SEATTLE — The mood was upbeat as the Center for Produce Safety’s seventh annual Research Symposium opened. “Welcome to our coming-out party,” said an enthusiastic Steve Patricio, the center’s board chairman, as he welcomed more than 300 attendees to the two days of research reports about food safety in the fresh produce industry. Patricio, president…
Study: For a Safer Harvest, It’s Best to Wait 24 Hours After Rain, Irrigation
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,…
Colorado Addresses Food Safety After Severe Floods
Colorado officials are working with farmers to address potential crop and soil contamination after severe flooding hit Northeastern Colorado last month. Their biggest challenge will likely be assessing flood-affected fields before replanting and analyzing affected water before fall irrigation. So far, state officials and others are confident that only safe products from the state will…