Food Safety

Worker training crucial to food handling safety and is the first-line of defense

Training workers to properly handle covered crops (fruits and vegetables typically consumed raw) is a crucial initial step in ensuring compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, from the field to the postharvest processing facility. ... more »

FSMA 204 compliance may be coming faster than producers, suppliers anticipate

A new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule requiring additional traceability records for certain foods goes into effect in January 2026, but the deadline for compliance may become a reality even sooner. The FDA’s... more »

UF IFAS offers fruit growers food safety education

The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is offering remote and in-person food safety trainings. Below is a listing of educational opportunities that UF IFAS has scheduled. In-person Produce Safety Alliance grower... more »

Editor’s Letter: New food safety rules affect water, crop handling

This year is flying by. It’s hard to believe summer’s almost gone. With harvesting and plantings for fall harvests, there’s so much on growers’ plates. Growers and others in the supply chain work hard to... more »

Map the flow: FSMA requirements impact on postharvest handling and sanitation

All food contact surfaces of equipment and tools used with covered produce — defined by the Produce Safety Rule as food and vegetables typically consumed raw — must be inspected, maintained and cleaned as reasonably... more »

Food safety focus of new statewide Florida Extension agent

New statewide Florida Extension agent Stephanie Brown is assisting growers with their food safety practices. Growing up in rural Douglas, Georgia, a town of 11,000 people, Brown actively participated in Future Farmers of America. She... more »

WeighPack Systems introduces bulk weigh filling machine

Precision weigh-filling and packaging machinery manufacturer WeighPack Systems Inc. has launched a new bulk weigh filling machine. The new bulk weigh filling machine system integrates an in-line metal detector between the filling process and weigh... more »

Washington Winegrowers Association to hold food safety webinar

The Washington Winegrowers Association is scheduling a food safety webinar. The Winery Sanitation & Food Safety Webinar is scheduled for June 27. The web seminar is designed to train viticulturists and winemakers on best practices... more »