What Still Needs to Happen In early 2025, the FDA signaled a major shift in how the United States approaches synthetic food dyes. The agency urged manufacturers to voluntarily transition away from petroleum‑derived color additives and began the process of revoking authorization for several dyes. At the time, we wrote about this momentum and what it could mean for the future of food labeling and consumer trust. Now, one year later, Consumer Reports has taken a close look at wh

What to Expect and How It Will Shape the Future of Food Safety FSSC 22000 Version 7 is set to become one of the most influential updates in the Scheme’s history. With global supply chains evolving, regulatory expectations tightening, and the ISO 22002 series undergoing a complete structural overhaul, Version 7 arrives at a moment when the industry is demanding greater clarity, consistency, and accountability in food safety management. When is FSSC 22000 Version 7 being releas

The Winners are. . . The D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc. team Debby Newslow , Ron Potochar , Alanna Barfield , and Nancy Rich were honored to attend SQF Unites 2026 , an event that continues to bring together food safety professionals from around the world to collaborate, learn, and strengthen our shared commitment to safe, high‑quality food. This year’s conference delivered valuable insights, practical tools, and forward‑thinking discussions that our team is already integra

How to Teach Your Team to Think Like GFSI Risk-Based Auditors. Risk-based thinking isn’t new, but GFSI Benchmarking Requirement has pushed it from just a good idea to a core expectation across every major food safety scheme. Whether you are following SQF, BRCGS, FSSC22000, or another GFIS recognized program, auditors now expect your team to understand why something is risky and not to just follow a procedure. Risk-based thinking is teachable. When teams learn to think like au

In today’s global marketplace, companies face increasing pressure to demonstrate not just product quality and safety, but also genuine commitment to social responsibility. From human rights due diligence to fair labor practices, stakeholders—including customers, investors, regulators, and consumers—expect transparency and verifiable action. This is where FSSC 24000 certification steps in as a powerful tool. Developed by the Foundation FSSC (the same non-profit organization be

In food safety programs, few terms are mixed up as often, or as consequentially, as Corrective Action and Preventive Action. Managers use them interchangeably, auditors flag them repeatedly, and teams struggle to implement them effectively. The result? Recurring issues, frustrated staff, and systems that look compliant on paper but fail in practice. The truth is simple: If you don’t understand the difference, your corrective actions will keep failing. The confusion is not onl

On-Site Food Safety Services Might be What Your Company Needs For nearly three decades, D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc. has been a trusted partner for organizations seeking practical, experienced-driven support in food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. While our public workshops and virtual offerings remain popular, many companies are discovering that on‑site services provide the most efficient, cost‑effective, and impactful way to strengthen their programs. On‑sit

For more than two decades, we have emphasized the truth that the food industry continues to relearn the hard way: food safety begins and ends with management responsibility.

D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc. is excited to announce that we will be attending, sponsoring, and exhibiting at SQF Unites 2026 SQF Unites 2026 will be held at St. Louis Union Station Hotel on March 9 - 12. As long‑time supporters of the Safe Quality Food community, we look forward to another year of meaningful conversations, shared learning, and strengthening the culture of food safety across our industry. Our team brings decades of hands‑on experience, and several of ou

Verification vs. Validation is the Lesson Every Food Safety Professional Should Master In food safety, few concepts create more confusion during certification than Verification and Validation . They appear together in standards, they sound similar, and yet they serve completely different roles in a food safety system. Understanding the difference isn’t just academic, it directly affects audit performance, employee confidence, and the credibility of your food safety plan. Whe

What Industry Needs to Know About Draft Cosmetic Recalls The cosmetics industry is continuing to evolve under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), and one of the most significant shifts is the FDA’s expanded authority to mandate recalls. To support industry understanding and preparedness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a new draft guidance: “Questions and Answers Regarding Mandatory Cosmetics Recalls: Guidance for Industry.” This

A Look at the Latest Cross Contamination Food Safety Standards and What Standards Will be Shaping in 2026 Food safety is not a single checkpoint; it’s a continuous chain of responsibility. From the soil where crops are grown to the plate where meals are served, every stage presents opportunities for contamination. Cross‑contamination, the transfer of harmful microorganisms or allergens (cross-contact) from one surface, product, or environment to another, remains one of the mo

Infant formulas are more than just food; they are often the sole source of nutrition during the most critical stage of a child’s development. Parents trust that every scoop will provide safe, balanced nourishment. Yet in recent years, that trust has been shaken by a series of recalls and contamination concerns. From bacterial outbreaks to heavy metals like lead and arsenic, the risks surrounding formula highlight vulnerabilities in both manufacturing and oversight. These reca

Eating more fruit and vegetables remains one of the clearest ways to improve public health, but recent Consumer Reports (CR) analysis shows that the benefits coexist with measurable, concentrated pesticide risk in a small set of commonly eaten crops. Today, we are going to discuss three Consumer Reports recent articles: Produce Without Pesticides - Consumer Reports , 6 Fruits and Vegetables Loaded With Pesticides - Consumer Reports , and How to Protect Yourself From Pestic

Transport is where careful food safety work in the plant meets the unpredictable outside world. A load that left your facility safe can become a hazard by the time it reaches a customer if controls lapse during loading, transfer, transit, or unloading. This guide explains Good Transport Practices (GTP) in plain teaching language, highlights the elements you must manage, calls out problem areas where food is at risk and how to address them. It summarizes the practical implicat