FDA has announced that it is conducting microbiological sampling on a range of food products in an effort to increase food safety. The agency targeted cantaloupes, avocados, sprouts and raw milk cheeses in an effort to better address public health risks associated with the food supply. The results are expected to be used for policymaking and to identify future research needs. The spice retail study currently underway at FDA is not part of this effort, but was specifically in response to data gaps identified in FDA’s Draft Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices. Read more about this in the September edition of  ASTA ADVOCATE.