Food Safety

Wash water disinfection system pursued

A Drexel University research team is working to harness technology similar to that used in plasma televisions and fluorescent lights to develop an effective, non-chemical, low-cost wash water disinfection system. Cold plasma is created when... more »

Treatment protocol for ag water approved by EPA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced July 30 a new protocol for the development and registration of antimicrobial treatments for preharvest agricultural water, such as the water used in farm irrigation systems. The protocol... more »

Salmonella outbreak linked to Thomson International red onions

CDC, several states, and FDA continue to investigate a rapidly growing outbreak of salmonella Newport infections. Red onions have been identified as the likely source. An update is posted here: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/newport-07-20/index.html. Key points: CDC is advising consumers, restaurants,... more »

‘COVID-19 Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Plan’ set by MSU

The risk for workplace exposures to COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus, vary greatly by industry. As with many industries, agricultural employers have been required to perform daily health screenings of their employees lessen the risk... more »

FDA web seminar on July 30 addresses leafy greens E. coli plan

The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled a web seminar on the agency’s 2020 Leafy Greens STEC Action Plan. The document, released in March, focuses on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). According to the FDA, there... more »

McEntire promoted by United Fresh as senior VP of food safety, technology

United Fresh Produce Association announced July 23 the promotion of Jennifer McEntire to the position of senior vice president, food safety and technology. McEntire joined the association four years ago, bringing her extensive background in... more »

FDA prepares for resumption of domestic inspections

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the following statement on July 10. "FDA has been thoughtfully and deliberately determining the safest and most appropriate time to resume prioritized domestic inspections of FDA-regulated facilities and... more »

‘Building Capacity for Food Safety Compliance at Farmers Markets’ released

Ensuring produce sold at Delmarva farmers' markets is safe and preparing local farmers to comply with a federal Food Safety Modernization Act in 2021 are twin objectives of a nearly half-million dollar U.S. Department of... more »