Year in Produce No. 5 — Food Safety
As with every segment of the produce industry, the COVID-19 pandemic affected food safety plans, delaying the release of the Food and Drug Administration’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety plan and pulling inspectors from many on-site visits. Industry and regulatory agencies continued to study how E. coli is transferred to leafy greens. The FDA also released the long-awaited “Section 204” of the Food Safety Modernization Act on traceability.
Nov. 25
Western Growers, LGMA offer virtual audit program
By Chris Koger
The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and Western Growers have launched an online audit system to use in place of some in-person parts of the LGMA audit process.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, guidance from the CDC on reducing human contact forced agencies to find virtual methods to continue inspections.
Nov. 11
Source of three E. coli outbreaks eludes FDA
By Chris Koger
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating three E. coli outbreaks, and although each one has a strain associated with current or past outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce, the agency said it has no specific evidence linking the outbreaks to romaine.
Oct. 29
Tim York to lead California LGMA
By Chris Koger
Tim York is taking the reins of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, succeeding the food safety organization’s first CEO, Scott Horsfall.York most recently was president of Markon Cooperative, which he joined in November 1990. He officially starts at the LGMA on Dec. 1.
Sept. 27
FDA proposes heightened traceability rules for certain produce
By Chris Koger
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed new traceability rules that seek elevated record-keeping for many fresh produce items, from all fresh-cut products to leafy greens and tomatoes.
Frank Yiannas, FDA deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said the plan is a catalyst for change for greater traceability and transparency.
The rule is a key component of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety and implements the long-awaited Section 204 of Food Safety Modernization Act.
Yiannas said it’s designed to allow the record-keeping process to ease investigations. The FDA will still allow paper records, but all companies in the supply chain should be able to submit an electronic spreadsheet containing traceability information within 24 hours.
Sept. 9
Leafy greens growers prepare for Yuma, beef up safety measures
By Chris Koger
As leafy greens growers prepare to move from California’s Central Coast region to the desert regions of California and Yuma, Ariz., to start fall/winter production, they’re taking extra precautions, according to the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.
In recent years, E. coli outbreaks traced to leafy greens harvested during the transition period have forced the LGMAs for the states to enact stricter measures.
Aug. 1
California grower recalls onions in U.S., Canada outbreak
By Chris Koger
Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, Calif., is recalling onions after the Food and Drug Administration and Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified them in a salmonella outbreak.
Although the two agencies have named red onions as a likely source of the Salmonella Newport that’s sickened more than 500 people, Thomson International recalled all red, yellow, white and sweet onions it shipped since May 1. They went to retailers, foodservice operators and wholesalers in all 50 states and Canada.
July 17
New Era of Smarter Food Safety is upon us
By Chris Koger
The Food and Drug Administration’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety and corresponding “blueprint” that guides the process are not a quick fix to outbreaks that led regulators to seek new answers.
The FDA, which released the New Era details and blueprint on July 13, said it’s a 10-year plan. As expected, it leans heavily on technology, particularly in traceability and outbreak responses.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn on July 13 said it’s important the technology is used “to build and put in place more effective approaches and processes.”
March 11
FDA suspends inspections in foreign countries due to coronavirus
By Chris Koger
The Food and Drug Administration has halted most inspections of food facilities outside of the U.S. through April, as travel restrictions increase in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to examine produce arriving at U.S. points of entry, but food safety inspections at foreign facilities are postponed until April, according to the FDA.
“Mission critical” inspections will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Jan. 15
LGMA plans ‘overhaul’ of food safety rules in wake of outbreaks
By Chris Koger
E. coli outbreaks linked to California romaine over, but investigations continue, and growers are pledging stricter guidelines for leafy greens.
On Jan. 15, when the FDA and CDC declared two outbreaks over (a third one was over in mid-December), the industry outlined plans for change.
California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement CEO Scott Horsfall said the group is conducting a “systemic overhaul” of its food safety practices.
