Produce

Latest FDA Post-Investigation Summary for Mango Salmonella Outbreak Redacts Key Details

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:30:50 -0400

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.

Researchers Investigate Microbial Risks to Produce Growers’ Groundwater Quality, Irrigation Systems

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:29:01 -0400

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.

Improving the Safety of Hydroponic Crops: Evaluation of Strategies to Mitigate Human Pathogens in Hydroponic Production

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article looks at food safety in hydroponic agriculture, including interventions used in hydroponic crop production to control pathogenic contamination.

EWG Publishes 2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ List of ‘Pesticide-Contaminated’ Produce—but is it Scientifically Sound?

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

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.

FDA Highlights Successful Mexico-U.S. Effort to Eliminate Salmonella Outbreaks from Papayas

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

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.

LSU Researchers are Developing Farm-to-Packaging Produce Safety Strategies

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

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.

Revisiting the Safety of Fresh Produce from Field to Fork

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

New FDA Risk Assessment Informs FSMA Requirements for Raw Manure Use on Produce

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:08:47 -0400

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.

FDA Redacts All Key Details in Summary of Fatal Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Produce

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:08:19 -0500

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.

FDA Releases Initial Findings from Foodborne Pathogen Study in California Growing Region

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:01:39 -0500

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).

PTNPA Expands 2026 Food Safety Series with Additional Event in Georgia

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:32:26 -0500

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.

Study Demonstrates Effective Listeria Environmental Monitoring in Hydroponic Produce Facility

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:30:00 -0500

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.

FDA Releases Produce Regulatory Program Standards

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:01:13 -0500

The standards provide a consistent framework for state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions overseeing produce operations and commodities covered by the Produce Safety Rule.

Learnings from UK Drug-Resistant E. coli Outbreak that Gave 19 Kids HUS

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:15:06 -0500

The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation.

Drizzle Health Seeking Produce Industry Pilot Participants for Microbial Monitoring System

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:27:07 -0500

MagnaFlow is a new automated inline washwater analyzer that provides continuous, real-time visibility into the microbial loads present in post-harvest wash systems.

Study Shows Listeria Biofilm Age, Surface Properties Affect Sanitizer Efficacy in Produce Packinghouses

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

A recent study examined the efficacy of three commonly used sanitizers—chlorine, QACs, and UV-C light—against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel, PET, and silicone rubber surfaces, including organic matter, representing produce packing environments.

California Legislation Tightens Produce Industry Requirements for Categorical Exclusion from EPR Program

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:04:00 -0500

CalRecycle has issued a final draft of the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54), which establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to manage packaging and single-use plastic. Western Growers shared concerns about the produce industry’s ability to qualify for categorical exclusion.

Study Shows How Reclaimed Irrigation Water Treatments Influence AMR Bacteria Transfer to Crops

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:24:00 -0500

The researchers found that advanced, multi-step disinfection treatment significantly reduces the antibiotic resistance (AMR)-related food safety risks of wastewater reused for irrigation, while biological treated water remains a potential source of resistant bacteria contamination.

Texas A&M Researchers Work to Reduce Microbial Contamination Risks in Produce, Meat Production

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:33:52 -0500

Dr. Alejandro Castillo is looking closely at Listeria contamination in the Mexican–U.S. avocado supply chain. Dr. Matt Taylor is working to help meat and poultry producers validate the microbial safety of their products and ensure regulatory compliance.

Researchers to Develop E. coli Risk Assessment Model for Produce Grown Near Animal Feedlots

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:13:56 -0500

With the hope of developing a user-friendly model, a Center for Produce Safety-funded study is investigating factors that influence Escherichia coli contamination risks posed by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) near produce growing fields.

USDA Reports 99 Percent of Foods Tested in 2024 Complied with Pesticide Residue Tolerances

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

As in years past, USDA’s Pesticide Data Program reports that more than 99 percent of foods sampled in 2024 were compliant with EPA pesticide residue limits. Some persistent organic pollutants, like DDT, continue to show up in crops.

Researchers Developing Tests for Hepatitis A Virus that Overcome False Positives

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:34:59 -0500

Two research projects are investigating several novel techniques for detecting hepatitis A virus that eliminate false positives produced by inactivated, non-infectious RNA fragments—an issue that limits the usefulness of existing methods for indicating actual food safety risk.

Listeria Outbreaks Linked to Packaged Salads Highlight Importance of WGS, Routine Surveillance

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:12:15 -0500

In a retrospective analysis of two Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks linked to packaged salads, CDC epidemiologists underline key learnings and suggest proactive measures for industry.

Study Finds Adding Iron-Fortified Biochar to Soil can Nearly Halve PFAS Uptake by Radishes

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:19:31 -0500

Researchers with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have demonstrated that the use of iron-fortified hemp biochar made from agricultural waste can significantly reduce the amount of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” taken up by food crops grown in contaminated soil.

Key Unveils COMPASS Optical Sorter for Foreign Material in Leafy Greens

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:39:16 -0500

The new COMPASS optical sorter from Key Technology combines high-performance foreign material contamination detection and removal with gentle, hygienic product handling to help processors enhance food safety and operational efficiency.

Canada Requires Salmonella Testing for Iranian Pistachios as 155 Outbreak Cases Confirmed

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:02:11 -0500

As of December 2, laboratory-confirmed cases in the ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios has reached 155, and CFIA now requires importers and manufacturers of Iranian pistachios to hold and test their products for Salmonella before they can be sold.

Food Safety Five Ep. 21: New Codex Standards, Advancements to Control Listeria and Salmonella

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 07:30:00 -0500

This episode of Food Safety Five discusses a farm-to-fork quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for Listeria monocytogenes in cantaloupe, a study demonstrating the efficacy of antimicrobial peptides for reducing Salmonella in poultry, and the adoption of new international standards at the 48^th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Improving Antimicrobial Efficacy of Food-Grade Fruit Wax is Complex, Researchers Find

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:42:57 -0500

An ongoing project funded by the Center for Produce Safety is investigating ways to increase the antimicrobial activity of food-grade waxes, which are commonly applied to fruit and vegetables to extend shelf life.

Study Investigates Sanitizer Efficacy, Cross-Contamination in Potato Wash Water

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:28:10 -0500

A laboratory study has provided new insights into the efficacy of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and chlorine dioxide against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and norovirus in wash water during potato processing, and investigated cross-contamination risks in batch washing and water reuse scenarios.

QMRA for Listeria on Cantaloupe Identifies Importance of Post-Packing Time, Temperature

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:38:36 -0500

Researchers have developed a new, farm-to-fork quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to evaluate the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in fresh-cut cantaloupe.