Industry News

Value of FDA cantaloupe inspections questioned

The Packer Growers are generally pleased with a review of cantaloupe packing operations, but some industry insiders question the value of the Food and Drug Administration’s 2013 inspection tour and the preliminary report released recently.A more detailed report is in the works but FDA officials decided to delay it until the produce safety rule — due to be published by Halloween —…

The Packer – FDA Reports on Cantaloupe Safety Inspections

The Packer After inspecting 17 operations, federal officials report that fresh cantaloupe packinghouses are generally following good agriculture practices even though tests at nine of the companies showed listeria contamination. The inspections by the Food and Drug Administration were part of the agency’s follow-up efforts after a 2011 cantaloupe-related listeria monocytogenes outbreak that sickened more than 150 nationwide and killed more…

FDA Officer Reviews Deadly Salmonella Outbreak and Offers Food Safety Pointers

American Vegetable Grower Sifting through the timeline of press coverage from the Chamberlain Farms’ Salmonella outbreak, which occurred in late August 2012, is quite the task. The outbreak, which was traced back to the farm in Owensville, IN, sickened 260 and killed three across 24 states. Media coverage of the case began that August and pressed onward in the coming months with updates on lawsuits,…

Organic Melons Gain Popularity

The Packer More and more consumers seem to be turning to organic produce as they seek more healthful menu options, and the melon category is no exception. Read the full article here.