Non-toxic crop protection spray gains certification for EU, Japanese and Costa Rican organic standards

The interest in the agricultural sector to change the methods of pest control to more environmentally friendly methods has been increasing worldwide. In 2017, the Costa Rican company ClearLeaf launched operations and since then they have designed and developed four distinct products, as well as validated…

Possible Listeria contamination

Hy-Vee stores recall vegetable mixes

Hy-Vee is recalling two of its vegetable mix products at all of its facilities. The following products are being recalled: Hy-Vee Short Cuts Pot Roast Mix – UPC Code 0272083305352 Hy-Vee Short Cuts Grill/Oven Ready Veggie Mix – UPC Code 0272104105992 The grocery store said there may be an organism called Listeria monocytogenes on the food.…

FDA conducts another study about contamination of leafy greens

The FDA, along with growers, researchers and other entities in California, have announced a multi-year study to enhance food safety through better understanding of human…

Southeastern Grocers recalls fresh-cut basil sold at Winn-Dixie and others

Southeastern Grocers has issued a voluntary recall for its "SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Fresh Cut Basil" following the detection of a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. Image: Provided The company says the product was delivered through all of its distribution centers and sold in all its…

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association expresses concerns

China’s mandatory disinfection worries Filipino banana growers

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) has expressed concern over China’s mandatory disinfection of food imports as a precautionary measure against the…

Dole Fresh Vegetables announces limited recall of organic romaine hearts

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of organic romaine hearts. The products being recalled are Dole™ Organic Romaine Hearts 3pk (UPC 0-71430-90061-1), combined English/French packaging, with Harvested-On dates of 10-23-20 and 10-26-20, and Wild Harvest Organic…

PMA virtual town hall

Cracking the code of seasonality in leafy green outbreaks

This week’s PMA virtual town hall looked at leafy green outbreaks and research that is being conducted on the factors contributing to these outbreaks The panel was led by Trevor Suslow, PMA’s Vice President of Produce Safety, and featured Jim Brennan, President of SmartWash Solutions, Michele Jay-Russell,…

FDA releases new outbreak investigation table

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is committed to transparency and keeping the public and stakeholders informed of our work upholding the safety of our food supply. As…

Due to potential health risk

Fresh Express recalls limited quantity of expired Fresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of expired 10.5 oz. Fresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme with the Use-by Date of November 8, 2020 and Product Code S296 because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli STEC 026 bacteria. The recall is being executed out of an abundance of…

Finnish Customs reject produce with excessive pesticides

According to a press release, issued last Wednesday, Finnish Customs officials have rejected more food products with pesticide residues by the end of October 2020 than during…

FDA announces investigation of a third outbreak of E. coli O157:H7

The following quote is attributed to Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response: “The FDA is investigating a third outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing…

SmartWash Solutions®

Study shows reduction of foodborne illness risk in leafy greens with new pretreatment

SmartWash Solutions®, a produce industry company for fresh cut food safety, continues to provide advancements to mitigate foodborne illness risk. A recent study presented by…

Micro and nanoplastics not absorbed by plant cells, but do attach to the root cap

Like a toxic Trojan horse, microplastics can act as hot pockets of contaminant transport. But, can microplastics get into plant cells? Recent research shows that they can't. Over the last decade, scientists have been scrambling to understand the impacts of microplastics. With the breakdown of plastic bottles,…

Due to potential E. Coli 0157:H7 contamination

Tanimura & Antle voluntarily recalls packaged single head romaine lettuce

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. Out of an abundance of caution, Tanimura & Antle Inc. is voluntarily recalling its packaged single head romaine…

Tamil Nadu, India

Artificially ripened bananas seized at Chinna Kadai Veedhi

Tamil Nadu Food Safety department officials conducted raids on the premises of three fruit vendors and seized over one tonne of artificially ripened bananas last Wednesday. A…

Brazil led detections last month

EU pest interceptions in citrus imports up to October increased by 66%

After the data regarding the month of October became public, LA UNIÓ de Llauradors reported that EU rejections of citrus fruits imports from third countries, because they had…

Singapore company fined for illegally importing Malaysian vegetables

On Wednesday November 4th, Singapore company GH Enterprise Pte Ltd was fined $6,000 for illegally importing fresh vegetables. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a…

Due to potential presence of salmonella

Natural Grocers issues voluntary recall on organic elderberries

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or…

"Harmful rumors will spread again”

Fukushima Prefecture: Growers fear impact of water release

Farmers in the Fukushima Prefecture have voiced their concern about the risk of further harmful rumors about produce from the area, if the government allows Tokyo Electric…

Call for comment on irradiation of fruits and vegetables

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is calling for comment on an application to irradiate fresh fruit and vegetables. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the Queensland Department of…

RASFF: Excessive residue levels in load of Honduran sweet potatoes

The European food watchdog, RASFF, has found too high a dose of residues in a batch of sweet potatoes from Honduras. That's according to a RASFF report. The batch of sweet…

Bosnian company cannot bring in Turkish citrus

Serbia bans import of tangerines due to pesticide content

The Inspectorate of the Republika Srpska has stated that the Phytosanitary Inspection of the Republika Srpska banned a Bosnian company from importing 20,900 kilograms of…

Canada watches new federal import restrictions on lettuce

‘California growers should test lettuce for E. coli - or keep it’

Companies that import lettuce must now prove each shipment has been tested for E. coli, or was grown outside of California's Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey…

Providing first ever closed-loop system to combat foodborne illnesses

PathogenDx announces partnership with Prevenio

PathogenDx, Inc., an Arizona based technology company which has developed a multiplexed microarray DNA-based pathogen testing platform, announced today that it has partnered…

