With a focus on fresh-cut produce in the U.S./North America, this article explores critical questions related to the improvement and modernization of the microbial outbreak investigation process.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed preliminary findings from a multi-year environmental study of a specific growing region in the Southwest U.S., which sought to better understand the ecology of human pathogens in the environment.

According to the latest California Pesticide Residue Monitoring Annual Report from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), 97 percent of fresh produce samples collected across the state contain no pesticide residues exceeding health-protective thresholds set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently suggested lowering the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for acetamiprid after scientific evidence was published that raised uncertainties about its toxicity. EFSA also recommends lowering the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid in food crops, as current MRLs pose a health risk to consumers.

A study has identified significant deficiencies in existing quantitative risk assessment models for Listeria monocytogenes on produce, such as failure to consider important contamination factors in primary production, among other gaps.

The Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA) Operations and Technical Food Safety Forum will be held June 25–26, 2024; preceded by the PTNPA D.C. Fly-In on May 20–22, 2024.

A recent study comparing the presence of chemical contaminants in conventionally and hydroponically grown produce found pesticide residues and toxic heavy metals in a larger number of conventional samples than in hydroponic samples. Phthalate levels were consistent between conventional and hydroponic samples.

On May 20, 2024 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an informational webinar about the recently published Agricultural Water Final Rule.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the long-anticipated Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Final Rule, fulfilling Subpart E of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

To help predict and mitigate the presence of Escherichia coli and other foodborne pathogens on lettuce, a new weather-based model has been developed by USDA-ARS researchers and collaborators.