Lettuce
Experts say two foodborne illness outbreaks linked to fresh produce have exposed a weakness at the heart of North America’s food system.
The agency says the investigation into the cyclospora outbreak is ongoing as it issues safety guidance for processors of products such as chopped lettuce and fruit salads.
Following a health inspection of the company’s plant in central Mexico, the country’s health ministry says results of its studies of lettuce and water samples were negative for cyclospora.
From buyer verification to root cause analysis, Food Safety Strategy founder Jennifer McEntire outlines an immediate action plan for produce growers.
The Food and Drug Administration posted that it was confident that shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico is behind illnesses associated with Yum Brands’ Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan and four other states.
As of Sunday, there were no confirmed positive sample results for cyclospora, the FDA says.
Taylor Farms says no Taylor Farms-branded salads or kits are tied to the outbreak after the FDA said its traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell locations where people ate before becoming ill.
Vegetables by Bayer is set to make the U.S. debut of its Luminity tomato and Frescada hybrid lettuce varieties through a live chef demonstration at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, Calif.
California farmers warn a proposed nitrogen bill could drastically limit fertilizer use, expand reporting requirements and make growing crops like citrus, lettuce and pistachios nearly impossible.
New state laws and a county-wide broadband network are turning science fiction into reality, allowing autonomous tractors and drones to revolutionize the nation’s leafy green production.
The Devens, Mass.-based greenhouse grower has quietly become North America’s top producer of indoor-grown lettuce, now capturing over 50% of the market. Its secret? Discipline all day long.
By merging cutting-edge automation with sustainable hydroponics, the company says its new Flora facility transforms Mississippi into a major regional hub for year-round, high-volume lettuce production.
Christian Bengard, a third-generation family member, brings more than six years of produce sales experience from Well-Pict/Gem-Pack, along with years of exposure within the fresh produce industry.
Economic losses to specialty crops last year were on a level that can put farming operations out of business, with the American Farm Bureau Federation estimating billions in losses to almonds, apples, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries and blueberries alone.
Organic growers are required to respond to the survey, a special study of the Census of Agriculture. Responses are due Feb. 5, 2026.
Agents at Pharr International Bridge in Texas seized more than 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a commercial lettuce shipment attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico.
To learn more about the Devens, Mass.-based greenhouse grower’s decade of continued growth, The Packer sat down with CEO Paul Sellew at the recent IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show.
The company’s Pennsylvania site expands to 40 acres with the opening of its newest greenhouse.
The extended partnership supplies stores throughout the region with family-size salad kits from Local Bounti’s facility in Pasco, Wash.
The replenishment analyst and sales representative with Misionero Produce says she sees automation and forecasting playing a bigger role in meeting consumer’s expectations.
The vice president of marketing for Gotham Greens shares how brands can drive engagement in the produce department.
In a study by the University of California, Davis, glass infused with “quantum dot” technology shifted light to be more useable, growing bigger, more nutrient-rich lettuce.
Projections for 2025 are mixed, with cash receipts for vegetables and melons expected to decline, while those for fruits and nuts are expected to grow.
The Chelsea, Mass.-based brand plans in-store promotions and community events to mark this milestone while continuing its pledge to give back to the community.
Leafy greens and salads represent a large and strategically important consumer segment, the companies say.
California’s fresh produce industry, and particularly the lettuce and leafy greens sector, has attracted national media attention for its positive and highly proactive approach to a safer food supply.
The AI-based precision agriculture company said the new algorithm expands the capabilities of its ARA Ultra High Precision Sprayer.