Foreign material contamination remains one of the most persistent challenges facing food manufacturers today. Unlike microbiological or chemical hazards, physical contaminants such as metal fragments, glass, plastic, wood and stone can enter a product at almost any point in the manufacturing process, and even a single incident can carry a significant cost in wasted product, recalls and lost customer confidence. This article explores where physical contamination risks originate, how inspection technology can support existing food safety programs, and what businesses can do to recover when an incident occurs. Where Contamination Risks Begin Physical hazards are often Read more...

New research published in Nature Microbiology has identified a previously unknown way that bacterial biofilms may help selected cells escape and establish new communities. Scientists studying biofilms formed by Bacillus subtilis found that the bacteria can produce a hydrogel that creates enough pressure to eject a small group of motile cells from the biofilm. The process may allow those cells to disperse and establish bacterial communities elsewhere. How does the escape mechanism work? Bacteria living within a biofilm are surrounded by a protective extracellular matrix. The researchers found that cells within the Bacillus subtilis biofilm could produce a Read more...

The push to reduce plastic waste is reshaping the food packaging sector. Recycled plastics, biobased polymers and other alternative materials are increasingly being explored as part of more sustainable packaging strategies. But sustainability cannot be considered in isolation. When a material is designed to come into contact with food, food contact surfaces or the food production environment, its suitability still needs to be assessed through a food safety lens. A new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has examined the potential food safety implications associated with recycled plastics and alternative food contact materials, including Read more...

The Panasonic APAC HQ recently held a HVAC seminar in Hanoi, Vietnam. Mr Nigel Asai, Managing Director HACCP International Japan and Korea was a guest speaker at the event. Mr Asai spoke on topics including; What is HACCP and the HACCP International Certification Programme and how this is important for applied food safety. Mr Asai discussed the impact that non-food hardware can have in terms of food safety within the industry. He further highlighted the revolutionary benefits of the Pansonic NanoeX technologies used in the Panasonic HVAC products which have achieved certification by HACCP International. “Food Safety risk can be Read more...

   PRESS RELEASE Issued by HACCP International Pty Ltd and HACCP Australia Pty Ltd Sydney, Australia – 30 January 2026. AFNOR International, a division of the certification, training and standards organisation, Afnor Groupe, today announced the acquisition of the HACCP Group companies based in Australia, comprising HACCP Australia, the food safety and technology company, and HACCP International, the food-safe product certification body. The acquisition of the two companies will see AFNOR International extend its growth in the Australasian and Pacific region, complementing its already extensive global network and scope.  It also serves to give HACCP International further reach in Read more...