Happy Wednesday! We’re halfway through the week. It’s February 26, 2025, and here’s a roundup of today’s essential food safety stories. Let’s get into the news.

What to know: Eighty-four members of Congress have written to President Trump expressing concerns about his actions regarding the CDC and USDA that will negatively impact the nation’s ability to ensure that bird flu does not become widespread among people.

A fatal Listeria outbreak in Germany has prompted researchers to call for an update to dietary recommendations for vulnerable people.

Scientists said findings align with previous evidence and highlight that people with weakened immune systems should not be exposed to Listeria in food. They called for a clear communication of deli meats as high risk foods, so individuals with weakened immune systems can adjust their diet to reduce the risk of invasive listeriosis.

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What to know: The European Union reported more sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) alerts in 2024 than the year before, with many of them relating to food safety.

In 2024, 2,147 SPS notifications were submitted by World Trade Organization (WTO) members, which was an 8 percent increase compared to 1,994 in 2023.