Food Safety

VSU agricultural researchers awarded more than $1M in grants

Researchers at Virginia State University’s Agricultural Research Station (VSU-ARS) were recently awarded $1.4 million in capacity building grants (CBG) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Chyer Kim, Food Scientist at VSU-ARS, was awarded $499,644... more »

Procurant expands operations to launch produce traceability solution

Procurant, a Silicon Valley technology company transforming the global food supply chain, announced the creation of a new customer innovation center and the release of Procurant Trace, a mobile, cloud-based service that enables accurate product... more »

FDA: Pandemic highlights need for ‘New Era of Smarter Food Safety’

In March, we were a few days away from announcing the release of the New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint when the FDA’s focus turned to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our plans for the New... more »

PMA launches Essentials of Produce Safety, an online training program

The Produce Marketing Association has launched its eLearning certificate course Essentials of Produce Safety, an entirely online, affordable and in-depth program covering the key challenges and best practices in produce safety. The course is the... more »

FDA flexible with farms regarding exemption under Produce Safety Rule

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced May 22 that it will provide flexibility regarding eligibility criteria for the qualified exemption under the Produce Safety Rule during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the FDA... more »

Produce farms provided COVID-19 disinfecting guidelines

New FDA food safety guidelines require local farmers to review and adapt their current food safety practices. "There has never been a more important time to review food contact surfaces and high touch surface cleaning, sanitization,... more »

Memorandum eyes interruptions at facilities, including fruit, veg processing

The following statement is attributed to Mindy Brashears, Ph.D., USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, and Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response. "As the COVID-19 pandemic response continues, the U.S. Department... more »

Worker health protected by Colorado growers

Colorado fruit and vegetable growers are working hard to protect the health of the men and women who work to cultivate, harvest and pack fresh fruits and vegetables. At Petrocco Farms in Brighton, workers are... more »