New Framework Boosts Dried Ingredient Pathogen Risk Assessment for Supplement Sector
A new qualitative risk framework developed by ILSI Europe challenges the assumption of inherent safety in dried ingredients, providing a structured approach for supplement manufacturers to assess pathogen risks from sourcing through to finished product applications. This impacts supplier selection, decontamination decisions, and reformulation for ready-to-eat formats.
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London, United Kingdom — 31 August 2026
A novel qualitative risk-based framework has been introduced to assist food manufacturers, including those in the supplement sector, in evaluating microbiological hazards within dried fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, this framework directly addresses the misconception that low water activity inherently guarantees pathogen safety. While low moisture inhibits microbial growth, it does not necessarily eliminate pathogens, which can survive for extended periods and pose a significant food safety risk, particularly in ready-to-eat (RTE) applications.
Developed by the Dried Ingredients Expert Group of ILSI Europe's Microbiological Food Safety Task Force, the framework guides manufacturers in assessing risks across the entire supply chain. It considers factors such as outbreak history, pathogen prevalence and virulence, specific product characteristics, and the presence or absence of a subsequent 'kill step' in the manufacturing process. This distinction is crucial; an ingredient destined for a heat-treated product presents a different risk profile than one incorporated into an RTE supplement.
The framework, endorsed by industry and academic contributors including Wageningen University & Research and Campden BRI, is a decision-making tool, not a regulatory mandate or quantitative scoring system. It supports critical decisions from setting robust supplier specifications to determining the necessity of decontamination steps. The importance of this proactive risk assessment is underscored by recent incidents, such as a multi-state Salmonella outbreak in the US linked to dietary supplements containing moringa leaf powder, which resulted in 131 illnesses and 36 hospitalisations.
The core commercial implication for supplement manufacturers is the need to move beyond a simplistic 'dry equals safe' assumption. Comprehensive ingredient risk management, driven by this framework, will necessitate a deeper understanding of ingredient provenance, processing, and intended application to safeguard product integrity and consumer health.
What this means for United Kingdom
UK supplement manufacturers must proactively integrate this qualitative framework into their existing HACCP and supplier approval processes. This will mandate re-evaluating specifications for dried botanical ingredients and excipients, potentially requiring enhanced microbiological testing protocols and updated Certificates of Analysis from suppliers. Brand owners should anticipate potential increases in raw material costs, ranging from 5-10%, due to higher quality assurance demands and validated pathogen reduction treatments. Non-compliance with updated food safety expectations could lead to product recalls, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), impacting market access and consumer trust. Early adoption offers a competitive advantage by demonstrating robust safety standards.
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