Food Science Trends for 2024

IFT (Institute of Food Technologist) provided a post on trends for 2024.  They identified four.  In summary:

Food systems approaches: Farm to Fork strategy - the interconnectedness of the food supply with a focus on sustainability and reduction of food waste.

Food as Medicine: The Food as Medicine movement - As research continues, there will be more discussion on the impact of food on health.  I think the CBD movement will also come more into focus as more research comes out.

Food safety: Ongoing, visible food safety concerns - The big focus here will be on micro-chemicals in the food supply

Artificial intelligence - There will be positives such as using AI to optimize the supply chain provide new discoveries and there will be negatives - like robots doing my job...just kidding, kind of.

What do you think?

One challenge that I would add is the ongoing impact of a turbulent economy on prices, wages, employment shortages, and imbalances in supply and demand.  

https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/blog/2023/ifts-science-and-policy-team-identifies-four-trends-for-2024
IFT's Science and Policy Team Identifies Four Trends for 2024

From rapid changes ushered in by artificial intelligence to the emergence of stronger policies linking medicine and nutrition, our experts pinpoint next year's top science of food trends.

As we look ahead to 2024, IFT’s Science and Policy team has forecasted four major science of food trends to watch for. On the horizon are the influence of Farm to Fork strategy on global food system dialogue, a growing Food as Medicine movement, ongoing improvements to the food safety landscape, and advancements in artificial intelligence. As always, creative food science solutions will be essential in delivering safe, nutritious, and sustainable foods, and we expect the science of food community to continue to play a leading role in tackling the challenges ahead. Read on for the most need-to-know trends for the coming year.

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Manufacturers / Distributors of Veterinary Products with Antimicrobials for Aquarium Fish

FDA issued a number of Warning Letters to companies that manufacture and/or distribute antimicrobial chemicals for treatment of aquarium fish.  And birds.  Wow, in an age where we are concerned about the overuse of antimicrobials, here is a whole sector where there is little control.

Drugs were not tested for use - These products are new animal drugs under section 201(v) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(v)] because they are for use in nonfood-producing fish, which are minor species and are not the subject of a final FDA regulation finding either that the drugs are generally recognized among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of animal drugs, as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the drug’s labeling, or finding that the exception to the criterion in section 201(v)(1) of the FD&C Act has been met.

Companies are basically selling antibiotics over-the-counter - FDA is particularly concerned about your unapproved animal drugs because they raise public health concerns. Available as over-the-counter drugs, they contain antimicrobials that are considered medically important in the treatment of human disease.1 Concern about the development of resistance to antimicrobials important in human medicine has led FDA to promote more judicious use of animal drugs containing medically important antimicrobials, including working toward ensuring that these drugs can be used in animals only under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Gift Baskets Utilizing Suspect Granola Bars Are Recalled

Wine Country Gift Baskets / Houdini Inc. of Fullerton, CA is taking precautionary measures of voluntarily recalling all gift baskets produced with Quaker Chewy Granola bars due to a recall by the Quaker Oats company because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/houdini-inc-recalls-gift-baskets-quaker-oats-chewy-granola-bars-because-possible-health-risk
Houdini, Inc. Recalls Gift Baskets with Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  Houdini, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wine Country Gift Baskets
Product Description:  Gift Baskets with Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

WI Company Recalls Raspberry Pastry Product for Undeclared Pecans

Racine Danish Kringles of Racine, Wisconsin is recalling 960 units of Raspberry Kringle 14oz with lot code 23299 sold in select ALDI retail stores because the item may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated when a customer discovered that a Raspberry Kringle containing pecans was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of pecans.  No illnesses have been reported to date.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rdk-corp-dba-racine-danish-kringles-issues-allergy-alert-potential-undeclared-pecans-14oz-raspberry
RDK Corp (DBA Racine Danish Kringles) Issues Allergy Alert on Potential for Undeclared Pecans in 14oz Raspberry Kringle
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen - Pecans
Company Name:  RDK Corp
Brand Name:  Racine Danish Kringles
Product Description:  Raspberry Kringle Danish

Ark Establishment Recalls Boneless Chicken Bites After USDA-FSIS Received Consumer Complaints for Pieces of Hard Plastic

