The safety of fresh-cut produce is of special concern because there is no cooking killstep involved in consumption. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/348 en-us The growing collection includes scientific publications and guidances on detection and viability methods, agricultural water monitoring and treatment, mitigation strategies, and the biology and epidemiology of the parasite. The growing collection includes scientific publications and guidances on detection and viability methods, agricultural water monitoring and treatment, mitigation strategies, and the biology and epidemiology of the parasite.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11664 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:42:12 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11664-center-for-produce-safety-releases-cyclospora-resources-for-industry Developed by the University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine Extension with USDA-NIFA support, the peer-to-peer microlearning video series grew out of years of on-the-ground, individualized farm visits, hands-on technical assistance, and the trust that develops from working closely with a farmer. Developed by the University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine Extension with USDA-NIFA support, the peer-to-peer microlearning video series grew out of years of on-the-ground, individualized farm visits, hands-on technical assistance, and the trust that develops from working closely with a farmer.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11656 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11656-jumpstart-to-produce-safety-program-helps-small-growers-with-practical-solutions-free-resources hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) By the same time last year, CDC had only reported 249 confirmed, domestically acquired Cyclospora infections across the entire U.S. States’ reports may include both probable and confirmed cases. By the same time last year, CDC had only reported 249 confirmed, domestically acquired Cyclospora infections across the entire U.S. States’ reports may include both probable and confirmed cases.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11647 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:16:59 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11647-michigan-ohio-together-report-more-than-9-000-cyclosporiasis-cases-cdc-outbreak-count-exceeds-4-000 The Brix level for Florida oranges has been steadily declining over the past few decades due to severe weather and citrus greening, making it challenging to meet the original Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice, which was established in 1963. The Brix level for Florida oranges has been steadily declining over the past few decades due to severe weather and citrus greening, making it challenging to meet the original Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice, which was established in 1963.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11641 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:50:15 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11641-fda-lowers-brix-content-for-orange-juice-to-enable-manufacturers-to-continue-using-florida-oranges hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Between 1,600 and 5,000 people are sick in a five-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to CDC and Michigan officials. Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms of Mexico to companies like Taco Bell and Walmart has been identified as the vehicle of infection. FDA has rescinded a previous positive product sample finding. Between 1,600 and 5,000 people are sick in a five-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to CDC and Michigan officials. Iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms of Mexico to companies like Taco Bell and Walmart has been identified as the vehicle of infection. FDA has rescinded a previous positive product sample finding.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11639 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:19:56 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11639-taylor-farms-lettuce-named-as-source-of-us-cyclospora-outbreak hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) The outbreak cluster includes more than 1,600 people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Outside of the outbreak cluster, Michigan and other parts of the U.S. continue to experience elevated rates of Cyclospora infections compared to previous years. The outbreak cluster includes more than 1,600 people in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Outside of the outbreak cluster, Michigan and other parts of the U.S. continue to experience elevated rates of Cyclospora infections compared to previous years.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11635 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:08:21 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11635-fda-says-a-taco-bell-iceberg-lettuce-supplier-is-source-of-five-state-cyclosporiasis-outbreak The Center for Produce Safety (CPS)-funded study also found that some produce items may naturally inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth and that peracetic acid may sometimes promote Listeria growth during storage. The Center for Produce Safety (CPS)-funded study also found that some produce items may naturally inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth and that peracetic acid may sometimes promote Listeria growth during storage.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11569 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11569-usda-researcher-identifies-key-cold-storage-temperature-for-maintaining-microbial-safety-of-work-in-process-fresh-cut-produce Researchers from Purdue University conducted focus groups with Indiana produce growers who qualified for exemptions from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, examining the beliefs and practical constraints that shape on-farm food safety practices. Researchers from Purdue University conducted focus groups with Indiana produce growers who qualified for exemptions from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, examining the beliefs and practical constraints that shape on-farm food safety practices.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11558 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11558-small-scale-produce-growers-share-perspectives-on-fdas-produce-safety-rule-exemptions Traceability investigations identified a common seed supplier, with implicated alfalfa seeds imported from India and distributed throughout Europe. Available evidence suggested the seeds were likely contaminated before entering the EU. Traceability investigations identified a common seed supplier, with implicated alfalfa seeds imported from India and distributed throughout Europe. Available evidence suggested the seeds were likely contaminated before entering the EU.