USDA researchers discover 33 new mycotoxin-producing fungi species

U.S – The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified 33 new species of mycotoxin-producing fungi that are part of the Fusarium genus, paving the way for research to fight a grave threat to the world’s food supply. Several Fusarium species are known to produce toxic secondary metabolites in plant tissues, among which Trichothecenes…

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FAO/WHO expert committee finalizes discussions on mitigating microbial contamination in fruits, vegetables

GLOBAL – The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbial Risk Assessment (JEMRA) has concluded that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) coupled with Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) during cultivation and harvest, are the most effective means of mitigating the risk of microbial contamination. JEMRA had a session on the prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the…

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Study aims to help ensure adherence to retail program standards

U.S – The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has stressed the importance of state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions work toward conformance to Standard 9, as it provides a framework for alignment with the other eight Retail Program Standards. This was in a study titled, “Analysis of Factors Impacting the Implementation of Effective Intervention Strategies”,  conducted…

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Arizona LGMA updates food safety requirements for 2022-2023 growing season

U.S – The Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (Arizona LGMA) Food Safety Committee has signed off multiple modifications to the food safety requirements that all members are required to stick to. In November, when harvest for the 2022–2023 growing season begins, Arizona Department of Food and Agriculture auditors will start confirming compliance with the rules, which took effect on September…

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Compliance with FDA Food Code key to mitigating norovirus in restaurants

U.S – A study on mitigating the risk of contracting norovirus from the consumption of foods prepared in food service establishments has revealed that full compliance with FDA Food Code recommendations for hand hygiene and the exclusion of ill food employees from the workplace have the largest impact. The study, conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration used an…

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KEBS suspends sale of 10 edible fats, cooking oil brands in Kenya over non-compliance

KENYA – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has suspended the sale of ten brands of edible oil and fats in the market for failing to fulfil the acceptable standards and ordered for their immediate recall. In a letter addressed to the Retail Traders Association of Kenya (RETRAK), the standards body highlighted it recently sampled and analyzed brands of edible…

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