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Restaurant Trade Group Spends $1M in 4Q Lobbying
March 9, 2010 - The National Restaurant Association spent more than $1 million in the fourth quarter to lobby on tax issues and food safety inspections, among other matters, according to a recent disclosure report. BusinessWeek
Georgia House Lawmakers OK Food Safety Bill
March 9, 2010 - The Georgia House has approved a bill that puts teeth in a food safety bill that cleared the Legislature last year. BusinessWeek
Florida Freeze Taking Bite Out of Local Tomato Supply
March 7, 2010 - With more than 70 percent of Florida’s tomato crop reportedly wiped out by unseasonal frigid temperatures in the Sunshine State in the last several weeks, local produce suppliers and restaurants -- and anyone else dealing in tomato-based products -- are feeling the squeeze on tomato prices and the supply itself. Cumberland Times-News
Nationwide Tomato Shortage Caused By Cold Snap
March 4, 2010 - An unusually cold snap in January destroyed 70 percent of Florida's tomato crop and it's causing a nationwide shortage. WCCO CBS
A Jumpstart for Food-Safety Bill?
March 3, 2010 - A coalition of consumer, public-health and food-safety advocates is trying to jumpstart the food-safety legislation that is stalled in the Senate. Wall Street Journal Health Blog
Cost of Food-borne Illnesses is Deemed Much Higher Than Earlier Estimates
March 3, 2010 - It turns out that tainted food can not only make people sick, but it can also cost them a bundle in the process. Los Angeles Times
Study: Food-Borne Illnesses Cost U.S. $152 Billion
March 2, 2010 - Food-borne illnesses, such as E. coli and salmonella, cost the United States $152 billion annually in health care and other losses, according to a report released today by a food safety group. Silicon Valley Mercury News
Bill Aims to Stop Farmers from Selling Water Pacts
March 1, 2010 - How can Valley farmers ask for more water if they are making money selling what they already have to cities outside the region? Fresno Bee
T. Marzetti Recalls Veggie Dips Due to Salmonella Concerns
March 1, 2010 - T. Marzetti Co. announced on March 1 that it was voluntarily recalling certain production codes of T. Marzetti Veggie Dips, Oak Lake Chip Dips and Great Value Chip Dips because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.
Consumers Aware of Food Safety Issues, Want to See Certifications, MSU Study Finds
March 1, 2010 - A study being conducted by Michigan State University (MSU) on behalf of DNV finds that U.S. consumers are highly aware of food safety issues and they have high recognition of third party certification as an effective signal of food safety assurance. The consumers strongly prefer to see products labeled as safety certified.
Cold Winter Leaves Tomato Shoppers Paying The Price
Feb. 28, 2010 - The unseasonably cold winter has dealt a blow to farmers and fruit growers across Florida, and shoppers are starting to pay the price. Central Florida News 13
Pennsylvania Potato Grower, Producer to Use Solar to Cut Costs
Feb. 24, 2010 - Keith Masser, a seventh generation potato farmer, is no dummy. A graduate of Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Masser always has his eye on the bottom line. This includes not only the best, most productive, and most wholesome ways to grow the humble but essential potato, but ways to get it to market, in all its myriad forms, at a cost that remains competitive with other potato producers. Cooler Planet
Interim Response to Water Shortages Gains Support
Feb. 24, 2010 - Calling it a responsible short-term response to the state's water crisis, California farmers and ranchers urged support of a proposed amendment to federal legislation that could immediately increase water supplies for farms and cities during the next two years. California Farm Bureau Federation
Tomato Squeeze: Supply Down From the Freeze
Feb. 23, 2010 - It's not a mistake if your Whopper arrives without the usual two slices of tomatoes. The Miami Herald
Obama Administration's Plans to Improve National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Feb. 23, 2010 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at a National Press Club Luncheon to highlight the Obama Administration's priorities for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and to advocate for the rapid passage of a strong reauthorization bill to reduce hunger and improve the health and nutrition of our nation's children.
Reaction: The Science Behind Salad Safety
Feb. 18, 2010 - Here, Trevor Suslow, Ph.D., shares his reaction to the recent Consumer Reports article
Packaged Salad Can Contain High Levels of Bacteria. Food Safety News
Farmers Say New H-2A Rule Adds Cost, Complexity
Feb. 17, 2010 - Changes announced to the federal H-2A visa program last week will make the process of hiring foreign workers for agriculture on a temporary or seasonal basis more expensive and add more layers of bureaucracy to the process of finding people to hire, said Sonoma County farmer Jeff Carlton, who has used the H-2A visa program for more than three years. California Farm Bureau
Study: Salinas Valley House Dust Carries Pesticides
Feb. 16, 2010 - Dust in many Salinas Valley homes carries traces of pesticides, a recent study reported. Salinas Californian
Midbrook Helps Food Retailers Avoid Waste with the Ozorinse Water Purification System
Feb. 11, 2010 - Grocery stores are constantly faced with the problem of waste due to spoiled food products. Recent studies show that grocery stores in the U.S. throw away 6.6 million tons of food per year, costing them $482 million annually. In difficult economic times, that can be a tough number to deal with.
Dole: No Public Health Threat from Consumer Reports Tests on Bacteria Levels in Leafy Greens
Feb. 3, 2010 - New tests by Consumer Reports have found high levels of bacteria in packaged leafy greens that could indicate unsanitary conditions. Salinas Californian
Bagged Salad: How Clean?
Feb. 3, 2010 - You might think that "prewashed" and "triple-washed" salad greens sold in plastic clamshells or bags are squeaky clean. But our recent tests found room for improvement. Consumer Reports
FreshConex Highlights Opportunities for Fresh-Cut Processors
Feb. 2, 2010 - The market for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook fruit and vegetables continues on an upward swing. An increase in the number of single-person households, more meals eaten away from home, changing eating habits and quick and easy availability are all key factors driving the demand for fresh convenience products.
FDA Requests $4 Billion to Transform Food Safety System, Invest in Medical Product Safety, Regulatory Science
Feb. 1, 2010 - FDA is requesting $4.03 billion to promote and protect public health as part of the President’s fiscal year 2011 budget – a 23 percent increase over the agency’s current $3.28 billion budget.
Food Companies Face Fees Under Obama Budget Proposal
Feb. 1, 2010 - Food companies and drug makers could face more than $250 million in new fees under a proposal included in the Food and Drug Administration budget Monday by the Obama administration. Wall Street Journal
Farm-Fresh School Lunches on the Way
Feb. 1, 2010 - “What’s for lunch?” Sometimes I don’t want to answer this question, especially when I know my kids and I don’t always agree about what constitutes a good meal. If it’s not pizza or burgers, then they show less enthusiasm about sitting down to eat. Wenatchee World
Salinas Valley, Leafy Green Vegetables, and E. coli
Feb. 1, 2010 - On February 5, 2004, the FDA wrote a letter to the lettuce and tomato industries to voice its concern about the frequent outbreaks linked to those products. Food Safety Blog
Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association Elects New Officers
Jan. 27, 2010 - The membership of the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association recently elected the 2010 slate of officers. Imperial Valley Press
Storms in Yuma Slow Harvest for Salinas-based Growers
Jan. 27, 2010 - Storms have delayed harvesting for many Salinas-based lettuce growers -- in Yuma, Ariz. The Californian
Local Produce Feeds Nation, World
Jan. 26, 2010 - Kurt Nolte, director of the Yuma County Cooperative Extension, and his fellow researchers find themselves sometimes as glorified dog poop scoopers along the canals that snake through the area. Yuma Sun
In U.S, Uptick in Healthy Eating, Access to Affordable Produce
Jan. 26, 2010 - As many Americans set an eye on healthier eating in 2010, Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data reveal mixed results on two key metrics in 2009 compared with 2008. Gallup
Schauer Pressing for Food Safety Institute Training
Jan. 25, 2010 - U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer is putting pressure on the White House to guarantee long-term funding for food safety programs like the International Food Protection Training Institute in Battle Creek. Battle Creek Enquirer
In the Fields: Farm Safety Top Priority
Jan. 24, 2010 - Safety is one of the highest priorities in one of Yuma's biggest industries. Yuma Sun
In the Fields: Skilled Hands, Trained Eyes
Jan. 23, 2010 - Yuma County's title as the winter capital of fresh vegetable production rests squarely in the hands of the thousands of workers who toil in the fields and packing houses to bring the crop from seed to salad bar. Yuma Sun
California Giant Hires Food Safety Manager
Jan. 23, 2010 - California Giant Berry Farms has hired Eric Valenzuela for the newly created position of food safety manager. Salinas Californian
Florida Freeze Spikes Costs
Jan. 21, 2010 - Reports of crop damage from 13 consecutive nights of freezing weather earlier this month continue to stream in, but it is already clear to state agriculture officials that more than a third of the state's winter fruit and vegetables have been destroyed. HeraldTribune.com
Nunhems Re-Launches Global Web Portal
Jan. 18, 2010 - Nunhems has re-launched its global Web portal, www.nunhems.com.
New FDA Deputy to Lead Food-safety Mandate
Jan. 14, 2010 - A year ago, Michael Taylor was sitting in his office at George Washington University, considering a basic mission of the federal government: making sure food is safe. The Washington Post
Produce Prices Climb as Southern Temperatures Drop
Jan. 12, 2010 - It won't just be orange juice affected by Florida's record-setting freeze. Local grocers warn that prices for other produce, from tomatoes to collard greens, have already risen. Grand Rapids Press
PMA Adds Food Safety Expert to its Team
Jan. 12, 2010 - Food safety veteran Johnna Hepner will join the Produce Marketing Association as director of food safety and technology.
Poll: Most Not Fully Confident in Food Safety
Jan. 9, 2010 - Just one in three Americans are very confident that the food they buy is safe, a new CBS News poll finds - although the vast majority are at least somewhat confident that their food is safe. CBS News
Brief Respite from the Cold Today, but Frigid Weekend on the Way
Jan. 8, 2010 - Finally, weather in the 60s. It almost feels warm.