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11554 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:12:55 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11554-salmonella-tainted-alfalfa-sprouts-sicken-109-people-in-11-european-countries-one-death-reported Each operating company retains its name, people, customer relationships, and local presence while gaining access to shared resources, broader sourcing strength, operational support, and additional capabilities. Each operating company retains its name, people, customer relationships, and local presence while gaining access to shared resources, broader sourcing strength, operational support, and additional capabilities.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11541 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:57:34 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11541-fresh-produce-collective-of-regional-companies-launches-under-trusource-name hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Wageningen University researchers developed a hybrid machine learning modeling framework that considers crop growth stages, various future scenarios, and a large geographic region. The model predicted deoxynivalenol will present the greatest risk, with coastal countries, the UK, and northern France most affected. Wageningen University researchers developed a hybrid machine learning modeling framework that considers crop growth stages, various future scenarios, and a large geographic region. The model predicted deoxynivalenol will present the greatest risk, with coastal countries, the UK, and northern France most affected.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11522 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11522-researchers-predict-climate-change-driven-increases-in-mycotoxin-contamination-of-wheat-across-europe Studies funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) are investigating ways to improve produce packinghouse brush sanitation, including the use of antimicrobial light and choosing the best time to replace brushes. Studies funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) are investigating ways to improve produce packinghouse brush sanitation, including the use of antimicrobial light and choosing the best time to replace brushes.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11465 Thu, 28 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11465-researchers-investigate-antimicrobial-light-optimal-sanitation-protocols-for-produce-packinghouse-brushes In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Jenny Du, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Apeel Sciences, about Apeel—a clean alternative to traditional post-harvest produce coatings and treatments—and its transparent approach to disrupting an $11 billion industry. In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Jenny Du, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Apeel Sciences, about Apeel—a clean alternative to traditional post-harvest produce coatings and treatments—and its transparent approach to disrupting an $11 billion industry.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11385 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11385-apeel-sciences-helping-growers-and-suppliers-build-the-future-of-food Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a unique food production system with its own food safety risks and considerations. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a unique food production system with its own food safety risks and considerations.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11340 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:06:40 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11340-cea-alliance-publishes-updated-food-safety-guide-for-leafy-greens-herbs Large-scale recycled manure use—a circular agriculture approach used to combat soil acidification that reduces crop yield—can lead to the accumulation of cadmium in soil, which is then taken up by rice crops, affecting food safety. Large-scale recycled manure use—a circular agriculture approach used to combat soil acidification that reduces crop yield—can lead to the accumulation of cadmium in soil, which is then taken up by rice crops, affecting food safety.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11338 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:52:20 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11338-sustainable-fertilizer-practice-causes-increased-cadmium-in-rice-study-shows Although UV-C was effective against Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes under most conditions, pathogen regrowth during refrigerated storage was significant. The findings suggest UV-C may be a useful post-harvest intervention when used in combination with other measures. Although UV-C was effective against Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes under most conditions, pathogen regrowth during refrigerated storage was significant. The findings suggest UV-C may be a useful post-harvest intervention when used in combination with other measures.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11319 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11319-study-evaluates-pathogen-reductions-on-microgreens-treated-with-uv-c hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) This episode of Food Safety Five discusses the Environmental Working Group’s 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of the most “pesticide-contaminated produce,” including ongoing debate over the list’s methodology and its relevance to food safety and public health. This episode of Food Safety Five discusses the Environmental Working Group’s 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of the most “pesticide-contaminated produce,” including ongoing debate over the list’s methodology and its relevance to food safety and public health.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11308 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11308-food-safety-five-ep-29-the-dirty-dozen-debatepesticides-in-produce-explained hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Redacted details include the importer of the implicated mangoes, the country in which the mangoes were grown, and the number and names of states in which outbreak cases were reported. Redacted details include the importer of the implicated mangoes, the country in which the mangoes were grown, and the number and names of states in which outbreak cases were reported.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11299 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:30:50 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11299-latest-fda-post-investigation-summary-for-mango-salmonella-outbreak-redacts-key-details The Center for Produce Safety-funded project aims to generate practical guidance for produce growers, including improved sampling approaches to determine whether groundwater is influenced by surface water, and immediately actionable recommendations for mitigating microbial contamination and biofilms in irrigation systems. The Center for Produce Safety-funded project aims to generate practical guidance for produce growers, including improved sampling approaches to determine whether groundwater is influenced by surface water, and immediately actionable recommendations for mitigating microbial contamination and biofilms in irrigation systems.