December 2025: Major Food Technology Standards Enhance Safety and Quality

December 2025 brings the publication of four vital international standards shaping the future of food technology. Covering chemical, microbiological, and analytical methods for a diverse range of foodstuffs—including shellfish, coffee, and dairy—these standards strengthen the global framework for food safety and product quality. As regulatory demands and market expectations rise, understanding and applying the latest requirements is crucial for industry professionals, laboratories, quality managers, and procurement specialists. Let’s delve into what these new publications mean for you.

Overview / Introduction

The food technology sector is at the crossroads of innovation, safety, and compliance. With increasingly complex supply chains, more sophisticated products, and heightened consumer expectations, rigorous standards are essential to ensure quality, safety, and transparency from farm to table. In December 2025, four new standards have been published, each addressing unique aspects of food analysis and safety:

• Quantitative detection of marine toxins in shellfish
• Representative sampling in bulk instant coffee
• Enumeration of microbial contaminants in milk
• Detection of acrylamide in coffee and coffee products

This article provides an in-depth look at the content, application, and industry implications of these latest standards, guiding stakeholders through the technical changes and best practices now required.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN 14526:2025 – Saxitoxin-Group Toxin Determination in Shellfish

Foodstuffs - Determination of saxitoxin-group toxins in shellfish - HPLC method using pre-column derivatization with peroxide or periodate oxidation

The presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, chiefly derivatives of saxitoxin, poses a major safety risk in seafood, especially mollusks like mussels, oysters, scallops, and clams. EN 14526:2025 presents a robust, validated analytical method for the quantification of PSP toxins—including STX, dcSTX, NEO, GTX isomers, and other toxin analogs. The method employs High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with pre-column derivatization, using either peroxide or periodate oxidation, offering precise and reliable toxin identification and quantification.

Key requirements and features:

• Step-by-step sample preparation (homogenization, extraction, clean-up)
• Use of both SPE-C18 and SPE-COOH solid-phase extraction for sample purification
• Detailed oxidation protocols and HPLC parameters for toxin detection
• Calibration and quantification guidelines with specified detection limits
• Quality controls and validation benchmarks referencing ISO 5725-2 and EU laboratory networks

Target users include marine product processors, third-party testing labs, regulatory authorities, and food safety managers needing to demonstrate compliance and protect consumers from neurotoxic risks.

Significant changes from EN 14526:2017 include:

• Expanded validation data and lowest validated detection levels for multiple toxins
• New clauses for terminology, sample analysis, and quality control
• Enhanced chromatogram examples and calculation methods

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive coverage of marine toxin groups (STX, GTX, NEO, and more)
• Dual oxidation approach (peroxide and periodate) to boost analytical reliability
• Applicability to both raw and processed marine invertebrate products

Access the full standard:View EN 14526:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 6670:2025 – Instant Coffee Sampling for Bulk Units

Instant coffee - Sampling method for bulk units with liners

Coffee quality and consistency depend on precise sampling before shipment or processing. ISO 6670:2025 prescribes a rigorous sampling method for instant coffee transported in packages over 10 kg (including supersacks and big bags with moisture-resistant liners). The standard ensures that collected samples accurately reflect the characteristics of a coffee consignment, minimizing risk in commercial, technical, and legal contexts.

Standard scope and requirements:

• Procedures for selecting cases and taking increments from consignments of 10 units or more
• Sampling equipment and operational conditions to prevent moisture ingress or contamination
• Guidelines for creating bulk, blended, and laboratory samples for testing or retention
• Packing and labeling instructions for traceability
• Sample storage, transport, and documentation processes
• A normative annex on scoop sampling and practical sampling techniques

Intended for coffee manufacturers, traders, quality assurance teams, buyers, and administrators managing international consignments and requiring representative, reproducible sampling processes.

Key improvements in this latest edition:

• Updated terms and definitions for clarity
• Revised marking and reporting requirements
• Enhanced Annex A procedure for field sampling

Key highlights:

• Ensures sample integrity for moisture-sensitive instant coffee
• Adapts to consignment sizes from standard packs to massive bulk bags
• Facilitates reliable quality assessment and dispute resolution

Access the full standard:View ISO 6670:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO/TS 11059:2025 – Enumeration of Pseudomonas spp. in Milk and Dairy

Milk and milk products - Method for the enumeration of Pseudomonas spp.

Controlling microbial contamination is critical for dairy product safety and shelf life. ISO/TS 11059:2025 sets forth a standardized colony-count procedure for detecting and quantifying Pseudomonas species—psychrotrophic bacteria commonly responsible for spoilage, off-flavors, and coagulation in milk and milk-derived products. The guidance applies both to product testing and environmental monitoring in dairy production environments.

