Produce farmers should wait at least 24 hours after a rain or irrigation event to harvest their crops, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Cornell University and just published in a scientific journal. Wet soil from precipitation is more conducive to growth of bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli, according to the study. The researchers tested a variety of fields throughout New York state and found that the chance of finding Listeria was 25 times greater immediately after rain or irrigation. Waiting just 24 hours, however, resulted in Listeria presence dropping back down near baseline levels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reportedly suggested that farmers implement wait periods before harvesting produce after irrigating fields. The study was funded by the Center for Produce Safety and published in this month’s edition of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
The number of suspected frauds reported by countries in Europe declined in February compared to the month before.
Three alerts involved the United States in February with two related to
Plans to establish a single food safety regulator have been debated by members of parliament in an Australian state with several amendments put forward.
The Safe Food Victoria Bill 2026
The FDA relies on more than 30 advisory committees to provide expert advice on numerous scientific topics, but does not publicly share how conflicts of interest for committee members are determined.
Gifting live chicks, ducklings and bunnies as Easter presents remains a popular tradition, but public health officials warn the practice continues to fuel Salmonella outbreaks and animal welfare concerns.
Salmonella
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart stores because they may be contaminated
Gear Isle is voluntarily recalling chocolate products because they have been found to contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients, sildenafil and tadalafil.
The recalled products are: Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Sachet,
Schreiber Foods Inc. of Green Bay, WI, is recalling 144 Cases of Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread, because it may contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe
