Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Friday, February 13, 2009

Fresh produce can send you to the doctor

From Science Daily, a story that points the finger at fresh produce as an increasing source of foodborne illness outbreaks. No earth shattering news in this story, but it draws from an international perspective. From the piece:

In Europe, recent outbreaks have revealed new and unexplained links between some bacterias and viruses that cause food poisoning and imported baby corn, lettuces, and even raspberries. In the USA, recent outbreaks of E Coli infections have been linked to bagged baby spinach, and Salmonella to peppers, imported cantaloupe melons and tomatoes as well.

Other headlines snatched from the Web:

Ecuador rejects EU call to drop banana suit
Reuters

USDA: Farm income to drop 20% in 2009
From Reuters
Net farm income will remain 9 percent above the 10-year average, USDA said, pointing out that government payments will be at their lowest level since 1997.

PMA study shows produce packs economic force Coverage from The Packer

Yakima Herald: Public can't be testing ground for food safety

Mexico's drug turf battles near Mexico City
From AP

Florida tomato supply gap to hit in March Coverage from The Packer

Union Pacific to raise shipping rates by 5% to 6% in 2009
Dow Jones

Corn for ethanol use to rise in 2009
Reuters
Overall, ethanol is forecast to command about 33 percent of the corn crop compared to 30 percent in 2008/09.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home