If anyone's happy, it's farmers. After a spate of sleepless nights spent covering vegetables and running overhead sprinklers, farmers said late Thursday they looked forward to getting some rest. St. Petersburg Times
Cold Weather in Florida
Jan. 6, 2010 - Florida Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency to help farmers save their crops from freezing temperatures. The last time Florida experienced weather this bad, farmers suffered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crop damage. WCTV Tallahassee
Some Say Food Safety Regulations Threaten Wildlife
Jan. 6, 2010 - Wildlife and the environment may suffer unnecessarily if the Department of Agriculture decides to take the California food safety regulations nationwide in 2010, local farmers and officials say. Santa Cruz Sentinel
How to Fix S.510: A Sustainable Ag Perspective II
Jan. 4, 2010 - Part two of a three part discussion with Harry Hamil, founder of North Carolina's Black Mountain Farmers Market, on how he would change the Senate food safety bill to lessen the impact on small and sustainable agriculture. Food Safety News
Sestak to Introduce Bill on Food-Recall Notification
Jan. 4, 2010 - Communications between federal food oversight agencies would be streamlined and food-recall notification protocols for schools improved in a bill U.S. Rep. Joseph Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont, said he intends to introduce. Delaware County, Pa., Daily Times
PMA Announces Staff Changes
Jan. 4, 2010 - The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) announced key personnel changes and additions today following a reorganization of staff to help implement the trade association’s strategic plan.
Fruits, Veggies Passed On
Jan. 2, 2010 - Americans are eating less beef and pork, but more poultry. They like their cheese, but drink less milk. Yogurt consumption is up, ice cream consumption is down. And, perhaps surprisingly, fruit and vegetable consumption per capita has dipped despite what generally seems to be healthier eating habits. East Oregonian
Salinas Valley Ag Pinched Pennies in '09
Dec. 28, 2009 - Salinas Valley's No. 1 industry, agriculture, felt the recession's pinch in 2009. The Californian
Harmful Insects Worry Citrus Growers
Dec. 28, 2009 - Insects that are notorious for spreading a dreaded citrus disease have been found in Yuma County, threatening the livelihoods of citrus growers and increasing the chance that Valley homeowners' fruit trees could die. Arizona Republic
Watchful Farmers See San Joaquin Valley Streams Improve
Dec. 26, 2009 - A coalition of farmers aiming to keep pesticides and other pollutants out of streams has been contacting members who might have let them escape from their land. Modesto Bee
People in Business: Somis Native Joins Sales Staff at Boskovich Farms
Dec. 26, 2009 - Santiago Pena has joined the sales staff of Boskovich Farms, a leading grower, shipper and processor of fresh produce based in Oxnard. Ventura County Star
Cost and Return Studies Released by California Extension
Dec. 23, 2009 - The University of California Cooperative Extension has released the current cost and return studies for growing iceberg and romaine lettuce.
Review Articles Explore Nanotechnology Applications in Food Safety
Dec. 23, 2009 - The Institute of Food Technologists released three review articles in the Journal of Food Science that were presented at the IFT Annual Meeting in 2009. The articles provide greater detail on nanotechnology science and its application to food. Occupational Health and Safety
California Tomato Growers Deliver Record Crop
Dec. 16, 2009 - According to USDA, despite water shortages and a cool, wet end to the season, California tomato growers delivered a record-large crop to processors in 2009.
Bill Seeks More Fresh Produce in U.S. School Meals
Dec. 16, 2009 - The government would spend $150 million to put more fresh fruits and vegetables into school meals under a bill filed by 16 lawmakers on Wednesday with an eye to next year's overhaul of school food programs. Reuters
Salinas School Salad Bars a Model for Nation
Dec. 11, 2009 - It's lunchtime at Jesse Sanchez Elementary School, and dozens of first-graders are huddled around a small salad bar. The Californian
Apio Brings Raw Product Storage On-Site with Expansion
Dec. 11, 2009 - Apio has completed a 40,000 square foot expansion to its current processing facilities. The refrigerated space, which will be utilized for raw product storage, was placed into operation Nov. 19, just in time for the holiday production increase.
Successful Cooperation Between Sunrise and Sormac
Dec. 8, 2009 - Sunrise Produce is a leading distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables serving Southern California. The company was founded in 1991 by its current president, Paul Carone, and his business partner, the late Bert Loewy. The intention was to create a business that is responsive to the diverse needs of the foodservice market place. This piece originally ran in the November issue of Fresh Cut magazine as an advertorial sponsored by Sormac
Food-Testing Company to Locate in Battle Creek
Dec. 2, 2009 - A world leader in food testing made official Tuesday its plans to build a nutritional chemistry and food safety laboratory in downtown Battle Creek. Battle Creek Enquirer
Wholesalers Worry That New Security Checks Will Spoil Food
Dec. 2, 2009 - Fruit, vegetable and seafood wholesalers are worried that their perishables will spoil at airports next year because of a new security law requiring crates of goods to be checked for bombs before going on passenger airplanes. USA Today
E. Coli Lawsuit Filed in Lettuce Case
Dec. 2, 2009 - A lawsuit was filed yesterday in King County Superior Court, Washington, on behalf of Kelly Cobb and her husband Matthew. Kelly was a victim of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce in May of 2008. Food Safety News
New USDA Study Helps Identify Strategies to Improve Nutrition of School Meals
Dec. 2, 2009 - USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) released a study Dec. 2 - "Meeting Total Fat Requirements for School Lunches" - which finds that many school policies and practices are associated with the fat content of meals they serve through the National School Lunch Program.
Former Kellogg CEO and Secretary of Commerce Joins iGPS Board
Dec. 2, 2009 - Intelligent Global Pooling Systems announced Dec. 2 that Carlos Gutierrez, former chairman and CEO of the Kellogg Co. and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, has joined the company’s board of directors.
California Senator Introduces Food Safety Legislation
Dec. 1, 2009 - Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced a piece of legislation Nov. 30 that would require food manufacturers to take responsibility for keeping food free of contaminants.
Wash U. Uses Kitchen Grease for Fuel
Nov. 30, 2009 - Washington University in St. Louis is turning French fries into fuel. St. Louis Business Journal
USDA Awards More Than $46 Million for Specialty Crop Research and Extension
Nov. 24, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Nov. 18 USDA had awarded more than $46 million through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) to solve critical specialty crop agriculture issues, address priorities and solve problems through multifunctional research and extension, according to a statement from USDA.
Inside the FDA: Q&A With David Acheson
Nov. 23, 2009 - Dr. David Acheson knows the federal food safety system inside and out. An expert in food safety and infectious diseases who has become well-versed in regulatory policy, Acheson understands the science and the politics behind how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works. Food Safety News
Food-Safety Lawyer's Wish: Put Me Out of Business
Nov. 23, 2009 - You might say that E. coli has been very, very good to William Marler. Seattle Times
Sprouts, Raw Fish on Attorney's 'Do Not Eat' List
Nov. 23, 2009 - So what won't you eat if you spend your days focused on horrific food-poisoning cases? Seattle Times
Settlements Reached in E. coli Lawsuits Against Aunt Mids and Santa Barbara Farms
Nov. 21, 2009 - On September 15, 2008, Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) was notified that nine students of Michigan State University (MSU) were seen in the emergency department over the weekend with gastrointestinal symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea. Marler Blog
Food Poisoning: Source of E. Coli Illness Often Can't Be Found
Nov. 21, 2009 - The thick, black binder that Paula Gillett keeps charts her son Jack's battle last year against a food-borne illness caused by E. coli. Bradenton Herald
Senate Committee Approves Food Safety Bill
Nov. 19, 2009 - A Senate committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a much-awaited overhaul of the Food and Drug Administration's food safety system, although it gave little hint of how it would pay for the sweeping changes. Los Angeles Times
Study Shows Food Safety Isn't Simple
Nov. 19, 2009 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year in the United States. Many studies have found that a majority of these cases can be traced back to poor food handling practices in the home. Food Safety News
Senate Panel OKs Giving FDA More Power to Police Food Safety
Nov. 18, 2009 - A Senate health panel unanimously approved sweeping legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to police food safety and reorient its efforts toward preventing food contamination instead of reacting to outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. Wall Street Journal
Pet Owners' Help Needed to Keep Crops Safe
Nov. 17, 2009 - With Yuma's annual winter produce season in full swing, growers are taking many steps to make sure the lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower they're sending to market will be tasty, nutritious and appealing for consumers. Yuma Sun
California Company Advisory of Packaged Produce
Nov. 15, 2009 - San Miguel Produce Inc. of Oxnard, California was informed today by the state of Ohio Department of Agriculture that their labs indicated a positive test for Listeria of packed Kale bags 10 oz. package with the label “Cut `n Clean Greens”. Fremont News-Messenger
Food Safety Bill’s Possible Costs Worry Small Farmers
Nov. 15, 2009 - There’s no need to wonder where the collard greens or tomatoes came from that are on sale at Whitaker Farms’ stall at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. Greensboro News-Record
Farmers Vs. Greens: A Fossil Fuel Debate
Nov. 15, 2009 - The United States will not pass a cap-and-trade law in time for the global climate change summit in Copenhagen next month. To understand why, it helps to ask a farmer. The Economist
Coalition to Senate: Move on Food Safety
Nov. 13, 2009 - The Make Our Food Safe Coalition, made up of leading public health, consumer, and food safety organizations, continues to call on lawmakers to push the pending food safety legislation though the Senate before the end of the year. Food Safety News
K-State Breaks Ground for First Building on Olathe Campus
Nov. 13, 2009 - A ground-breaking ceremony at Kansas State University's Olathe campus marks the university's commitment to advancing animal health and food safety research and education in Kansas and the nation. Kansas City Infozine
Syngenta Buys Two Lettuce Seed Companies
Nov. 12, 2009 - yngenta has acquired two U.S.-based lettuce seed companies: Synergene Seed & Technology Inc. and Pybas Vegetable Seed Co. Inc.
Apple Industry Applauds Fed Plans for $18.6 Million Apple Purchase
Nov. 11, 2009 - The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) applauded the Obama Administration for its plan to purchase $18.6 million worth of apples in the near future.
