailed web explainer on its Expanded Decision Tree tool, which classifies food-related chemicals by chronic toxicity and Threshold of Toxicological Concern to prioritise regulatory review. This strengthens non-binding, data-driven screening methods in FDA’s food chemical safety programme and signals greater reliance on New Approach Methods and TTC-based prioritisation when planning future assessments and submissions.

15 May 2026, 15:08fda.govUnited States

California AB 2302: Proposed Infant Formula Toxic-Element Testing and Disclosure Requirements

California is advancing AB 2302, a bill that would require infant formula manufacturers selling into the state to conduct monthly testing of final products for specified toxic elements and, from 2028, would obligate brand owners to provide consumer-accessible test results and QR-coded labelling linked to FDA guidance. If enacted, these requirements would significantly tighten heavy-metal control and transparency expectations for infant formula placed on the California market, raising compliance, testing and disclosure burdens for manufacturers and brand owners across retail and online channels.

15 May 2026, 15:05leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

WHO Releases Draft PREVENT Technical Package on Lead Poisoning Prevention – Overview

In May 2026 the World Health Organization released a draft PREVENT technical package that sets out a global framework of six priority actions for governments to reduce and ultimately eliminate lead exposure as a major public health threat. Although non-binding, it consolidates best-practice standards and regulatory expectations on lead in water, food, consumer products, workplaces and the environment, signalling likely future tightening of national rules, surveillance and enforcement that companies should factor into forward compliance planning.

15 May 2026, 15:02who.intGlobal

EU EESC Opinion on Food and Feed Simplification Omnibus

In April 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee published a detailed opinion on the EU Food and Feed simplification omnibus package, backing simplification while proposing targeted changes to pesticide, biocontrol, GMO, seed and food/feed safety rules. The non-binding recommendations signal likely pressure in upcoming negotiations for more flexible yet harmonised authorisation, mutual recognition, grace periods and labelling for plant protection products, MRLs and GM-derived foods, which could materially reshape future compliance obligations for EU food, feed and agrochemical supply chains.

15 May 2026, 15:00eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

APHA Updates Export Health Certificate 7991 for Fish Exports to Moldova – Northern Ireland Applications Now via DAERA DECS

APHA has updated Export Health Certificate 7991 for fish and seafood exports to Moldova, moving Northern Ireland applications from downloading forms on GOV.UK to using DAERA’s DECS online system from 14 May 2026. This is a procedural change, so Northern Ireland exporters and certifying vets must switch to the new application route and update internal processes to avoid delays or rejected consignments.

15 May 2026, 14:45gov.ukUnited KingdomMoldova

UK Updates Northern Ireland Application Process for Export Health Certificate 6055 for Fish Exports to USA

From 14 May 2026, applications in Northern Ireland for Export Health Certificate 6055 covering fish, fish oil and shellfish exports to the USA must be made through DAERA’s DECS online system instead of by downloading the certificate from GOV.UK. Northern Ireland exporters and their certifiers need to update workflows and registrations to use DAERA as the competent authority for these consignments, while Great Britain exporters continue to apply via APHA’s online export health certificate service.

15 May 2026, 14:44gov.ukUnited KingdomUnited States

UK APHA Changes Northern Ireland Application Process for Canned Pet Food Exports to Ukraine (EHC 8830)

APHA has updated export health certificate 8830 so that exporters in Northern Ireland must now apply through DAERA’s DECS online system for canned pet food exports to Ukraine, while Great Britain exporters continue using the existing EHC Online service. This procedural change affects how Northern Ireland exporters and their certifying vets plan and manage applications, and failure to switch to the new DECS-based route could delay or block compliant shipments.

15 May 2026, 14:44gov.ukUnited KingdomUkraine

Norway: BAMA Recalls Red Royal Gala Apples From Argentina Over Propargite Residues

In May 2026, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority reported that BAMA is recalling loose red Royal Gala apples imported from Argentina after testing found propargite pesticide residues above the legal limit. This underscores strict enforcement of pesticide residue controls in fresh produce, and importers and retailers should review supplier monitoring and lot traceability for similar fruit supply chains.

15 May 2026, 14:43mattilsynet.noNorwayArgentina