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News Category
You are currently browing articles posted in the Food Safety section. Western Growers seeks traceability, food safety partner Posted on: 9/3/2010Western Growers, Irvine, Calif., wants to develop a “one-stop shop” for members to deal with diverse traceability, sustainability and food safety requirementsRead More »Food safety bill likely delayed after recess Posted on: 8/9/2010Food safety legislation probably won’t be considered by the Senate before the August recess, but it is a top priority after Labor Day, according to a Capitol Hill source. Read More »LGMA research shows consumer concernsPosted on: 8/9/2010
MONTEREY, Calif. — New research from the California Leafy Green Agreement shows food safety concerns are affecting buying decisions, and consumers think both growers and government need to be involved to address them.
Read More »CDC expands inquiry in E. coli outbreak Posted on: 5/17/2010As of May 13, up to 30 people may now be sick from eating romaine lettuce recalled May 6 in an outbreak of E. coliRead More »Freshway recalls romaine; FDA investigates outbreakPosted on: 5/7/2010Foodservice supplier Freshway Foods, Sidney, Ohio, recalled romaine products because of a possible connection to an outbreak of more than 50 E. coli 0145 cases in three states.Read More »Senate food safety legislation faces questionsPosted on: 5/7/2010The Food Safety Modernization Act still enjoys bipartisan support, but several unresolved issues could complicate its fate in the Senate.
Read More »Food safety amendments seek breaks for smaller growers Posted on: 4/21/2010Eleventh-hour changes providing regulatory relief to small farms and businesses were being crafted for the Senate’s Food Safety Modernization Act prior to its consideration by the full SenateRead More »Food Safety Summit tackles hot issues Posted on: 4/21/2010Industry and consumer groups showed united support for tougher food safety regulations, but leaders differed on how best to implement and oversee the changes at the annual Food Safety Summit April 12-14.Read More »FDA wants industry to weigh in on food safety plansPosted on: 2/20/2010The Food and Drug Administration is seeking industry comments on the development of mandatory food safety protocols for fresh produce.Read More »California LGMA report shows strong audit growthPosted on: 11/9/2009The latest report from California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement shows audits between April 2008 and March 2009 jumped 51%.Read More »Industry seeks to find balance for food safety and the environmentPosted on: 10/5/2009Finding a science-based formula that will allow both food safety and environmental concerns to be reflected in farming practices is the new challenge for growers, industry and environmental advocates, panelists said at a workshop at Fresh Summit.Read More »FDA orders reporting of probable problemsPosted on: 9/12/2009A new era of reporting potential fresh produce safety problems to the Food and Drug Administration has begun.Read More »Texas company cites salmonella concerns in cilantro recallPosted on: 7/20/2009A McAllen, Texas, company has recalled fresh cilantro, citing concerns of possible salmonella contamination.
Read More »House subcommittee passes food safety billPosted on: 6/16/2009H.R. 2479, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, was passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee without amendments on June 10 and should be considered by the full committee by June 17 and perhaps delivered to the full House by July 4.Read More »Leafy greens group begins awareness work with buyersPosted on: 6/5/2009The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement is starting a promotion for produce buyers to better understand how the agreement works.Read More »USDA reinstates Fruit and Vegetable Advisory CommitteePosted on: 5/22/2009The U.S. Department of Agriculture set a July 1 deadline for nominations for members of the Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee. Read More »FDA mobile labs test produce imported from MexicoPosted on: 5/11/2009By most accounts, the Food and Drug Administration’s mobile food-safety testing labs accomplished what they set out to during a three-week stay in April in Nogales, Ariz., and there are plans to returnRead More »Researchers develop two-hour Salmonella test Posted on: 4/16/2009Researchers at Iowa State University hope a new, quick method for salmonella detection will have real-world applications, especially in the produce industry.
Read More »Report finds traceability record-keeping lacking Posted on: 4/3/2009A 38-page report on food traceability from the Office of Inspector General recommends the Food and Drug Administration consider authority to bolster existing traceability record-keeping requirementsRead More »Report finds traceability record-keeping lacking Posted on: 3/27/2009 A 38-page report on food traceability from the Office of Inspector General recommends the Food and Drug Administration consider authority to bolster existing traceability record-keeping requirements.
