Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, and we’re here with the latest in food safety. Let’s get started.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture paused funding for certain Maine educational programs on Wednesday, citing the state’s noncompliance with Title IX over its student sports participation rules.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins notified Maine Gov. Janet Mills in a letter, suspending support for unspecified school administrative and technological functions.

OPINION — Darin Detwiler

“This is not just another editorial. This is a thank you letter, an acknowledgment, and a rallying cry.”

“For decades, people have stood quietly between us and harm — heroes who safeguarded every bite we take, every meal we share. They kept food safe and public health strong, so families could gather — around kitchen tables, in school cafeterias, and at holiday feasts — with confidence and trust.”

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NEMIS Revolutionizes Food Safety Monitoring

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Scientists have studied E. coli cases in Ireland to try and gain new insights into factors associated with serious infections.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection can cause potentially fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

After 15 years of service, Chuck Jolley has left Food Safety News.

Jolley was ad director for the publication since its inception in 2009. He developed the first marketing plan for Food Safety News and served the organization until stepping down recently. In addition to his role as ad director, Jolley also wrote opinion columns for Food Safety News.

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OPINION -- By Sarah Sorscher

“While the RFK Jr. announcement purports to protect safety inspectors from job cuts, the obvious truth is that most FDA food safety inspections are not carried out by the FDA, but are conducted under state grants that have already been targeted for cuts.”

About the Author: Sarah Sorscher is director of regulatory affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The center is one of the nation’s leading independent advocacy groups standing up for sound science to inform nutrition, food safety and health.

Tony’s Chocolonely is recalling chocolate from more than 20 countries, including the United States and Canada, because of potential contamination with small stones.

In the U.S., seven lots of Tony’s brand Dark Almond Sea Salt Bar (6.35oz) and Everything Bar (6.35oz) are affected.