Sustainable Salads
Nov. 10, 2009 - Which fruits, vegetables, and other crops have the smallest environmental footprints? Slate.com
Three Years After E. Coli Outbreak, is Spinach Safer?
Nov. 10, 2009 - Three years after an E. coli outbreak, thought to be linked to spinach, took three lives and left 205 people sick, "Good Morning America" discovered that while the industry instituted new safety standards to prevent bacterial contamination, there are no requirements to test salad products before they get to market. ABCNews.com
A Serving of Food Safety
Nov. 10, 2009 - The chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee wants an investigation into the safety of school lunches. Judging by what the nation has seen with E. coli outbreaks and other food scares, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., has good reason to be concerned that potentially fatal contaminants could be served up in school cafeterias. Las Vegas Sun
Liberty Fruit will Expand Kansas City, Kan., Plant, Add 25 Employees
Nov. 9, 2009 - Liberty Fruit Co. Inc. will expand its Kansas City, Kan., facility by 30,000 square feet and add 25 workers before the expansion is complete in March. Kansas City Business Journal
Mistral Equity Partners Invests in Chef Solutions Holdings
Nov. 9, 2009 - Mistral Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on the consumer and media sectors, announced that it has invested $24 million in Chef Solutions Holdings LLC and its affiliates, which, through its operating subsidiary Orval Kent Food Company Inc., is the second largest manufacturer in North America of fresh prepared foods for retailers and foodservice accounts.
FDA Looks to Bacteria for Salmonella Answers
Nov. 9, 2009 - The 10 tomatoes sitting in a Tupperware tub at the Food and Drug Administration seem to be doing nothing more than rotting, slowly. delawareonline
Scientists Expand Program to 'Bar-code' DNA of World's Plants, Animals
Nov. 7, 2009 - It sounds like a futuristic fantasy, but scientists are quietly creating a global databank of DNA bar codes for the world's flora and fauna that could be used to identify illicit goods at borders and track the spread of disease. The Daily Gleaner
Laser Spec Detects Vegetable Contaminants
Nov. 5, 2009 - A high-resolution, time-resolved spectroscopy system has helped researchers make the first quantitative measurements of trace elements in fresh vegetables using a technique based on the detection of optical emission from a laser-induced plasma. Laboratory Equipment
Pa. Receives Federal Specialty Crop Grants for 15 Projects
Nov. 4, 2009 - Fifteen Pennsylvania projects were awarded $780,328 in federal grants to increase the visibility and market share of the state's produce, nursery, horticultural and nut products.
California Legislature Approves Comprehensive Package to Overhaul Water System
Nov. 4, 2009 - The state Legislature passed a wide-ranging water package that includes an $11-billion bond as dawn broke over the Capitol today. Los Angeles Times
Chinese Officials Examine Food Safety Systems in Minnesota
Nov. 3, 2009 - Twenty-two senior Chinese food safety delegates from government, industry and academic sectors arrive in Minnesota this week to conclude a two-week program focused on how nations achieve international food safety standards for protecting public health. University of Minnesota News
Report Criticizes Response to Produce-Borne Illness Outbreaks
Nov. 2, 2009 - Food-borne illness outbreaks, caused by everything from spinach to peppers, have sickened hundreds in recent years and have snagged the public's attention. But a new report suggests that state health departments vary in their responses to produce-related outbreaks, causing delayed response times and more illnesses while driving up costs. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
As Other Retailers Struggle, Wal-Mart Steps Up Its Game
Nov. 1, 2009 - Head to the back of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Raynham and you may be in for a surprise. Boston Globe
‘Good’ Bacteria Show Up in Salmonella Research
Nov. 1, 2009 - The 10 tomatoes sitting in a Tupperware tub at the Food and Drug Administration seem to be doing nothing more than rotting, slowly. NewJersey.com
E. Coli Outbreak in Fredericton Probed
Oct. 31, 2009 - Public health officials are investigating four confirmed cases of E. coli, which are believed to be linked to a fast-food restaurant in Fredericton. CBC News
Survey of State Health Departments Underscores Gaps in Foodborne Illness Response
Oct. 30, 2009 - A survey of state health departments regarding their capacity to track produce-related foodborne
illnesses found that the response and investigation of outbreaks varies greatly and can lead to delays in public-health response.
Michigan Governor Signs Higher Education Budget, Includes Funding for MSU Research, Extension
Oct. 30, 2009 - Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the state’s budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year today, and it included funding for the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE).
Prosecutors Going After Businesses that Don't Pay Employees
Oct. 28, 2009 - With the economy still struggling, many local businesses are hurting and some may be tempted to hold off on paying some employees. Bakersfield Californian
Food Safety Bill Stalled
Oct. 27, 2009 - In March, food safety looked like a major congressional priority. After a year of high-profile disease outbreaks and food purity scares, the new Democratic-controlled Congress was eager to overhaul federal regulation of the food supply. Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal
Calgary Doctor on Trail of Resistant E. Coli
Oct. 27, 2009 - A doctor is trying to find out why so many people in Calgary have a strain of E. coli with the potential to create difficult-to-treat infections. CBC News
Syngenta Partners with the California to Improve Irrigation and Water Management
Oct. 26, 2009 - Syngenta, in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, has announced that a new California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) station is active and providing weather data to the public via the CIMIS Web site.
Calif. Drought Means More Imported Produce
Oct. 26, 2009 - The talk in sunny California these days is about water - specifically, the lack of it. Legislators there are working a sweeping plan to overhaul the state's water management system. CBS News
Water-Demanding Farms Looked at as Resources Vanish
Oct. 25, 2009 - Along its final miles, the Colorado River snakes through a dizzying series of dams, canals, siphons and ditches, diverted to hundreds of users in Arizona and California until barely a trickle remains. Arizona Republic
FDA Seeks Funds for Food Safety
Oct. 23, 2009 - A Senate bill to overhaul food safety and expand FDA oversight needs to be stronger and include more funding and authority, the head of the agency told lawmakers Thursday. Wall Street Journal
Durbin Wants FDA to Tighten Food Inspections
Oct. 22, 2009 - Who's checking your food to make sure it's safe? WFIE-TV
Federal Voucher Program Includes Fruits, Vegetables
Oct. 22, 2009 - In a swipe at childhood obesity, the federal food voucher program for low-income women and children is permitting - for the first time in more than 35 years - fresh produce, whole grains and low-fat sources of protein while cutting back on juices and dairy products. Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise
Dole Raises $446 Million in IPO, Less Than Planned
Oct. 22, 2009 - Dole Food Co., the world’s largest producer of fresh fruit and vegetables, priced a 35.7 million share initial public offering at $12.50 each, below the low end of its forecast range. Bloomberg
Public Meeting to Address Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
Oct. 21, 2009 - The USDA Office of Food Safety and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' FDA announced a public meeting to provide information and receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), to be held in San Diego Nov. 16-20.
Bagged Salad Going Under the Microscope
Oct. 21, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a study to follow bagged salads from the farmer's field to the grocery aisle in hopes of learning why the product is the No. 1 food linked to food-borne illness. CBC News
New Item on the School Cafeteria Menu: a Calorie Limit?
Oct. 20, 2009 - The Institute of Medicine has new recommendations for the federal programs that provide breakfast and lunch in primary and secondary schools, and for the first time, it endorses calorie limits. U.S. News & World Report
Genomes of Two Popular Research Strains of E. coli Sequenced
Oct. 20, 2009 - An international team of researchers from the United States, Korea, and France has sequenced and analyzed the genomes of two important laboratory strains of E. coli bacteria, one used to study evolution and the other to produce proteins for basic research or practical applications. PhysOrg.com
Bagged Salad Going Under the Microscope
Oct. 19, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a study to follow bagged salads from the farmer's field to the grocery aisle in hopes of learning why the product is the No. 1 food linked to food-borne illness. CBC News
News You Missed This Week
Oct. 16, 2009 - A roundup of all the news affecting the fresh-cut industry for the week of Oct. 12-16.
FDA chief: Regaining your Trust
Oct. 14, 2009 - In May, Margaret Hamburg became the 21st commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a beleaguered agency that has long been criticized for its mishandling of food crises and for drug recalls such as the Vioxx debacle. CNN Money
The Food-Safety Muddle
Oct. 14, 2009 - At the behest of the President's Food Safety Working Group, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late July proposed industry guidelines that would help make it safer to eat tomatoes, leafy greens and melons. Washington Post
Farmworker Group Honors Antle
Oct. 14, 2009 - Bob Antle, co-chairman of the Salinas Valley produce firm Tanimura and Antle, will be honored for his efforts to improve housing and health conditions for farmworkers. Monterey County Herald
FDA Gives $17.5 M in Food Safety Grants
Oct. 10, 2009 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it gave $17.5 million in grants to state and local regulatory agencies to bolster food and feed safety initiatives. Food Safety News
Obama Drops Rule Aimed at Immigrants' Bosses
Oct. 8, 2009 - The Obama administration has repealed a rule that would have threatened employers with prosecution unless they fired workers whose Social Security numbers did not match entries in a government database, ending a two-year battle in a San Francisco federal court. San Francisco Chronicle
Obama Drops Rule Aimed at Immigrants' Bosses
Oct. 8, 2009 - The Obama administration has repealed a rule that would have threatened employers with prosecution unless they fired workers whose Social Security numbers did not match entries in a government database, ending a two-year battle in a San Francisco federal court. San Francisco Chronicle
Bagged Salad Safety: Rising Threat of Food-Borne Illness Lurks in Convenient Packages of Leafy Greens
Oct. 7, 2009 - A growing threat for food-borne illnesses comes attractively packaged, is stunningly convenient and is increasingly popular with shoppers looking for healthy meals: ready-to-eat leafy greens that make putting together a green salad as easy as opening a bag. Chicago Tribune
Ohio Growers Oppose National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
Oct. 1, 2009 - Produce growers in Ohio are not signing on to the proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, saying it serves large Western growers but not them, and they are “undertaking (their) own efforts to define the best ways to protect Ohio farming and its diverse market.”