Read More »Budget calls for food safety, nutrition increases Posted on: 2/27/2009Revealing an interest in boosting the federal feeding programs and food safety oversight, the White House fiscal year 2010 budget proposes $1 billion per year increase for child nutrition programs and a similar increase for food safety oversight efforts.
Read More »New program helps Texas growers develop GAPsPosted on: 2/20/2009The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has a new program to ensure all growers have adequate food safety measures in place.
Read More »Advances in technology go beyond traceability Posted on: 2/5/2009A variety of technology companies have jumped to the fore to claim they have the most complete solution to produce traceability. More than simply tracing back a case or even an item, the competitive edge is their added value to marketing and streamlining other production processes.
Read More »X-ray technology could be used for leafy greens Posted on: 1/21/2009A new irradiation process could give producers a way to fit irradiation machines directly into their packing lines.
Read More »Advances in technology go beyond traceability Posted on: 1/21/2009A variety of technology companies have jumped to the fore to claim they have the most complete solution to produce traceability. More than simply tracing back a case or even an item, the competitive edge is their added value to marketing and streamlining other production processesRead More »FDA food protection plan a work in progressPosted on: 12/8/2008The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may get an E for effort, but the mid-term grade on its year-old Food Protection Plan is incomplete.Read More »Rutgers to research salmonella growth on tomatoesPosted on: 11/6/2008Helping foodservice operators and processors understand the progression of salmonella pathogens on fresh cut tomatoes is the aim of research that is soon to be published from New Brunswick, N.J.-based Rutgers University.
Read More »DeLauro proposes multi-faceted food safety bill Posted on: 10/6/2008As she promised attendees of the Washington Public Policy Conference earlier in the month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., introduced legislation to create a Food Safety Administration within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, mandate traceability and create new food safety oversight throughout the supply chain.
Read More »Viral bacteria engineered to spot E. coli Posted on: 10/6/2008Intelliphage, West Lafayette, Ind., has developed what could be a breakthrough in the ongoing food safety campaign.
Read More »FDA third party certification plan raises concerns Posted on: 9/29/2008While the fresh produce industry sees potential benefits in a proposed Food and Drug Administration-approved voluntary third party certification program, the likely loss of confidentiality between third party auditors and the food companies they audit is troubling to many.
Read More »FDA sets public meetings on produce traceability Posted on: 9/29/2008Seeking to increase the speed and effectiveness of traceback investigations for fresh produce, the Food and Drug Administration has scheduled public meetings in October and November to hear answers from the fruit and vegetable industry and other stakeholders.
Read More »FDA mobile lab testing for contaminants in SalinasPosted on: 9/8/2008Food and Drug Administration investigators are in Salinas, using a $4 million mobile lab to test tomatoes, hot peppers, leafy greens and other fresh produce linked to foodborne illness outbreaks during a monthlong examination.
Read More »Food safety bills in works may exceed ‘a dozen’Posted on: 8/22/2008House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said in mid-August he would like to move produce safety oversight functions from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Read More »United Fresh releases revamped tomato guidelines Posted on: 8/18/2008The entire tomato supply chain is covered in the second edition of fresh tomato food safety guidelines from the United Fresh Produce Association and the North America Tomato Trade Working Group.
Read More »Advisory committee named for Food Safety SummitPosted on: 8/18/2008A new executive education advisory committee has been named to develop the platform for the 11th annual Food Safety Summit.
Read More »Salmonella in Mexican farm’s irrigation water Posted on: 8/4/2008Samples of irrigation water and serrano peppers taken from a farm in Mexico have tested positive for Salmonella Saintpaul, the pathogen responsible for an outbreak that has caused more than 1,300 reported illnesses.
Read More »FDA clears jalapeños, serranos grown in U.S.Posted on: 7/28/2008The Food and Drug Administration is telling consumers that U.S.-grown fresh jalapeño and serrano peppers are safe to eat.
Read More »Group closes in on traceability standardsPosted on: 7/13/2008The Produce Traceability Initiative is moving closer to establishing implementation dates for case-level traceability standards.
Read More »Inspectors to test some Mexican food importsPosted on: 7/7/2008Starting Monday, FDA inspectors will expand the salmonella search beyond tomatoes to include cilantro, jalapeño and serrano peppers, scallions and onions.
Read More »Federal task force unveils food safety strategiesPosted on: 7/7/2008Produce industry leaders responded favorably to a federal task force’s recommendations for improved import food safety, including more inspections in domestic fields and at border points of entry, and increased personnel.
Read More »FDA Expands Salmonella Probe Posted on: 7/1/2008The Food and Drug Administration has expanded a salmonella investigation focused on raw tomatoes to other fresh produce commonly consumed with tomatoes.
Read More »Tomato salmonella outbreak: Florida sales plummet Posted on: 6/28/2008Taylor & Fulton Packing LLC in mid- to late June normally would have sold 30,000 to 40,000 25-pound cartons of loose mature-greens daily.
Read More »FDA narrows scope of outbreak investigationPosted on: 6/21/2008The Food and Drug Administration's traceback investigations have led the agency to several farms in Florida and Mexico.
Read More »FDA clears some, not all, Florida counties Posted on: 6/11/2008Nineteen Florida counties have been added to the Food and Drug Administration’s list of approved sourcing areas for roma, red plum and round red tomatoes.
Read More »USDA branch plans $5 million in budget cutsPosted on: 4/16/2008Severe cutbacks are dead ahead for the Fresh Products Branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
Read More »PMA Solutions message: Industry must reinvent selfPosted on: 4/16/2008To keep pace with changes warranted by food safety enhancements and harsh economic conditions, companies involved in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain must reinvent themselves to ensure future success.
Read More »FDA seeks input on third-party certification firmsPosted on: 4/7/2008The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look at third-party certification programs because inspectors from those private companies, along with federal, state and even foreign governmental inspectors, will help enforce food safety laws in the future.
Read More »Survey: Consumer confidence in leafy greens risesPosted on: 4/3/2008A national survey shows 89% of consumers have a favorable opinion about food safety efforts in the California leafy greens industry after hearing about the voluntary good agricultural practices marketing agreement most growers, shippers and processors have joined.
Read More »Food safety among top topics at PMA conferencePosted on: 3/24/2008Three new food safety leaders for the produce industry will take part in a panel discussion at Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association’s Consumer Trends ‘08: A Produce Solutions Conference.
Read More »Deadline looms for leafy green agreement sign-upPosted on: 3/24/2008The California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement is accepting sign-ups for new members for fiscal 2008-09.
Read More »Leafy greens agreement passes first report cardPosted on: 3/3/2008After conducting a survey of industry members, the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement, Sacramento, released its first status report that stated there have been no foodborne illness outbreaks since mandatory government audits began in July.
Read More »Committee makes progress on traceabilityPosted on: 1/21/2008Coming away from their first meeting with broad consensus on a strategy to proceed, the steering committee of the Produce Traceability Initative will seek more input from produce companies and other associations before setting a timeline for adoption of GS1 traceability standards, industry sources report.
Read More »‘Resources, authority’ key for FDA plans’ successPosted on: 12/13/2007The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should mandate good agricultural practices for produce growers and require traceability standards for the produce supply chain, members of the Senate Committee on Health and Education were told in a Dec. 4 hearing.
Read More »Tomatoes get blame in Quizno’s outbreakPosted on: 12/4/2007Raw tomatoes again were pegged as the culprit of a salmonella outbreak.
Read More »Initiative seeks to ramp up industry traceabilityPosted on: 12/2/2007U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials see the lack of clear produce traceability as a major industry vulnerability, trade association leaders acknowledge.Read More »Food safety spending appears on the risePosted on: 12/2/2007A new research project forecasts that spending on food safety testing will climb to $2.8 billion by 2012 fueled by a spate of outbreaks linked to fresh produce and other food. Read More »Buyers, suppliers at odds over food safety issuesPosted on: 11/26/2007In the absence of federal produce safety regulations at the farm level, on-farm safety specifications from retail and foodservice buyers to their produce suppliers shouldn’t come as a surprise, said Donna Garren, vice president of health and safety regulatory affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based National Restaurant Association.
Read More »Buyers, suppliers at odds over food safety issuesPosted on: 11/22/2007In the absence of federal produce safety regulations at the farm level, on-farm safety specifications from retail and foodservice buyers to their produce suppliers shouldn’t come as a surprise, said Donna Garren, vice president of health and safety regulatory affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based National Restaurant Association.
