New York State enforces some of the strictest food regulations in the U.S., impacting everything from additives to homemade goods. Several harmful additives like Red Dye No. 3, Potassium Bromate, and Propylparaben are banned due to links to cancer and reproductive harm. Raw milk, cream, and butter cannot be sold in stores, only through licensed dairy farms, and only hard cheeses aged 60 days or more are allowed in supermarkets. Home bakers face restrictions on selling items containing potentially hazardous ingredients such as cream cheese, custard, or raw nuts unless operating in licensed commercial kitchens, aiming to prevent foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and Listeria.

Additionally, the USDA has issued a public health alert in New York concerning illegally imported ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from the Philippines, a country not authorized to export these items to the U.S. The alert covers various canned corned beef brands and chicken spread, with investigations ongoing into how these products entered the market. These strict laws and alerts collectively reflect New York’s commitment to food safety and public health.