US: Growers team up for safer tomatoes

Florida tomato growers are launching a new program to protect their products from salmonella and other food-borne illnesses. The initiative, in conjunction with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the University of Florida, includes training for farm managers and packing houses on how to grow and handle "safe" tomatoes.

The program is voluntary now, but will become state law next year. The initiative, called the Florida Tomato Food Safety Program, is based at the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Agricultural and Research Center in Balm. The first class of 150 growers completed the training on Dec. 7.

Tony DiMare, whose family owns tomato giant DiMare Fresh with farms and packing houses across the country, said the new program means all growers will follow the same rules. "It's an education process for everybody", DiMare said. Consumers have become increasingly more aware of food-borne diseases in recent years. Tomatoes have been blamed for salmonella outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever and severe abdominal cramps. It usually lasts four to seven days and is especially hard on children and the elderly.
The CDC estimates 40.000 people are infected with salmonella each year, and 600 die from it. The agency recommends that all vegetables be thoroughly washed under running water, especially those that will be eaten raw.

Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Tomato Grower's Exchange trade group, said one outbreak of disease can ruin profits for everyone. "We recognize that as being a major concern to the public in terms of concerns about food safety and we embarked on a proactive effort", Brown said. Among the new requirements are that all tomatoes be shipped in new containers, that they be more clearly marked and handling processes are more sanitary.

"While we cannot absolutely eliminate any risk in a natural product, our goal is to minimize that risk to the smallest possible number", Brown said. State Agriculture Commission Charles Bronson praised the program during a tour of the UF facility last week. "I think this organization of tomato growers has really come out in front of a lot of other groups," Bronson said.
"I think that'll be a big selling factor for Florida agriculture around the world."


Source: sptimes.com

Publication date: 12/14/2007

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