Food Safety
FDA issues draft guidance for FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued updated draft guidance for industry with respect to “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.” The purpose of the guidance, or guidelines,... more »
Woman arrested in Australian strawberry needles case
Australia’s Queensland Police Service has charged a 50-year-old woman following a complex investigation into the alleged contamination of strawberries in Queensland in September. After the discovery of containers of strawberries contaminated with needles, Queensland authorities... more »
Drafts of food safety guidance standards released by FDA
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement Oct. 19 regarding FDA's new steps to help produce growers and processors to more effectively comply with food safety requirements. "Fruits and vegetables are a key part of... more »
EXPO panels to examine food safety, inspections
Produce recalls are becoming too common. Food safety is paramount, and Ohio and Michigan are among Great Lakes states that will begin offering free food safety inspections in the next year. States are working to... more »
Food safety education, training grants available in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking proposals for food safety education and training as part of the Food Safety Education Fund grant program. Grant proposals must be received by MDARD... more »
FDA releases 2016 Residue Monitoring result
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Oct. 1 issued the results of its 2016 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program. The FDA results are consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Data Program... more »
Understanding the USDA’s GAP audit program
Growing specialty crops in today’s marketplace is becoming more complex. Farmers cannot simply plant a crop, nurture it to maturity, harvest it, and get it to market. They also must incorporate a culture of food... more »
USDA’s HGAP+ reaches equivalency with United Fresh’s Harmonized Standard
The United Fresh Produce Association’s quest for harmony among different food safety audits seems to be making progress. Since June 2009, United Fresh has developed a “harmonized standard” for GAP food safety audits. The goal... more »