Read More »GlobalGAP, SQF Institute partner on checklistPosted on: 11/15/2007Food-safety watchdogs in the U.S. and Europe have struck a deal to harmonize good agricultural practices standards.
Read More »Unified food safety rules gather more advocatesPosted on: 10/23/2007As the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks input from the leafy greens industry on national food safety standards that could tell growers everything from how to test irrigation water to how to set up buffer areas around their fields, one area of concern is already apparent.
Read More »Comment period begins for leafy greens proposalPosted on: 10/7/2007U.S. handlers of leafy greens now get an opportunity to say if they want a voluntary national leafy greens marketing agreement, much like the state version California handlers put in place earlier this year.
Read More »United Fresh offers training for handling recallsPosted on: 9/27/2007A recall training course to help the produce industry “communicate under fire” and a media training session are being offered by the United Fresh Research and Education Foundation, Washington D.C.
Read More »Canada announces recall on Dole productPosted on: 9/20/2007The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, issued a nationwide recall of Dole Hearts Delight bagged lettuce on Sept. 16 after a routine inspection discovered E. coli O157:H7, two days after the one-year anniversary of a similar recall of Dole-brand bag of spinach in the U.S.
Read More »Metz Fresh voluntarily recalls spinachPosted on: 8/29/2007Metz Fresh, King City, Calif., notified the Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Public Health on Aug. 28 that it has voluntarily recalled bagged spinach after it was determined there was a positive test for salmonella.
Read More »USDA earmarks over $5 million for E. coli studiesPosted on: 8/24/2007The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $5.5 million to support research efforts that to identify risk factors and preventive measures for E. coli 0157:H7 contamination in fresh produce, according to an Aug. 21 news release.
Read More »Food safety dominates tomato conference agendaPosted on: 8/15/2007Food safety concerns are expected to dominate this year’s Joint Tomato Conference scheduled for Sept. 4-9 in Naples, Fla.
Read More »Salmonella find the result of testing errorPosted on: 7/30/2007Silliker Inc. admitted in a letter to True Leaf Farms LLC, Salinas, Calif., that a testing error resulted in a positive finding for salmonella contamination, causing the company to recall about 60,000 cases of spring mix and arugula, said David Gill, chief executive officer.
Read More »Legislators introduce new food safety billPosted on: 7/23/2007Momentum is mounting to enact a legislative fix to the food safety problem, but a spokesperson for the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas wonders if one proposed solution is equitable for imports.
Read More »Tomato shippers on both coasts seek unified rulesPosted on: 7/11/2007Leaders of the Florida and California tomato growers groups are joining forces to try to ensure safe shipments of fresh tomatoes.
Read More »California leafy greens agreement may go nationalPosted on: 7/6/2007U.S. Department of Agriculture officials are working with California leafy greens growers to take their voluntary food safety marketing agreement nationwide.
Read More »No federal charges filed in spinach E. coli outbreakPosted on: 7/2/2007Companies in and around the Salinas Valley will not face criminal charges over the deadly E. coli outbreak last year that was linked to fresh spinach
Read More »Officials start an inspection program to build confidence in Florida producePosted on: 7/2/2007In the wake of warnings about tainted food from other states and contaminated ingredients from China, Florida leaders are touting the advantages of buying the state's produce, starting with tomatoes.
Read More »Gills recalls diced onion packsPosted on: 6/24/2007Gills Onions, Oxnard, Calif., has voluntarily recalled diced yellow onions packs it shipped to retailers and foodservice customers in six western states.
Read More »U.S. attorney closes spinach contamination casePosted on: 6/24/2007The U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of California has closed the investigation into the September 2006. E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in fresh spinach, says attorney Scott Schools.
Read More »FDA initiative to focus on tomato safetyPosted on: 6/14/2007Saying it wants to try to reduce the incidence of tomato-related foodborne illnesses, the Food and Drug Administration is starting a major tomato food safety initiative. Read More »Committee urges USDA to support unified food-safety standardsPosted on: 6/14/2007Produce trade associations have called for federal food safety oversight, and now the Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee approved a new resolution that calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advocate for unified food-safety standards. Read More »
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