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.
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or
The Food and Drug Administration uses import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed.
Recent
7-Eleven brand sandwiches, subs and wraps are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
The products were distributed to 7-Eleven stores in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Liquid Blenz Corp. of Rockville Center, NY, is recalling all codes of Good Brain Tonic because of Botulism potential.
The Good Brain Tonic was distributed nationwide in retail stores and
Fish has been connected to two separate outbreaks in the Philippines and Vanuatu.
Media reports on the number of sick people in the Philippines range from 20 to 51.
The
Soo brand Mala Spicy Flavoured Beef Jerky and Pork Jerky are being recalled in Canada because of mold on the products.
The recalled jerky was distributed in Alberta and British