US health regulators tell food makers how to clean up after a pathogen outbreak

US health regulators are telling food companies how to clean their factories to prevent contamination in dry foods. This guidance also explains what companies must do if a dangerous pathogen is found.

Food companies that make things like cereal, spices, or powdered milk have always had to keep their factories clean. But the rules for how to do that, especially after a contamination event, were often vague. This document gives them a clear playbook, which means less guesswork for manufacturers and potentially fewer outbreaks for consumers.