Cambodia signs deal on making fruit and vegetables safer

On Wednesday, the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), together with TROPICAM Fruits and Vegetables, inked an agreement to boost the safe…

no risk of more people being infected

Denmark: Fresh mint linked to Shigella outbreak

A Shigella outbreak in Denmark that has struck more than 40 people was probably caused by imported fresh mint. In August and September, 44 Danes became ill; 13 people were…

Research seeks user-friendly field tool to refine sampling, sanitation intervals

Clemson University researchers are working to develop a user-friendly tool that can predict biofilm behavior in stone fruit packinghouses and produce more targeted sanitation…

Pat Compres, Co-owner of Advance Customs Brokers

“Knowing our customers makes the probability of problems much lower”

Fresh produce travels the globe, and many items are imported into the US from numerous sourcing countries. Being aware of the rules and regulations from both importers and exporters perspective can be quite challenging. “With over 30 years of experience in helping clear fresh produce, we’ve been able to…

New Zealand consumers urged to be suspicious of black market avocados

As stolen, insecticide-sprayed avocados are reportedly being sold in some parts of the country, New Zealand consumers are being urged to double-check where their fruit comes…

United Fresh now accepting applications for Produce Safety Immersion Program

United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting applications for Class Two of the Produce Safety Immersion Program. To further support the career development of produce…

International Journal of Food Microbiology

Listeria found in 25% of frozen vegetables in England

Listeria was detected in almost a quarter of frozen vegetable samples in England. Between December 2018 and April 2019, 1,050 frozen fruit and vegetable samples were collected…

Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety - University of Guelph

Canadian officials tell California growers to test their lettuce for E. coli

Extensive federal import restrictions on romaine lettuce and salad mixes from California’s Salinas Valley are an indication of problems in the U.S. agricultural system that…

SmartWash Circle of Excellence

Recognizing top-performing US-based processing plants

SmartWash Solutions, a company founded on advancing process control systems to improve food safety and mitigate wash line cross-contamination, is highlighting food safety…

Mexico and the United States sign a new alliance for food safety

The health agencies of Mexico and the United States have signed the Declaration of Intent to build an Alliance on Food Safety in order to strengthen the safety of food that is produced, marketed, and consumed in Mexico and the United States. This document will replace the Declaration of Intent signed in…

Meijer recalls whole cantaloupes and select cut cantaloupe trays due to potential health risk

Meijer, in conjunction with Eagle Produce, LLC in Aguila, AZ., is announcing a voluntary recall of whole cantaloupe and selected cut cantaloupe fruit trays and bowls. The recall is part of a sampling investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and is due to the potential…

FDA and Mexican counterparts enhance food safety partnership

During a virtual ceremony, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its regulatory counterparts in Mexico – the Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks…

Country Fresh expands voluntary recall

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or…

Canada requires romaine from parts of California to be tested for E. coli

Thanks in part to imported products, Canadians can enjoy fresh produce year-round. From 2016 to 2019, romaine lettuce from California was linked to outbreaks of E. coli…

CDC says salad Cyclospora outbreak over; FDA canal water investigation continues

A multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to salad products that were made by Fresh Express bagged salad and is under investigation is over, according to the…

Outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections linked to wood ear mushrooms

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Stanley…

Drexel University

Cold plasma treatment to keep fresh produce safe in Australia

Australia’s Center for Produce Safety is funding a research team at Drexel University who are working to develop a specific treatment to kill dangerous pathogens on fresh…

Ortogel Spa

Change in the maximum residue limits (MRL) of Procloraz

Over the past twenty years, the focus on environmental policies and the health of citizens has led to an extension of the list of harmful fungicides, with the European Commissions reviewing the MRL (maximum residue limits). In the photo, Salvatore Imbesi. "On September 4th, 2020, the maximum residue…

Regarding fresh figs from Mexico

USDA revises fig import requirements - combating Mediterranean black fig fly

Effective September 15th, APHIS implemented the following restrictions on all commercial consignments of fresh fig fruits imported from Mexico to prevent the introduction of…

For repeated food safety violations

FDA issues first injunction under Produce Safety Rule to Illinois-based food manufacturer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Fortune Food Product, Inc., an Illinois-based processor of sprouts and soy products, has agreed to stop production…

The OCU warns of the potential danger of consuming sprouted potatoes

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has issued a warning of the possible toxicity of potatoes with green sprouts or spots due to the presence of solanine. The OCU…

Wikipedia

Dubai launches new laboratory to check pesticide residues in fruit and veg

Dubai has recently launched a new food testing laboratory at the Vegetable and Fruit Market in Warsan. His Excellency Eng. Dawood Al-Hajri, Director General of Dubai…

Possible Listeria contamination prompts recall of squash noodle medley

Giant Food is recalling Giant Food brand squash noodle medley because of possible Listeria contamination. The product was sold in stores from Aug. 8 – 19. Giant Food officials…

New Brunswick, Canada

Designer491

Blueberry growers oppose proposal for glyphosate ban

The Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick (AANB) and Bleuets NB Blueberries (BNBB), which represents and serves the province’s blueberry growers, are opposing plans by the…

Brazilian fruit advances in traceability

"The characteristics of the production processes, combined with tenure for growers is making the Brazilian fruit sector stand out in traceability in terms of controls of origin and food safety," says Giampaolo Buso, director of PariPassu, a technology and solution company for food traceability and…

2018 'needles in strawberries' scandal

Ex-farm supervisor accused of contaminating strawberries is committed to stand trial

A former farm supervisor who allegedly put needles in strawberries has been committed to stand trial in a Queensland court. My Ut Trinh has been charged with six counts of…

Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States

The outbreak investigation is ongoing as illnesses continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Since August 21, there have been 78 additional illnesses…

Picoudi micogreens recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

Les Jardins Picoudi is recalling Picoudi brand microgreens from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products…

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