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Regulatory Watch

Draft guidance for sprout seed industry

September 15, 2019

When finalized, this draft guidance will make the sprout seed industry aware of the FDA’s serious concern with the continuing outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of raw and lightly cooked sprouts and provide their recommendations to firms throughout the production chain of seed for sprouting.

Food Safety

Investigators: Fresh basil linked to multistate cyclospora outbreak

Health officials warn not to eat basil from a Mexican exporter

Rose Shilling

July 26, 2019

Food businesses and shoppers should avoid fresh basil exported from Mexico by Siga Logistics de RL de CV because it may be linked to a cyclospora outbreak, health regulators announced.

Food Safety

FDA warns about papayas after company refuses recall

Investigators: Fruit likely linked to multistate salmonella outbreak

Rose Shilling

July 20, 2019

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

Regulatory Watch

Final rule issued for Colorado-grown Irish potatoes

Sharon Spielman

July 15, 2019

Issued by AMS, this final rule revises the size requirements prescribed under the federal marketing order for Irish potatoes grown in Colorado.

Michael Taylor at the Food Safety Summit

Manufacturing News

Crises still drive food safety in U.S.

Wayne Labs

July 12, 2019

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

Food Safety

Growers Express recalls veggie noodles and crumbles for possible listeria

Company pulls the products after single positive test from state health officials

Rose Shilling

July 2, 2019

Growers Express recalled Trader Joe’s sweet potato and zucchini noodles and other bagged, chopped fresh vegetables for possible listeria contamination.

Food Safety

Salmonella outbreak linked to whole, fresh papayas from Mexico

Health officials ask suppliers, businesses nationwide to hold back the fruit

Rose Shilling

July 1, 2019

A salmonella outbreak is likely from whole papayas from Mexico, and people in six Northeastern states shouldn’t eat them, health officials advise.

Regulatory Watch

Mushroom Council membership reallocated per AMS

Sharon Spielman

June 17, 2019

This rule reallocates the membership of the council under the AMS regulations regarding a national research and promotion program for mushrooms.

Study reveals significant shelf-life variability in produce among leading grocery stores

The research found that the freshness of produce – specifically strawberries, romaine lettuce and packaged salad mixes – varied significantly from store to store as well as within each individual store.

June 10, 2019

Zest Labs, San Jose, Calif., released the results of new research study measuring and comparing the shelf life (or freshness) of produce sold at major grocery chain stores across the United States.

Food Safety

Kroger recalls frozen berries over hepatitis concern

FDA found the virus through an ongoing frozen berry testing effort

Rose Shilling

June 10, 2019

Kroger recalled store-brand bags of frozen berries from its chain of grocery stores because the FDA found the hepatitis A virus in a blackberry sample.