Light, Photosynthesis Help Bacteria Invade Fresh Produce
Sept. 29, 2009 - Exposure to light and possibly photosynthesis itself could be helping disease-causing bacteria to be internalized by lettuce leaves, making them impervious to washing, according to research published in the October issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. ScienceDaily
News You Missed This Week
Sept. 25, 2009 - Here's a recap of news that affected the fresh-cut industry for the week of Sept. 21-25.
Del Monte to Sell Fresh-Cuts in Vending Machines
Sept. 25, 2009 - Del Monte Fresh Produce Company N.A.Inc., a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., launched a new vending line of healthy snack alternatives at the National Automated Merchants Convention in Chicago.
Tanimura & Antle Launches Two PTI Trials
Sept. 24, 2009 - Tanimura & Antle announced that the company is collaborating with TraceGains and RedLine Solutions on two separate pilot projects that will enable Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) compliance for field-packed items.
Advocate Slams Food Safety Plan at USDA Hearings in Monterey
Sept. 24, 2009 - A representative of organic farmers warned Wednesday that creating a national version of California's Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement would discriminate against small-scale organic farmers. Salinas Californian
Ag Group has Standardized Safety Testing
Sept. 23, 2009 - The standards implemented after an E. coli outbreak devastated the spinach industry three years ago have brought a new way of operating for California farmers. Monterey Herald
Hearings Begin on Nationwide Standards for Produce Safety
Sept. 23, 2009 - Expanding a program that began in California to the entire country would be "the best available instrument" to ensure food safety, a Castroville farmer testified Tuesday. Monterey Herald
Survey Reports Food Safety Costs Doubled for California Leafy Greens Growers
Sept. 21, 2009 - Seasonal food safety costs for California leafy greens growers more than doubled in the year after the September 2006 outbreak of E. coli in spinach, according to a survey by the University of California Small Farm Program. On a per-acre basis, these costs were lowest for the largest farms. Food Poison Journal
Food Marketing Institute and GS1 US Introduce New Recall System
Sept. 21, 2009 - The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and GS1 US have launched Rapid Recall Exchange, an online service to enable prompt and accurate information exchange between retailers/wholesalers and suppliers about food and product recalls and withdrawals. It replaces an existing recall system, the
Product Recall Portal, by improving ease of use and adding significant capabilities.
Pumping Restrictions Cost California Ag 2,000 Jobs
Sept. 21, 2009 - Officials at the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority issued a statement Friday claiming 100,000 acres went unplanted and 2,000 jobs have been lost on the Westside because of federal pumping cutbacks to protect the endangered Delta smelt fish. The Sentinel
Seeds Grow Monsanto's Business
Sept. 21, 2009 - The future of supermarket produce is spread across 144 acres of flat, arid farmland in California's Central Valley. stltoday.com
Ippolito Recalls Spinach After Salmonella Indicated
Sept. 18, 2009 - Ippolito International of Salinas, Calif., has voluntarily recalled 1,715 cartons of bunched spinach, because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.
Del Monte Fresh-Cut Product Wins Taste Award
Sept. 17, 2009 - Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. has been awarded the 2009 Superior Taste Award for its fresh-cut Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple by the International Taste and Quality Institute.
Salmonella Outbreak May Be Linked to Lettuce
Sept. 14, 2009 - Federal and state health authorities are investigating a salmonella outbreak that peaked in Oregon in August. The Oregonian
Agricultural Pioneer Dies at Age 95
Sept. 14, 2009 - Norman Borlaug, "the father of the green revolution" who won the Nobel Prize for his role in combating world hunger through crop improvement, died Sept. 12 at the age of 95.
Brenner Discusses USDA Research, Technology
Sept. 13, 2009 - Few people know that the Department of Agriculture is one of the leading governmental research organizations with a long history of commercializing what is developed in its labs and jointly. The Philadelphia Bulletin
$75M for Food Safety
Sept. 12, 2009 - On the eve of a possible federal election, the Conservative government announced a $75-million funding package to better protect Canadians from food-borne illness outbreaks after an independent investigator identified a "void in leadership" in Ottawa during last year's deadly listeriosis outbreak. Canada.com
HHS and USDA Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Web Site at www.foodsafety.gov
Sept. 9, 2009 - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the co-chairs of the Obama Administration`s Food Safety Working Group, unveiled a new consumer Web site at www.foodsafety.gov. USDA
FDA Launches Reportable Food Registry Electronic Portal
Sept. 8, 2009 - FDA has a new way to head off potential cases of foodborne illness – the Reportable Food Registry (RFR), where food industry officials must use to alert the FDA quickly, through an electronic portal when they find their products might sicken or kill people or animals.
Pew-Commissioned Poll Finds Large Majority of Americans Want Stronger Food Safety
Sept. 8, 2009 - Among likely voters surveyed across the nation, about 9 in 10 support the federal government adopting additional food safety measures, and 64 percent believe that imported foods are often or sometimes unsafe, according to a new Pew-commissioned poll by the bipartisan team of Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies.
Water Issue Galvanizes Farmers
Sept. 8, 2009 - It's June 29. A group of protesters is marching in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco, chanting slogans and waving signs as traffic rushes by. The Sentinel
Leafy Green Safety Rules May Expand
Sept. 8, 2009 - California's leafy green vegetable industry could be leading growers nationwide into new ways of keeping food safe. Fresno Bee
Dole Out to Raise Some Green
Sept. 8, 2009 - Plans by Dole Food Co. to sell shares to the public were triggered by a cash crunch for the nation's largest fresh produce business and its owner, billionaire David Murdock. L.A. Times
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Card Check for Farmworkers
Sept. 4, 2009 - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a union-backed bill that would have required farmers to negotiate with a labor union if a majority of their employees signed membership agreements. San Francisco Chronicle
Op-ed By William D. Marler JD - Real Health Care Reform Requires Safe Food
Sept. 4, 2009 - Linda Rivera’s excruciating case of food-poisoning (Washington Post, Sept. 1) should shine some light on a crucial reality that is missing from all or most health care reform plans: You can’t fix America’s health care unless you provide Americans with a safe food supply. Food Poison Journal
Survey Finds Iowans Worried About Food Safety
Sept. 3, 2009 - A poll released Wednesday shows Iowans are worried about the safety of food and want legislators to approve a plan to make it safer. Carolyn Brickey of the Pew Charitable Trust talked about the poll at a food safety forum at Drake University in Des Moines. Radio Iowa
Harkin Says Farm Safety Details Still in the Works
Sept. 3, 2009 - A survey of Iowans on food safety released Wednesday at Drake University showed support for a fee of $500 on food processors to fund increased food safety efforts. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, a Democrat who chairs the ag committee, says such fees are a possibility. Radio Iowa
FDA Commissioner to Speak at United Fresh Policy Conference
Sept. 2, 2009 - FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg is scheduled to addresses the 2009 Washington Public Policy Conference, held Sept. 9-11 in Washington, D.C.
FDA Bill a Bipartisan Victory for Dingell
Sept. 2, 2009 - The sweeping food-safety bill that passed the House this summer was a victory for Michigan Democrat John Dingell, a longtime critic of the Food and Drug Administration who has pushed versions of the legislation for more than 20 years. Wall Street Journal
This Woman Might Die From Eating Cookie Dough: Severe Case Gives Context to Issue of Food Safety
Sept. 1, 2009 - In Room 519 of Kindred Hospital, Linda Rivera can no longer speak. Washington Post
Lawmakers Scrutinize Food Safety Regulations
Aug. 28, 2009 - Food safety proposals that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration far broader authority to regulate how food is grown and processed have divided farmers. Bakersfield Californian
HP Gets Into the Food-Safety Business
Aug. 25, 2009 - You don’t usually think of Hewlett-Packard as a food business. But with food contamination growing as a public concern, HP this week announced a new cloud-based recall service that it’s hoping the food industry will adopt as it searches for ways to address the issue. SiliconBeat
SK Foods Ex-Officer in Plea Deal
Aug. 20, 2009 - A former vice president with a Monterey-based food company will plead guilty to conspiracy charges and cooperate with federal officials investigating corruption in the U.S. processed-tomato industry, prosecutors said Wednesday. Monterey Herald
Gourmet Grocers Fish for Customers
Aug. 19, 2009 - Looking for a facial? Massage? Weight-loss seminar? There's a good chance you can find one at your local gourmet grocer -- usually free of charge. Detroit News
Chef Jeff of Food Network Talks About How Prison Time Inspired His Cooking Career
Aug. 18, 2009 - ong before Chef Jeff Henderson ever hung out with Hollywood heavyweight Will Smith or got his own show on the Food Network, he says he learned the power of cooking, managing people and building networks as a crack cocaine dealer. Grand Rapids Press
Chef Jeff of Food Network Talks About How Prison Time Inspired His Cooking Career
Aug. 18, 2009 - Long before Chef Jeff Henderson ever hung out with Hollywood heavyweight Will Smith or got his own show on the Food Network, he says he learned the power of cooking, managing people and building networks as a crack cocaine dealer. Grand Rapids Press
FDA to Reconsider BPA's Use in Food Packaging
Aug. 18, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it is reviewing new studies on bisphenol A and expects to rule by Nov. 30 on whether the chemical is safe for use in food and beverage containers. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Southern Legislative Conference in Winston-Salem
Aug. 16, 2009 - State legislators from across the South are coming together in Winston-Salem over the next few days to network and share ideas. Winston-Salem Journal
Dole Food IPO Would Satisfy Company's Hunger for Cash
Aug. 15, 2009 - In what analysts said was an example of stirring in the moribund market for initial stock offerings by large companies, produce giant Dole Food Co. filed regulatory paperwork Friday to sell shares to the public. Los Angeles Times
NewStar Recalls Jumbo Green Onion Cartons
Aug. 12, 2009 - NewStar Fresh Foods has issued a voluntary recall of 772 cartons of iced jumbo green onions distributed by three companies due to the possible presence of salmonella.
Who Won the Recession? McDonald's.
