Mushroom recall - links

Here are some Web links to the mushroom recall this morning:

Phillips Farms news release

foxnews - Mushrooms recalled due to possible listeria contamination

philly.com - Chesco mushroom farm announces recall of enokis

Lawyersandsettlements.com - Mushrroms, potential risk for listeria

cnn.com - Enoki mushrooms from Phillips Farms recalled

Packer newsbreak - Sept. 4

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Honduran melon exporter close to U.S. access

A Sept. 2 Associated Press report that the Honduras-based Montelibano Melon Co. has been cleared to export melons to the U.S. is premature, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokesman Sebastian Cianci and a Montelibano representative. Go here for the story.

California Asian pear prices on the rise

Larger sizes and outstanding taste are the highlights, grower-shippers said, as the California Asian pear crop hit mid-season form. Prices are climbing, they said. Go here for the story.

Produce traceability standards plan finalized

The Produce Traceability Initiative has finalized a timeline for industry implementation of case-level traceability standards, and the groups involved are circulating the action plan in the U.S. and Canada. Go here for the story.

Mushrooms sent to Canadian retailers recalled

Canadian shoppers in Ontario are being warned not to eat Fresh Obsessions brand sliced white mushrooms because they may contain the Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Go here for the story.

Del Monte partners with CBS Sports Store

Del Monte is teaming up with CBS Sports Store this fall to reach out to a football-loving audience. Go here for the story.

Packer newsbreak - Aug. 28

This Aug. 28 edition of The Packer Newsbreak sponsored by:
Well-Pict Berries
Simonian Fruit Company &
Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association

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DLF International to move into citrus packing
VERO BEACH, Fla. - DLF International Inc.'s move into a packinghouse transforms the citrus marketer into a grower and packer. Go here for the story

Brazil may limit mango exports to U.S.
The dollar's depreciation, the Brazilian real's appreciation and high shipping costs mean Brazil's mango exporters may cut back sharply on volumes to the U.S. Go here for the story:


Duda vows faster, fresher lemon shipments
Oviedo, Fla.-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. plans to ship about 500,000 cartons of lemons from its new facility in Guemez, Mexico, this season. Go for the here story:


Mushroom prices offset lower sales volume
Fewer mushrooms were sold in the U.S. this season, but because of higher prices, the value of the crop was largely unchanged from a year ago. Go here for the story:


Loblaws promotion backs local produce
Brampton, Ontario-based Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is giving Canadians what they want - local produce. Go here for the story:

Mushroom report - organic area up

Here is the USDA's mushroom report, released on Friday. Here are a few highlights, from the report:


Sales of the 2007-08 U.S. mushroom crop are 809 million pounds, down 2 percent from the 2006-07 season and 4 percent below two years ago. Value of sales for the 2007-08 U.S. mushroom crop is $964 million, virtually unchanged from the previous season but 8 percent above the 2005-06 season. The number of growers, at 286, is up 6 from last season. The average price is $1.19 per pound, up 3 cents from 2006-07.
Volume of sales reported by growers of Agaricus mushrooms for fresh market is 675 million pounds, down 3 percent from last season.


Later, about organics:

Growers sold 39.8 million pounds of mushrooms that were certified organic during the 2007-08 growing season, 9 percent above 2006-07. Out of the 39.8 million pounds, 13.3 million pounds, or 33 percent of the total were sold as certified organic mushrooms, while the rest were sold without the certified organic label. This compares with 8.78 million pounds, or 24 percent sold as certified organic during the 2006-07 crop year. Agaricus mushrooms accounted for 84 percent of the mushrooms sold as certified organic, while all specialty mushrooms made up the remainder. These certified organic sales represent 2 percent of the 2007-08 total mushroom sales. The number of certified organic mushroom growers totaled 42, up 1 from the previous season. These growers represent 15 percent of the 286 total mushroom producers.