Simmons Prepared Foods Inc., a Van Buren, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays boneless chicken bites products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of clear, hard plastic.  The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that it had received consumer complaints reporting that clear, hard plastic was found under the breading of the boneless chicken bites.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/simmons-prepared-foods-inc--recalls-boneless-chicken-bites-products-due-possible
Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. Recalls Boneless Chicken Bites Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2023 - Simmons Prepared Foods Inc., a Van Buren, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays boneless chicken bites products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of clear, hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ohio Firm Recalls Deli Salad Items Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Herold’s Salads of Cleveland is recalling assorted deli salads packaged in various sizes. Recalled products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  There have been no reported illnesses or adverse health effects reported to date, however, Herolds Salads Inc. is proactively recalling specific batches to which this risk applies. 

Recalls of this nature often occur due to Listeria being found during testing, probably found in the processing environment.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/herolds-salads-inc-voluntarily-recalls-assorted-deli-salads-due-possible-contamination-listeria
Herolds Salads Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Assorted Deli Salads Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 16, 2023  Updated on 12/20/23
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Herold’s Salads Inc.
Brand Name:  Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Various Deli Salads

Ohio Firm Recalls Cookie Bites for Undeclared Allergens

Eban’s Bakehouse is recalling all of its Sweet Indulgences cookie bites, packaged in 12-count, 11.85 oz boxes, due to undeclared milk and soy allergens. The labeling issue was discovered during a routine inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There have been no reports of illness involving the products addressed in this recall.

The issue is that ingredients were not investigated and associated allergens identified.  For example, butter is listed, but the allergen milk was not identified.  The soy coming with the soy lecithin used in chocolate.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ebans-bakehouse-issues-voluntary-recall-due-undeclared-milk-and-soy-allergens
Eban’s Bakehouse Issues a Voluntary Recall Due to Undeclared Milk and Soy Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 16, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 16, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk and soy
Company Name:  Eban’s Bakehouse
Brand Name:  Eban’s Bakehouse
Product Description:  Cookie Bites

MA Firm Recalls Bagged Mung Bean Sprouts After State Lab Tests Finds Listeria

Chang Farm, Whatley, MA is recalling 12 oz Nature’s Wonder Mung Bean Sprouts, with the sell-by date of December 13th, 2023 because of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes).

The recall was initiated after a random sample was collected and analyzed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), which resulted in confirmation of presence Listeria Monocytogenes in the product.
The product has been distributed to retail stores and wholesalers throughout MA, CT, NY and MD.
No illnesses have been reported to date.

The product is not labeled as RTE product.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/chang-farm-recalls-natures-wonder-mung-bean-sprouts-because-possible-health-risk
Chang Farm Recalls Nature’s Wonder Mung Bean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 15, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 15, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Chang Farm
Brand Name:  Nature's Wonder
Product Description:  Mung Bean Sprouts

Bagged Fresh Spinach Recalled After State Lab Testing Finds Listeria

Fresh Express has issued a voluntary recall of a Fresh Express Spinach, 8 oz. size, with product code G332 and use-by date of December 15 and Publix Spinach, 9 oz size, with product code G332 and a now expired use-by date of December 14 due to a potential health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a single randomly selected package of spinach. Fresh Express immediately notified affected retailers and instructed them to remove the recalled items from store shelves and all inventories.  To date no illnesses are reported in connection with the recall and no other Fresh Express products are being recalled.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-announces-recall-limited-spinach-products-due-possible-health-risk
Fresh Express Announces Recall of Limited Spinach Products Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 15, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 15, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Fresh Express
Brand Name:  Fresh Express & Publix
Product Description:  Spinach

Quaker Oats Recalls Granola Products Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

The Quaker Oats Company today announced the recall of specific granola bars and granola cereals listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  
The products listed below are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.
To date, Quaker has received no confirmed reports of illness related to the products covered by this recall.

While the company did not specifically state the reason for the recall, outside the fact that there were no reported illnesses, this would lead one to believe that it was perhaps a positive test result.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-recalls-granola-bars-and-granola-cereals-due-possible-health-risk
Quaker Recalls Granola Bars and Granola Cereals Due to Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 15, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  December 15, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential for Salmonella contamination
Company Name:  The Quaker Oats Company
Brand Name:  Quaker
Product Description:  Granola Bars and Granola Cereals