food supply

Georgia Produce Safety Rule Update

Dan Georgia, Vegetables

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm Safety Program, which started back in 2013, helped develop partnerships and relationships with farmers across the state concerning the regulatory requirements for produce safety under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Farm Safety Education and Outreach Associate, Elizabeth Stalvey, updates where things stand with the program.

food

Less Than Two Percent of Food Violates Pesticide Residue Standards

Dan Field Crops, Industry News Release

Every year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests food for pesticide residues that violate the limits allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The FDA enforces those standards in both domestically-produced food as well as imported food. As late as the fiscal year 2015, the FDA found that most foods were well within the allowable standards, with domestic food …

fried

NAFTA Talks Reach Standstill

Dan Dairy, Trade, Vegetables

Agriculture and other contentious issues proposed by the U.S. during round four of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks have stalled the renegotiation effort. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have now agreed to extend the talks into 2018, failing to meet the Trump Administration’s goal to conclude the talks by the end of this year. The move comes …

farm progress

FDA Grants to Help States Comply with FSMA Produce Rule

Dan Industry News Release, Vegetables

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing $30.9 million in funding to support 43 states in their continued efforts to help implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) produce safety rule. The funds represent the largest total of grants made available by the FDA to support compliance with the rule, which seeks to update and strengthen the FDA’s …

Researchers Hope to Help Find Sites to Grow Tomorrow’s Produce

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Vegetables

by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida researchers are sounding a warning bell that fresh produce may be hard to come by in the future. Scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences cite changes in our climate, loss of fresh water and competition for resources as major threats to farmers’ …

chlorine dioxide

Chlorine Dioxide Pouches Can Make Produce Safer and Reduce Spoilage

Dan Research, Vegetables

A small plastic pouch, half the size of a credit card, could soon make the nation’s produce safer by killing off pathogens that make people sick. The pouch, developed with help from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, releases chlorine dioxide gas, which eliminates E. coli and other pathogens from the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Worrell Water Technologies of Delray Beach, Florida, hopes …

food supply

Nutrients are Nice, but Produce Better Pass the Taste Test

Dan Fruits, Vegetables

by Brad Buck, University of florida/IFAS Consumers want produce that tickles their taste buds and is easy on the eye, but they think quality fruits and vegetables are a matter of luck, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. The fact that consumers purchase produce to satisfy their senses – not necessarily for its nutrients …