How did a frog end up in a pepper?

A Canadian couple got quite a shock when they wanted to enjoy a fresh green pepper they had just bought, CBC News reports. Inside, they found a frog... alive. It's not the first time live animals have ended up in food, but an amphibian growing inside a vegetable and surviving is quite a feat. If you're…

Michigan State University looks at Honeycrisp, Gala and Granny Smith

Project gauges Listeria survival on apples in storage

Research that examines Listeria survival on whole apples in storage and after waxing could fill data gaps and help the industry target risk-reduction measures in…

FDA samples fresh herbs, guacamole, and processes avocado for food safety

As of September 30, 2019, the FDA has tested 1,214 fresh herb samples (746 domestic, 468 import). As of October 15, 2019, the FDA has tested 887 processed avocado or guacamole…

Officials stress: More checks necessary

Nepal-India border sees imports of pesticide-contaminated foodstuffs

Sources claim that the import of pesticide-contaminated vegetables and other food items continues unabated through the Nepal-India border in Parsa district. A lack of…

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

FSANZ: "There is a need to reassess food safety risk management"

A Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)’s proposal will consider the development of a primary production and processing (PPP) standard for high-risk horticulture as…

Ricardo Kotze, BothaRoodt

Tight avo market but Fuertes from Tzaneen will start picking up

Avocado volumes are surprisingly low on the market, says Ricardo Kotze, avocado specialist at BothaRoodt market agency at the Johannesburg fresh produce market. “We’ve received the first Fuerte, mostly from Tzaneen. There was a little bit from Kenya, just a handful of pallets, at the beginning of…

Moroccan raspberries gain access to US market

Moroccan raspberry producers have received the green light from the US health and agricultural authorities to export their output to the American market which has grown…

Feedback being sought on potential changes to Food Standards Code

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is reassessing the need to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, to enact a primary production and processing standard to manage food safety for high-risk horticulture. FSANZ has now published a preliminary position paper and is seeking input to…

Purdue University

University creates portable device for on-site E. coli testing

Foodborne illness hits about one in six people in the United States every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million people in the US get sick due to one or more of 31 recognized pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, a particularly harsh strain of E. coli. Researchers…

Hong Kong lifts ban on romaine lettuce from Salinas

Effective January 24, 2020, Hong Kong lifted its ban on the importation and sale of romaine lettuce from Salinas, California. The Hong Kong government (HKG) agreed to resume…

20 participants on the premises of the C.I.C.O. Soc. Coop. a R.L.

Successful sampling training in Italy

On 22 January 2020, QS -in cooperation with CSO Italy- conducted a sampling training course in Italy on QS residue monitoring. The training, which was aimed at wholesalers, bundlers and laboratories active in the QS system, was attended by 20 participants. The sampling training course, which was fully booked…

Ban on pesticides means Kenya could lose out on fresh produce market

Growers all over Kenya might start losing out key markets for fresh produce as the protracted push by the Agro-Chemical Association of Kenya to reverse the proposed ban on 262…

Michigan State University research

US: Lettuce research and pathogen control are paramount

American leafy greens growers, including romaine growers, are exploring food safety mitigation for lettuce and other greens grown in open fields. However, the USDA has also…

How to guarantee Zero Residue

Everybody is talking about Zero Residue nowadays. Many companies offer it as an added value, but many big retail chains - both in Italy and abroad - require it with growing insistence. To do things properly, however, one needs to be followed by a licensed laboratory with experience. Sicural performs these kinds of analyses…

Too high MRL's stagnate Taiwanese imports of American blueberries

In 2019, Taiwan rejected or destroyed 53 shipments of US horticultural products that did not meet the food safety standards of the Taiwanese Food and Drug Administration…

US state officials are reacting differently to outbreak investigations

Officials in two states have confirmed they are working with federal officials on an investigation into E. coli illnesses linked to lettuce served by a national restaurant…

China's coronavirus impact on Australia's fruit exports

The coronavirus is spreading quickly in China and is now also reaching other countries. In China, the wholesale markets for fruit and vegetables are still open following the Chinese New Year Day, but they are much quieter than expected. “Generally during the Chinese New Year, most people are on holidays…

People extra cautious because of Coronavirus

Wuhan fruit and vegetable wholesale market still open

At the end of December 2019, the Chinese government announced the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Health officials believe the virus outbreak originated in a…

Russia blocks 211 tons of Moroccan tomatoes following discovery of tomato moth

Phytosanitary officers at the Saint Petersburg port refused entry for the tomatoes after the discovery of a dangerous insect. Russian phytosanitary officers at Saint Petersburg port blocked 211 tonnes of infected Moroccan tomatoes from import into the country in 2019. The tomatoes had to be disinfected…

Canada: New federal food safety requirements in force for fresh fruits & vegetables

New requirements of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) come into force for most businesses in the fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) sector that import, export or…

