Food Safety
The Fresh Produce Industry has increasing pressure to prove measures have been taken to minimize risks of microbial contamination.
Partial list of organizations offering respirator fit testing compiled by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)
When inquiring, ask these organizations about their fee structure, whether or not they will come to you, and if they can test the brand and model of your mask(s). Note that this list is evolving and may change over time.
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Follow up to Part I article. The original part II article appeared in Issue 3 of the Fruit Notes newsletter, March 22, 2017.
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
This is Part I of an important article on Listeria monocytogenes contamination on fresh produce. Included are descriptions of the deadly Jensen Farms outbreak on cantaloupe from Colorado in 2011 along with the Bidart Brothers (California) outbreak on fresh and caramelized apples in 2014 that also hospitalized and killed several people.
Some of the biology and the persistence of this deadly pathogen is discussed, as well as detection methods and possible places that can harbor Listeria and allow it to grow. How to reduce risk of Listeria contamination in the packinghouse is introduced.
Part II of the article is in the Second Issue of the Fruit Notes, Volume 17, Issue 2.
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
One of the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act is water testing for surface and ground water. Those growers using surface or ground water in production (pre-harvest) for crop protectant sprays or irrigation need to develop a Microbial Water Quality Profile (MWQP). This requires 20 water tests per surface source in the 2-4 years PRIOR to compliance dates. Large business (>$500K annual fresh produce sales over 3 years) need to be in compliance for the water requirement by January of 2020. The tests need to be quantified generic E.coli. The easiest way to develop your MWQP is to perform 5 tests each growing season from 2016-2019. Alternatively, you could do 6-7 tests per year from 2017-2019, or 10 tests/yr in 2018 and 2019. See the Excel spreadsheet below for the Western Center for Produce Safety at UC Davis's MWQP die-off calculator. Instructions are in the firs tab.
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
The Produce Safety Alliance is your Link to stay updated on Food Safety as it applies to growers and packers. This includes updates of future requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Click here: The Produce Safety Alliance is your Link to stay updated on Food Safety as it applies to growers and packers. This includes updates of future requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Click here: producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/
Presentations given at the 2015 Commercial Tree Fruit Schools in Lake George (LG) and Kingston in the Hudson Valley (HV) are available by clicking on the following links.
FOOD SAFETY CATEGORIES
Organizations Offering Respirator Fit Testing
Last Modified: March 8, 2018
Partial list of organizations offering respirator fit testing compiled by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)
When inquiring, ask these organizations about their fee structure, whether or not they will come to you, and if they can test the brand and model of your mask(s). Note that this list is evolving and may change over time.
Listeria - Why is it Not Going Away? - Part II
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: June 19, 2017
Follow up to Part I article. The original part II article appeared in Issue 3 of the Fruit Notes newsletter, March 22, 2017.
Listeria - Why is it Not Going Away? - Part I
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: February 15, 2017
This is Part I of an important article on Listeria monocytogenes contamination on fresh produce. Included are descriptions of the deadly Jensen Farms outbreak on cantaloupe from Colorado in 2011 along with the Bidart Brothers (California) outbreak on fresh and caramelized apples in 2014 that also hospitalized and killed several people.
Some of the biology and the persistence of this deadly pathogen is discussed, as well as detection methods and possible places that can harbor Listeria and allow it to grow. How to reduce risk of Listeria contamination in the packinghouse is introduced.
Part II of the article is in the Second Issue of the Fruit Notes, Volume 17, Issue 2.
Microbial Water Quality Profile Calculator for Surface Water (FSMA requirments)
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: May 17, 2016
One of the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act is water testing for surface and ground water. Those growers using surface or ground water in production (pre-harvest) for crop protectant sprays or irrigation need to develop a Microbial Water Quality Profile (MWQP). This requires 20 water tests per surface source in the 2-4 years PRIOR to compliance dates. Large business (>$500K annual fresh produce sales over 3 years) need to be in compliance for the water requirement by January of 2020. The tests need to be quantified generic E.coli. The easiest way to develop your MWQP is to perform 5 tests each growing season from 2016-2019. Alternatively, you could do 6-7 tests per year from 2017-2019, or 10 tests/yr in 2018 and 2019. See the Excel spreadsheet below for the Western Center for Produce Safety at UC Davis's MWQP die-off calculator. Instructions are in the firs tab.
Food Safety Resources
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: April 17, 2015
The Produce Safety Alliance is your Link to stay updated on Food Safety as it applies to growers and packers. This includes updates of future requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Click here: The Produce Safety Alliance is your Link to stay updated on Food Safety as it applies to growers and packers. This includes updates of future requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Click here: producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/
Presentations - 2015 Winter Tree Fruit Schools
Last Modified: February 16, 2015
Presentations given at the 2015 Commercial Tree Fruit Schools in Lake George (LG) and Kingston in the Hudson Valley (HV) are available by clicking on the following links.
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Lunchtime Q & A Session, Tuesday, June 9: Managing Field Crews during COVID-19: What Actions Should Apple Growers Take?
June 9, 2020
As New York "Reopens" business during the COVID-19 crisis, business owners are evaluating what actions they need to take to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers. Join a panel of experts for a Question and Answer lunchtime session on June 9th, 2020 at noon that will address common questions that apple growers and other producers have about managing their field crew.