Produce Safety Updates - Produce Safety Project

Updated version of the Senate food safety bill including produce standards is now available
CDC Releases New Data on Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Leafy vegetables are traced to 14% of outbreaks
Watermelon industry unites to distance itself from melons

National Watermelon Association says watermelons are not melons
USDA and FDA Issue Joint Statement: Coordinating Efforts to Ensure Safety of Produce

Announce Public Comment Period Open for Produce Rule
AFDO Releases Model Code for Produce Safety

The Association of Food and Drug Officials Publish Model Code for Produce Safety for State and Local Regulatory Agencies
FDA’s Announces Plans to Issue Proposed Regulations for Fresh Produce Safety by October 2010

Statement by Jim O’Hara, PSP Director, in response to the FDA’s announcement on enforceable standards for fresh produce safety
CDC Publishes State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables

Report provides national and state-specific information on each state’s progress towards the national Healthy People 2010 fruit and vegetable objectives.
FDA Releases 2009 Food Code

Model code provides guidance for regulating the retail food industry to reduce the risk foodborne illness.
FDA Begins Work on Produce Safety Standards

FDA Acknowledges Commitment to Produce Safety Standards
FDA Commissioner Hamburg Speaks at 32nd Annual National Food Policy Conference

Commissioner addresses Food Safety Reform at the Food and Drug Administration
Pew Finds Large Majority of Americans Want Stronger Food Safety Rules

Polls released over the last month show consumers support the federal government adopting stronger food safety measures.
Food and Water Watch Release New Report “The Poisoned Fruit of American Trade Policy”

Report Finds That Produce Imports Overwhelm American Farmers and Consumers
HHS and USDA Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Web Site

Web site features the latest food safety and recall information
USDA Reports that Fruit and Vegetable Imports Grew Substantially From 1997 to 2007

Report provides analysis of U.S. food imports, including of growth of consumer ready products.
White House Announces Proposed FDA Rule on Produce Safety

Statement by Jim O’Hara, Director, Produce Safety Project
Produce Safety Project Requests Produce Rule from FDA Commissioner

Letter asks for mandatory and enforceable standards for fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh Produce Industry Association Petitions USDA for a National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Association sends letter to USDA formally requesting agency establish NLGMA
H.R 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

The Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup on "H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" which grants the FDA the authorities and resources it needs to better oversee the safety of the nation's food supply.
FDA Chief Focuses on Produce Safety

Calling it "a critical time" for food safety, the FDA’s new chief said she plans to strengthen steps to prevent contamination of fresh fruit and vegetables.
CDC Releases New Report on Foodborne Illness in MMWR

Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks reviews data collected in 2006
Energy and Commerce Committee Release Draft Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

Committee leaders release a discussion draft of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 and schedule a hearing for June 3, 2009.
President's Food Safety Working Group Holds Listening Session

Key stakeholders participate in listening session on May 13, 2009
House Committee on Agriculture Holds hearing on Food Safety

Hearing reviewed food safety standards for horticulture and organic agriculture. Witnesses included government officials and industry leaders.
Opening Statement of Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg Commissioner-Designate of the FDA

Dr. Hamburg, Commissioner-Designate of the FDA, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
New Report Calls for Stronger State and Local Food Safety Roles

Report calls for leadership by Congress and HHS to build an integrated national food safety system that makes effective use of the best science and all available public resources to prevent foodborne illness.
Report Calls Food Safety System Antiquated, Calls for Reform

Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s new report examines problems with the current food safety system and proposes ways to improve the food safety functions at HHS.
Officials driven to take closer look at food safety

Deadly salmonella outbreak is forcing lawmakers to examine methods to improve food-safety regulations that in some cases haven’t been updated in a century.
Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Are Increasingly Recognized As A Source Of Food Poisoning Outbreaks

Raw fruits and vegetables are good for you but may also send you to the doctor, according to research published today by Cambridge University Press in the journal Epidemiology and Infection.
Obama joins calls for improving US food safety regime

President Obama called today for a "complete review" of the operations of the FDA in the wake of the outbreak of Salmonella in peanuts and peanut butter.
Major Trade Associations Call on Congress to Reform Food-Safety Laws

Trade associations urge Congress to quickly enact food-safety reforms to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
FDA Releases One-Year Progress Summary on 2007 Food Protection Plan

Released on December 1, the summary describes FDA’s efforts to build safety in the U.S. and global food systems.
Food Safety on GAO List of Urgent Issues

On their new website focused on the Presidential transition, GAO included food safety on their list of top issues facing the Obama Administration.
GAO issues report criticizing FDA oversight of fresh produce safety

Report issued September 26 assesses FDA’s performance regarding the safety of domestic and imported fresh produce.
FDA issues notice seeking information to update its 1998 Guidance on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Agency issues call for information on agricultural practices, risk factors and possible measure to enhance produce safety.
Government and industry move forward on traceability initiatives.

Government and industry leaders are taking action to enhancing produce traceability throughout the supply train.
Florida Adopts Tomato-Safety Regulations

In 2007, Florida passed a law that allows the Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services to address safety concerns related to fresh tomatoes.
University of California, Davis establishes Center for Produce Safety

$1 million research effort aims to enhance the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fresh Express Produce Safety Research

In April 2007, Fresh Express launched a $2 million dollar research effort aimed at increasing the understanding of contamination by the pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 in lettuce and leafy greens.

Produce Safety Updates