Produce - Articles - Page 4

Manufacturing News

FDA takes measures to promote the microbiological safety of leafy greens

May 12, 2020

To combat recurring food safety issues, FDA has come up with a plan for 2020, called the "2020 Leafy Greens STEC Action Plan."

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

The USDA has issued a proposed rule which would increase the assessment rate from $0.10 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled to $0.15 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled for the 2020 and subsequent fiscal periods.

FDA warns Jimmy John's and Sprouts Unlimited after outbreak

February 25, 2020

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a warning letter issued to Jimmy John’s Franchise LLC for engaging in a pattern of receiving and offering for sale adulterated fresh produce, specifically clover sprouts and cucumbers.

Field Reports

Upgraded metal detection recovers 5-10% more product from false rejects

January 28, 2020

Cebro Frozen Foods, Newman, Calif., a bulk producer and supplier of organic, kosher and conventional individually quick frozen (IQF) vegetables to the industrial and food service industry, was founded in 1993 and is operated by third-generation grower and owner Patrick Cerutti.

Food Safety

FDA moves to in-depth analysis after romaine field tests didn’t find outbreak strains

'Root-cause' investigation will help determine needed preventive controls

Rose Shilling

January 21, 2020

E. coli tests of romaine fields where investigators traced contaminated lettuce did not turn up outbreak strains, so the FDA will move to an in-depth “root-cause” investigation for three outbreaks.

Food Safety

Hepatitis A outbreak may be linked to fresh blackberries from Fresh Thyme chain

Officials tell people in 11 Midwest states to throw out blackberries from certain dates

Rose Shilling

November 26, 2019

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses in three states that might be linked to fresh, conventional blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market grocery.

Food Packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging for long-haul transport of veggies sans ice

Rose Shilling

September 26, 2019

Modified atmosphere bulk packaging is shaking up the long-haul transport of fresh broccoli and other vegetables traditionally shipped on ice, the packaging maker says.

Food Safety

FDA warns about papayas after company refuses recall

Investigators: Fruit likely linked to multistate salmonella outbreak

Rose Shilling

July 25, 2019

The FDA warned people to avoid Cavi brand fresh, whole papayas after distributor Agroson’s LLC refused to initiate a recall.

Michael Taylor at the Food Safety Summit

Manufacturing News

Crises still drive food safety in U.S.

Wayne Labs

July 16, 2019

Michael Taylor, former deputy commissioner for food for FDA and present co-chair of the Stop Foodborne Illness Board, suggested that in spite of all the technology, collaboration and education to improve food safety, crisis management still drives changes.

Best practices in produce postharvest handling and sanitation

Liz Parker

July 11, 2019

Sanitation with produce doesn’t just stop once the plants have been harvested. There is a procedure that ideally must be followed, before the plants arrive in the hands of the consumer.