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11282 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:29:01 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11282-researchers-investigate-microbial-risks-to-produce-growers-groundwater-quality-irrigation-systems This article looks at food safety in hydroponic agriculture, including interventions used in hydroponic crop production to control pathogenic contamination. This article looks at food safety in hydroponic agriculture, including interventions used in hydroponic crop production to control pathogenic contamination.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11278 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11278-improving-the-safety-of-hydroponic-crops-evaluation-of-strategies-to-mitigate-human-pathogens-in-hydroponic-production hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce highlights PFAS pesticides for the first time. Although EWG recently updated its methodology, scientists argue it still does not consider key exposure science and risk assessment principles, therefore misleading consumers about the health risks of conventionally grown produce. The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce highlights PFAS pesticides for the first time. Although EWG recently updated its methodology, scientists argue it still does not consider key exposure science and risk assessment principles, therefore misleading consumers about the health risks of conventionally grown produce.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11266 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11266-ewg-publishes-2026-dirty-dozen-list-of-pesticide-contaminated-producebut-is-it-scientifically-sound No U.S. Salmonella outbreaks linked to Mexican papayas have been identified since 2020 thanks to collaborative efforts between regulators and industry in both countries. The case study could serve as a framework for improving food safety in other commodities and global supply chains. No U.S. Salmonella outbreaks linked to Mexican papayas have been identified since 2020 thanks to collaborative efforts between regulators and industry in both countries. The case study could serve as a framework for improving food safety in other commodities and global supply chains.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11251 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11251-fda-highlights-successful-mexico-us-effort-to-eliminate-salmonella-outbreaks-from-papayas The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrobial packaging development. The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrobial packaging development.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11234 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11234-lsu-researchers-are-developing-farm-to-packaging-produce-safety-strategies This article examines the frequent contamination of fresh produce (e.g., cucumber and sprouts due to recent outbreaks linked to these foods) with Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. This article examines the frequent contamination of fresh produce (e.g., cucumber and sprouts due to recent outbreaks linked to these foods) with Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11233 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11233-revisiting-the-safety-of-fresh-produce-from-field-to-fork Providing evidence for potential Produce Safety Rule standards, the assessment examined how pathogens survive in untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and contaminate produce. FDA found that longer time between BSAAO application and harvest significantly reduces crop contamination. Providing evidence for potential Produce Safety Rule standards, the assessment examined how pathogens survive in untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and contaminate produce. FDA found that longer time between BSAAO application and harvest significantly reduces crop contamination.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11231 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:08:47 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11231-new-fda-risk-assessment-informs-fsma-requirements-for-raw-manure-use-on-produce hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Despite having Listeria-positive samples that matched the outbreak strain via whole genome sequencing (WGS), which prompted an FDA Import Alert and a company recall for the suspected vehicle of illness, FDA did not disclose the specific product or any of the firms implicated. Despite having Listeria-positive samples that matched the outbreak strain via whole genome sequencing (WGS), which prompted an FDA Import Alert and a company recall for the suspected vehicle of illness, FDA did not disclose the specific product or any of the firms implicated.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11217 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:08:19 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11217-fda-redacts-all-key-details-in-summary-of-fatal-listeriosis-outbreak-linked-to-produce The California Longitudinal Study, a five-year environmental study of California’s Central Coast produce-growing region, identified wildlife, livestock, and surface water as potential contributors to the persistence and movement of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The California Longitudinal Study, a five-year environmental study of California’s Central Coast produce-growing region, identified wildlife, livestock, and surface water as potential contributors to the persistence and movement of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11214 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:01:39 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11214-fda-releases-initial-findings-from-foodborne-pathogen-study-in-california-growing-region The educational series comprises four distinct food safety events taking place across the U.S. to help address the nut industry’s diverse challenges through networking, professional development, and knowledge-sharing. The educational series comprises four distinct food safety events taking place across the U.S. to help address the nut industry’s diverse challenges through networking, professional development, and knowledge-sharing.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11183 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:32:26 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11183-ptnpa-expands-2026-food-safety-series-with-additional-event-in-georgia The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation. The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.  

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11175 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11175-study-demonstrates-effective-listeria-environmental-monitoring-in-hydroponic-produce-facility The standards provide a consistent framework for state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions overseeing produce operations and commodities covered by the Produce Safety Rule. The standards provide a consistent framework for state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions overseeing produce operations and commodities covered by the Produce Safety Rule.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11172 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:01:13 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11172-fda-releases-produce-regulatory-program-standards