India: Telangana High Court criticizes state govt for failed curbing of carbide use

Last Saturday, the Telangana High Court criticized the state government, pointing out that it has not been able to meet the minimum standards of food safety, even failing to curb the use of calcium carbide among fruit traders, which is used to artificially ripen fruits like mangoes. A division bench,…

USApple responds to Dirty Dozen list

Many, many periodicals regularly present their own 'Dirty Dozen of Fruit and Veg' (these are fruits or vegetables that contain the highest amounts of pesticides). But why are…

El Paso County - Colorado

US: First foodborne botulism death in more than decade

The death of an El Paso County woman this past September has since been officially blamed on foodborne botulism, the first death of its kind in a decade. Foodborne botulism is…

Government survey okays Brazilian produce for pesticide residues

According to a four-year government survey, the vast majority (92%) of fruit and vegetables sold in Brazil are within national safe levels for pesticide contamination. The survey, conducted by the National Plan for Control of Waste and Contaminants in Vegetable Products (PNCRC) between 2015 and 2018 on…

Sprouts Unlimited issues recall

Clover sprouts recalled due to possible E.coli contamination

Sprouts Unlimited of Marion IA is recalling clover spouts in 4 oz packages because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O103 bacteria (E. coli O103). E. coli O103…

Cornell researchers develop Listeria risk assessment tool

The Frozen Food Foundation has funded a new study, developed by Cornell researchers. One of the researchers is Martin Wiedmann, an expert in microbial food safety. The study…

Number of sick from Salmonella infected fresh cut fruit rises

At least 33 people at four health-care facilities in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and 26 in schools in Delaware were sickened by the Salmonella Javiana found in fresh cut fruit…

Denmark issued two alerts after detecting chlorpyrifos in Spanish clementines

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has reported two alerts issued by the Danish authorities on December 16 and 18, after having detected the presence of…

China asked for stricter controls on its exports to the Russian Federation

On December 16, the Rosselkhoznadzor held telephone conversations with the Department of Supervision on Animal and Plant Quarantine of the Main Customs Administration of the…

CDC reports dozens more Americans sick in ongoing romaine E. coli case

At this time, three dozen more patients and two more US states are officially part of an E. coli outbreak traced to romaine, according to a renewed public alert from the CDC.…

Three-part program begins at the 2020 FreshStart Conference

United Fresh announces inaugural class of Produce Safety Immersion Program

United Fresh Produce Association is pleased to announce the Class One Fellows of the inaugural Produce Safety Immersion Program, sponsored by Renaissance Food Group at the…

Salmonella lawyer investigates multistate outbreak

National Salmonella lawyer Jory Lange is investigating the multistate outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to fruit mix in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. At least 33 people in…

Australian Food and Grocery Council

“Food recalls have become incredibly complex and costly exercises”

As supply chains get broader, and companies are increasing the number of markets they export to, product recalls have become incredibly complex and costly exercises. Consumers…

2018-2019 results National Residue Survey

‘Australian apple and pear industry once again showed excellent compliance’

The Australian apple and pear industry has once again showed “an excellent compliance with food safety standards and demonstrated the strong commitment of the pome fruit…

EU puts more stringent phytosanitary rules in place for Cameroon exporters

The European Union adopted a new phytosanitary regulation on December 14. Since then, its delegation in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has been conducting a campaign to raise exporters'…

"Final report for the review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh avocados from Chile"

Biosecurity risks of Chilean avocado imports into Australia analyzed

The Australian Department of Agriculture has considered the biosecurity risks for Australia associated with the importation of commercially produced fresh avocado fruit for human consumption from Chile. Currently, the importation of fresh avocado fruit for human consumption is permitted into Australia…

Ruling against two Spanish companies for selling a product that delayed the kaki ripening

The Provincial Court of Valencia has ruled against two Spanish companies for marketing a phytoregulatory product that delayed the kaki ripening and which had been used in…

PFA launches crackdown on food contamination

Pakistan: Punjab Food Authority destroys toxic vegetables

Last Thursday, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) launched a crackdown on toxic vegetables cultivated, with industrial waste and sewerage water in the provincial metropolis. The…

Russia might put temporary import curbs on Chinese citrus in place

Russia’s agriculture safety authority, Rosselkhoznadzor, might put temporary restrictions on imports of citrus fruit and potatoes from China after finding pests in several supplies.…

US: New findings and status of the romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreak investigation

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on our investigation of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to romaine lettuce. The FDA takes…

Pesticide Data Program – Summary for 2018

USDA: Over 99 percent of samples well below EPA residue tolerances in 2018

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) initiated the Pesticide Data Program (PDP) in 1991 to collect data on pesticide residues in food, and the program now has an important role in the implementation of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The law directs the Secretary of Agriculture to…

