Groups team up to ensure melon safety
Nov 30, 2005 9:30 AM, from staff and wire reports
Cells of Salmonella enteritidis change shape as they grow. (Photo courtesy of Agricultural Research Service, USDA).
The United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) have issued a new document designed to ensure melons sold in United States stores are delivered using up-to-date food safety standards.
"Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain" was developed by a group of produce food safety experts and representatives of operations within the industry, and covers all steps in the melon supply chain. The document was created after several years of debate over the safety of melons imported from Mexico, after outbreaks of salmonella attributed to the products. Recently, US and Mexican agriculture officials announced new standards designed to prevent future outbreaks and reopen the domestic market to imported melons.
The joint United-PMA document can be accessed on both www.uffva.org and www.pma.com, the respective web sites of United and PMA.
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