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Regulatory Watch

FDA outlines steps to help prevent recurring Salmonella outbreaks linked to papayas

Federal regulators issue second letter to papaya growers and others in the industry

July 29, 2020

The FDA has issued a second letter to papaya growers, harvesters, packers, distributors, exporters, importers and retailers outlining a series of steps to help prevent recurring outbreaks of Salmonella linked to papayas.

Food Safety

Fresh Express recalls more bagged salads in cyclospora outbreak

Investigators: Vegetables from an Illinois plant are likely cause of infections

Rose Shilling

June 30, 2020

Fresh Express expanded its bagged salad recall to include many lettuce mixes and coleslaw with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrot that investigators say are the likely cause of a cyclospora outbreak.

Food Safety

6-state cyclospora outbreak linked to bagged salad

FDA conducting traceback on garden salad packages sold in Midwest

Rose Shilling

June 22, 2020

An outbreak of cyclospora in six Midwestern states likely came from store brand bagged salads with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and carrot sold at several grocery chains, the FDA says.

FDA publishes findings associated with 2019 leafy greens outbreak

Sharon Spielman

May 21, 2020

In an update released by the FDA, the agency has published the findings of an investigation into the contamination of romaine lettuce implicated in three outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 during Fall 2019.

Manufacturing News

FDA takes measures to promote the microbiological safety of leafy greens

Wayne Labs

May 4, 2020

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

Regulatory Watch

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

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

Coronavirus

Keeping produce moving during the crisis

United Fresh asks for cash help for growers and distributors that aren’t being paid

Rose Shilling

March 27, 2020

Aid to schools and food banks to get fresh produce. Flexibility on temporary farm workers from Mexico. Help matching independent grocers with suppliers. These are a few of the priorities of the United Fresh Produce Association as it tries to help members meet demand for fruits and vegetables during the crisis.

Food Safety

WinCo Foods recalls frozen blackberries after positive norovirus test

Rose Shilling

March 16, 2020

WinCo Foods grocery stores recalled frozen blackberries and frozen berry medleys because the products may be contaminated with norovirus.

Food Safety

Investigators don’t find common source of blackberries from hepatitis outbreak

People in 7 states reported getting sick

Rose Shilling

February 19, 2020

A traceback investigation by the FDA did not find a single, common source of blackberries linked to a hepatitis A outbreak.

Field Reports

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

January 24, 2020

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