Penn State Extension is offering a new online course, “Keeping Apples Safe in the Packinghouse,” which provides resources on commercial food processing best practices, regulations and related topics.
The topic of food safety in apple packing houses came to the forefront in 2014 when a multistate Listeria outbreak was traced
Continue Reading Penn State course to cover apple packinghouse food safety practices
An Australian survey of patulin in apple juice and other apple products has found the concentration in most items was low.
In 2020, several apple juice products were recalled because of high patulin levels. In response, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and other government, state, and territory health authorities ran a
Continue Reading FSANZ patulin survey finds low risk to public
Motts LLP, of Frisco, TX, is recalling 9,593 cases of Motts applesauce because of elevated patulin levels.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), patulin is a mycotoxin produced by a variety of molds, particularly Aspergillus, Penicillium and Byssochlamys. Often found in rotting apples and apple products. The acute symptoms in
Continue Reading Applesauce recalled over elevated patulin levels
This year’s Dirty Dozen list from the Environmental Working Group opens with a statement about COVID-19 and food safety, encouraging consumers to continue to eat fresh fruits and vegetables during the pandemic.
Officials with the non-profit organization also say certain leafy greens, including kale and spinach, are among the fresh
Continue Reading Some leafy greens added to Dirty Dozen, strawberries still at top of the EWG’s list
Traverse City, MI-based North Bay Produce Monday recalled 2,297 cases and two bulk bins of fresh apples due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Recalled varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious apples. They were being sold in eight states.
Recalled apples were sold
Continue Reading McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious apples recalled for Listeria
European authorities have uncovered an operation allegedly making products out of decomposed apples, contaminated with mycotoxins and other toxic chemicals, unsuitable for human consumption and dangerous for public health.
Italian and Serbian authorities said they cracked the fraud ring that engaged in production and trade of allegedly organic food and
Continue Reading Officials bust gang in organic fraud case involving rotten apples
Researchers have described the first outbreak of apple juice-related cryptosporidiosis reported outside the United States.
Although it did not involve many people, it serves as a reminder that apple juice, and other beverages, may serve as transmission vehicles for cryptosporidiosis and appropriate hygiene measures are essential in the production of
Continue Reading Cryptosporidiosis outbreak linked to apple juice
Editor’s note: This column was originally posted by the Michigan State University Extension Service.
Fall is here. Leaves are changing colors, the air is getting cooler and the last of the produce season is upon us. One fall
Continue Reading Avoid spiking your cider with foodborne pathogens
There are 18 days remaining in the public comment period on the Arctic Fuji as Okenagan Specialty Fruits Inc. seeks permission to market its third variety of genetically modified, non-browning apple. 
Neal Carter founded Okanagen Speciality Fruits in 1996 in Summerland, British Columbia. The company has
Continue Reading Public comments so far show support for third GMO apple
SEATTLE — Sometimes when something that “just can’t happen” does happen, valuable lessons are learned. That was the case when some batches of commercially produced, packaged, whole caramel apples turned out to be the cause of a listeriosis outbreak in 2014-15 that infected 35 people from 12 states, putting 34
Continue Reading Listeria outbreak set apple industry on a targeted course
