New research out of Washington State University shows that ultraviolet C light can help kill foodborne pathogens on certain fruits. The light, which cannot penetrate opaque, solid objects, destroys the nucleic acid and disrupts the DNA of microorganisms. It’s been used for years to sanitize food contact surfaces, as well as drinking water. Shyam Sablani,…
Publix Recalls Fruit and Grain Salad for Listeria Risk
Publix Super Markets issued a voluntary recall of a fruit and grain salad sold at its stores Tuesday because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The company is recalling certain lots of its Publix brand Deli Tri Fruit and Grain Salad, produced by Allison’s Gourmet Kitchens, and distributed to stores in Alabama, Florida,…
How Do Pathogens Get Into Produce?
Leafy greens, lettuce, cantaloupes, mangoes and strawberries. These are just some of the foods that have sickened or even killed people when they were contaminated with foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella. Amidst the confusing swirl of information about these and other produce outbreaks, the question arises: Were some of…
For Fruits and Veggies, the Choice Should Be Easy
Choosing healthy food is complicated for consumers when they are faced with conflicting recommendations. In the case of the healthiest foods – fruits and vegetables – the choice should be very easy. Consumers simply should be eating more. Whether organically or conventionally grown, consumers can choose either with confidence. Unfortunately, this very simple “eat more”…
New Produce Regulations Won’t Be Final Until OMB Says So
PROVIDENCE–With implementing regulations held up at the White House’s Executive Office of Management and Budget (OMB), officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are finding themselves able to talk only in generalities about the nation’s new food safety law. That’s disappointing to some attending the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) meeting this…
Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables: They’re Essential to a Healthy Diet
Last month the United States Department of Agriculture released its Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary which reports pesticide residues on fruits, vegetables and other foods commonly consumed in the United States. This was the 20th time this report has been published and it, in part, represents the transparency the USDA has with respect to food…
USDA Report Says Pesticide Residues Aren’t a Food Safety Concern
After testing 12,845 samples of fresh produce and other foods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture once again says pesticide residues are not a safety issue.
That’s according to the latest Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary released Friday by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The report details the analysis of samples collected in 2010. The data program …
Pathogens Thrive on Ripe Fruit, Dublin Conference Learns
Escherichia coil and Salmonella enterica thrive on ripe fruit, according to research presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference held last week in Dublin.
The work by researchers at the Imperial College London is expected to have a positive impact on food safety, improving both health and economic benefits.
Melons, jalapeno and serrano …
High Schoolers Not Getting Enough Fruits and Veggies
High school students aren’t consuming enough fruits and vegetables, and may therefore be at a greater risk for many chronic diseases, certain cancers, and obesity, according to a report released last week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data on the amount of fruit and vegetables eaten by high school students in…
Why Fruits, Vegetables Are Excluded from Farm Subsidies
There has been a lot of talk recently about federal farm subsidies, including whether the Super Committee is going to cut them to aid in reducing the federal deficit; whether these subsidies are contributing to growing health problems; and, whether the government is being inconsistent in encouraging us to eat more fruits and vegetables…