The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its intent to start conducting inspections of US cantaloupe packhouses, specifically targeting Listeria, during the 2013 growing season.
The move, announced in a letter to United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel, marks an increased effort to assess the current practices of the industry and identify unsanitary conditions that may constitute a health risk to consumers.
FDA plans to conduct inspections of a 'subset of the cantaloupe packhouses' in the US, while emphasising that it will continue to target imported cantaloupes at the border for sampling and may 'engage in other surveillance and inspection activities as circumstances warrant' to protect public health.
In the letter, FDA advised that, in the event of adverse findings, they would take action as needed to protect public health.
'The cantaloupe industry has made tremendous strides in addressing food safety priorities and this FDA inspection programme will demonstrate that,' said Stenzel. 'It’s imperative that every produce industry operation shows the highest commitment to food safety.'
New food safety resources are available for the cantaloupe industry, including the availability of the National Commodity-Specific Food Safety Guidelines for Cantaloupes and Netted Melons.
Released this month, the guidance was developed cooperatively by many industry stakeholders and provides a modern framework for production, harvest, post-harvest and handling of cantaloupes.
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