Aug. 11, 2009 - Now that the recession is most likely over, it's time to start looking at which companies, institutions, and individuals thrived during this grim period. In the harsh downturn that began in December 2007, success was redefined—flat became the new up, and muddling through became a triumph. Slate
Farmworkers Sue for Protection from Heat Stroke
Aug. 7, 2009 - Several Central Valley farmworkers have filed a lawsuit against the state of California and its Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for allegedly failing to adequately protect farmworkers from heat illness. New America Media
Editorial: Bad Food-Safety Bill in Pipeline for Salinas Valley Ag
Aug. 4, 2009 - Be careful what you wish for. Many people in California agriculture have said it isn't fair that the rest of the country isn't required to follow our stringent food safety rules. Salinas Californian
Recall Training Course Offered
Aug. 3, 2009 - Syngenta is sponsoring the recall training course in Florida offered by United Fresh Research & Education Foundation.
Organic Center Responds to Nutrition Study
Aug. 3, 2009 - An advance copy of a study will be published in the September edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Organic Center
Keeping Foods Safe and Bacteria Free
Aug. 3, 2009 - Eating food contaminated with bacteria can cause serious illness. In 2006, at least 276 people became ill and three deaths were attributed to an E. coli outbreak from contaminated spinach. Many people now take extra care to wash and clean food, but is it enough? Ivanhoe News Service
PMA Reacts to New FDA Commodity Guidance, House Food Safety Bill Passage
July 31, 2009 - Produce Marketing Association (PMA) noted the evidence of industry’s input in proposed new produce commodity-specific food safety guidance announced today as well as yesterday’s approval of food safety legislation by the U.S. House of Representative, and called on industry members to voice their opinions on both initiatives. Produce Marketing Association
House Passes Bill Giving FDA More Oversight of Food Safety
July 31, 2009 - The House of Representatives passed legislation to give the Food and Drug Administration more authority and resources to prevent and stop food-borne illnesses, in response to a string of outbreaks involving peanuts, spinach, hot peppers and other foods. Wall Street Journal
Food Safety Bill Fails, Gets Another Shot
July 30, 2009 - Legislation that would increase regulation of food processors and growers of fruits and vegetables hit a speed bump in the House. DesMoinesRegister.com
Organic Food is no Healthier, Study Finds
July 30, 2009 - Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday. MSNBC.com
Most Fast-Food Workers Don’t Wash Hands Properly, FDA Official Says
July 28, 2009 - The signs are ubiquitous in restaurant restrooms: "Employees must wash hands before returning to work." Quad Cities Times
Frontera Produce Recalls One Lot of Cilantro
July 28, 2009 - Frontera Produce, of Edinburg, Texas, is voluntarily recalling one lot of cilantro because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.
UC Davis Offers Annual Fresh-Cut Workshop, Sept. 22-24
July 28, 2009 - The UC Davis Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center is offering its 14th annual Fresh-cut Products: Maintaining Quality & Safety, September 22-24 on the UC Davis campus. This three-day course will provide food professionals with information regarding underlying principles that govern fresh-cut produce quality while providing practical tools for application in the processing plant.
Tanimura & Antle Recalls Romaine Lettuce
July 23, 2009 - On July 21, Tanimura & Antle Inc. of Salinas, Calif., announced it was voluntarily recalling one lot of romaine lettuce because it had the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses had been reported at the time, and the company was working with FDA to inform consumers of the recall.
Salyer American Lawyer Wants Receiver Out; Accusations Mount Against Company's Owner
July 21, 2009 - The court-appointed receiver for Salyer American Fresh Foods, the fresh produce company in the Monterey-based SK Foods Group until its May shutdown, says he has finished his work except for "a few windup matters." Monterey Herald
Food Stamp Users Get Fresh Food Options
July 21, 2009 - On her visits to the local farmers market over the past two years, Denise Hicks, who receives food stamps, could spare only a few dollars for vegetables and a cookie each for her two children. Detroit News
Organic vs. Natural a Source of Confusion
July 17, 2009 - At first it may seem only right for Dean Foods, the nation's largest organic dairy producer, to roll out a line of yogurts and milk marketed as "natural." Chicago Tribune
Farmers Critical of Food Safety Bill
July 17, 2009 - A House panel holds a hearing over legislation that would expand the FDA's powers and add regulations and fees. Los Angeles Times
Buy-Local Push Prompts Ontario Grocers to go Independent
July 15, 2009 - Dale Kropf calls it Independence Day: On July 3, his five grocery stores in southwestern Ontario ceased to be Sobeys franchises.
Corporate policies prevented him from buying local products, he says, so he joined forces with four other former Sobeys franchisees and formed the independent Hometown Grocers Co-Op. CBC News
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Visits Mid Michigan
July 13, 2009 - It's a plan to make the food you eat safer while bringing jobs to our state. WLAJ ABC News 3
Is the Convenience of Bagged Spinach and Lettuce Worth the E. coli Bacteria Risk and Damage to the Environment?
July 13, 2009 - A battle for the soul of agriculture is being waged in California in a new sort of green revolution - and counter-revolution. Food Poison Journal
Earthbound Farm Created Success by Growing Green
July 13, 2009 - The story of Earthbound Farm sounds implausibly like a Hollywood script. Monterey Herald
House Approves $2.99 Billion FDA Budget
July 9, 2009 - The House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a $373 million budget increase for the Food and Drug Administration, the largest boost in the agency's history. Wall Street Journal
Western Growers Names New D.C. Director
July 9, 2009 - Western Growers Association has named Ken Barbic its new director of federal government affairs at the Washington, D.C., office.
Governor Slams Ag Bills as Talks Stall
July 9, 2009 - The Legislature is wasting time on agricultural issues when it should be working on the budget. Salinas Californian
Scientists Develop E. Coli Vaccine for Cattle
July 9, 2009 - While storekeepers this month were frantically pulling E. coli-tainted cookie dough and beef from their shelves, scientists rolled out the country's first cattle vaccine to snuff out these potentially deadly bacteria. Monterey Herald
Spartan Promotes Idea to 'Buy Michigan' Goods
July 9, 2009 - Buy Michigan -- a patriotic catchphrase boosters hope will help save the state's ailing economy -- got a big lift this week, with a major grocery distributor and the governor lending their support to the purchase of homegrown products. Detroit News
Federal Agencies to Look Harder for Tainted Food
July 8, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture will step up inspections and craft new guidelines to reduce outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, a presidential working group said yesterday. Boston Globe
Syngenta Seed Care Introduces First Seed Treatment Insecticide for Leafy Vegetables
July 8, 2009 - Syngenta Seed Care announces that the first seed treatment insecticide for small-seeded vegetables has been approved by EPA for use on leafy vegetables.
Administration Suspends DHS No-Match Rule
July 8, 2009 - Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the department will be proposing a new regulation rescinding the Social Security Administration No-Match Rule – a regulation issued by the Bush Administration in August, 2007, and enjoined by a U.S. District Court since it was introduced.
White House Releases Food Safety Recommendations
July 7, 2009 - Vice President Biden released the key findings of the administration's Food Safety Working Group July 7.
ARS Releases New Leaf Lettuce Breeding Lines with Corky Root Resistance
July 7, 2009 - Three new leaf lettuce breeding lines with resistance to corky root, a serious disease of lettuce, have been released by the Agricultural Research Service. ARS
Government Tightening Food Safety Standards
July 7, 2009 - New safety standards aimed at reducing salmonella and E. coli outbreaks are part of a government effort to try to make food safer to eat. Monterey Herald
Consumer Trust in Food Safety in the U.S. Plummets Because of Rise in Recalls
July 6, 2009 - A little over two weeks ago, IBM released the results of a survey that it had conducted among adult grocery shoppers in the ten largest cities in the United States (100 in each city). Food Poison Journal
Water Canal Might Sink
July 6, 2009 - Fearing the main canal carrying drinking water to millions of Southern Californians is sinking again, water officials are monitoring the effects of incessant agricultural pumping from the aquifer that runs under the aqueduct. Monterey Herald
Sustainable Agriculture Standard Subcommittees Now Open for Membership
July 6, 2009 - Leonardo Academy is now accepting applications for membership on the National Sustainable Agriculture Standard Subcommittees. The subcommittees, which will play a key role in the standards development process, are open to membership by all interested parties.
Guest Column: Food Safety Bill too Weak to Protect Consumers
July 5, 2009 - Nearly every two hours a U.S. resident dies from a food-related illness. Every year, nearly one in three Americans - including some 3.3 million Michigan residents, my daughter among them - becomes seriously ill from food they thought was safe to eat, and some 325,000 wind up in the hospital. Battle Creek Enquirer
Really Cool Foods in Cambridge City On Track to Invest $100M and Employ 1,000 Within 7 Years
June 29, 2009 - The nation's economic downturn has had at least one positive impact on the local economy. Some local officials believe that people nationwide are eating at home more and demanding higher quality foods when they do. Richmond, Ind., Palladium-Item
A Truce in the Crop Wars
June 29, 2009 - A funny thing happened on the way to the next green revolution. Newsweek
Slowdown in Once-booming Organics Troubles Farmers
June 26, 2009 - The organic dairy industry was thriving when Allen and Jean Moody bought a 200-acre Wisconsin dairy farm in 2006 and joined the ranks of farmers churning out milk raised without growth hormones, pesticides or other chemicals. Associated Press via Google News
Report Finds Slight Rise in Crop Values
June 24, 2009 - Monterey County's growers are feeling the recession, but they are taking solace in a slight increase in crop values. Monterey Herald
When Food Sickens, He Heads for Courthouse
June 23, 2009 - No one really wants to meet Bill Marler, a food safety lawyer from Seattle, because those who do are likely A) critically sickened by contaminated food and in need of legal help, or B) responsible for selling the food. Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Monsanto Teams With Dole
June 23, 2009 - Monsanto Co. has entered into a collaboration with Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. to develop new products that will enhance consumer vegetable choices.
Major Overhaul of Food Safety Rules Coming
June 22, 2009 - A sea change in food safety regulation is on the way. By the end of the year, Congress will pass legislation that brings the first major overhaul of the nation's food safety laws in more than 70 years. Kiplinger
Slump Slams Rrestaurants
June 22, 2009 - Small businesses across the United States employ about half of all private sector workers and pay nearly 45 percent of the total U.S. private payroll, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Greenville News
Food Safety Act Does Not Address Underlying Issues
June 21, 2009 - HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, would impose a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers. It would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse. Delmarva Now
A Costly And Wasteful FDA
June 20, 2009 - How would you feel if you had to slip $100 to somebody at the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew your car registration? Well, something similar is happening to drug companies, which must pay the FDA to get federal regulators to do their job. Forbes
Crunch Pak to Process Burger King Fresh Apple Fries for Retail
June 19, 2009 - Burger King Corp. has finalized a licensing arrangement with Crunch Pak to bring the brand’s popular BK Kids Meal product, BK Fresh Apple Fries, to 10,000 supermarkets nationwide starting this fall.
House Moves to Improve Food Safety
June 18, 2009 - A House panel approved legislation aimed at safeguarding the nation’s food supply by giving federal regulators new powers to enforce tougher government safety standards. Boston Globe
Bill Boosting FDA Oversight Of Food Wins Panel Approval
June 18, 2009 - The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration significantly more funding and power to police food safety. Wall Street Journal
AP Interview: FDA Chief Focuses on Produce Safety
June 17, 2009 - Calling it "a critical time" for food safety, the Food and Drug Administration's new chief says she will strengthen steps to prevent contamination of fresh fruit and vegetables. The Associated Press
U.S., Canada Agree Their Organic Standards ‘Equivalent’
June 17, 2009 - A product certified as organic in the United States is also certified organic in Canada, and vice versa beginning June 30.
North Carolina Offers Food Businesses a Lesson in Social Media
June 17, 2009 - For most agribusinesses, a “tweet” usually comes from a chicken coop. At the July 28 seminar “Making Media Work for Your Food Business,” however, North Carolina food companies are invited to learn how new media tools such as Twitter and Facebook can improve business.
United Fresh Pushes for Salad Bar in Every School at Public Policy Conference
June 16, 2009 - Members of the United Fresh Produce Association will meet in Washington this September to continue the association’s push for a national policy promoting a salad bar in every school cafeteria. United Fresh Produce Association
Durbin Sponsors Food Safety Act
June 15, 2009 - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is pushing for reform of the nation's food safety mechanisms. WGIL Galesburg, Ill.
CPS Food Safety Funding Grants Increased
June 12, 2009 - The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) at the University of California, Davis is increasing the availability of competitive grant funds from $2 million up to $3.5 million to address critical food safety issues.
Really Cool Food, Renaissance Food Merge Operations
June 9, 2009 - The Really Cool Food Company LLC, a leading natural and organic prepared foods company, and Renaissance Food Group LLC, a leader in the distribution and production of fresh value added fruits and vegetables, announced a merger that will offer retailers and consumers the broadest selection of the freshest prepared and value added fresh foods.
Associations Submit Draft of National Leafy Greens Program to USDA
June 8, 2009 - A group of produce industry associations representing leafy greens producers nationwide have submitted a draft national leafy greens program to USDA. The petition formally requests that the agency create a national marketing agreement for leafy greens, similar to the California leafy greens program created following the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in 2006.
iGPS Names Former Brambles CEO to Board of Directors
June 3, 2009 - Intelligent Global Pooling Systems (iGPS), operator of the world’s first all-plastic pallet rental service with embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, announced that John Fletcher, former Brambles Ltd. CEO, has joined the company's board of directors.
Leafy Greens Safety Program Serves as National Model
June 3, 2009 - On the outskirts of Hollister, farm manager Mark Wright drives past a lush spinach field, studying the still dewy leaves. Making his morning field rounds, he's deciding on the optimum time for harvest. California Farm Bureau
House Committee Unveils Food Safety Discussion Draft
May 28, 2009 - The House Energy and Commerce Committee has released a discussion draft of a food safety bill that includes a proposal to require food facilities to pay an annual $1,000 fee to the Food and Drug Administration plus any costs associated with inspections related to a food recall. Nasdaq, Dow Jones Newswire
Congresswoman Seeks Food Safety Specifics
May 22, 2009 - A key lawmaker pressed FDA officials Thursday for specific plans to improve food safety, saying the agency's proposals to date don't sound like real change. Associated Press
Food Safety Concerns Could Fuel Job Growth
May 21, 2009 - Growing food safety concerns could fuel job growth in West Michigan. WWMT Kalamazoo
Greenhouse Growers Join Their Expo to EXPO
May 21, 2009 - New partnerships could make the already-big Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO an even bigger horticultural show.
Senate Confirms Obama's Pick for FDA Chief
May 19, 2009 - The Senate on Monday confirmed President Barack Obama's pick to oversee food and drug safety, two areas that are vital to consumers and widely seen as in critical need of improvement. Associated Press
FDA Papers Show It Falls Far Short in Food Safety Audits
May 19, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration conducted only about half the state food safety audits it promised in the two years before the recent peanut salmonella outbreak, according to documents the agency sent to Congress. Philadelphia Inquirer
L&M Companies, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes
May 18, 2009 - L&M Companies, Inc. of Raleigh, NC is recalling one lot of whole cantaloupes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported to date, and we are working with the FDA to inform consumers of this recall. WRDW Augusta, Ga.
Food Companies are Placing the Onus for Safety on Consumers
May 15, 2009 - The frozen pot pies that sickened an estimated 15,000 people with salmonella in 2007 left federal inspectors mystified. At first they suspected the turkey. Then they considered the peas, carrots and potatoes. The New York Times
Hoping to Make Food Safer, States Decide to Go It Alone
May 12, 2009 - When it comes to food safety, state lawmakers around the country seem to believe in the adage, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. Wall Street Journal
Ont. Food Safety, Trace Program Accepting Forms
May 11, 2009 - The Ontario government is now accepting applications from farmers and processors looking to build up their capacities for food safety and traceability.
Wisconsin Spinach Recalled for Salmonella Threat
May 5, 2009 - Wisconsin officials want consumers to throw away bags of spinach because of another salmonella threat. WQOW Eau Claire
Protecting Fresh-Cut Produce
May 5, 2009 - The convenience of fresh-cut produce, which includes packaged lettuces, has greatly increased sales despite multiple foodborne outbreaks associated with these products. To reduce these risks, strict hygiene programs and sanitizers are used for decontamination once the food is harvested. ScienceBlog
USDA To Buy Processed Apples
May 4, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced May 4 that USDA intended to purchase up to $16.3 million of processed apple products for federal nutrition assistance programs.
Immigration Agents to Turn Focus to Employers
April 30, 2009 - In an effort to crack down on illegal labor, the Department of Homeland Security intends to step up enforcement efforts against employers who knowingly hire such workers. The New York Times
U.S. Public Lacks Confidence in FDA: Poll
April 30, 2009 - Although the American public feels a little better about the job the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is doing now than a year ago, about half still believes the agency isn't doing enough to safeguard the country's food and drugs, a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll finds. Forbes
Raw Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Salmonella Contamination
April 29, 2009 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination. FDA
Senate Approves Sebelius Nomination
April 29, 2009 - Fifteen months ago, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama came to Kansas and received the endorsement of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who then spent a significant portion of her time helping Obama get elected. Lawrence Journal-World
U of M Extension Study Finds Consumers Concerned About Produce Food Safety
April 28, 2009 - University of Minnesota Extension food safety educators wondered if the incidence of foodborne illness outbreaks affected consumer produce purchasing habits, as well as how they handled produce after purchase. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead
100 Days Later, Nation Waits for FDA Overhaul
April 28, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration may be the only federal agency that both political parties agree is in desperate need of an overhaul. MSNBC
Mother, Daughter Advocate for Food Safety
April 28, 2009 - In the past several years, there have been several outbreaks of food borne illnesses, like Salmonella and E. Coli. KVBC Las Vegas
ARS Releases Lettuce Breeding Lines Resistant to BLS
April 24, 2009 - Seven new iceberg lettuce breeding lines with resistance to bacterial leaf spot have been released by Agricultural Research Service scientists.
Bayer Gives UFPA $1.1 Million
April 23, 2009 - On April 22, Bayer CropScience presented United Fresh Produce Association with a $1.1 million endowment over the next four years to create the Center for Global Produce Sustainability.
States to Grade their Own Inspectors
April 19, 2009 - After years of scant federal oversight, Georgia food inspectors soon will come under scrutiny from new regulators: themselves. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To Fill Food Safety Gap, Processors Pay Inspectors
April 17, 2009 - Clipboard in hand, Debra Anderson spent three hours one recent sunny morning trooping through a field of romaine lettuce looking for trouble. The New York Times
Some See Lack of Progress in Reducing Food Safety Risks
April 15, 2009 - Rates of food-borne illnesses have remained roughly level since 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, revealing what health officials and regulators say is an alarming lack of progress in reducing food safety risks. Orangeburg, S.C., Times and Democrat
Bigger Government to Make Food Safer Isn't the Answer, Critics Say
April 10, 2009 - The Food and Drug Administration has been the subject of withering criticism in recent years for its failure to protect the nation's food supply in the wake of bacteria outbreaks in such products as peanut butter, peppers, spinach and, just recently, pistachio nuts. Fox News
Food Safety Efforts Have Stalled in Recent Years, CDC Says
April 10, 2009 - Efforts to reduce the number of food-borne illnesses in the United States have stalled in the past three years, and some illnesses are on the upswing, giving new urgency to efforts to reform the nation's food safety system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported yesterday. Washington Post
Preliminary Study Finds Little E. coli in Animals
April 9, 2009 - Early results from a study show that just a tiny fraction of wild animals along the central coast have a strain of E. coli that caused the 2006 spinach outbreak. San Jose Mercury News
State, UC Davis Partner on Food Safety
April 8, 2009 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the University of California Davis’s Center for Produce Safety have agreed to work together to improve the Food and Agriculture Department’s grant and funding processes. Sacramento Business Journal
A&M President: FDA Should Quit Regulating Food Safety
April 7, 2009 - Let regulatory agencies play to their strengths, Texas A&M University’s president told House Agriculture Committee members this week. Wichita Falls Times Record News
USCIS Reminds all U.S. Employers of Requirements to Use Revised Form I-9
April 6, 2009 - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a reminder that the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, went into effect April 3 for all U.S. employers. USCIS
PBH Discusses Fruit and Vegetable Board
April 3, 2009 - Produce for Better Health Foundation has announced its intention to begin a seven-month dialog with the fruit and vegetable industry about the possible development of a national fruit and vegetable research and promotion board.
