ORLANDO, FL — Two California competitors in the leafy green business came to the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention, here, to push the new washes they are using to clean their fresh-cut products and reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of pathogens in that part of the process.

But far from claiming a competitive edge and marketing their new washes as superior, both companies are making their respective products available to the rest of the industry in an effort to improve the safety of the industry.

ORLANDO, FL — China is mysterious but has reason to its rhyme, according to Michael Colopy, a Washington, DC-based foreign affairs specialist. The fast- growing country has huge potential for fruit exporters, according to Chinese produce importer John Wang. The country is also a good source of produce exports, added Jim Provost, owner of I Love Produce LLC.

ORLANDO, FL — A panel of retail produce managers from around the country gave an upbeat snapshot of consumer produce purchases during a workshop at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, here, Oct. 15-18.

Del Monte Fresh Produce is recalling cantaloupes distributed in the Detroit area after Michigan inspectors found that one melon tested positive for Salmonella in a Michigan warehouse.

Some 81 cartons of cantaloupes distributed to wholesalers in Detroit were recalled Oct. 21 as a result of tests by the Michigan Department of Agriculture as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Microbiological Data Program.

ORLANDO, FL — Tony Tantillo, well known to television viewers in the metropolitan New York area as The Fresh Grocer for his segments on WCBS- TV about fresh produce, will also be the new spokesman for the Hunts Point Terminal Market.

"He is really terrific to work with," Myra Gordon, the market's executive administrative director, told The Produce News Saturday, Oct. 16, just prior to the opening of the Produce Marketing Association’s trade show, here, part of PMA’s annual Fresh Summit.

ORLANDO, FL — Brazilian melon producer Itaueira Farms is using feedback it garnered at the recent Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition to help plot its course for future product releases.

Rodrigo Lima, president of Crown International USA Inc., the Key Biscayne, FL-based marketing arm for Itaueira Farms, said that the PMA Fresh Summit, held here Oct. 15-18, was a good opportunity to expose the trade to its "REI" brand Canary melons and other melon varieties it had available for sampling during the expo.