(This is the introduction to a five-part series on produce safety by Roy E. Costa, R.S., M.S., a registered professional sanitarian and founder/owner of Environ Health Associates Inc. ) Many nutritional experts consider fresh fruits
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Process and Substance in Third-Party Food Safety Audits
As the result of numerous national and international outbreaks of foodborne illness, food industries worldwide have come under increasing pressure to ensure that their products are safe, wholesome and meet government standards. FDA and USDA
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Diagnosing Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
Foodborne illness outbreaks result when two or more persons develop similar symptoms of illness (gastroenteritis) after eating a common food, or become ill after consuming food from a common source. Such events occur relatively frequently
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Is Honesty the Best Policy in Foodborne Illness Investigations?
One of the most important protections we have against foodborne illness is our disease-surveillance systems. These systems field reports from widespread sources and may include disease-reporting registries, local and state health departments, the Centers for
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Food Safety Auditors on Patrol
With over a million food operations in the U.S. of all types, the arena of food safety is vast and protecting it is a tough assignment.
Countless tons of foods travel through interstate commerce and
Improving the Effectiveness of Third-Party Food Safety Audits
The controversy continues over the value of third-party audits in food safety at the fresh produce level, as pointed out by Professor Doug Powell at Kansas State University in his BITES blog.
Jim Prevor, produce
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The Role of the Third-Party Food Safety Auditor
As the result of the release of the FDA environmental assessment at Jensen Farms, the roles of all food safety persons involved at Jensen Farms-Frontera have rightfully come under fire. Once again the nature of
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Melons Stand Out As Produce Safety Problem
As the result of a recall of about 4,000 cartons of Del Monte melons (about 60,000 melons) in March of 2011, we are again reminded of the risks due to Salmonella associated with melons. At
Multiple Safety Lapses Behind Many Outbreaks
I have now been involved in over 60 investigations of foodborne illness as an expert, on the sides of both plaintiffs and defendants. Some reflections:
1. Most outbreaks that result in lawsuits have evidence of
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Sanitation Double Cross
Cross Contamination is the bane of every food-safety management system. While food safety professionals concentrate on the process flow through a food system, sanitation personnel should also be mindful of conditions where pathogens may reach
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