United Fresh President Encourages Congress to Support Industry's Traceability Initiative
March 27, 2009 - Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, testified on March 26 before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Agriculture, to address food safety in the United States - specifically traceback during recalls.
Ag Secretary Supports COOL Rule
Feb. 20, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Feb. 20 that the final rule for the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program would go into effect as scheduled on March 16.
Study: Produce, Floral Industry Economic Impact $554 billion
Feb. 17, 2009 - The U.S. fruit, vegetable and mass-market floral industry contributes $554 billion annually to the nation’s economy, impacting every state and every congressional district in the country, according to a new study commissioned by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and carried out by Battelle.
Ready Pac Issues Recall of Some Products Containing Peanuts
Jan. 20, 2009 - Ready Pac Foods Inc. issued a voluntary recall for certain products that have peanuts because they may be contaminated with salmonella.
Stemilt Founder Tom Mathison Dies
Dec. 31, 2008 - Tom Mathison, the founder of Stemilt Growers and chairman of its board, died the day after Christmas. He was 82.
Sunrise Farms Recalls Sprouts
Dec. 23, 2008 - A Wisconsin-based sprout grower has notified its customers to remove alfalfa sprouts and certain sprout mixes from store shelves after routine food safety tests by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection turned up positive for salmonella.
USDA to Buy Almost 3 Million Pounds of Sliced Apples
Nov. 20, 2008 - USDA is planning to purchase 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apple slices in 2-ounce bags for donation to child nutrition and other domestic nutrition assistance programs.
More Cases Confirmed in Canadian E. Coli Outbreak
Nov. 17, 2008 - The number of cases in an ongoing outbreak of E. coli in Ontario, Canada, has risen to 29 confirmed cases, with another 119 probable cases. The source of the outbreak is still being investigated, but is thought to be from contaminated romaine lettuce.
Canadian Government Investigating E. Coli Outbreak
Nov. 13, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care are investigating an on-going E. coli outbreak that may be associated with lettuce.
PMA Impact Awards Recognize Innovative Companies
Oct. 25, 2008 - The Produce Marketing Association named the winners of its Impact Award, which recognizes innovative new products in the produce industry. Fresh-cuts were well represented among the winners this year.
E. Coli Didn't Come from Us, Michigan Processor Says
Oct. 2, 2008 - The Michigan Department of Community Health continues to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in the state that has sickened 34 and was first linked to iceberg lettuce processed by Aunt Mid's Produce Co.
Lettuce Implicated in Michigan E. Coli Outbreak
Sept. 29, 2008 - The Michigan Department of Community Health issued a public health alert Sept. 29 after 26 cases of E. coli O157:H7 were confirmed in eight counties in the state. Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce consumed at restaurants and institutions are thought to be the source of the outbreak.
Canadian Firm Recalls Fresh-Cut Mushrooms
Sept. 5, 2008 - Ravine Mushroom Farms Inc. is recalling its Fresh Obsession-brand sliced white mushrooms because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
FDA OKs Zapping Greens for Safety
Aug. 22, 2008 - Consumers worried about salad safety may soon be able to buy fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce zapped with just enough radiation to kill E. coli and a few other germs. CNN
USDA puts up $28.4M for Specialty Crop Research
July 15, 2008 - USDA is making available $28.4 million for research and Extension projects in fiscal year 2008 to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops.
Focus of Salmonella Investigation Moves Away from Tomatoes
July 4, 2008 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has backed away from earlier statements that pointed to tomatoes as the cause of a nationwide Salmonella saintpaul outbreak that has sickened more than 940 people. FDA still believes tomatoes to be the likely cause, and the agency’s Web site still recommends consumers eat only tomatoes grown in areas deemed safe.
Supreme Cuts Corn Recalled
May 28, 2008 - Supreme Cuts LLC has issued a voluntarily recall of 87 cases of Off the Cob Fresh Kernel Corn in 12-ounce bags. The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the company.
New Cooling Technology from FPA
April 8, 2008 - Food Process Automation Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., has introduced a new line of cooling technology to the fruit and vegetable industry.
Central American Produce Recalls Honduran-Grown Melons
March 26, 2008 - Central American Produce Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., has voluntarily recalled cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras.
No-Match Letters Move Forward
March 25, 2008 - The Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have proposed changes to a No-Match Rule that was shot down by a district judge last fall, clearing the way for no-match letters to be sent out this year.
Salmonella Outbreak Traced to Cantaloupes
March 22, 2008 - A salmonella outbreak in the United States and Canada has been asscociated with a Honduran melon grower. FDA
Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled in 4 States
March 4, 2008 - The California Department of Health Services (CDHS) is advising consumers not to eat Salad Cosmo brand alfalfa sprouts because the product may be contaminated with salmonella.
Leafy Greens Group Releases First Audit Report
Feb. 27, 2008 - Seven months after government inspectors began conducting mandatory food safety audits for members of the California Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement, the organization has issued its first status report.
California Considers Amending Prop 65 for Food at Retail
Feb. 18, 2008 - The state of California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is responsible for implementing The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65.
Growers Can Weigh in on Proposed H-2A Rule Changes
Feb. 13, 2008 - Fred Leitz, a Michigan farmer and treasurer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, is concerned about proposed changes to the H-2A labor program. He wants to get the word out to growers and encourage them to participate in the rulemaking process.
Labor department proposes H-2A overhaul
Feb. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and Employment Standards Administration jointly proposed rules Feb. 6 to modernize the H-2A program for employing foreign workers in temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs, according to the labor department.
Director Named for FDA Food Safety Center
Jan. 7, 2008 - Commissioner of Food and Drugs Andrew C. von Eschenbach named Stephen Sundlof director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).
PMA's Brian Silbermann’s State of the Industry Speech Viewable Online
Nov. 28, 2007 - Produce Marketing Association (PMA) President Bryan Silbermann’s 2007 State of the Industry presentation, delivered at PMA’s Fresh Summit International Conference & Exposition on Oct. 13, is now available online at http://www.pma.com/events/soti.cfm. Click on the headline of this news piece to read excerpts from Silbermann's speech.
FDA Awards Grants to Further Food Safety
Nov. 19, 2007 - FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) has awarded three lab grants, designed to boost the food screening capabilities and spot radioactive material in food, resulting from deliberate or accidental contamination.
SSA Won't Mail No-match Letters This Year
Nov. 15, 2007 - The Social Security Administration will forgo issuing no-match letters to employers this year because of a pending lawsuit.
Council Seeks Food Supply
Nov. 13, 2007 - The Food Bank Council of Michigan has a dangerously low level of available food, caused by decreasing donations and increasing demand.
Veg Pro Expands with New Fresh-Cut Plant
Oct. 24, 2007 - Veg Pro International has completed an $11-million plant for salad mix and cut vegetable production in Sherrington, Montreal, Canada.
'No-match' Letters Halted Indefinitely
Oct. 11, 2007 - On Oct. 10, Judge Charles R. Breyer of the Northern District of California ordered a halt to a new rule that would force employers to fire workers if their Social Security numbers couldn’t be verified within three months.
USDA Considering National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
Oct. 4, 2007 - USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service entered a notice in the Federal Register Oct. 4 that the agency is considering a national marketing agreement for fresh and fresh-cut leafy greens.
PMA, United Fresh End Merger Discussions
Sept. 27, 2007 - The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association have announced that the organizations are ending any further discussion of a potential merger at this time, but will continue to cooperate in areas of mutual interest to each association’s members.
E. Coli Found in Dole Salad, Recall Announced
Sept. 18, 2007 - Dole Fresh Vegetables voluntarily recalled its Hearts Delight salad mix after a random sample at a Canadian grocery stored tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
Burger King Announces Kid-Friendly Apple Fries
Sept. 17, 2007 - Burger King, the second largest chain of fast food restaurants in the United States, announced a new fresh-cut apple product aimed at children: BK Fresh Apple Fries.
HACCP Expert Named Director of Food Safety Center
Aug. 31, 2007 - Kerri Harris has been named the director of the Center for Food Safety at Texas A&M University.
Spinach from California Recalled
Aug. 30, 2007 - Metz Fresh, King City, Calif., announced a recall of fresh-cut bagged spinach after testing positive for salmonella.
Los Angeles Salad Company Expands Recall
Aug. 24, 2007 - Los Angeles Salad Company, City of Industry, Calif., announced a voluntary recall Aug. 17 after baby carrots contaminated with Shigella sickened four Costco customers in Canada. The company expanded the recall Aug. 22 to include baby carrots sold in the United States.
USDA Funds E. Coli Research
Aug. 21, 2007 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced Tuesday, Aug. 21, that USDA would further its research on the safety of fresh produce with nearly $5.5 million in funding to support collaborative research to identify risk factors and preventive measures for E. coli O157:H7 contamination in fresh produce.
Costco Recalls Baby Carrots in Canada
Aug. 20, 2007 - Costco announced a voluntary recall of baby carrots sold at its stores in six Canadian provinces because they may be contaminated with Shigella.
Western Growers Names Head of D.C. Office
July 31, 2007 - Western Growers Association has selected Cathleen Enright to head the organization’s new Washington, D.C., office.
FDA Initiative to Enhance State Food Safety Programs
July 31, 2007 - FDA announced a national program that will bring about the adoption of more uniform, equivalent and high quality regulatory programs by state agencies responsible for regulating facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food under FDA’s jurisdiction.
True Leaf Issues Precautionary Recall
July 27, 2007 - True Leaf Farms issued a July 24 recall of some batches of spring mix and arugula after a preliminary lab test came back positive for salmonella.