Key requirements:

• Isolation and enumeration of both pigmented and non-pigmented Pseudomonas spp. using penicillin-pimaricin agar (PPA) at 25 °C
• Confirmatory biochemical tests for oxidase positivity and absence of glucose fermentation
• Guidance on sample dilution, inoculation, incubation, and calculation of colony-forming units (cfu)
• Compatibility with ISO microbiology standards (ISO 6887-1, ISO 7218, ISO 11133)
• Inclusion of flow diagrams and detailed media preparation protocols

Essential for dairy processors, laboratory technicians, quality assurance departments, and regulators ensuring microbial control.

Technical changes in the new edition:

• Alignment of biochemical confirmation with Enterobacteriaceae protocols
• A new flowchart clarifying procedural steps
• New criteria for culture media performance and reagent testing

Key highlights:

• Enables detection of key spoilage microorganisms in milk supply chains
• Helps prevent losses from product spoilage and protect brand integrity
• Supports environment and product hygiene monitoring

Access the full standard:View ISO/TS 11059:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 18862:2025 – Determination of Acrylamide in Coffee and Coffee Products

Coffee and coffee products - Determination of acrylamide - Methods using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) after derivatization

Acrylamide, a process contaminant with potential carcinogenic effects, attracts growing scrutiny in roasted and processed foods, especially coffee. EN ISO 18862:2025 delivers validated analytical protocols to quantitatively determine acrylamide content in roasted coffee, instant coffee, coffee substitutes, and related products. Two instrumental methods are described: HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS post-derivatization.

Scope and main steps:

• Extraction of acrylamide from coffee matrices using water
• Sample purification through solid-phase extraction (SPE) and Carrez precipitation
• Measurement with either HPLC-MS/MS or bromination followed by GC-MS
• Calibration strategies employing isotopically labeled standards
• Validation data covering acrylamide concentration ranges from 53 μg/kg to over 600 μg/kg
• Criteria for identification, quantification, and result reporting

Applicable for coffee producers, independent labs, regulatory authorities, and anyone overseeing food chemical safety.

This edition replaces EN ISO 18862:2019 with:

• New annexes showcasing sample prep and chromatographic conditions
• Updated validation and calibration procedures for broader sample matrices

Key highlights:

• Dual-method approach (HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS) enhances flexibility
• Enables compliance with regulatory acrylamide limits and customer requirements
• Protects consumer health and supports transparent supply chains

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 18862:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The December 2025 food technology standards collectively reinforce food safety management, risk assessment, and international trade:

• Enhanced Product Safety: Improved toxin, contaminant, and microbiological controls protect consumer health and reduce foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Legal and Trade Compliance: Alignment with EU, ISO, and Codex requirements aids legal defensibility and removes technical barriers in cross-border supply chains.
• Quality Assurance: Laboratories, processors, and auditors can apply harmonized methods, ensuring consistent results and benchmarking.
• Operational Efficiency: Clearly defined sampling, analytical, and reporting procedures minimize ambiguity, reduce disputes, and streamline quality systems.

Compliance considerations:

• Organizations should update quality management systems, laboratory SOPs, and supplier agreements to incorporate new/revised procedures.
• Adoption windows may depend on regulatory timelines—early action is recommended to assure compliance with upcoming audits and certifications.
• Training for staff, calibration of equipment, and proficiency testing are necessary to demonstrate capability.

Benefits of adoption:

• Reduced risk of recalls or non-compliance fines
• Enhanced product marketability and customer trust
• Competitive advantage in global markets

Risks of non-compliance:

• Regulatory penalties and blocked shipments
• Brand reputation damage from contaminated or substandard products
• Increased dispute costs and loss of business opportunities

Technical Insights

Common requirements and best practices:

• Accreditation: Laboratories should align with ISO/IEC 17025 to ensure method validity and evidence of competence.
• Sampling: Accurate sampling underpins all analytical results; follow rigorous procedures according to the latest standard (ISO 6670:2025 for coffee, ISO/TS 11059 for dairy environments).
• Method implementation: Validate analytical methods in-house using provided parameters and quality control criteria. Monitor recovery rates, detection limits, and ensure traceability of standards and reagents.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records as required in each standard (including sampling reports, test reports, chromatograms, and calibration data).
• Certification: Consider third-party certification or participation in proficiency programs where available, especially for toxins and acrylamide testing.

Testing and equipment considerations:

• Invest in (or access) advanced instrumentation: HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and specialized microbiological media.
• Ensure staff are trained not only on new methods but also on health and safety practices surrounding hazardous materials (notably acrylamide and PSP toxins).

Conclusion / Next Steps

The December 2025 wave of international food technology standards sets a new benchmark for analytical accuracy, product safety, and regulatory compliance across the industry. Whether you operate in seafood, coffee, dairy, or food testing, it is crucial to:

• Review the full text of each standard via the authoritative links above
• Update quality procedures, laboratory systems, and staff training accordingly
• Engage with industry peers, regulatory authorities, and third-party auditors to ensure smooth adoption
• Stay informed of further updates through resources such as iTeh Standards

Proactive adherence to the latest standards not only enhances compliance and safety, but also sustains consumer confidence, supports international growth, and protects your organization in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Explore, implement, and lead the way—unlock the full potential of your food technology operations with the December 2025 standards update.