Food Safety
COORECTED: As health and regulatory agencies seek an answer to what’s causing three separate E. coli outbreaks, one likely answer is sprouts or leafy greens, according to the demographics of past outbreaks.
Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. is recalling organic romaine hearts after a sample tested positive for E. coli in Michigan.
The FDA is offering a new tool on its website to alert consumers earlier to foodborne illnesses.
A survey of small Texas farms indicates a “significant gap” in food safety protocols and resources, according to a new study from the University of Houston.
Retail research conducted this year by San Jose, Calif.-based Zest Labs finds big variability in the shelf life of strawberries, romaine lettuce and packaged salads.
Produce growers are evolving to meet federal food safety requirements, but a new study shows that many are not are optimistic that federal rules will make compliance with buyer expectations easier.
After 11 years as chief science and technology officer for the Produce Marketing Association, Bob Whitaker plans to retire in January.
CHICAGO — The United Fresh Produce Association made an impression with some new elements at its conference and expo June 10-12.
The Food and Drug Administration has released a proposal on food safety guidelines for the sprout industry and will be taking public comments until late August.
The United Fresh Produce Association has released updated food safety audit standards for the fresh tomato supply chain.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to whole fresh papayas from Mexico.
A panel of food safety experts brought together by Fresh Express after an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis in 2018 has released an interim report.
The United Fresh Produce Association is sponsoring a training session to educate produce importers on requirements in the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, an outspoke critic of food industries in response to outbreaks, is again calling for a single federal food safety agency.
Western Growers has launched the Supply Chain Risk Management Solution, a comprehensive program designed to reduce outbreaks, and some leafy greens grower-shippers are testing the software.
A Food and Drug Administration program that tested numerous romaine samples from Yuma, Ariz., found just one E. coli sample, which was non-pathogenic.
Last year proved to be a difficult year for the leafy greens sector, with three outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce.
Memorial Day kicks off the official start of summer. USDA wants to remind you to prevent foodborne illness before you light up that grill and pack up the cooler.
A group of researchers are developing a risk-based model for customized produce sampling programs that take variables such as field size and commodity being tested into account.
Two free web seminars on listeria are being presented by universities that have received grants from the Center for Produce Safety.
The Food and Drug Administration has released a Food Safety Dashboard to help track Food Safety and Modernization Act rules and measure their progress.
An outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to fresh basil appears to be over, according to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
iTradeNetwork has plans to offer 2,000 perishable food and beverage companies free use of its iTracefresh traceability suite, in what it calls an important leap to industry-wide traceability.
Sobeys Inc. has recalled Compliments brand Sweet Kale Blend from stores throughout Canada due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association are presenting a web seminar on the findings of the Romaine Task Force.
Miami sprout grower Fullei Fresh has completed the Primus GFS audit.
The Produce Safety Alliance has developed a document explaining the difference between cleaning and sanitizing after some growers expressed confusion to regulators.
North Bay Produce Inc., Traverse City, Mich., has recalled almost 2,300 cases and two bulk bins of apples because of the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
There are no firm answers yet in the investigation of E. coli-caused illnesses linked to Salinas, Calf.-grown romaine lettuce.
By Jan. 15, most fresh produce companies supplying the Canadian market will be subject to new requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians regulations.