Farm Bill Passes House Ag Committee
July 23, 2007 - The House Agriculture Committee passed a new Farm Bill July 20 that makes historic investments in conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers. Additionally, for the first time, the 2007 Farm Bill provides substantial funding for the fruit and vegetable industry.
PMA, United Fresh Discuss Possible Merger
July 20, 2007 - Leaders of United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association met July 18 to discuss how the two produce associations could work closer together.
Golf Tournament Raises $40,000
July 19, 2007 - The Produce Marketing Association's annual golf tournament raised more than $40,000 for the PMA Education Foundation's Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation.
Leafy Greens Board Releases Service Mark
July 19, 2007 - The California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Board released a new service mark that will appear on the bills of lading of member companies.
Postharvest Center Hires Executive Director from UFPA
July 3, 2007 - Jim Gorny has been named executive director of the Postharvest Technology Research and Information Center at the University of California, Davis.
U.S., Europe partners in food safety
July 2, 2007 - Food safety efforts are moving forward with the July 2 announcement that FDA and the European Food Safety Authority have signed a cooperation agreement.
Gills Onions Recall Announced
June 21, 2007 - Oxnard, Calif.-based Gills Onions is recalling one lot of diced yellow onions after a Listeria monocytogenes finding.
Salmonella Find Prompts Sprout Recall
May 30, 2007 - Salad Cosmo U.S.A., Dixon, Calif., is recalling packages of alfalfa sprouts after routine testing found salmonella in alfalfa seeds.
Senate Democrats, Republicans Reach Agreement on Immigration
May 17, 2007 - A bipartisan coalition of Senate Democrats and Republicans has reached agreement on immigration reform.
New Food Safety Position Created at FDA
May 2, 2007 - David Acheson has been named FDA’s assistant commissioner for food protection.
Foxy Foods, Taylor Fresh Foods Merge
April 5, 2007 - Foxy Foods and Taylor Fresh Foods announced April 5 that they have agreed to merge Foxy Foods fresh produce processing operations into Taylor Fresh Foods.
FDA Commissioner to Speak at Produce Safety Summit
March 29, 2007 - FDA Chief Andrew von Eschenbach will keynote the opening session at the new Produce Safety Summit in Palm Springs, Calif. The summit will take place April 25-26, immediately before United FreshTech Expo & Conference.
FDA Finalizes Report On 2006 Spinach Outbreak
March 23, 2007 - FDA and California’s Department of Health Services released a joint report on an extensive investigation into the causes of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak last fall that was associated with contaminated Dole brand bagged spinach and resulted in 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths.
FDA Releases Fresh-Cut Safety Guidance
March 12, 2007 - FDA released a draft of the final Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables March 12.
BJ's Private Label Mushrooms Not Contaminated
March 7, 2007 - Results from two outside laboratories have found no trace of E. coli in BJ’s Wholesale Club’s fresh mushrooms packaged under the private label brand Wellsley Farms.
Fresh-Cut Fruit Trays Recalled in Los Angeles
March 2, 2007 - Simply Fresh Fruit Inc. is recalling Simply Fresh Fruit Fresh Cut Fruit trays dated with sell by date Feb. 26 due to possible salmonella contamination.
Rutgers Study Finds Food Safety Confusion
Feb. 19, 2007 - A study by Rutgers University Food Policy Institute found that many U.S. consumers were aware of the September 2006 advisory regarding possible contamination of spinach, but there was confusion about which products were affected and when the recall was over.
FDA Announces Recall Pilot Program
Feb. 19, 2007 - In order to better inform customers in the event of a recall, FDA has introduced a pilot program that will help consumers identify recalled products.
FDA Close to Identifying Cause of Taco John E. coli Outbreak
Jan. 12, 2007 - FDA is narrowing its focus on the 2006 Taco John’s E. coli outbreak to the Central Valley of California.
FDA Opens Taco Bell E. Coli Investigation
Dec. 8, 2006 - FDA announced Dec. 6 that it was investigating all non-meat products used in Taco Bell’s food after 43 people became infected with E. coli O157:H7 after eating at the restaurant chain.
Spinach Research and Recovery Act Introduced
Dec. 8, 2006 - Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., and 11 cosponsors have introduced the "Spinach Research and Recovery Act" (H.R. 6379) to address food safety and industry needs following the recent spinach E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak.
Krisp-Pak Recalls All Branded Products
Nov. 30, 2006 - Krisp-Pak Co. announced a voluntary recall of all its branded products Nov. 27, because they might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Canada Opens Border to U.S. Spinach
Nov. 1, 2006 - Canadian health officials have reopened the border to almost all shipments of spinach grown in the United States.
Health Officials Investigating Salmonella Outbreak
Nov. 1, 2006 - The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating an outbreak of salmonella that has made 171 people sick in 19 states.
Mexico Opens Border to U.S. Lettuce
Oct. 19, 2006 - The Mexican government announced Oct. 19 that it would reopen the border to shipments of lettuce from California.
Search Narrowed in E. coli Contamination Investigation
Oct. 16, 2006 - FDA has narrowed the source of the recent E. coli outbreak to four fields in two California counties.
Mexico Bans U.S. Lettuce
Oct. 10, 2006 - Mexico has stopped allowing imports of lettuce from the United States, according to a statement from the Mexican secretary of health.
Lettuce Recall Issued After E. coli Found in Irrigation Water
Oct. 9, 2006 - Salinas, Calif.-based The Nunes Company issued a voluntary recall of its green leaf lettuce Oct. 8 after a water source tested positive for E. coli.
FBI Searches Two California Plants in E. coli Investigation
Oct. 5, 2006 - On Oct. 4, FBI agents executed a search warrant on two processing facilities in the Salinas Valley of California, the region implicated in the recent E. coli outbreak.
Progress Made in Return of Spinach to the Market
Sept. 22, 2006 - With the source of the E. coli contamination in raw spinach narrowed down to a three-county area in California, sales of spinach from other growing regions may begin soon.
Three California Counties Source of E. coli, FDA Says
Sept. 22, 2006 - The FDA has narrowed down the source of the E. coli outbreak to three counties in California.
E. coli Found in Bag of Spinach, More States Affected
Sept. 21, 2006 - The New Mexico Department of Health announced Thursday, Sept. 21, that it has confirmed E. coli in a bagged spinach product. The spinach was retrieved from the house of a patient who consumed it before becoming ill.
FDA to Narrow Scope of E. coli Investigation by Friday, Sept. 22
Sept. 20, 2006 - According to the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) on Sept. 20, the FDA will narrow down the source of E. coli contamination to a specific growing area in 24 to 48 hours.
E. coli Outbreak Leads to Nationwide Spinach Recall
Sept. 18, 2006 - Two California companies have issued voluntary recalls of spinach products following an FDA investigation into the nationwide E. coli outbreak.
FDA Advises Consumers to Toss Out Bagged Spinach
Sept. 15, 2006 - The FDA announced Sept. 14 that due to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, consumers should dispose of all bagged spinach products and all salad mixes that include spinach
United Fresh Merger Official
Sept. 13, 2006 - The merger between United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association became official Sept. 12 during the Washington Public Policy Conference. The new organization is known as United Fresh Produce Association, or just United Fresh.
Lettuce Safety Initiative to Include Inspections in Salinas
Aug. 28, 2006 - The FDA announced Aug. 24 that it would begin inspecting lettuce operations in California’s Salinas Valley. Beginning Monday, Aug. 28, FDA and the California departments of health services and food and agriculture will make announced visits to lettuce-growing operations and packing and processing facilities.
United Fresh Produce Association Announces European Fresh-Cut Conference
Aug. 21, 2006 - The new United Fresh Produce Association – formed by the merger of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association and United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association – will hold its first conference and networking event Nov. 2-3 in London, focused on the growing fresh-cut, ready-to-eat produce market in Europe.
Classic Salads Recalls Bagged Salads
Aug. 3, 2006 - Classic Salads, Watsonville, Calif., announced a voluntary recall at 3 p.m. July 27 after Salmonella was found in some of its bagged salads, said sales manager Lex Camany.
Final Rule on Nutrition Labeling Published
July 26, 2006 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's final rule for voluntary nutrition labeling regulations for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits and 20 most frequently consumed vegetables was published in the July 25 Federal Register.
Dole Settles Lawsuit Over Last Year's E. Coli Outbreak
June 30, 2006 - Salina, Calif.-based Dole Fresh Vegetable announced June 13 that it had reached a settlement with nine consumers who were made sick by contaminated bags of Dole salads.
Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill
May 26, 2006 - On May 25, the U.S. Senate voted 62 to 36 to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
IFPA, United Members Approve Merger
May 8, 2006 - Members of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association have voted in support of the two associations merging.
Industry Groups Release Lettuce Safety Guidance Document
April 25, 2006 - The International Fresh-cut Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and Western Growers released “Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chain” on April 25.
United, IFPA Announce Intent to Merge
April 19, 2006 - The United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association announced Wednesday that they intend to merge, to be called United Fresh Produce Association upon completion of the merger.
United Farm Workers' Contract Covers H-2A Workers
April 13, 2006 - The United Farm Workers and a key supplier of farm labor from foreign countries announced April 11 they have signed “the first nationwide union contract protecting agricultural guest workers.”
House of Representatives Passes Food Labeling Bill
March 15, 2006 - On March 9, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 (HR 4167) with a 283-139 vote.
Produce Groups to Hold Lettuce Safety Meeting
March 6, 2006 - On Wed., March 29, a number of produce industry associations will co-sponsor a one-day training event for operations, quality assurance and ranch managers as well as anyone interested in integrated systems and measures to ensure the safety of whole and fresh-cut lettuce and leafy greens.
FDA Issues Draft Guidance for the Safe Production of Fresh-Cut Produce
March 1, 2006 - To minimize microbial food safety hazards common to the processing of most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables sold to consumers in a ready-to-eat form, the FDA has published a draft guidance document for producers of fresh-cut produce titled “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables.”
Sunkist Growers, Taylor Partner in Fresh-Cut Fruit Venture
March 1, 2006 - Two of the biggest names in fresh produce are teaming up to expand their presence in the fast-growing fresh-cut fruit category.
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