Necessity of avoiding ‘CIPC legacy’ residue breaches in potato storages

Potato growers using sprout suppressant chlorpropham (CIPC) will need to thoroughly clean stores after the 2019 crop is unloaded next summer. This has to be done to lower the risk of residue exceedances after the active is withdrawn. Plant growth regulator CIPC is the potato industry’s go-to method of controlling…

FDA update

Second retailer named in update on US hepatitis A outbreak

Two more patients have been confirmed and a second retailer has been named in relation to an outbreak of hepatitis A, that has been associated with fresh blackberries. The…

Visionary group of Central Otago growers took a chance

New Zealand RSE scheme transformed the fruit growing industry

In the early 2000s the orchards and vineyards of central Otago were heavy with fruit. Peaches, cherries and grapes were ready to be plucked, boxed and shipped all over the world. But there was a problem. There weren’t enough people to pick them. Hiring backpackers and students on holiday was the usual practice,…

New international E. coli outbreak hits 3 US states and 5 Canada provinces

State and federal officials are investigating a new multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. The outbreak is associated with Fresh Express brand chopped salad kits. Some people in Canada are also sick. “Do not eat or sell Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits with this identifying information:…

Tailor Cut Produce recalls cut fruit mix because of possible health risk

Tailor Cut Produce of New Jersey, is recalling its Fruit luau, cut honeydew, cut cantaloupe and cut pineapple products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and…

US victims at least at 102

Salinas Romaine E. coli strikes two people in Canada

Since November 22, 2019, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified one additional E. coli illness in Canada with a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses…

Sweden: Unpasteurized spinach drink tied to increasing cryptosporidium cases

Officials in Sweden are investigating a recent increase in the number of cryptosporidiosis cases. Public Health Agency Folkhälsomyndigheten has linked some illnesses to one…

Wisconsin hardest hit up until now

Romaine outbreak US patient list tops 100; warnings continue

More than 100 people have now been confirmed with infections in an E. coli outbreak associated with romaine lettuce. Public health officials continue their warning against romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas, CA, area or any romaine from an unknown source. As of today, there are 102 patients spread…

Ewoud Buter, general manager of SmartWash Solutions BV:

“We deactivate Gram negative bacteria such as E.coli”

The recent E.coli outbreak in the romaine lettuce in the United States shows that there is still room for improvement in the way produce is washed and processed prior to landing on the shelves of stores and on the plates of consumers. A 2006 outbreak of E.coli in spinach led Taylor Farms to begin…

USDA - Special Article “Seasonality in Romaine Outbreaks and Regional Shipments”

E.coli outbreaks in romaine lettuce peak in April and October, 1998 to 2018

Leafy greens -including romaine lettuce- are the sixth most commonly consumed type of vegetable in the United States. About three-quarters of US romaine shipments come from two regions, California’s Central Coast and Yuma, Arizona; the rest come from other areas in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.…

Hungarian authorities did not improve controls after Listeria outbreak

Authorities in Hungary have not acted to strengthen the system of official controls for food businesses despite a deadly multi-country Listeria outbreak, according to DG Sante…

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market produce

Casualty count grows in hepatitis A outbreak linked to blackberries

Two more people are confirmed infected and a sixth US state is involved in a hepatitis A outbreak associated with fresh blackberries that were sold in September. More than…

Syosset, New York State

Lin’s Waha Int’l Corp. recalls waxberries due to sulfites and cyclamates

Syosset-based company Lin’s Waha Int’l Corp. is recalling it’s 8.11-ounce (230G) packages of Suantianyangmei Waxberry and Bingtangyangmei Waxberry. The soft fruit is being…

One in four fresh Costa Rican vegetables contaminated with pesticides

The Costa Rican State Phytosanitary System has published the 'Report 2018 on Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables in Costa Rica of National Production and Import…

Dole Fresh Vegetables announces precautionary limited recall of colorful coleslaw

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of Colorful Coleslaw. This precautionary recall notification is being issued due to a sample of President’s Choice Colorful Coleslaw which yielded a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the…

India: FSSAI seizes artificially ripened bananas

On Sunday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seized one ton of artificially ripened bananas and plantains from a market in Tiruppur. According to…

Cornell food scientist Elizabeth Bihn

Study on ‘local’ farms offers food safety snapshot

A noted food-safety expert says she’s pleased with how much information about local farms and food safety is contained in a recently released needs assessment survey report, but she also admitted to being surprised at one of the unexpected results that surfaced in the report. According to the report,…

Contamination caused by broken light fitting

New Zealand: Strawberries recalled as glass is found in punnet

In Porirua, a Pak'nSave supermarket has pulled punnets of strawberries from sale after one of them was found to contain glass. People who bought Zakberry-brand strawberries from Pak'nSave Porirua on December 2 have been asked to check them and return the product for a refund as it could contain plastic…

Canadian Food Inspection Agency issues new requirements for romaine lettuce

On November 22, 2019, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a notice for new requirements for all romaine lettuce products from the Salinas growing region of California…

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