— OPINION —
Editor’s note: This article was first published in The Regulatory Review and is reprinted here with permission.
Foodborne illness caused by contaminated agricultural water is a significant problem. Although Congress has mandated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically address the issue, the agency
Continue Reading Regulating agricultural water quality
— OPINION —
In response to FDA’s “Southwest Agricultural Region Environmental Microbiology Study (2019 – 2024)” the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association wrote, “Clearly, more scientific data is needed…” (1) . I disagree, there is a plethora of scientific data in the FDA study plus the considerable body of scientific data
Continue Reading Please sir, may I have more data
A national trade organization representing beef producers is pushing back against a research project that has found that dust from feedlots can contaminate produce growing fields and irrigation water.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association posted a statement saying that more research is needed.
The pushback came after the Food and
Continue Reading Cattlemen contest research that shows dust from feedlots can contaminate irrigation water, leafy greens
Feedlots likely contribute to the contamination of fresh produce in nearby fields, according to a study initiated after a deadly E. Coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce.
The 2018 outbreak sickened 210 people, with 96 requiring hospitalization. Five of the patients died. The outbreak, which was linked to romaine lettuce
Continue Reading Researchers establish a link between feedlots and contamination of produce, irrigation water
Public health officials have determined that an outbreak of E. coli infections in a Utah city were caused by untreated municipal irrigation water.
In July through September 2023, there were 13 children confirmed with infections. Seven of the patients required hospitalization and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of
Continue Reading Investigators determine that E. coli outbreak was caused by untreated home irrigation water
Just a month ago, the Environmental Protection Agency rejected revisions to the Clean Water Act submitted in 2017 for more effective regulations of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
In response, the San Francisco-based Center for Food Safety and 12 other groups sued the EPA for its denial to regulate factory
Continue Reading Lawsuit over farm manure disposal could also help remove pathogens from irrigation water
Food safety and clean water always make for a good marriage. That can be seen in a recent legal settlement involving two large dairies in Eastern Washington that were accused of contaminating the water and soil in the area. The goal of the settlement is to stop the animal waste
Continue Reading Food safety scores a win in recent water settlements
Proposed changes in an FDA rule for produce growers regarding food safety measures will change the face of public health even though it would eliminate some water testing requirements, according to the agency’s top food safety official.
“This is a game-changer,” said Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy
Continue Reading Proposed rule for produce irrigation water does not mandate pre-harvest testing
PHOENIX — With the Food Safety Modernization Act and other Food and Drug Administration regulations guiding growing and processing of fresh produce, it’s common for companies in the supply chain to have a compliance-driven mindset.
To Drew McDonald, vice president of quality and food safety for Taylor Farms, Salinas, CA,
Continue Reading Let data drive the food safety process, and share knowledge with the industry
Almost 70 people have fallen ill in New Zealand with Salmonella infections from alfalfa sprouts.
GSF Fresh New Zealand recalled some of its Pams, Sproutman and Fresh Harvest branded sprout products because of a “production process concern” at the end of March.
A spokesman from the Ministry of Health told
Continue Reading Alfalfa sprouts linked to Salmonella outbreak in New Zealand
