Indiana, New Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, have been cleared by the Food & Drug Administration regarding the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak associated with tomatoes.

As the June 16 issue of The Produce News was going to press, the Salmonella situation relating to tomatoes was still very unsettled, but growers, shippers, wholesalers and retailers were optimistic that normalcy would soon return to the marketplace.

Gary Margolis, president of Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales Inc. in Boca Raton, FL, was reached at his Arkansas facility June 11 as his firm was about to begin nationwide shipping of this year's tomato crop.

At Dandrea Produce Inc. in Landisville, NJ, the next generation has arrived, and the newest member of the family-run operation is bringing energy and enthusiasm to its recently launched line of organic items.

PHILADELPHIA -- The North American Perishable Agricultural Receivers organization will no longer be a branch of the Food Marketing Institute. But Patrick Davis will remain the president of NAPAR, and the association representing the interests of produce wholesalers will continue to operate from the Arlington, VA, offices of FMI.

With the change, Mr. Davis is no longer an employee of FMI, but he will be a consultant to FMI, with the responsibility of managing FMI's strategic initiatives share group.

NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association announced June 12 its support for a Bush administration proposal to increase U.S. Food & Drug Administration funding to strengthen the agency's food safety capabilities.

MISSION, TX -- The main citrus packing facility and the office for Rio Queen Citrus Inc. were destroyed by fire June 11 after a welder's torch apparently ignited insulation, according to an announcement from TexaSweet Citrus Marketing Inc. and the Texas Produce Association. There were no injuries in the complex, which was undergoing off-season repairs.